Can I use .38 Special ammo in a S&W snub nose .38?

[Waldowiseman]

Got my girl the little pink snub nose .38 and I already have some .38 Special rounds. Will these work? Thanks

 

[Bigchillin83]

What does the stamp on your barrel say? If it’s a newer revolver, I would typically say yes, but verify with the barrel stamp.

 

[La26]

Picture of revolver with barrel stampings along with above photo would help members provide an accurate answer. You may wish to lay a piece of paper over serial # or obscure it in some way before posting photo.

 

[dantheman]

The serial number will not be near the barrel stamping .

 

[340six]

Got my girl the little pink snub nose .38 and I already have some .38 Special rounds. Will these work? ThanksView attachment 162910

New Girl Friend, or same one?

Question about living w/ gf on probation for misdemeanor

Hypothetical. Tomorrow all semi autos are banned, and you have to hand them over in 30 days. In addition to this, ALL other firearms must be registered with the state AND federally, and you have 30 days to comply or face jail time. Is this Just? Are you gonna comply? After all it’s the law...

bayoushooter.com

 

[SwampyDog]

Barrel stamping should say .38 S&W Spl (or special on some older guns). If it's a modern J frame it will likely say .38 S&W Spl +P which is also fine. But if just says .38 S&W ( highly unlikely in 2024) that's a different cartridge altogether.

 

[340six]

Barrel stamping should say .38 S&W Spl (or special on some older guns). If it's a modern J frame it will likely say .38 S&W Spl +P which is also fine. But if just says .38 S&W ( highly unlikely in 2024) that's a different cartridge altogether.

My 38spl. Is a S&W airweight. #642 so alloy and Stainless
Says 38spl. S&W said no +P (higher pressure)

 

[La26]

The serial number will not be near the barrel stamping .

No, it won't. If it's a Smith with fixed sights, the SN will be stamped on the bottom of the backstrap. If it has adjustable sights (which I doubt this one does), it will be stamped on the frame where the crane is, and the bottom of the backstrap.
I was just posting/suggesting for him not to display the Ser # in any photos.

 

[dantheman]

No, it won't. If it's a Smith with fixed sights, the SN will be stamped on the bottom of the backstrap. If it has adjustable sights (which I doubt this one does), it will be stamped on the frame where the crane is, and the bottom of the backstrap.
I was just posting/suggesting for him not to display the Ser # in any photos.

Yeah , I'm not a believer in that whole serial number thing but that's a different discussion .

 

[Bigchillin83]

Yeah , I'm not a believer in that whole serial number thing but that's a different discussion .

right its 2024… there’s so many other things of personal infor they are trying to get outta you, there’s not much they can do with a pic of your serial number… but I understand

 

[Magdump]

right its 2024… there’s so many other things of personal infor they are trying to get outta you, there’s not much they can do with a pic of your serial number… but I understand

IIRC, one of the biggest problems was anti gunner folks reporting guns stolen just to cause problems for the pro gun folks. Either way, I’m not taking any chances.

 

[Waldowiseman]

New Girl Friend, or same one?

Question about living w/ gf on probation for misdemeanor

Hypothetical. Tomorrow all semi autos are banned, and you have to hand them over in 30 days. In addition to this, ALL other firearms must be registered with the state AND federally, and you have 30 days to comply or face jail time. Is this Just? Are you gonna comply? After all it’s the law...

bayoushooter.com

Not that it's any of your gd business but obviously I wouldn't buy a gun for a person that can't have guns and then advertise it online. The one from the post you're quoting lasted about a week and a half. But thanks for the completely relevant comment.

 

[Waldowiseman]

Picture of revolver with barrel stampings along with above photo would help members provide an accurate answer. You may wish to lay a piece of paper over serial # or obscure it in some way before posting photo.

Good idea. Should've done that to begin with but didn't even think about it. I'm not at the house right now with it but I'm pretty sure the barrel stamp says 38 S&W

 

[La26]

Good idea. Should've done that to begin with but didn't even think about it. I'm not at the house right now with it but I'm pretty sure the barrel stamp says 38 S&W

If it says .38 S&W, that's NOT .38 Special and the ammo you pictured IS NOT safe to use in it. The cases will split when fired and possibly even damage the gun and/or shooter. Don't try it.
However, if the barrel is stamped ".38 Special", then it should be safe to use the pictured ammo.

 

[Waldowiseman]

If it says .38 S&W, that's NOT .38 Special and the ammo you pictured IS NOT safe to use in it. The cases will split when fired and possibly even damage the gun and/or shooter. Don't try it.
However, if the barrel is stamped ".38 Special", then it should be safe to use the pictured ammo.

Thank you. Exactly what I needed. I'll check when I get home from work to verify. I was just trying to cut a corner here because I live in a small town with only a Walmart and evidently Walmart doesn't sell actual handgun ammo anymore. So I figured I'd try some old 38 Special ammo. I'll just make the drive and go get exactly the proper ammo for this thing. Last thing I need is for her to get hurt trying to stop from getting hurt by someone.

 

[Bigchillin83]

Right they got
.38 s&w
.38 s&w special
.38 special

One of these do not belong lol

 

[Gator 45/70]

Thank you. Exactly what I needed. I'll check when I get home from work to verify. I was just trying to cut a corner here because I live in a small town with only a Walmart and evidently Walmart doesn't sell actual handgun ammo anymore. So I figured I'd try some old 38 Special ammo. I'll just make the drive and go get exactly the proper ammo for this thing. Last thing I need is for her to get hurt trying to stop from getting hurt by someone.

Bring that to me and ask for TurtleSaucepicante, That's the super secret password, Then we will go blast away the box you have.

 

[Mitch Dufour]

... pretty sure...

Not a thing to be "pretty sure" about. I know a guy that lost fingers because he was "pretty sure" that old double barrel Damascus could handle modern shot-shells.

 

[Mitch Dufour]

Right they got
.38 s&w
.38 s&w special
.38 special

38 Colt , 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38S&W Short, 38 S&W long, 38 Automatic , 38 Super Automatic, 38/200 Mk II. I am sure I missed a few.

Not a guessing game for people that want to keep their fingers attached to their hands.

 

[340six]

38 Colt , 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38S&W Short, 38 S&W long, 38 Automatic , 38 Super Automatic, 38/200 Mk II. I am sure I missed a few.

Not a guessing game for people that want to keep their fingers attached to their hands.

38/44

And 38/40 Win (really 40 cal-10mm)
I have one. It's a convertible so shoots both 38/40 And 10mm
I agree.
Lots of ammo marked 38 something out there be careful