.38 Special Ammo
The .38 Special is the most widely used revolver cartridge in America, with a history stretching back to 1898 and decades of law enforcement use behind it. It fires a .357-inch bullet at moderate velocity, producing manageable recoil that makes it accessible to a wide range of shooters. Modern .38 Special +P defensive loads deliver genuine stopping power from any quality revolver, and the caliber’s mild recoil makes it an excellent choice for new shooters and those who find larger calibers difficult to control.
Read our full .38 Special Ammunition Buying Guide ↓
Ballistics Overview
Standard .38 Special loads run 130–158 grains at 700–900 fps from a 4-inch revolver barrel. Lightweight 110–125 grain loads are faster but produce a sharper, snappier recoil impulse in small revolvers. The 158-grain lead round nose (LRN) load is the classic, reliable choice for range use. +P loads in 110–125 grain push velocity to 950–1,050 fps and are the standard recommendation for defensive carry in any revolver rated for +P use—expansion at standard .38 velocities is marginal for some hollow point designs.
Standard vs. +P
Standard pressure .38 Special is appropriate for any revolver chambered for the cartridge, including older and lightweight models. +P loads run at higher pressure and meaningfully improve defensive hollow point expansion. Most modern revolvers are +P rated; check your owner’s manual before running +P loads in an older or lightweight snub-nose revolver. For range and practice use, standard pressure is ideal — lower cost, less wear, same accuracy.
Defensive Loads
The FBI’s recommended minimum penetration of 12–18 inches in gelatin is achievable with modern .38 Special +P loads from Federal (HST 130gr), Hornady (Critical Defense 110gr), and Speer (Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr). The Speer 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel is designed specifically for snub-nose revolvers where barrel length limits velocity — it expands reliably at the lower velocities produced by 2–3 inch barrels.
Range and Practice Loads
For range use, 130-grain FMJ loads from Winchester, Federal American Eagle, and Fiocchi offer reliable feeding and clean burning. Wadcutter loads (flat-nosed, full-caliber bullets) cut clean paper holes for easy scoring at the target range. Note that shooting lead bullets requires more frequent barrel cleaning than jacketed loads to prevent lead fouling buildup.
.38 Special vs. .357 Magnum
.38 Special revolvers can only fire .38 Special. .357 Magnum revolvers fire both .357 Magnum and .38 Special, making them more versatile. If you’re choosing between them, the .357 revolver is almost always the better buy—you get the option to practice with mild .38 Special and use full-power .357 when maximum performance is needed. The .38 Special is the right choice primarily when platform size or weight requires it, as in lightweight snub-nose revolvers where .357 recoil would be unmanageable. See our .357 Magnum ammo page.
Frequently Asked Questions: .38 Special
Is .38 Special enough for self-defense?
Yes — .38 Special +P from a quality snub-nose revolver is a legitimate defensive load. The key is using quality hollow point ammunition rated for short barrels (Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, Federal HST) and accepting its limitations: 5 rounds, slower reload, and less energy than 9mm. For shooters who can’t manage 9mm recoil or who want the simplicity of a revolver, .38 Special +P is an effective choice.
What is the difference between .38 Special and .38 Special +P?
Standard .38 Special operates at 17,000 PSI. .38 Special +P is loaded to 20,000 PSI for increased velocity — typically adding 75–100 fps over standard pressure loads. All modern steel-frame revolvers chambered in .38 Special handle +P safely. Lightweight alloy-frame revolvers (S&W 642 Airweight) are rated for +P but should not be fed a steady diet of it — reserve +P for carry and use standard pressure for practice.
Can a .38 Special revolver fire .357 Magnum?
No — .38 Special revolvers cannot fire .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum case is slightly longer to prevent it from being chambered in .38 Special revolvers. However, .357 Magnum revolvers can safely fire .38 Special — the flexibility only works in one direction.
Does Impact Guns carry .38 Special ammunition?
Yes. Impact Guns carries .38 Special in standard pressure, +P, and defensive hollow point configurations. Call us at 801-999-1903 (Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm MST) to check current availability.
See Also: .357 Magnum Ammo • 9mm Ammo • Handgun Ammo • Revolvers • .38 Special Revolvers • Snub-Nose Revolvers