38 Smith & Wesson
(38 Super Police)
(.38 Colt New Police)
The .38 S&W was designed by Smith &
Wesson and introduced during the late 1870's. Also known as the .38 Super
Police and the .38 Colt New Police, the .38 S&W was once available in
numerous revolver made by too many foreign firms to mention, plus U.S.
manufacturers such as Harrington & Richardson, Smith & Wesson, Colt,
Iver Johnson, and Hopkins & Allen. There was a time when the Welby revolver
in .38 S&W was the official sidearm of the British military, a combination
claimed to be more effective in combat then the old .455 Welby revolver.
More recently, Ruger built a number of Service Six revolvers in this chambering
for the government of India.
Like the less powerful
.32 S&W,
the .38 Smith & Wesson once enjoyed tremendous popularity in the private
sector simply because of its availability in inexpensive pocket revolvers.
It 145 grain and 200 grain loadings were rated at respective muzzle velocities
of 730 and 620 fps, for the 173 and 176 foot pounds of energy. U.S. ammunition
manufacturers now offer factory loads with a 146 grain bullet at 685 fps
for 150 foot pounds of energy.
Although specified nominal bullet diameter commonly seen listed for the .38
S&W varies from .359 inch to .361 inch, most owners of guns in
this caliber report acceptable accuracy with the more common .357 inch bullets.
Like many guns built during the first half of the century, some in .38 S&W
caliber are now quite weary, something the wise handloader will keep in
mind.
Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
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