Also known as the 38 Colt Special and, more generally, as simply the 38 Special, this cartridge was developed by Smith & Wesson and introduced with its Military & Police Model revolver in 1902, according to Cartridges of the World 17th Edition. It was originally a military cartridge meant to replace the unsatisfactory 38 Long Colt then in use by the U.S. Army. Colt brought out its version in 1909, which differs from the original only in bullet shape, the Colt being a flat-point style. Colt, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Rossi, Ruger, and others make revolvers specifically for this cartridge. Several Belgian, Brazilian, German and Spanish firms also make 38 Special revolvers.
The 38 Special is considered one of the best-balanced, all-around handgun cartridges ever designed. It is also one of the most accurate and is very widely used for match shooting. Any 357 Magnum revolver will also shoot the 38 Special. At one time, it was the standard police cartridge in the U.S. and largely in Mexico and Canada. Several companies make over/under, two-shot, derringer-type pistols in this chambering that are compact and relatively powerful for close-in self-defense. The 38 Special is a very popular sporting cartridge for hunting small to medium game and varmint-type animals. With modern hunting bullets, it is effective for this purpose. Because of its moderate recoil, the average person can learn to shoot well with it in a short amount of time, something not true of the 357 or 44 Magnums.
Gun Tests has evaluated many handguns chambered in 38 Special over the last few years, and we’ve often NOT liked some market favorites because we’re able to shoot several firearms side by side, which shows the deficiencies and strengths of each firearm. The list below includes double-action-to-single-action trigger styles and single-action triggers.
The entries include the dates of the original review, but if they’re on this list, they’re worth looking for as used products, or if you’re lucky, overlooked NIB items stuffed into a dusty shelf somewhere. With that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top 38 Special Revolvers in the listicle below. Of course, we haven’t tested every handgun on the market, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite in the comments below. As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test. Expect the prices of new or used guns to be different. — Todd Woodard
10 Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight 103810 38 Sp., $519 (November 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Even with a 12-pound trigger and fixed sights, this little revolver still shot very well. If you are looking for a small and reliable pocket pistol at the best price, grab the base Model 642 Airweight and hide it wherever you like it.
9 Ruger Light Compact Revolver (LCR) 5401 38 Special, $699 (December 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
A little lighter, with recoil that goes with that. One of the best revolver triggers we have seen.
8 Smith & Wesson Model 442 UC Lipsey’s Special 13996 38 Sp., $759 (November 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
With better sights, better grips, and some good detail work, we might have to give the Model 442 Ultimate Carry model some consideration as a replacement for what we already know to be a very good revolver.
7 Smith & Wesson Model 60 38 Special, $459 (December 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Stainless-steel construction throughout. We docked it a grade for the very heavy trigger.
6 Taurus 856 Model 2-856021 38 Special, $278 (December 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The 856 has a consistent trigger pull in double-action or single-action mode, a small grip that feels like a large grip, and it offers 6 shots in about the same package as a 5-shot revolver. The price is reasonable.
5 Taurus Defender 856 2-85639NS 38 Sp. +P, $306 (October 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Best Buy. Offers six-shot capacity, a 3-inch heavy barrel, and a tritium-insert front-sight.
4 Smith & Wesson Military and Police 38 Special, $300 (February 2017)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
This revolver is large enough to soak up the recoil of +P loads but remains light enough for fast handling. It delivered better combat accuracy and better slow-fire accuracy than any other revolver in this test. At less than half the price of a new Model 10, the Military and Police 38 is a great revolver. If you find one at a fair price, grab it.
3 Smith & Wesson Model 637-2 163050 38 Special +P, $389 (December 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The 637 had all the right quality and features in a concealable revolver: consistent trigger pull, DA or SA trigger mode, recoil absorbing grip, and lightweight.
2 Charter Arms Boxer 53620 38 Special, $349 (July 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The revolver works as designed and is reasonably smooth and more accurate than expected. It is a reliable utilitarian piece. Despite the shortest sight radius and lightest weight, the Boxer was the most accurate revolver in slow fire.
1 Taurus 856 Defender Ultra-Lite 2-85639ULNS 38 Sp. +P, $405 (August 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Our Pick. Offered good accuracy and is ultra-lightweight. The DA trigger was smooth but heavy, with stacking.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Taurus Tracker 692 38 Sp./357 Mag./9mm Luger, $487 (October 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Not chambered exclusively in 38 Special, so not listed in the top ten. Excellent versatility. Other revolvers do not have this versatility or offer seven shots.
Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 38 103039 38 Special +P (December 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The M&P Bodyguard 38 was easily concealable and lightweight. The DAO trigger pull was smooth. Though it offers only five shots, it is well suited for conceal carry.
Charter Arms Off Duty 53811 38 Special, $404 (June 2016)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Off Duty started off with a gritty trigger but soon slicked up; it was the lightest and most compact in this test.
Ruger LCR Model 5456 9mm Luger, $532 (March 2016)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Not a 38 Special, of course, but a similar-power chambering that fits in this list. Buttery-smooth trigger. Grip design stands out from traditional snub-nose revolvers. Light weight.
Ruger LCR No. 5401 38 Special, +P (November 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The LCR is a leap from traditional DAO revolvers with its use of polymers and mechanism. The trigger was smooth and easy to use. Recoil was nil because of the larger rubber grips, though we would want smaller grips for better concealment.
Smith & Wesson Model 638 Airweight No. 163070 38 Special, $459 (March 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
We felt this small 38 Special revolver was a little tough to control with its smaller, narrower grip; but it would still be our choice for a backup due to its light weight and small size. Not needing moon clips and having the option for single action makes the Model 638 the winner in this test. For a lower-priced blued option, look for a Model 38 on your favorite auction site.
Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm No. 79920 9mm Luger, $465 (March 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Not chambered in 38 Special, of course, but in the similarly powered 9mm Luger. The largest of the revolvers in the test, the Pitbull was by far the most accurate. With the size increase comes added weight and the bulk of the bigger grip. Concealing this revolver in an ankle holster would be very difficult, so as a true back up, it might be too big. As a primary carry gun we liked it, and because it operates without moon clips, this six-shooter competes favorably head to head with the five-shot S&W 638.
Rock Island Armory M206 51283 38 38 Special, $240 (October 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
We disliked the too-long hammer spur, and the wooden concealment grips are not well designed.
Colt Cobra COBRA-SM2FO 38 38 Special, +P (April 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The Cobra had a good trigger pull in double action and good sights, which made it easy and accurate to shoot. Though heavier and slightly larger than the other models, it offers six shots and is well suited for conceal carry.
Rossi Model R35102 38 Special, +P $390 (June 2016)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The R35102 had the best trigger and the most comfortable and largest grip; the spurred hammer could get hung up in a draw from concealment.
Taurus 905 Model 905SS2 9mm Luger, $528 (March 2016)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Like the LCR reviewed above, this is not a 38 Special, but a similarly-powered 9mm Luger. The 905 was faster to reload than a traditional 38 Special and performed well.
OTHER TESTED FIREARMS
Ruger SP101 5737 38 Special, $859 (December 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B-
Stainless-steel weight mitigates recoil. Too heavy for pocket carry. Okay for home defense.
Rock Island Armory Model 206 51289 38 Special, $320 (June 2016)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B-
The Model 206 gave good accuracy for a DAO revolver; the grip was dated.
Smith & Wesson M42 150502 38 Special +P $635-798 (November 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B-
The S&W Model 42 was too difficult for many shooters to shoot well and comfortably. It was easy to hide, though, and we feel there are good reasons why the 42 evolved into the 442/642.
Smith & Wesson 940 9mm Luger, $595 to $671 (March 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: C+
The stainless-steel rear sight’s finish reflected lights from behind the shooter. This 9mm is also the only revolver tested that doesn’t offer the option of single-action firing. Unlike the Pitbull, it also required moon clips to eject the rimless 9mm Luger rounds.
Colt Police Positive Special 38 Special, ~$300 (February 2017)
GUN TESTS GRADE: C
If you like history, the Colt Police Positive Special is a cool gun. This revolver appeared original in all respects and has been operating since 1933. One of our raters inspected the revolver. He believed all springs and parts in this wheelgun were original. As it turns out, research conducted after our shoot-out shows that the grip design was criticized even back in the day. Recoil was a problem, with the revolver squirming in the hand. Accuracy was less than the other handguns. This is a handgun best left in the showcase.
Charter Arms Police Undercover No. 73840 38 Special, $402 (March 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: D
Almost a copy of the Pitbull, the Undercover felt good, but with nearly no grooves in the barrel, it vastly underperformed. It functioned, so it passed, but that’s as far as we can go.
