Lindcott Armory Compare / .38 Rimfire vs .38 S&W
Cartridge comparison
.38 Rimfire vs .38 S&W
.38 Rimfire is faster (850 vs 767 fps); .38 Rimfire carries more energy (289 vs 206 ft·lb); .38 Rimfire recoils less.
.38 Rimfire →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.38 S&W →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .38 Rimfire | .38 S&W | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Revolver |
| Introduced | 1861 | 1877 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.375″ | 0.361″ |
| Case length | 0.775″ | 0.775″ |
| Velocity | 700–850 fps | 620–767 fps |
| Energy | 163–289 ft·lb | 176–206 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 12,000 psi | 14,500 psi |
| Recoil | 1.5–2.5 ft·lb | 2.5–4 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 25 yd | 50 yd |
FAQs
- Is .38 Rimfire faster than .38 S&W?
- .38 Rimfire is faster — up to 850 fps versus 767 fps.
- Does .38 Rimfire hit harder than .38 S&W?
- .38 Rimfire carries more muzzle energy (289 vs 206 ft·lb).