Lindcott Armory Compare / .38 S&W vs .38 Special
Cartridge comparison
.38 S&W vs .38 Special
.38 Special is faster (1,000 vs 767 fps); .38 Special carries more energy (310 vs 206 ft·lb); .38 S&W recoils less.
.38 S&W →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.38 Special →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .38 S&W | .38 Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolver | Revolver |
| Introduced | 1877 | 1898 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.361″ | 0.357″ |
| Case length | 0.775″ | 1.155″ |
| Velocity | 620–767 fps | 710–1,000 fps |
| Energy | 176–206 ft·lb | 200–310 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 14,500 psi | 17,000 psi |
| Recoil | 2.5–4 ft·lb | 6–10 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 50 yd | 50 yd |
FAQs
- Is .38 S&W faster than .38 Special?
- .38 Special is faster — up to 1,000 fps versus 767 fps.
- Does .38 S&W hit harder than .38 Special?
- .38 Special carries more muzzle energy (310 vs 206 ft·lb).