Embarrassed, but have to ask re my .357

[Roadrunner]

What .38 ammo can I use in my .357 mag, .38 Special or .38 S&W? Thanks.

 

[KMKeller]

.38 Special

 

[Neal Bloom]

Yup, .38 Special.

 

[Mike Irwin]

.38 S&W won't fit in it.

Just for continuity's sake you can also fire .38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt in your .357 Mag.

You can also fire the two Colt rounds in any pistol chambered for .38 Spl.

 

[KMKeller]

Mike, are all those 38 type loads you mentioned Kosher in the Model 19?

 

[ruger357]

.38 specials. Nothing to be embarressed about, if you don't ask you don't learn.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"Mike, are all those 38 type loads you mentioned Kosher in the Model 19?"

Yes.

From top to bottom (and shortest to longest in case length)...

.38 Short Colt
.38 Long Colt
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
.357 Maximum

In the above list, those cartridges higher on the list will fit into guns chambered for those lower on the list, but NOT the reverse.

I.E., a .38 Long Colt will chamber and fire in revolvers chambered for .38 Spl., .357 Mag., and .357 Max.

However, a .38 Spl. won't chamber in guns chambering the .38 Short or Long Colts.

A special note about that, though.

Many older, cheaper guns CAN chamber longer cartridges. It's not uncommon to be able to fit a .357 Mag. in a .38 Long Colt or a .38 Spl.

NEVER EVER DO THIS!

 

[Roadrunner]

Thanks all. I always seem to throw out my last empty box of .38 ammo and then forget which to buy.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Roadrunner, we all start somewhere. Welcome to THR.