.38 Special vs. .38 S&W Special?

[Aleko]

First, let me apologize for a completely ignorant question, but I’m not a revolver person. Never had a revolver, don’t really like or want one, but may buy one of the 2†lightweights for a "mouse gun". So, here it goes…

What is the difference between .38 Special and .38 S&W Special? Or is it the same thing (kind of like .45Auto and .45ACP)? If they’re in fact two different calibers, are they “backwards compatible� Thanks.

 

[Chilidog]

Same thing....

As far as I know. BTT so if I'm wrong, can be quickly corrected.

 

[chaim]

The .38 Special was introduced by S&W with their Military & Police revolver (later renamed to the Model 10 which is still available) in either 1902 according to some sources or 1899 according to most sources. They called the caliber .38 S&W Special. Later in 1909 Colt put out a gun in the caliber and called the caliber .38 Colt Special. Most people simply call the caliber .38 Special. Whether it is .38 S&W Special, .38 Colt Special, or .38 Special it is the same caliber.

 

[Aleko]

Thanks. I suspected it was the case, but wanted to make sure. The "caliber search" feature on www.smithwesson.com has both .38 Special and .38 S&W Special as separate choices, and that got me confused. Now, with that out of the way, I just need to figure out their "naming/numbering structure" for their revolvers and decide which one I want, since there's only 2 or 3 dozens of snub revolvers, and all look nearly the same to me.

P.S. BTW, if anybody would like to help me make sense of all their (S&W’s) models of sub-2†lightweight revolvers, please feel free to do so. I’m not interested in Magnum capabilities, just plain old .38 Special will do (my wife will want to shoot it too). Anyone else out there makes snub revolvers besides S&W?

 

[jar]

Just please make sure it's not 38S&W. That is different and the two are not compatible.

 

[Jim March]

The Ruger SP101 is the beefiest of all snubbies. 357 only though.

Taurus isn't bad. Their basic steel 38s are workhorses and the triggers of late have been good. Some problems being reported with warrantee issues though (poor post-sales support). In watching the posts on Taurus issues, it *appears* that you're more likely to have trouble with a Titanium or Aluminum frame Brazilian gun versus steel.

What else...Taurus corp now owns Rossi so figure similar issues overall.

Often the best real-world deals are used. The "best" 2" 38snubbie is in my opinion a 2.5" S&W K-Frame like the Model 10, with a round-butt gripframe. Old Colt "Dick Specials" can be quite nice, as they're another six-shot frame but a bit smaller than the 6-shot S&W K-Frame. Or the shortest barrel Ruger Speed Six you can find, which was Ruger's answer to the K-class (now discontinued).

 

[Majic]

There has been a few sporatic problems with the ultra light-weight revolvers Smith has made in the exotic metals. The ever reliable aluminum models (for just a few more ounces in weight) would be the safest bet in them.
You have the choice of hammered models, enclosed hammered models, and enclosed hammered models that still allow single action shooting.