
.38 Specials Ammo
- In StockFEDERAL Premium Personal Defense 38 Special 129 Grain Hydra-Shok JHP Ammo, 20 Round Box (P38HS1)Federal's unique center-post design delivers controlled expansion and the notched jacket provides efficient energy transfer to penetrate barriers while retaining stopping power The FEDERAL ...$36.31
- In StockFEDERAL Personal Defense Hydra-Shok 38 Special Ammo, 110Gr, Jacketed Hollow Point, Low Recoil, 20rd (PD38HS3H)Significantly reduces recoilSuperb accuracy and overall ballistic performanceHydra-Shok bullet's notched copper jacket initiates and controls expansionCenter-post hollow-point design provides ...$36.47
- In StockFEDERAL American Eagle 38 Special 158 Grain Lead Round Nose Ammo, 50 Round Box (AE38B)100% lead with no jacket. It provides excellent accuracy and is very economical The FEDERAL American Eagle Ammunition, 38 Special, 158Gr, Lead Round Nose, 50 1000 (AE38) has 38 Special caliber ...$40.82★★★★★2 review(s)
- In StockFEDERAL American Eagle 38 Special 130 Grain FMJ Ammo, 50 Round Box (AE38K)Designed for the competition shooterThe FMJ-SWC Match bullet creates an accurate and reliable round that loads quickly to get back on target The FEDERAL American Eagle Ammunition, 38 Special, ...$40.82★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockFIOCCHI 38 Special 130 Grain FMJ Ammo, 50 Round Box (38A)Muzzle Velocity 950fps2% off$34.15$34.99★★★★★2 review(s)
- In StockFIOCCHI 38 Special 158 Grain JHP Ammo, 50 Round Box (38B)Muzzle Velocity 850fps$36.31
- In StockFIOCCHI 38 Special 158 Grain LRN Ammo, 50 Round Box (38C)Muzzle Velocity 880fps$37.30
- In StockFIOCCHI 38 Special 158 Grain LFP Ammo, 50 Round Box (38CA)Muzzle Velocity 640fps$47.42
- In StockFIOCCHI 38 Special 148 Grain SJHP Ammo, 50 Round Box (38E)Muzzle Velocity 750fps$38.56
- In StockFIOCCHI 38 Special 110 Grain XTPHP Ammo, 25 Round Box (38XTPB25)Muzzle Velocity 1100fps$28.04
- In StockFIOCCHI 38 Special 125 Grain XTPHP Ammo, 25 Round Box (38XTPP25)Muzzle Velocity 1050fps$28.04
- In StockMAGTECH 38 Special Short 125 Grain LRN Ammo, 50 Round Box (38G)100% lead with no jacket and they are considered to be quite versatileThis general-purpose bullet design dates back more than a century, as these projectiles were developed to be economical and ...$39.23
- In StockMAGTECH 38 Special 158 Grain SJSP Flat Ammo, 50 Round Box (38N)Semi-jacketed soft point projectile with a unique cutting edge built in the jacketThe unique soft nose jacket design partially locks the lead core to deliver uniform, reliable expansion and ...$40.41
- In StockREMINGTON UMC 38 Special 158 Grain LRN Ammo, 50 Round Box (L38S5)Reliable, affordable loads for the high-volume shooterFor practice, target shooting, or training exercisesNon-corrosive, in boxer primed, with reloadable brass cases. The Union Metallic Cartridge ...$40.82
- In StockSELLIER & BELLOT 38 Special 158 Grain LRN Ammo, 50 Round Box (SB38A)AccuratePositive functioningEconomical100% LeadManufacturered to CIP specifications$35.21
- In StockSELLIER & BELLOT 38 Special 158 Grain SP Ammo, 50 Round Box (SB38C)Positive functioningEnergy transferRapid-controlled expansionAccurateManufacturered to CIP specifications$37.55
- In StockWINCHESTER Super-X 38 Special 148 Grain Lead Wadcutter Ammo 50 Round Box (X38SMRP)Proven AccuracyPositive FunctioningNo Barrel LeadingHigh Velocity Today Super-X is made using precise manufacturing processes and the highest quality components to provide consistent, dependable ...$55.82
- In StockCCI Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo, 50 Round Box (3514)Non reloadable case made from high strength, aircraft gauge aluminum alloyClean burning propellants deliver optimum velocityNon corrosive primers for highly sensitive and reliable ...$34.99
- In StockCCI Blazer 38 Special 158 Grain Total Metal Jacket Ammo, 50 Round Box (3519)Non reloadable case made from high strength, aircraft gauge aluminum alloyClean burning propellants deliver optimum velocityNon corrosive primers for highly sensitive and reliable ...$47.07
- In StockCCI Speer Blazer 38 Special 158 Grain Lead Round Nose Ammo, 50 Round Box (3522)Non reloadable case made from high strength, aircraft gauge aluminum alloyClean burning propellants deliver optimum velocityNon corrosive primers for highly sensitive and reliable ...$33.82
The .38 Special (also known as .38 S&W Special, .38 Spl, .38 Spc) was developed by the Smith & Wesson company in 1898 when the need for a more powerful military caliber arose. During the Philippine-American War, .38 Long Colt round had a hard time dealing with the wooden shields of Moro warriors and couldn’t stop the attacker.
The .38 Special was adopted by many US police departments in the 1920s and remained dominant within the next 70 years until semi-automatic handguns flooded the market.
Though not used by law enforcement agencies anymore, the .38 Special is still a very popular cartridge for target shooting and self-defense. Some loadings are good enough for hunting small animals.
As far as naming is concerned, .38 is referred to a caliber with a bullet diameter of .357 inches. This caliber includes such cartridges as .38 Long Colt, .38 Super, .38 S&W, and others. The .38 Special is a variant of the .38 caliber. But today, if someone says .38, they almost certainly mean the .38 Special.
The .38 Special ammo was designed for revolvers, but it can also be used with semi-auto pistols and carbines.
As the .38 Special shares the same specs (except for case length) with .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, and .357 Magnum cartridges, it provides great versatility. The revolvers chambered for the .38 Special can fire the .38 Short Colt and the .38 Long Colt, and the .38 Special rounds can be used with .357 Magnum revolvers. Just mind that the pressure of all these cartridges differs. You don’t want to use powerful rounds with a revolver not designed to withstand high pressures.
The .38 Special cartridge is renowned for its accuracy and mild recoil. A .38 Special is considered to be one of the least powerful handgun rounds, especially compared to 9mm. But with advancements in bullet design as well as the handloading possibilities a larger case provides, modern .38 Special cartridges show good terminal performance.
Gritr Sports carries .38 Special ammo as well as other .38 ammo like the .38 Super Auto.