Cartridge comparison
.38 S&W vs .380 ACP
.38 S&W and .380 ACP are both in the reference; see the full spec comparison below.
Side by side
| .38 S&W | .380 ACP | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolver | Pistol |
| Introduced | 1877 | 1908 |
| Bullet diameter | 0.361″ | 0.355″ |
| Case length | 0.7752″ | 0.6799″ |
| Max pressure | 14,500 psi | 21,500 psi |
| Recoil | 2.5–4 ft·lb | 4–6.5 ft·lb |
| Effective range | 50 yd | 25 yd |
Highlighted cells hold the clear edge where both sides have a number. Every figure is a range maximum from the reference; typical loads run lower.
Case profiles, to scale
Drawn to the same scale, so the proportions are true. Physical size varies with your screen.