Lindcott Armory Compare / .38 Short Colt vs .41 Short
Cartridge comparison
.38 Short Colt vs .41 Short
.38 Short Colt is faster (800 vs 500 fps); .38 Short Colt carries more energy (185 vs 72 ft·lb); .41 Short recoils less.
.38 Short Colt →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.41 Short →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .38 Short Colt | .41 Short | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Pistol |
| Introduced | 1875 | 1863 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.357″ | 0.406″ |
| Case length | 0.762″ | 0.528″ |
| Velocity | 730–800 fps | 425–500 fps |
| Energy | 148–185 ft·lb | 52–72 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 13,000 psi | 12,000 psi |
| Recoil | 2.5–4 ft·lb | 1.5–2.5 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 25 yd | 15 yd |
FAQs
- Is .38 Short Colt faster than .41 Short?
- .38 Short Colt is faster — up to 800 fps versus 500 fps.
- Does .38 Short Colt hit harder than .41 Short?
- .38 Short Colt carries more muzzle energy (185 vs 72 ft·lb).