38 Special in a strong revolver

[shanep0017]

If I was limited to only 38 special and wanted to push the limits I would definitely go with either the Ruger SP101 or GP100. The 38 special only SP101 is easier to find than the 38 GP100 but they're out there. The Rugers are the only ones I would attempt such a thing in.
A 3 inch SP101 in 38 special would probably be perfect. I'm on the hunt for the same one but in 357 myself.

 

[Armybrat]

Any of these Rugers are game for .38 Special +P

 

[Russ57]

I'll add this FWIW.

My gun club doesn't allow "magnum" handguns so I asked my brother to load me up some .38 special loads for my 686 that would be as close as possible to .357 magnum level. He mentioned 38/44 ammo which I was familiar with. The ammo he sent me was too hot for my 686 yet it fine in his S&W outdoorsman. Those N frame .38 specials aren't cheap though.

Don't know the country or the loads. Ditto on your budget. If budget isn't a factor maybe a Freedom Arms .357 with only the .38 special cylinder?

 

[goon]

Frankly this could turn out to be a fun hunt just from the standpoint of seeking out a couple of the coolest rare .38 Special revolvers ever made.

 

[jstert]

i only occasionally shoot 38+p or 357mag only through a ruger blackhawk, which is built robust enough to absorb recoil to allow me to hit my target. consistently on-target 38sp is sufficient oomph for my needs.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Remember Smith and Wesson made a 5in dedicated 686? in 38 special with a fluteless cylinder; for pin comps back in the Day. I actually held one in my hands. Been looking for one ever since. Still looking. A MUST HAVE for me. I have to make do with the Dan for right now.

 

[ChiefTJS]

While I also have two GP's in .357, this one has proven to be a lot of fun. I'd say it will happily take any load you choose to stuff into the .38Spl case.

 

[P5 Guy]

I'd choose my older 3" S&W Model 60, back before they were all made for .357 Magnum and were still available in .38 Special.

View attachment 1198347

The S&W 60-4 is a neat little revolver.

 

[Thomassss]

if I want revolver 38 Special and want to shoot "souped-up" handloads,

You may not realize, but .38 Special is not a "pip squeek" caliber to be reckoned with. In many cases it can be more powerful than 9mm. It depends on how it is loaded and what you care to compare it too.

 

[Show Me]

If the GP-100 is available and you won’t ever need to carry it, I’d choose it over almost anything. I’ve shot a couple S&W’s until they were out of time, but it’s hard to do that with a Ruger. Older S&W’s are fine handguns though. Anymore I prefer 148 grain WC’s at modest velocity for most of my shooting.

Exactly. I ended up with gobs of 38 sp brass and read up on 38 44 loads in old books.
5 and 6 inch GP 100's you get that mag feel . Also shot out of rifles in rural setting the brass can just fly.

 

[Jim Watson]

normal SP101s, except the markings and the cylinder not drilled to accept 357 Mag.

M. Ayoob's FLG routinely rechambers .38 SPs to .357. He notes that the early ones had shorter cylinders and will take only the shorter OAL .357 loads.

He mentioned 38/44 ammo which I was familiar with. The ammo he sent me was too hot for my 686 yet it fine in his S&W outdoorsman.

Geez, what load was that? .38-44 is "only" a 158 at 1150 fps tops, not nearly as hot as Elmer or even Skeeter loaded.

 

[Mosin77]

If I were in a country where .38spl was “max,” I’d assume that I wouldn’t be allowed to own a gun chambered for .357 mag. If I couldn’t find something unusual (like a .38spl GP100 or somesuch) I’d probably just stick to the good ol’ S&W model 10. Reputable reports on this forum in the past indicate that the cylinders of a model 10 and model 19 were manufactured and heat-treated identically, so in a pinch, the model 10 can probably be loaded pretty hot.

That said, I’m personally very satisfied with .38spl out of the box, so secret hot-rodding doesn’t seem particularly necessary for me. But if I found myself obliged to subsistence hunt in the jungle? Maybe I’d be singing a very different tune.

 

[CraigC]

I would not load a K-frame .38 with .38-44 loads.

 

[JTHunter]

Would a 5-shot Ruger SP-101 in .38 Special be considered a "strong" revolver?

 

[N555]

Astra960 have been sold all over the place, made in Europe, are pretty cheap and can handle some pretty hot ammo.

 

[Riomouse911]

Would a 5-shot Ruger SP-101 in .38 Special be considered a "strong" revolver?

View attachment 1210415

I don’t know if the .38 version is .357 strong, but I would not hesitate to shoot +P ammo in mine.

I won’t shoot +P in my older S&W Models 36 and 37.

Stay safe.

 

[Varminterror]

I don’t know if the .38 version is .357 strong

It is.

Original 357mag SP101's were marked to not fire larger than 125grn bullets, because the cylinders weren't long enough for >125grn bullets, but the the frames and cylinders were extended after only 2yrs of production to accept full length 357mag loads. From then on, the 357mag and 38spcl cylinders have been identical, save for the depth of the chambers. So if it's a 38spcl SP101 made past 1991 (barring some foreign contracts which have seen some individuals filter back to the US), then it's not on the short cylinder. Even the short cylinder models would tolerate 357mag pressures, but could only fit 125grn and shorter bullets into the cylinder length.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Ding Ding, winner winner, chicken dinner.

View attachment 1198373

I need Bullseye & Unique

 

[film495]

can they have a PCC? outside of concealing it, the PCC is more capable at about everything, including producing more velocity than a pistol lenght barrel.