Lindcott Armory Revolver · Obsolete
.38-44 Heavy Duty
Smith & Wesson's heavy-duty .38 Special revolver loading from the 1930s, pushing heavier bullets faster for better penetration through early automobile glass and metal.
- Introduced
- 1930
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.357″
- Case capacity
- 18.7 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 25,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 8–12 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 1,100–1,200 fps
- Energy
- 424–505 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 1,050–1,200 fps · 13 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 13 active loads across 11 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 158 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,200 | 505 | — | $0.85 |
| Federal | Premium | 158 | JHP | 1,175 | 484 | — | $0.85 |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 158 | LFP | 1,175 | 484 | — | $0.85 |
| DoubleTap | Defense | 158 | JHP | 1,175 | 484 | — | $0.85 |
| Hornady | Custom | 158 | XTP | 1,150 | 464 | — | $0.85 |
| Doubletap | Hardcast | 180 | Hard Cast | 1,100 | 484 | — | — |
| HSM Ammunition | Bear Load | 180 | Wide Flat Nose | 1,100 | 484 | — | — |
| Graf | Standard | 158 | Lead Round Nose | 1,100 | 424 | — | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 158 | Soft Point | 1,100 | 424 | — | $0.85 |
| PPU | SP | 158 | Soft Point | 1,100 | 424 | — | $0.40 |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 158 | Lead Flat Nose | 1,080 | 409 | — | — |
| Black Hills | Cowboy | 158 | Lead Flat Nose | 1,080 | 409 | — | $0.85 |
| Sellier & Bellot | Sport | 158 | FMJ | 1,050 | 387 | — | $0.65 |
| Winchester | Lead SWC +P | 158 | Lead SWC | 1,125 | 444 | — | — |
| Federal | Lead SWC | 158 | Lead SWC | 1,125 | 444 | — | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading cost
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
Smith & Wesson developed this heavily-loaded .38 Special variant in the 1930s specifically for use in large-frame "Heavy Duty" revolvers capable of handling higher pressures. Designed to penetrate automobile glass and bodies. Its success led directly to the development of the .357 Magnum in 1934.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38-44 Heavy Duty use?
- .38-44 Heavy Duty typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38-44 Heavy Duty?
- .38-44 Heavy Duty uses a 0.357″ (9.07 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38-44 Heavy Duty still in production?
- .38-44 Heavy Duty is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .38-44 Heavy Duty used for?
- .38-44 Heavy Duty is primarily used for self-defense.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 13 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →