.38 caliber is a frequently used name for the caliber of firearms and firearm cartridges.
The .38 is a large firearm cartridge (anything larger than .32 is considered a large caliber).[1] Before 1990, the standard sidearms of police in the United States were revolvers that fired the .38 Special cartridge, seconded by revolvers firing the .357 Magnum, a lengthened version of the .38 Special.[1]
See main article: List of handgun cartridges.
| Cartridge name | Bullet diameter | Case length | Cartridge length | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .380 ACP | 0.355inches | 0.68inches | 0.98inches | Rimless | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38 Casull | 0.356inches | 0.933inches | – | Rimless | [2] |
| .38 Short Colt | 0.357inches | 0.762inches | 1.052inches | Rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38 Long Colt | 0.357inches | 1.03inches | 1.32inches | Rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38 Special | 0.357inches | 1.15inches | 1.55inches | Rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38 ACP | 0.358inches | 0.9inches | 1.28inches | Semi-rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38 Super | 0.358inches | 0.9inches | 1.28inches | Semi-rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38 Super Comp | 0.355inches | 0.896inches | 1.28inches | Rimless | Starline cartridge dimensions |
| .38 S&W | 0.361inches | 0.78inches | 1.2inches | Rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38 TPC | 0.355inches | 0.72inches | 1.169inches | Rimless, tapered | |
| .380 Revolver Short | 0.375inches | 0.7inches | 1.1inches | Rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .380 Revolver Long | 0.375inches | 1inches | 1.4inches | Rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 274 |
| .38-40 Winchester | 0.401inches | 1.3inches | 1.59inches | Rimmed | Barnes 1997, p. 92 |