38 Special

Also known as

.38 Special
.38 SPL
38 SPL
38 Smith & Wesson Special

The 38 Special is a late-1890s rimmed centerfire revolver cartridge that Federal Premium catalogs in target and self-defense loads. Federal’s handgun line includes standard-pressure and +P examples, keeping the cartridge relevant for revolver use.

38 Special, Revolver cartridge, Munitions

Image source: 38 Special - FMJ - SB - 1.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Federal Premium Ammunition
Type: Revolver cartridge
Service note: Late 19th century cartridge still loaded for modern revolvers
Designed: Late 1890s
Unit cost: About US$39.99 per 50-round box for Federal American Eagle 130-grain FMJ

ammunition cartridge revolver

Specifications

Case design: Rimmed centerfire revolver cartridge
Standard load example: American Eagle 130-grain FMJ at 890 fps
Defense load example: Punch 120-grain JHP at 1000 fps
Deep-penetration load example: Hydra-Shok Deep 130-grain JHP at 900 fps

Compatible Handguns

Federal's handgun caliber menu includes 38 Special.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

Handgun/pistol, Handheld small arm / sidearm, Infantry Weapons

Handgun/pistol platform

Federal lists 38 Special among its popular handgun calibers, linking the cartridge to the handgun and pistol archive entry.

Sources: Shop By Caliber | Handgun - Federal

Federal Load Examples

Federal catalogs 38 Special in target and self-defense loads, including standard-pressure and +P ammunition.

Load	Bullet	Price
American Eagle Handgun, 38 Special	130-grain FMJ, 890 fps	US$39.99 per 50 rounds
Personal Defense Punch, 38 Special +P	120-grain JHP, 1000 fps	US$31.99 per 20 rounds
Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Deep, 38 Special +P	130-grain JHP, 900 fps	US$43.99 per 20 rounds

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Target shooting and self-defense revolver ammunition

Media

38 Special Images

38 Special, Revolver cartridge, Munitions - view 1 — Source: 38 Special - SP - SB - 1.jpg

38 Special, Revolver cartridge, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Smith & Wesson Model 15-4 revolver photo

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Sources

About Federal - Federal AmmunitionPublisher: Federal Ammunition | Note: Supports manufacturer background and United States origin context for Federal Ammunition in Anoka, Minnesota. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 The 38 Special Vs. the .357 MagPublisher: Winchester Ammunition | Note: Supports historical background and the rimmed-case revolver design context for 38 Special. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Ammo Basics - Handgun - Federal AmmunitionPublisher: Federal Ammunition | Note: Supports revolver cartridge background and the fact that Federal lists 38 Special among common handgun and revolver calibers. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Shop By Caliber | Handgun - FederalPublisher: Federal Premium | Note: Supports background context that Federal lists 38 Special among its popular handgun calibers. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 American Eagle Handgun, 38 Special, 130 Grain, Full Metal Jacket, 890 fpsPublisher: Federal Premium | Note: Supports a representative Federal 38 Special standard-pressure load and its listed price. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Personal Defense Punch, 38 Special +P, 120 Grain, Jacketed Hollow Point, 1000 fpsPublisher: Federal Premium | Note: Supports a representative Federal 38 Special +P defensive load. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Deep, 38 Special +P, 130 Grain, Hydra-Shok Deep Jacketed Hollow Point, 900 fpsPublisher: Federal Premium | Note: Supports a representative Federal 38 Special +P deep-penetration defensive load. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 38 Special - FMJ - SB - 1.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary 38 Special cartridge image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 38 Special - SP - SB - 1.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the secondary 38 Special cartridge image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Smith & Wesson Model 15-4 revolver photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the revolver comparison image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-27