Revolver · SAAMI
.38 Long Colt
The U.S.
- Caliber
- 0.3591″ · 9.12 mm
- Introduced
- 1875
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .38 Short Colt
- Primary use
- Military (Historical)
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1875
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Colt
- Manufacturer
- Colt
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 13 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 13,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 150 yd
- Recoil
- 2.5–4 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Colt
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .38 Long Colt. Parent case: .38 Short Colt.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.12 | 0.359 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.60 | 0.378 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.18 | 0.440 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.52 | 0.060 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 26.29 | 1.035 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 34.54 | 1.360 | ✓ |
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 Long Colt is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
3 reloading powders listed for .38 Long Colt, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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.
Firearms chambered in .38 Long Colt
11 models in the database chamber .38 Long Colt. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1892 to replace the .45 Colt. Proved catastrophically ineffective during the Philippine-American War — insurgents on drugs reportedly required multiple hits to stop. This failure drove the Army toward larger calibers and ultimately the 1911.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38 Long Colt use?
- .38 Long Colt typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38 Long Colt?
- .38 Long Colt uses a 0.3591″ (9.12 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38 Long Colt still in production?
- .38 Long Colt is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .38 Long Colt used for?
- .38 Long Colt is primarily used for military (historical).
- What is .38 Long Colt based on?
- .38 Long Colt is derived from the .38 Short Colt case.
- What are the best powders for .38 Long Colt?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 Long Colt include No. 2, Bull's-Eye, HP-38.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .38 Long Colt archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Manufacturer Choice Ammunition — .38 Long Colt 105 Grain TCFP Hi-Tek Coated Lead Cowboy Action — 50 Round Box · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Choice Ammunition — .38 Long Colt 125 Grain TCFP Hi-Tek Coated Lead Cowboy Action — 50 Round Box · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Black Hills Ammunition — Black Hills 38 Long Colt (Authentic Cowboy Action line) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 7 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →