.38 S&W Gel Test

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

My block of Cear Ballistics gel was about as shot up as it could be, but before recasting it I decided to try it with my .38 S&W carry-load. This is a 160gr LRNFP bullet, and I fired it over the chronograph, through four layers of denim and into the gel from a distance of ten feet. This showed a velocity of 724 fps. for 186 ft./lbs of energy. This was fired from my S&W .38 Safety Hammerless (4th Model) with a 1-5/8" barrel.



The bullet came to rest facing backwards dead-on at 16". The block was way too shot up to see the wound-track distinctly in a photo, but the wound was streamlined for the first four inches, then from there the wound-track gradually tripled in size at about 9 inches before reducing until it streamlined at about twelve inches.



Doesn't really compare to a modern service-caliber hollow-point, but not at all shabby.


Yes, I removed the bullet from the gel for this shot- too many bullet-tracks in the block to have made it out otherwise. I'd also like to note that this is a pretty hot load for a top-break; I wouldn't run it in anything but a S&W, a British service top-break or a solid frame gun of good quality. Even so I shoot very few of them through this gun.

 

[TTv2]

Funny, I was thinking about .38 S&W earlier today because I was thinking about top breaks as carry guns again. It's pretty lame that our options for small, light top breaks are limited to .32 and .38 S&W. I left the .45 Webley's out because they're quite large. I've gone back and forth wondering if .32 S&W Long isn't better than .38 S&W, the extra shot is nice and I have to believe the penetration figures would be pretty close.

After seeing LuckyGunner's tests using a .32 wadcutter from an LCR, I would believe that .32 is capable and the wadcutter profile is supposed to be more effective than a round nose.

The one benefit .38 S&W has is that H&R made more modern top breaks in the 925 and other variations of that revolver. Better grip and sights makes quite a difference. However, .32 S&W has a benefit of better bullet selection.

IDK... I want to say .38 S&W is better, but I can't. The biggest benefit of the top break design is the faster reload and I find it hard to believe that after six .32 wadcutters that whatever you shot would still be a threat.

 

[silvermane_1]

Yep, 38 S&W packs little bit of a wallop more than folks think there Tinker.

 

[Waveski]

I have to think that the number of THR members carrying top-breaks in .38 S&W is limited.

Gotta hand it to you guys (guy?) for choosing the road less traveled.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I have to think that the number of THR members carrying top-breaks in .38 S&W is limited.

Gotta hand it to you guys (guy?) for choosing the road less traveled.

Limited, but there’s at least two of us!



My carry loads are probably doing about 100 fps less than what the esteemed Mr.MTP keeps in his .38S&W, while also using a 145gr bullet so less mass as well.

Still, having tested my loads out of my gun I’m fully confident they can perform their intended purpose.

 

[pairof44sp]

Limited, but there’s at least two of us!

View attachment 935480

My carry loads are probably doing about 100 fps less than what the esteemed Mr.MTP keeps in his .38S&W, while also using a 145gr bullet so less mass as well.

Still, having tested my loads out of my gun I’m fully confident they can perform their intended purpose.

I love your carry piece.

Hobble into Court with a cane and watch your jury pass that thing around incredulously before they disappear for one hour and come back:

Not Guilty.

 

[Gordon]

Is that the 4th Model I got from you ? I put the nickled 1898 (3rd model ) with 3" barrel into collection and started carrying the later one you cut to that shorter length . Just for the record , with snappy Fiocchi 150 grain ammo it only gets around 630 FPS with that short barrel so your reloads are indeed SNAPPY . The 3 inch S&W "antique" gun almost got 700 fps and my 2" Terrier about 675 fps with the 150 grain Fiocchi FMJ load . That load breaks 725 in my Identical to the one you got from me 1960s Iver Johnson Viking 2 1/2" , so I suspect the bore may be tighter in those !

 

[WestKentucky]

Make it 3. Well, I used to carry, and when I did I carried a top break often enough. I sold off most of what I had and have gotten back into them pretty recently and with great interest. I just need a couple more to have one of each major antique S&W frame.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Is that the 4th Model I got from you ?

That was the one I got for my wife- I kept my own 4th Model.

 

[.455_Hunter]

The first handgun that was "mine" was an Enfield DAO at age 13. Still on HD duty to this day.

My favorite pocket revolver is my I-frame Terrier from 1950 or so. I usually have it loaded with the Fiocchi FMJ round.

 

[Merle1]

I have to think that the number of THR members carrying top-breaks in .38 S&W is limited.

Gotta hand it to you guys (guy?) for choosing the road less traveled.

Does anyone else ever get so annoyed during times like this that they think about quitting shooting and taking up a new hobby? If I were to shoot the same as I did last year I have enough ammunition for a good 2-3 years so my problem isn’t the actual getting to go shoot. Things will likely be back to normal before I need ammunition. Call it being pessimistic, but it’s just hard to stick with a hobby that is so feeble it completely self-destructs every few years. Since I got into shooting around 2006 there have been 3 of these panics now that essentially neutered the hobby for a year or more each. I will never sell all of my guns, but I am seriously considering putting most of my extra cash into woodworking right now and just letting my guns collect dust so to speak. Am I the only one seriously thinking about something like this?

does a British Enfield count? I carry mine once in a while.....

 

[Waveski]

does a British Enfield count?

Certainly.

 

[entropy]

Limited, but there’s at least two of us!

View attachment 935480

My carry loads are probably doing about 100 fps less than what the esteemed Mr.MTP keeps in his .38S&W, while also using a 145gr bullet so less mass as well.

Still, having tested my loads out of my gun I’m fully confident they can perform their intended purpose.

I like your front bead, don't see those too often on a revolver.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I like your front bead, don't see those too often on a revolver.

Thanks! I went through a couple versions before I got the height, shape, and size just right. I may do a silver version if I can get enough material together.

 

[GRIZ22]

Thanks for the test of an often forgotten caliber. To my experience round nose bullet's often tumble in gel as the heavier base tries to catch up to the nose.

 

[Monac]

H&R made small runs of a 38 S&W top break into the 1970s. It was called the Model 925: https://www.gunauction.com/buy/8791478

It would probably be strong enough for Mr. Pearce's loads, but it wasn't really small, because the grips were pretty bulky. Also, it's a manual ejection gun despite being a top-break. If I ever understood the rationale behind those, I don't now. They also made a square-butt version called the Model 926 (also made in 22 with the same model number).

The Iver Johnson 66 in 38 S&W would be more concealable because of its smaller grip, and also sturdier than the designs of the 1890's: https://www.gunauction.com/buy/8933754

It too is a manual ejector gun, god knows why. Plus, to my eyes it's one of the homeliest little warts to ever come down the pike. But some people will like it for just that reason, of course.

PS 8/15/20 - Something seems to have changed on gunauction.com, and it is asking me to sign in to see the pictures. I apologize. They are not hard guns to find pictures of on the Internet.