4-inch light alloy frame .38 Specials

[Outpost75]

The S&W Model 12 and Colt Cobra were both offered in 4-inch square-butt versions which were commonly issued to female police officers and others in low risk admin assignments who didn't want the additional burden of a heavier gun.

Prior to the S&W Scandium frames the lightweights were not recommended for +P ammo, but a great many survived occasional +P carrying the heavier loads for use only when needed and firing for practice and quals with standard pressure ammo. A box or two of +P spread over the life of the gun is no issue. Avoid firing multiple hundreds of +P and these guns will give many years of dependable service.

The 4-inch Cobra weighs a pound, empty and gives the same ballistics and accuracy as a full-sized service revolver. The S&W Model 12 is only a few ounces more. My experience has been that the light frame 4-inchers can be had for several hundred bucks less than a two-inch, round-butt snub of the same model, vintage and condition. This is because people under age 50 won't buy a .38 unless it is rated for full service with +P and fits in a pocket.

I prefer the light 4-inch .38s as woods carries because they are more effective than a .22LR or .32 revolver and the knowledgeable shopper can still find bargains at auction..I have several and never paid over $400 for one.

My usual ammo is a "full charge" wadcutter with the Saeco #348 146-grain DEWC and 3.5 grains of Bullseye for 850 fps. While my usual EDC is a 2-inch Colt Agent, the 4-inch Cobra rides along in the Get Home Bag all the time.

[Jim Watson]

A box or two of +P spread over the life of the gun is no issue.

My personal policy and recommendation.
Recalls the fictional spook who carried an all-aluminum airweight. He figured if five shots wore it out, it had served its purpose.

[Outpost75]

Back in the day my outfit shot Colt and S&W lightweights having steel cylinders to destruction with the USAF PGU/ 12B load. Noticeable end shake was apparent at 100 rounds. Loosening to the point of producing misfires at 300.

I can state from personal observation that aluminum cylinders of early aircrew revolvers frequently failed when subjected to the 27kpsi military proof. SAAMI proof loads for .38 Special prior to 1984 when measurements changed to piezoelectric were 24,000 cup

[Jim Watson]

That is pretty bad, what was the pressure for the PGU 12B?
I once read that it was souped up as much to avoid the standard 130 fmj sticking in the barrel as to increase "stopping power."

[Outpost75]

Sample average Pmax for PGU/12B was 20,000 psi. X-bar + 3 Sigma limit 24,000 psi.
Military Proof pressure for .38 Special is 27,000 psi with X-bar minus 3-Sigma being 25,000 psi. Pressure measurements taken using the BRL " minihat " conformal transducer.

[bamaranger]

The old .38 is one of those cartridges that I have allowed to fall into neglect. Time was I shot quite a bit of it, typically 158 gr LSWC thru a variety of med and large frame revolvers chambered in .357. Also shot a fair quantity of 148 WC. Duty load was the old 110 gr +P+ Treasury number and I always had a box or two of that about as well.

As the culture shifted to auto pistols, I stopped loading and shooting .38's. If I carried a revolver, my GP load became a 158 gr LSwC in mag cases driven to 1000 fps. The same load would cycle thru my Marlin carbine. I still have a .38 Chief, but rarely shoot it. I still have a pretty good quantity of .38 factory WC, which interestingly shoots to same POA/POI with my M28 zeroed for 125 gr JHP. I don't shoot that Hwy Patrolman as much as I should either.

A 3- 4 inch, small, framed 5-shot .38 with good sights would be an interesting GP and trail revolver. It would offer more power than a .22 but not be all that cumbersome to carry. Something along the lines of the Charter's would by handy indeed.

[44 AMP]

I had an Agent, currently have a Cobra. Back in the days when Colt was making and servicing them, they never officially rated the guns for +P.

What they did do was say that occasional use of +p wasn't an issue, but send them the gun every thousand rounds so they could check it, just the same.

I never did that, my shooting with those guns has never come close to 1,000 rnds and very likely never will.