38 Special Ammunition | 38 Special Hollow Point & 38 Special Ammo From Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi, & More! — 146 models — Page 1

Smith & Wesson introduced 38 Special ammo back in 1898 to feed their new revolver, which the U.S. military adopted for their standard-issued sidearm. Like most firearm products, the military handgun and cartridge became popular among civilian shooters and police. Although the military rarely uses revolvers nowadays, they're still extremely popular in the civilian world, especially for concealed carry. Today, 38 Special ammo is one of the most common revolver cartridges available. Part of the reason is its early popularity and a nearly 70-year preference by police, but another reason is its size. The 38 Special bullet is actually .357 caliber, so it's very common for gun makers to chamber their revolvers up for the more powerful .357 Magnum. Constructing a handgun for the heavier load will ensure the less expensive 38 Special round works just fine for target practice. However, revolvers designed only for 38 Special ammo will not fire .357 Mag loads, as they are not rated for the higher pressure.

What Is the Difference Between 38 and 38 Special?

.38 Super is a semi-auto cartridge, but .38 Special is specifically designed for revolvers. You cannot shoot 38 Super ammo with a 38 Special revolver. You should only shoot ammo that your pistol is rated for to prevent damage and potential injury.

Is 9mm or 38 Special More Powerful?

Regarding ballistics, 9mm ammo is more powerful than .38 Special. However, 38 Special rounds produce less recoil than 9mm ammo. This is why many people use 38 Special Hollow Point for self-defense, as you can easily manage the recoil. Plus, you can use 38 Special +P ammo in compatible revolvers to increase the velocity of the bullet.

Is 38 Special Enough for Self-Defense?

While many handgun rounds outperform .38 special in terms of ballistics, it can still be a reliable personal defense cartridge. It has minimal kick, which makes it easier to shoot, and most snub-nose revolvers that use .38 Special ammo can be easily concealed. 38 Special +P ammunition can improve its terminal velocity. For self-defense, you should look for 38 Special hollow point bullets or jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets.

Buy 38 Special Ammo at OpticsPlanet!

Find .38 Special ammo by major handgun ammo brands like Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi, and more on OpticsPlanet. We carry 38 Special with wadcutter, semi-wadcutter, round nose, and FMJ bullets for punching holes through paper. Plus, we also have jacketed hollow point for self-defense. If you're unsure what you need, check out our guide on How to Buy Ammo and grab a box today! And don't forget, we offer Free Shipping on most orders over $49!