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.
- Caliber
- 0.357″ · 9.068 mm
- Introduced
- 1930
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1930
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 18.7 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 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
Introduced by Smith & Wesson
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .38-44 Heavy Duty — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.07 | 0.357 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.18 | 0.440 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.47 | 0.058 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 29.34 | 1.155 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 39.37 | 1.550 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .38-44 Heavy Duty is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
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″ (9.068 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.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 13 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →