The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 38 Long Colt safe to shoot in 38 special?

**Mike Irwin** · October 21, 2012, 12:28 PM

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

In that list, a revolver chambered for a specific cartridge will also chamber and fire ones to the left of it, but not ones to the right.

For example, a .38 Special will chamber and fire .38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt, but will not chamber/fire a .357 Magnum.

One VERY important note...

Some early handguns (late 1800s early 1900s) made in both the US and overseas, particularly Spanish copies of S&Ws, have chambers that will sometimes accept .357 Magnum rounds.

NEVER EVER fire a .357 in one of those revolvers!

October 21, 2012, 12:28 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	.38 Short Colt > .38 Long Colt > .38 Special > .357 Magnum > .357 Maximum In that list, a revolver chambered for a specific cartridge will also chamber and fire ones to the left of it, but not ones to the right. For example, a .38 Special will chamber and fire .38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt, but will not chamber/fire a .357 Magnum. One VERY important note... Some early handguns (late 1800s early 1900s) made in both the US and overseas, particularly Spanish copies of S&Ws, have chambers that will sometimes accept .357 Magnum rounds. NEVER EVER fire a .357 in one of those revolvers! __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.