38 Largo

joeybolz · September 17, 2009, 12:44 AM

Hi Folks,
I bought this item http://www.auctionarms.com/Closed/Di...mNum=9308255.0 on Gunbroker the other day. According to the Q and A's at the bottom of the auction I thought I was getting some oddly named Santa Barbara 9mm Largo ammo to shoot through my Stars.

When I got it today I discovered it is physically identical to 38 Special. The Bullet mics at .355 while the case mouth mics at .375. It chambers just fine in a Colt Daimondback. Don't think I'll run this stuff through the Colt though as I have a 686 that I think will work fine.

What do you folks know of this cartridge? Not much info on a quick google search.

darkgael · September 17, 2009, 06:16 AM

A picture of one of the cartridges would be really helpful.
It's hard to know what was meant, translated to English, by the "largo" designation. Yes, it means Long but which one? .38 Long Colt? .38 Long CF? or something else?
The trouble that I ran into, looking at the two cartridges that I listed, is that the dimensions don't match what you have given. Those cartridges are at 0.378" (Colt) and 0.380" (CF) across the mouth with a bullet at 0.358". The .38 Special is listed at 0.379"/0.357-358" bullet. The 0.377"/0.355" is an odd one but may just be the result of different manufacture.
I have looked, so far, in CotW, Fred Datig, Donnelly, Nonte, and Howell.
Pete

Jim Watson · September 17, 2009, 08:41 AM

There were a lot of Spanish revolvers, copies of S&W or sometimes Colt, built for a .38 cartridge very much the equivalent of .38 Long Colt. I think you have some fairly recent noncorrosive ammunition meant for those old guns. I can't see how it would overload a .357 magnum or even .38 special.

I guess the vendor had not opened a box to see what he was selling. Or to show it to the bidders.

**Mike Irwin** · September 17, 2009, 10:09 AM

.38 Largo revolver was, IIRC, a blackpowder/low pressure round for old revolvers.

I believe it is SPECIFIC to Spain and some South American nations.

Nominally it's the same dimensions as the .38 Special.

Some years ago Southern Ohio Gun was selling Spanish S&W copies chambered in .38 Largo.

If you search .38 Largo Revolver in Google you'll see some information and discussions about the round.

gyvel · October 7, 2009, 07:20 AM

In the latest Shotgun News is an article about handguns used by Chile. It lists the ".38 Largo" as being .38 Long Colt.

September 17, 2009, 12:44 AM	#1
joeybolz Member Join Date: November 11, 2007 Posts: 47	38 Largo Hi Folks, I bought this item http://www.auctionarms.com/Closed/Di...mNum=9308255.0 on Gunbroker the other day. According to the Q and A's at the bottom of the auction I thought I was getting some oddly named Santa Barbara 9mm Largo ammo to shoot through my Stars. When I got it today I discovered it is physically identical to 38 Special. The Bullet mics at .355 while the case mouth mics at .375. It chambers just fine in a Colt Daimondback. Don't think I'll run this stuff through the Colt though as I have a 686 that I think will work fine. What do you folks know of this cartridge? Not much info on a quick google search. __________________ The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins."-- H.L. Mencken, 1923 http://www.campaignforliberty.com/

September 17, 2009, 06:16 AM	#2
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 3,986	ID? A picture of one of the cartridges would be really helpful. It's hard to know what was meant, translated to English, by the "largo" designation. Yes, it means Long but which one? .38 Long Colt? .38 Long CF? or something else? The trouble that I ran into, looking at the two cartridges that I listed, is that the dimensions don't match what you have given. Those cartridges are at 0.378" (Colt) and 0.380" (CF) across the mouth with a bullet at 0.358". The .38 Special is listed at 0.379"/0.357-358" bullet. The 0.377"/0.355" is an odd one but may just be the result of different manufacture. I have looked, so far, in CotW, Fred Datig, Donnelly, Nonte, and Howell. Pete __________________ "Only hunting and mountain climbing are sports. The rest are just games." - R.Ruark NRA Life Member

September 17, 2009, 10:09 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,145	.38 Largo revolver was, IIRC, a blackpowder/low pressure round for old revolvers. I believe it is SPECIFIC to Spain and some South American nations. Nominally it's the same dimensions as the .38 Special. Some years ago Southern Ohio Gun was selling Spanish S&W copies chambered in .38 Largo. If you search .38 Largo Revolver in Google you'll see some information and discussions about the round. __________________ "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.

September 17, 2009, 08:41 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,674	There were a lot of Spanish revolvers, copies of S&W or sometimes Colt, built for a .38 cartridge very much the equivalent of .38 Long Colt. I think you have some fairly recent noncorrosive ammunition meant for those old guns. I can't see how it would overload a .357 magnum or even .38 special. I guess the vendor had not opened a box to see what he was selling. Or to show it to the bidders.

October 7, 2009, 07:20 AM	#5
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 3,458	In the latest Shotgun News is an article about handguns used by Chile. It lists the ".38 Largo" as being .38 Long Colt.