Introduced by Smith & Wesson at about 1902 
with a 158-gr. round-nose lead bullet, the .38 
Special long ago became the most widely used 
centerfire revolver cartridge in the United 
States.

    Mild by todays standards, the .38 Special 
holds a strong following, despite it's declining 
use in it's original role as the standard issue 
law enforcement cartridge (losing ground to 
auto-based cartridges and the .357 Magnum).  
Still, in some jurisdictions where the larger 
cartridges bring concerns of unecessary force, 
the .38 Special remains a natural alternative.

    The diameter of the .38 Special bullet is 
actually .357-inches.  In fact, the .357 Magnum 
has the same external dimensions except for 
length (the Magnum is .135-inches longer).  The 
benefit is that .38 Special ammunition can be 
fired in .357 Magnum revolvers (with considerably 
less recoil).  The reverse is not true.  .357 
Magnum cartridges will not fit into a .38 Special 
handgun.

    The .38 Special is an excellent cartridge for 
the beginning handgun shooter/reloader, as it is 
inexpensive to shoot and light in recoil.  It 
promises to be a favorite for generations to 
come.