You gun takes the .38 Special. Its original (and proper) name was ".38 Smith & Wesson Special" since Smith & Wesson introduced the first gun chambered for this cartridge, which differentiated it from the earlier ".38 Smith & Wesson". The .38 S&W Special will not interhange with the .38 S&W.
i have a 38 special smith and wesson,how can i tell if it is a chefs special or not.
38 special
The 38 Smith and Wesson Special is the full name for the 38 Special cartridge or revolver caliber with that designation, and so it is the same thing. The 38 Smith and Wesson Special cartridge is not the same as the 38 Smith & Wesson cartridge or 38 Long Colt cartridge, and should not be able to fit into those revolvers, but in rare cases it may, so use caution. (See Related Links)
Your serial number indicates that your Smith and Wesson 38 special was made in the Year 1960.
Overall length The 38 special is a stronger cartridge. If you have a .38 Special revolver it can still shoot a .38 S&W but not the other way around.
The Model 16 was not made in 38 Special.
No such weapon
@ 1974
The .38 Smith & Wesson cartridge was created in 1876. It is a shorter, fatter, less powerful cartridge than the .38 Smith & Wesson Special, created in 1899 (they cannot be interchanged). The .38 Special +P is a .38 Special cartridge that is loaded to 10% higher energy than a standard .38 Special. The .357 Magnum is a longer version of the .38 Special that is loaded to MUCH higher energy than a .38 Special +P.
It depends on how old it is. Needs to be examined by a gunsmith.
It's a great little 38 special.