H&R Defender 38

[mjoseph243913]

I have inherited this H&R Defender 38...38 s&w ctge(right side of barrel) and several boxes of 9mm Luger cartridges which fit the chambers??? Minimal knowledge of handguns....having difficulty closing the loaded revolver.

Appreciate any help and guidance for information regarding this firearm.

 

[Bearhands]

STOP!..... 9mm is not 38S&W........ nor is either 38special..... Take it to a gunsmith and have it checked out PRIOR to attempting to fire ANYTHING in it.

 

[Gordon]

You wil most certainly hurt yourself and any others around if you manage a jackass stunt like that!

 

[rdrancher]

You wil most certainly hurt yourself and any others around if you manage a jackass stunt like that!

Nice High Road welcome there Gordon.

mjoseph243913 - Greetings and welcome to the High Road!

Bearhands has it right. Find a reputable gunsmith in your area and have the gun checked out before proceeding.

rd

 

[EnsignJimmy]

First off, the H&R Defender does not fire 9mm Luger. It fires .38 S&W, which is an oddball little cartridge (having a bullet diameter of .361", which is larger than the .38 Special, stuffed into a fairly short case) that started out life as a blackpowder cartridge, and survived the transition to smokeless. Typical loads drive a 158 grain bullet at 767 ft/sec, putting the .38 S&W under the .38 Special.

The H&R Defender was a top-break firearm made in the 1930s and 1940s. As such, it ought to be inspected by a gunsmith for the typical maladies affecting top-break revolvers. Given the vintage, it should be safe to shoot with current-manufacture .38 S&W ammunition (upon blessing by the aforementioned gunsmith.) However, know that the ammunition is somewhat hard to find. As H&R turned out large numbers of these guns, their collector's value is minimal. A gun in 100% condition could fetch ~$300. A gun in average condition can expect to see half that.

 

[Gordon]

I still contend anybody who is trying to JAM 9mm Luger ammo into an H&R Defender is -er dangerous and needs a lot more than a "gunsmiths blessing".A firearms safety course passing grade should be required. IF one of those 30000 PSI + 9mm rounds manage to get fired in a 100 year old top break meant for 10000 PSI TOPS you are gonna see how a grenade works.