Revolver · SAAMI (not in current Z299)
.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 (not in current Z299)
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 17.3 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 13,000 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 1650 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
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 1:16 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 C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .38 Long Colt archived
- Manufacturer Black Hills — Black Hills 38 Long Colt (Authentic Cowboy Action line) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics
- Manufacturer Choice Ammunition — .38 Long Colt 125 Grain TCFP Hi-Tek Coated Lead Cowboy Action — 50 Round Box · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Choice Ammunition — .38 Long Colt 105 Grain TCFP Hi-Tek Coated Lead Cowboy Action — 50 Round Box · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
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 →
