Ok, I know lots of people shoot .38's in their .357 pistols, but  if you shoot .38 in a .357 won't there be a problem?

It seems that a .38 slug is a little bit larger in diameter than a .357 round (although not much), so wouldn't the larger slug being forced into a system designed for a .357 diameter be too large ?

Someone correct me if Im wrong but,
the diameter of a 38 special is still a .357. im looking at my reloading numbers and the bullet diameter is the same. Im not sure why they are called 38's but thats thats the way things are so I guess we cant change them

9mm = .355
38 Special = .357
357 magnum = .357
38 S&W =.381(IIRC)

So you can shoot 38 Special's in a 357, you can get convertible 9mm/357 Ruger Blackhawks, but you can't shoot 38 S&W in any of the other "38" handguns; they won't even chamber.  

Quoted: 9mm = .355 38 Special = .357 357 magnum = .357 38 S&W =.381(IIRC) So you can shoot 38 Special's in a 357, you can get convertible 9mm/357 Ruger Blackhawks, but you can't shoot 38 S&W in any of the other "38" handguns; they won't even chamber.

.38 Special and .357 ...

38 special is measured by the bullet diameter unfired.

.357 is measured by the bullet diameter/bore of the gun after firing.

I dunno why, but that is why they have two different names.

CASE lengths are different, but the unfired bullets are the same diameter.  

DON'T put a .357 round into a .38 special.  The cases of the .357 were made longer to prevent someone accidentally putting a .357 mag into a .38 special (which is not designed to handle the pressure)

And I think the 9mm is actually classified as a .38.  In Texas you have to us a .38 or larger to qualify for CCW.  9mm counts as .38

funny thing however, .380 (380 auto) is a 9mm Kurz.  (9mm short)  same bullet diameter, just a shortened case, but it does NOT count as a .38 for qualifying in Texas...  weird.

.380 is called a 'three eighty', not a 9mm short, even weirder


TheRedGoat/Baphomet

Only difference between a .357 and .38 special is the length of the shell. EXACT same diameter bullet. Basically, a .38 special is to a .357 what a 12gauge 2 3/4" is to a 12gauge 3".

What stupid sob decided to call .357 bullets .38s?

I thought it had something to do with measuring the diameter of the shell casing as opposed to the bullet. Anyone know for sure?

edited to add:

o.k. just saw the post above mine... guess that explains it

You can fire .38 special in a .357.  The bullets diameters are the same.  However, the case lenght is different. The .357 is longer than the .38 case.  Therefore, shooting a 38 in a 357 is no problem. Need extra cleaning in the chambers since the shorter .38 case produces a little bit more fouling.