.38 Long Colt Confusion

[MI2600]

I have five New Army Colts in .38LC. All have the last patent date of 1895.

Two have steps in the chambers. I haven't fired these two because of some looseness in lock-up. The other three have been fired using .358" HBWC bullets that were recommended in previous queries. The hollow base theoretically would expand to fill the barrel.

Today, I searched and found the bullet is supposed to be .361" (wikipedia). Further unconfirmed information alleged that there were two different barrels used by Colt. The early type was reported to be .375", but was changed to a smaller .358" in 1902.

I have .361" Missouri Bullet castings (brinnell 12) that I have used for my .38 S&Ws. They drop right through the chambers and fit about half way into the forcing cones.

Would they be satisfactory/safe? Or, should I stay with the .358" HBWCs? None of my old manuals have any data.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Ideally the bullet should be snug in the chamber. Being undersize won't be dangerous, but won't help with accuracy.

 

[Old Fuff]

In its original form the .38 Long Colt had a heeled bullet, with the front part the same diameter as the case (same as .22 LR). It was intended to be used in .36 cap & ball revolvers being converted to use metallic cartridges. Thus the bullet diameter was .377" to .380".

Later the bullet was changed to an inside lubricated style and the diameter reduced to .358" - .360" with a similar reduction in barrel groove diameter.

All of those I have observed that were chambered in .38 Long Colt had chambers that were bored straight through, but at least one late production (1908) example had a stepped chamber to fit .38 LC or .38 Special - but was not so marked.

To sort things out, post the serial number(s) of your 3 revolvers, using XX for the last 2 numbers. This number is usually stamped on the butt/toward the front/in 2 rows.

 

[MI2600]

The three with no steps are:
1681XX 1901
1786XX 1901
1790XX 1901

The two with steps are:
2661XX 1906
2723XX 1907

 

[Old Fuff]

If you have a .38 Special cartridge open the cylinder on each of the two step-chambered cylinders and see if it will fully seat. check several chambers.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU CLOSE EITHER CYLINDER WHILE THE .38 SPECIAL CARTRIDGE IS STILL CHAMBERED, AND DO NOT TRY TO SHOOT THE CARTRIDGE.

If the chamber in one intended for the ,38 Long Colt (which I doubt) the .38 Special round shouldn't fully seat.

What's the point?

In 1899 Smith & Wesson introduced their new K-frame, and a revolver they called the .38 Military & Police. and at the same time they also introduced a new .38 cartridge that was similar to, but slightly longer then the .38 Long Colt, and named it the .38 Special - offering a heavier bullet and more velocity then the older .38 Long Colt.

Then on the side of the barrel they stamped: SMITH & WESSON SPECIAL ctg. (and below) 38 SMITH & WESSON special & U.S. SERVICE ctg.

The folks at Colt were not happy about the suggestion that the owner of a new S&W revolver could shoot both the improved Special as well as a Army's .38 LC service ammunition, but by implication not the Colt. They had no thought of stamping their products with any reference to "that other company," and continued to mark the barrel simply, D.A. 38. However without any fanfare they changed to a .38 Special throated chamber during the last few years of production - which lasted until 1908 when they came out with the much better Army Special.

Now that I know the dates I'll go and find the chamber and bore dimensions.

 

[MI2600]

My dummy .38 Spl bullet fits nice and snug in the stepped chambers and a little looser in the non-stepped chambers.