38 Special ammo

38 Special ammo — the .38 Special — is the most popular revolver cartridge in American history: a mild, accurate, easy-shooting round that has armed police, target shooters, and concealed carriers for over a century. Its low recoil makes it the classic choice for snub-nose carry revolvers and a favorite for new shooters learning a wheelgun, while +P loads add defensive punch. And because it chambers in any .357 Magnum revolver, it doubles as cheap, soft practice ammo for magnum owners. This page covers the load types and how it compares to 9mm and .357.

Tatted Tacticals stocks .38 Special from Federal, Hornady, Winchester, Speer, and Remington — target wadcutters, FMJ practice, and +P defensive hollow points, in boxes and bulk. Browse brand lineups including wadcutter target loads.

The .357 Magnum Connection

The most useful fact about the .38 Special: it fires safely in any .357 Magnum revolver. The .357 was built as a lengthened, higher-pressure .38 Special, so magnum guns chamber both — meaning a .357 owner can practice with inexpensive, soft-recoiling .38 and carry or hunt with full-power magnum loads. Dedicated .38 revolvers, however, cannot fire the longer .357 round.

Load Types: Wadcutter, FMJ, and +P

The .38 spans three main jobs. Target wadcutters cut clean holes in paper and are superbly accurate for bullseye and practice. FMJ and lead round-nose are economical range fodder. For defense, +P jacketed hollow points like the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST add velocity and reliable expansion — the standard choice for a carry snub-nose. Confirm your revolver is rated for +P before making it a steady diet. Our .38 Special ballistic data shows how the loads perform from short and longer barrels.

.38 Special vs. 9mm

The two common defensive standards take different paths. The 9mm semi-auto generally delivers more energy and far higher capacity; the .38 Special revolver offers utter simplicity, no magazines, and reliability that doesn’t care about limp-wristing. For deep-concealment snub-nose carry the .38 remains popular; for capacity and energy, shooters often choose 9mm. Cowboy and revolver fans also shoot the .45 Colt and .44 Special. Standards follow SAAMI specifications.

Buying .38 Special

Federal law sets the minimum age for handgun ammunition at 21, and some states and cities restrict online sales; per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules, then review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

.38 Special Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between .38 and .38 Special?

When people say “.38,” they almost always mean the .38 Special, so the terms are usually interchangeable. However, there are other distinct .38-caliber rounds — .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, and .38 Super — that are not the same. Most importantly, .38 Special is not .357 Magnum, though .38 Special fits and fires in .357 revolvers.

Is a .38 more powerful than a 9mm?

Generally no. Standard .38 Special produces less energy than 9mm, and even +P .38 loads typically trail 9mm in velocity and energy. The .38’s advantages are revolver simplicity and reliability, not raw power. Shooters choose it for easy handling and snub-nose carry rather than out-muscling the 9mm.

Is .38 Special ammo still available?

Yes, widely. The .38 Special remains one of the most-produced handgun cartridges in America, stocked by every major manufacturer in target, practice, and defensive loads. It can thin out during shortages like any cartridge, but it’s a mainstream round that’s easy to find in stores and online.

Can you shoot .38 Special in a .357 Magnum?

Yes. Any .357 Magnum revolver safely fires .38 Special, since the .357 is a longer, higher-pressure version of the same cartridge. This makes .38 Special ideal low-cost, low-recoil practice ammo for .357 owners. The reverse is not true — you cannot fire the longer .357 Magnum in a .38-only revolver.

Can you buy .38 Special ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy .38 Special online and have it shipped to your door. You must be at least 21 for handgun ammunition, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.