38 S&W

[pterrell]

Alright, so I may have made a rookie move. I will very likely win a S&W Victory model in 38... 38 S&W.

I assumed, prior to looking at the barrel in the pictures, that it was 38 special but it says, specifically, 38 S&W. How screwed am I? Obviously, I bid on it because it is a good looking revolver, however, I was really hoping to shoot it as well. Can you find 38 S&W? Making a permanent change is not an option to me. If changing a cylinder is all it takes (which I haven't done but I have no doubt youtube has) then I'm not too worried as long as I can find one.

[003]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_S%26W

[MrOrange]

As a dremel-level gun tinkerer, I'd take a wild guess that there's a 50/50 chance that another Victory model cylinder in .38 S&W Special would work without a lot of fitting.

For ammo I'd check the usual online sourcing: Ammo Seek, Ammo Now, etc.

Think of it this way, your new revolver will have a bit more international flavor!

[BHP FAN]

25.00 a box reloadable, and it's an easy cartridge to reload, even for beginners. https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...&idcategory=69

[dustoff31]

.38 S&W is still made and not outrageously expensive. Availability might be an issue in the current market, i.e. being sold out.

Changing the cylinder to .38 Spl is possible, but you might run into accuracy problems as the S&W bore is slightly bigger than the .38 Spl. .360 (IIRC) vs.357/.358 Fixing that would of course involve a barrel change.

Then there is always reloading.

ETA: S&W bore is .361

[BHP FAN]

three different brands, in stock...http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index....tol-ammo-38-sw

[BHP FAN]

http://www.luckygunner.com/38-s-w-146-gr-lrn-magtech-50-rounds#reviews

[BHP FAN]

I like .38 S&W, I feed it to my .38-200 British revolvers...

[pterrell]

Sounds like reloading it is. I suppose there are worse things in life. Gives me an excuse to invest in a progressive press now that I'll be reloading something other than rifle rounds.

[wingnut948]

Yes, I started reloading 38 S&W when I got an antique H&R revolver, since I needed a light load. I also reload for my Enfield No2.

If you need a holster I noticed these some years ago when I was interested in getting a Victory model (unfortunately I never did):

http://www.pacificcanvasandleather.com/products2.php?ItemCatSub=U.S.

[Sousuke]

Sounds like reloading it is. I suppose there are worse things in life. Gives me an excuse to invest in a progressive press now that I'll be reloading something other than rifle rounds.

Yeah ultimately. What i've done is buy 5-6 boxes of PPU which runs about 19 dollars a box. I've almost shot it all and now have the brass for reloading.

[stevie]

I have done the same thing. Picked up a 1905 4th model not realizing it was a S&W not special. Still have not shot it.. lol

[TRAP55]

For a cheap "Gallery" load, I've used 000 buck and around 9grns of FFF BP. I think a charge of 2.5 to 2.7grns of TrailBoss would work too. If you buy any 000 buck, check the size. "Normal" is .360, but there are other sizes offered.

[bsg]

I have done the same thing. Picked up a 1905 4th model not realizing it was a S&W not special. Still have not shot it.. lol

i have a S&W Safety Hammerless 4th Model S&W .38 S&W; someone's gotta own 'em.

OP, congrats in advance.

[pterrell]

Thanks! Just won it. I'm not unhappy with it especially since it's in such good shape, it just isn't what I actually wanted haha