.38 Short Colt

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

.38 Short Colt: At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Revolver
Primer Type Small Pistol
Used For Self-defense, Target shooting
Case Design Straight-walled, Rimmed
Year Introduced 1875

.38 Short Colt: At a Glance: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • ✔ Low recoil, suitable for novice shooters
  • ✔ Compatible with many .38 Special revolvers
  • ✔ Historically significant cartridge
  • ✔ Adequate for close-range self-defense
  • ✔ Relatively inexpensive to manufacture

Cons

  • ✘ Limited stopping power compared to modern cartridges
  • ✘ Shorter range than .38 Special
  • ✘ Less common, may be harder to find
  • ✘ Outdated by modern ammunition standards
  • ✘ Limited bullet weight options

.38 Short Colt: A Comprehensive Overview

The .38 Short Colt is a historic centerfire pistol cartridge developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company in 1875. It was designed for use in Colt's single-action revolvers and was one of the earliest successful centerfire revolver cartridges. The .38 Short Colt played a significant role in the evolution of handgun ammunition, bridging the gap between black powder and smokeless powder cartridges.

History and Development

The .38 Short Colt was introduced in 1875 by Colt's Manufacturing Company. It was developed as an improvement over the .38 Long Colt, which had been introduced in 1871. The .38 Short Colt was designed to be used in Colt's single-action revolvers, particularly the Colt Model 1877 'Lightning' double-action revolver.

Initially, the .38 Short Colt used black powder as a propellant. The cartridge typically fired a 130-grain lead bullet at a muzzle velocity of around 770 feet per second. This performance was considered adequate for self-defense purposes in its time, though it was less powerful than many of its contemporaries.

The .38 Short Colt saw use in both civilian and military applications. It was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1892 as a standard-issue cartridge, alongside the .38 Long Colt. However, its relatively weak performance led to its eventual replacement by more powerful cartridges.

With the advent of smokeless powder, the .38 Short Colt was updated to use the new propellant. This increased its performance slightly, but it remained a relatively low-powered cartridge compared to newer designs.

Production of .38 Short Colt ammunition continued well into the 20th century, primarily for use in older revolvers. However, its popularity waned as more powerful and efficient cartridges were developed. Today, it is primarily of interest to collectors and historians, though some manufacturers still produce ammunition for this caliber.

Timeline of .38 Short Colt Development and Usage:

Year Event
1975 Production of .38 Short Colt ammunition becomes limited, primarily for collectors and antique firearms.
1909 U.S. Military officially phases out the .38 Short Colt in favor of the .45 ACP.
1892 U.S. Army adopts the .38 Short Colt as a standard-issue cartridge.
1877 Colt introduces the Model 1877 'Lightning' double-action revolver, designed for the .38 Short Colt.
1875 Colt's Manufacturing Company introduces the .38 Short Colt cartridge.

.38 Short Colt Performance Characteristics

The .38 Short Colt's performance characteristics reflect its design as a low-powered cartridge for self-defense and military use in the late 19th century.

Characteristic Performance
Bullet Weight 130 grains
Lead round nose bullet
Muzzle Velocity 770 feet per second
With original black powder load
Muzzle Energy 170 foot-pounds
Calculated based on 130-grain bullet at 770 fps
Effective Range 50 yards
Practical accuracy limit for self-defense purposes
Case Length 0.775 inches
Shorter than the .38 Long Colt

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .38 Short Colt loads.

Note: These values are based on standard factory loads. Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads and barrel length.

.38 Short Colt: Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for .38 Short Colt ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities for this historical cartridge.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Historical Reenactment 0-25 Primarily used for authenticity in period-correct firearms
Self-Defense 0-15 Limited effectiveness due to low velocity and energy
Target Shooting 0-50 Suitable for short-range target practice with antique firearms
Cowboy Action Shooting 0-25 Used in some Cowboy Action Shooting events for period correctness

Note: The .38 Short Colt is an obsolete cartridge with limited modern applications. Its performance is significantly lower than contemporary self-defense or target shooting cartridges. Always use appropriate safety measures and adhere to local laws when handling historical firearms.

Applications for .38 Short Colt

The .38 Short Colt is primarily of historical interest, with limited modern applications:

Historical Firearms and Reenactment
  • Used in authentic period firearms for historical demonstrations
  • Provides realistic experience for 19th-century firearm enthusiasts
  • Essential for maintaining and operating certain antique revolvers
Cowboy Action Shooting
  • Occasionally used in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions
  • Provides period-correct ammunition for specific firearm categories
  • Low recoil can be advantageous in rapid-fire events
Collectible Ammunition
  • Sought after by ammunition collectors and firearms historians
  • Important for preserving the legacy of early cartridge revolvers
  • Can be handloaded by enthusiasts for use in appropriate firearms
Educational Purposes
  • Used in firearms history classes to demonstrate cartridge evolution
  • Allows for comparison with more modern cartridges in ballistics studies
  • Provides insight into 19th-century military and law enforcement capabilities

Caliber Comparisons

To understand the .38 Short Colt's place in the handgun world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

.38 Short Colt vs. .38 Long Colt ▼

.38 Short Colt vs. .38 Special ▼

.38 Short Colt vs. .380 ACP ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .38 Short Colt with other similar handgun cartridges. (Based on a 2 lb handgun)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads and firearm characteristics. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .38 Short Colt with other similar handgun cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 25-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .38 Short Colt with other similar handgun cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .38 Short Colt with other similar handgun cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

Sectional Density of .38 Short Colt

The .38 Short Colt is a low-pressure cartridge developed in 1875 for Colt's New Line and House revolvers. It was later used in various other revolvers.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
.38 Short Colt 125 0.156
.38 Short Colt 130 0.162
.38 Short Colt 145 0.181

Note: The .38 Short Colt has a bullet diameter of 0.361 inches. Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². While the .38 Short Colt has relatively low sectional densities compared to modern cartridges, it was considered adequate for its intended use in short-range self-defense situations during its era of prominence.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the .38 Short Colt?

A: The .38 Short Colt is a low-pressure cartridge developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company in 1875. It was designed for use in conversion cylinders for Colt Single Action Army revolvers, allowing them to fire a shorter, less powerful round than the .45 Colt.

Q: What is the difference between .38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt?

A: The .38 Short Colt has a shorter case length of 0.775 inches compared to the .38 Long Colt's 1.031 inches. The Short Colt also has a lower powder capacity and typically fires a lighter bullet, resulting in lower muzzle velocity and energy.

Q: Can .38 Short Colt be fired from a .38 Special revolver?

A: .38 Short Colt can be safely fired from revolvers chambered for .38 Special or .357 Magnum. However, due to its shorter case length, it may not headspace properly in some modern revolvers, potentially affecting accuracy and reliability.

Q: Is .38 Short Colt still manufactured today?

A: While .38 Short Colt is no longer widely manufactured, some specialty ammunition makers still produce it in limited quantities for collectors and owners of antique firearms. It is considered an obsolete cartridge for modern use.

Q: What was the typical bullet weight for .38 Short Colt?

A: The .38 Short Colt typically used a 130-grain lead bullet. This was lighter than the 150-grain bullet commonly used in the .38 Long Colt, contributing to its lower power and recoil.

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