Webley Mark V in 38 S&W
- Thread starter Boba Debt
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vanfunk
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In a word, No. Not under any circumstances.
Vanfunk
Vanfunk
EnsignJimmy
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Absolutely not. The .38 S&W uses .361" diameter bullets, and a .386" diameter case. Both of these dimensions are significantly larger than the .357" bullet diameter and .379" case diameter of the .38 Special/.357 Magnum cartridges. This ignores the fact that the .38 S&W is 1.24" in overall length, compared to 1.55" in overall length for the .38 Special. So a .38 S&W cylinder would have holes too fat for a .38 Special, and be too short for comfort regardless.
mainmech48
Member
When I was a kid several of the less scrupulous importers did that very thing in order to enhance the "salability" of the surplus S&W, Webley and Enfield revolvers they were offering. Ditto for some "Lend Lease" S&W's and Mk.VI .455's to .45 ACP.
As has been said, it's not a good idea! Even with factory-loaded, standard pressure .38 Spl. ammo bulged and/or split cases were common and accuracy abysmal. Since standard SAAMI average pressure specs for .45 ACP ammo are pretty much the same as for "proof" loads for .455 Webley ammo, you can see why that one wasn't such a nifty idea either.
Now that the .38 S&W cartridge has gotten something of a new lease on life from the Cowboy Costume Show bunch the proper cases are much more readily available than formerly, and even commercially cast bullets of the correct size. Why take unnessary chances? Especially with an irreplacable, historically interesting artifact.
FWIW, I owned a surplus .380/200 Webley in my youth. In fact, I became a reloader in order to be able to shoot it regularly. In a pinch, standard swaged or soft-cast 148 gr. HBWC's over about 2.1 gr. of Bullseye can be used successfully and usually give acceptable plinking accuracy.
As has been said, it's not a good idea! Even with factory-loaded, standard pressure .38 Spl. ammo bulged and/or split cases were common and accuracy abysmal. Since standard SAAMI average pressure specs for .45 ACP ammo are pretty much the same as for "proof" loads for .455 Webley ammo, you can see why that one wasn't such a nifty idea either.
Now that the .38 S&W cartridge has gotten something of a new lease on life from the Cowboy Costume Show bunch the proper cases are much more readily available than formerly, and even commercially cast bullets of the correct size. Why take unnessary chances? Especially with an irreplacable, historically interesting artifact.
FWIW, I owned a surplus .380/200 Webley in my youth. In fact, I became a reloader in order to be able to shoot it regularly. In a pinch, standard swaged or soft-cast 148 gr. HBWC's over about 2.1 gr. of Bullseye can be used successfully and usually give acceptable plinking accuracy.
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BrocLuno
Member
Correct ammo available here: http://shop.reedsammo.com/product.s...3C.qscstrfrnt03?productId=1840&categoryId=178 
Deaf Smith
Member
Deaf Smith
Member
No not custom. It was made inbetween '49 and '51 according to the serial numbers.
It is all origional. No import marks so I guess it was brought to the USA before they added those stinken import marks.
It is also very tight. Cool thing is the recoil shield is BRASS! That is the flat thing right in front of the cylinder latch in the photo. Amazing they made it that way.
Shoots dead on with those rounds you see in the photo. I'd be tempted to reload some 150gr .360 slugs but honestly I sure would not pack that gun for self defense. I have way better ones!
But it is a snap shot of what was considered serious carry guns in the mid 1900's.
I also have a Colt Detective Special that is in the same era.
Deaf
It is all origional. No import marks so I guess it was brought to the USA before they added those stinken import marks.
It is also very tight. Cool thing is the recoil shield is BRASS! That is the flat thing right in front of the cylinder latch in the photo. Amazing they made it that way.
Shoots dead on with those rounds you see in the photo. I'd be tempted to reload some 150gr .360 slugs but honestly I sure would not pack that gun for self defense. I have way better ones!
But it is a snap shot of what was considered serious carry guns in the mid 1900's.
I also have a Colt Detective Special that is in the same era.
Deaf
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