The .357 is a more powerful (stronger) cartridge than the .38 special. Despite the different numbers for each cartridge, they are essentially the same dimensions except that the .38 special case is shorter, holding less gunpowder and therefore generating less pressure and bullet speed. Some guns that are built to withstand the higher pressures of the .357 cartridge can also shoot lower-pressure .38 special ammunition. Guns built specifically for the .38 special cartridge do not have this ability to shoot both cartridges, since the .357 has higher pressures and the cases are too long for the magazine. Hope this helps!
The ,357 Magnum is a longer catridge, and is loaded to higher energies- meaning that the bullet is pushed harder, and goes faster. And yes, the typical .357 Magnum handgun is built stronger than the typical .38 Special, to handle the increased forces.
No. 357 SIG and 357 Magnum are two very different cartridges. You can use .38 Special in a .357 magnum gun, but not 357 SIG Adding to the above, the compatibility of .38 Special and .357 Magnum applies only to revolvers. You cannot cycle .38 Special in a magazine fed .357 Magnum lever action or semi automatic.
The .357 Magnum cartridge is longer and much more powerful than the .38 Special. While .38 Special ammo CAN be safely fired in a .357 Magnum, the reverse is not true. It is dangerous to try this.
Depends on what ammo and what you mean by "stronger".
.357 Magnum. You can tell just by the recoil of the firearm.
.357, considerably.
No. It is a fatter diameter than .357, and will not fit. The bullet diameter is .361, instead of .357.
38 Special and .357 Magnum.
The term magnum was first used with the .357 Smith & Wesson Magnum (to use the entire name) to designate a cartridge that had higher energy than the parent catridge it was develoepd from. In the case of the .357, the parent was .38 Special. In the case of the .44 magnum, parent was .44 Special. A magnum is a bottle of champagne that is larger than a standard bottle, and the word was borrowed by the firearms world.
In my opinion no! The cylinder length of the 38 special would be shorter than the cylinder length of a .357 Magnum.
38 Special and 357 Magnum
The actual bullet diameter (as well as that of the .38 Special) is .357.