What Is .38 Special

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Last updated: April 10, 2026

Quick Answer: The .38 Special is a rimmed, centerfire revolver cartridge introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898, firing a .357-inch diameter bullet with standard pressure loads producing 850–1,000 ft/s muzzle velocity. It has remained one of the most widely used handgun cartridges for law enforcement, military, and civilian defense applications for over 125 years due to its moderate recoil and reliability.

Key Facts

Introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898 as a centerfire revolver cartridge with .357-inch bullet diameter and rimmed casing design for reliable feeding and extraction
Standard .38 Special generates 850–1,000 feet per second muzzle velocity with 125-grain projectiles and approximately 200–250 foot-pounds of muzzle energy at 17,000 psi maximum pressure
.38 Special +P variant increases maximum pressure to 18,500 psi, producing 1,100–1,200 ft/s velocity and 300–350 foot-pounds of energy—20–30 percent more power than standard loads
Compatible with all .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers, though .38 Special-only firearms cannot safely fire .357 Magnum ammunition due to pressure differences
Served as the primary police-issued cartridge for major law enforcement agencies including the FBI from the early 1900s through the 1980s, establishing the cartridge's reliability legacy

Overview

The .38 Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898, designed specifically for use in revolver platforms. The cartridge's designation refers to its .357-inch bullet diameter, making it slightly smaller than the .357 Magnum despite both sharing the same bore size. Since its introduction, the .38 Special has become one of the most widely used and recognized handgun cartridges globally, serving both civilian and law enforcement communities for over 125 years.

The cartridge's enduring popularity stems from its moderate recoil, manageable noise levels, reliable performance, and broad compatibility across revolver platforms. Standard pressure .38 Special loads typically deliver muzzle velocities between 850 and 1,000 feet per second with common 125-grain projectiles, providing adequate stopping power for personal defense while remaining controllable for shooters of varying experience levels. The availability of ammunition in numerous loading configurations, from low-power practice rounds to high-performance defensive loads, has made the .38 Special a staple in firearms training ranges, military operations, and civilian self-defense applications worldwide.

How It Works

Understanding the .38 Special's characteristics requires examining its construction and performance specifications:

Cartridge Construction: The .38 Special consists of a brass casing, centerfire primer, smokeless powder charge, and a .357-inch diameter lead or jacketed bullet, with standard cartridge length of 1.29 inches. The rimmed design ensures proper positioning and extraction in revolver cylinders.
Standard Pressure Performance: SAAMI specifications establish maximum pressure of 17,000 psi for standard .38 Special loads, which typically produce velocities of 850–1,000 ft/s with 125-grain projectiles and develop approximately 200–250 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
.38 Special +P Variant: The +P designation indicates higher-pressure loads with maximum SAAMI pressure of 18,500 psi, generating 1,100–1,200 ft/s velocities and 300–350 foot-pounds of energy, offering approximately 20–30 percent more power than standard loads at the cost of increased recoil.
Bullet Weight Options: .38 Special ammunition is manufactured with projectile weights ranging from 110 grains for maximum velocity to 158 grains for maximum momentum, allowing shooters to select loads optimized for target practice, training, or defensive purposes.
Platform Compatibility: The .38 Special is compatible with all double-action and single-action revolvers chambered in .38 Special, and can also be safely fired in revolvers chambered for the more powerful .357 Magnum, though .357 Magnum rounds must never be fired in .38 Special-only firearms.

Key Comparisons

Cartridge	Introduction Year	Typical Velocity (125-grain)	Muzzle Energy	Primary Platform	Pressure Rating
.38 Special	1898	850–1,000 ft/s	200–250 ft-lbs	Revolver	17,000 psi
.357 Magnum	1934	1,450–1,550 ft/s	580–610 ft-lbs	Revolver	35,000 psi
9mm Parabellum	1902	1,100–1,200 ft/s	300–400 ft-lbs	Semi-automatic	35,000 psi
.45 ACP	1905	800–900 ft/s	350–400 ft-lbs	Semi-automatic	21,000 psi

Why It Matters

The .38 Special holds significant historical and practical importance in firearms development and law enforcement evolution. When introduced in 1898, the cartridge represented an advancement in revolver ammunition technology, and it quickly became the standard-issue cartridge for police departments throughout the United States and internationally. Police agencies from the early 1900s through the 1990s relied almost exclusively on .38 Special revolvers for duty carry, making this cartridge's reputation inseparable from professional law enforcement history.

Law Enforcement Legacy: The .38 Special served as the primary police-issued cartridge for approximately one century, used by major agencies including the FBI until the 1980s, establishing a proven track record of reliability and effectiveness in real-world applications.
Civilian Defense Application: The moderate recoil and manageable report make .38 Special an excellent choice for civilian self-defense, particularly for individuals sensitive to recoil, training in confined spaces, or operating in noise-restricted environments such as homes.
Training Accessibility: The cartridge's relatively low cost compared to premium defensive ammunition and widespread availability make it ideal for firearms training and practice, allowing shooters to develop proficiency without substantial expense.
Modern Relevance: Despite introduction over 125 years ago, the .38 Special remains in active use with many law enforcement agencies, private security firms, and civilian shooters, demonstrating remarkable longevity in a field characterized by rapid technological advancement.

Today, the .38 Special continues to represent a practical balance between power, controllability, and reliability, maintaining its status as one of the most recognized and respected handgun cartridges in the world. Its longevity in service reflects not technological superiority, but rather the fundamental soundness of its design and the universal appeal of its performance characteristics across diverse shooting applications and shooter demographics.