Differences between .357 Magnum and .38 Special
.357 Magnum vs. .38 Special[edit]
The .357 Magnum and .38 Special are two American revolver cartridges with a shared lineage.[1] The .38 Special was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898 as a more powerful alternative to the .38 Long Colt.[1][2] Decades later, firearm enthusiasts including Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, and D.B. Wesson experimented with higher-pressure loadings of the .38 Special, which led to the development of the .357 Magnum in 1934.[1][3] The .357 Magnum was designed to offer higher velocity and greater stopping power, particularly for law enforcement applications.[3][4]
A key aspect of the relationship between the two cartridges is that a revolver chambered for .357 Magnum can also safely fire .38 Special ammunition.[3] This is not reciprocal; a firearm chambered only for .38 Special cannot safely fire .357 Magnum rounds.[5] This is due to the .357 Magnum's longer case and significantly higher chamber pressure.[1] The case of the .357 Magnum was intentionally lengthened by about 1/8th of an inch to prevent it from being chambered in older, weaker .38 Special revolvers.[3]
Despite the "38" in its name, the .38 Special actually uses a bullet with a diameter of .357 inches, the same as the .357 Magnum.[1] The name of the .38 Special is a holdover from an earlier era of cartridge naming conventions.
Comparison Table[edit]
[1]| Typical Muzzle Energy || ~535 ft-lbf (158gr bullet) || [1]~200 ft-lbf (158gr bullet) [1]| Recoil || Significantly higher || Milder, more manageable| Category | .357 Magnum | .38 Special |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Case | .38 Special | .38 Long Colt[2] |
| Bullet Diameter | .357 in (9.1 mm) | .357 in (9.1 mm) |
| Case Length | 1.29 in (33 mm) | 1.155 in (29.3 mm) |
| Overall Length | 1.59 in (40 mm) | 1.55 in (39.4 mm) |
| Maximum Pressure (SAAMI) | 35,000 psi[1] | 17,500 psi[2] |
| Typical Muzzle Velocity | 1,200–1,500 ft/s | 750–950 ft/s |
Performance and Use[edit]
The primary difference in performance between the two cartridges stems from the .357 Magnum's higher operating pressure, which is approximately double that of the standard .38 Special. This results in the .357 Magnum having a significantly higher muzzle velocity and muzzle energy, leading to a flatter trajectory and greater terminal performance. For[1] example, a common 158-grain .357 Magnum load can achieve a velocity of around 1,235 feet per second, while a similar .38 Special load travels at about 755 feet per second.
This[1] increased power makes the .357 Magnum a capable cartridge for hunting medium-sized game and for self-defense. However, this comes with the trade-off of substantially more recoil and muzzle blast, which can be challenging for some shooters to manage, especially in smaller, lightweight revolvers.
The .38 Special, with its lower recoil, is often considered more pleasant to shoot and allows for faster follow-up shots. It remains a popular choice for target shooting, practice, and for individuals who are sensitive to recoil. The[3] ability to use the less expensive and milder .38 Special ammunition for training in a .357 Magnum revolver is a significant advantage for owners of the latter. For[3] home defense, the lower power of the .38 Special may be seen as an advantage to reduce the risk of over-penetration through walls.
Higher-pressure loadings of the .38 Special, known as "+P" rounds, are also available. These offer improved performance over standard .38 Special ammunition, bridging some of the gap between the two cartridges, but they still do not reach the power levels of the .357 Magnum.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "trueshotammo.com". Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "targetbarn.com". Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "winchester.com". Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ "ammoforsale.com". Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ "aliengearholsters.com". Retrieved December 13, 2025.
