The .38 Short Colt, also known as .38 SC, is a heeled bullet cartridge intended for metallic cartridge conversions of the cap and ball Colt 1851 Navy Revolver from the American Civil War era.[1]
| .38 Colt | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Technical sketch comparing the .38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt cartridges | ||||||||||||
| Type | Revolver | |||||||||||
| Place of origin | United States | |||||||||||
| Production history | ||||||||||||
| Designer | Colt | |||||||||||
| Manufacturer | Colt | |||||||||||
| Specifications | ||||||||||||
| Case type | rimmed, straight | |||||||||||
| Bullet diameter | .375 inches (9.5 mm) for original heeled bullets, .358 inches (9.1 mm) for some modern loads | |||||||||||
| Neck diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | |||||||||||
| Base diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | |||||||||||
| Rim diameter | .445 in (11.3 mm) | |||||||||||
| Rim thickness | .060 in (1.5 mm) | |||||||||||
| Case length | .765 in (19.4 mm) | |||||||||||
| Overall length | 1.2 in (30.48 mm) | |||||||||||
| Maximum pressure (CIP) | 13,000 psi (90 MPa) | |||||||||||
| Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
| Source(s): Hodgdon Online reloading data | ||||||||||||
Later, this cartridge was fitted with a 0.358-inch (9.1 mm) diameter inside-lubricated bullet in the 125–135 grains (8.1–8.7 g) range.[2][3]
Case
editVisually, it resembles a .38 S&W but the case dimensions are slightly different. The .38 Short Colt case is the parent to the .38 Long Colt and .38 Special.
Remington is one of the few producers of this cartridge today with a 125 gr LRN bullet. Magtech produces this grain weight and Ten-x manufactures a 95 gr load, as well as blanks.
This cartridge can be safely fired in revolvers chambered for .38 Special or .357 Magnum.[4]
References
edit- ^ Taffin, John (2005). Single Action Sixguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 37. ISBN 0-87349-953-0.
- ^ Barnes, Frank C. (1997) [1965]. McPherson, M.L. (ed.). Cartridges of the World (8th ed.). DBI Books. pp. 64, 91. ISBN 0-87349-178-5.
- ^ "Tab IV - Pistol and revolver cartridges". C.I.P. Archived from the original on 2013-10-15. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ ".38 Long/Short Colt in .357 revolver?".