Revolver · SAAMI
.38 S&W
One of the oldest surviving centerfire revolver cartridges.
- Caliber
- 0.361″ · 9.169 mm
- Introduced
- 1877
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1877
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 15 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 14,500 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 1400 yd
- Recoil
- 2.5–4 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Smith & Wesson
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .38 S&W.
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 ⌀ | 9.17 | 0.361 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.79 | 0.386 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.82 | 0.386 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.18 | 0.440 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.40 | 0.055 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 19.69 | 0.775 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 31.50 | 1.240 | ✓ |
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 S&W is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .38 S&W, 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 S&W
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1877 for their top-break revolvers. Widely adopted in civilian and law enforcement use through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The British military adopted a variant — the .380/200 — as their standard revolver cartridge in the Webley and Enfield No. 2 revolvers during WWII, using a 200gr lead bullet at modest velocity. Still manufactured today in small quantities for owners of antique revolvers and WWII-era British service revolvers.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38 S&W use?
- .38 S&W typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38 S&W?
- .38 S&W uses a 0.361″ (9.169 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38 S&W still in production?
- .38 S&W is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is .38 S&W used for?
- .38 S&W is primarily used for self defense.
- What are the best powders for .38 S&W?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 S&W include Bull's-Eye.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 20 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
