What is the difference in a .38 special pistol and a .380 pistol?

Answer 1

The .38 Special will be a revolver, which fires a rimmed cartridge. The .380 is an automatic pistol cartridge intended for compact semi-auto pistols, and is rimless. It is also a substantially shorter cartridge than the .38 Special.

They are two completely different cartridges, that have no resemblance other than having a 3 and 8 in the names. .38 Special is a rimmed cartridge made for revolvers. .380 is a rimless cartridge made for use in automatic pistols. It is shorter, slightly smaller in diameter, and has a lighter weight bullet. The two do not interchange.

Answer 2

The .38 Special will be a revolver, which fires a rimmed cartridge. The .380 is an automatic pistol cartridge intended for compact semi-auto pistols, and is rimless. It is also a substantially shorter cartridge than the .38 Special.

Answer 3

They are two completely different cartridges, that have no resemblance other than having a 3 and 8 in the names. .38 Special is a rimmed cartridge made for revolvers. .380 is a rimless cartridge made for use in automatic pistols. It is shorter, slightly smaller in diameter, and has a lighter weight bullet. The two do not interchange.