.38 ammo

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have a 38 Rossi, my question is, can I shoot 38 standard rounds as well as 38 special rounds out of it?
thank you
Jim

ANSWER: There is no cartridge that is called ".38 standard". There is the older .38 S&W (Smith & Wesson) from the WWII era, and the newer .38 special that came after that time.  They are not interchangeable.  The case diameters are different, and the 38 special is also longer.

I expect that your Rossi is .38 special.  If the owners' manual allows it, it may also fire the higher-power .38 special +P.  It can not fire the .357 magnum.

Hope this helps!

Dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry Dave, I called it 38 standard just because the box was not marked 38 special that I can recall, Had it a long time. the casings are identical, the only difference is the bullet. the 38 special is rounded tip the other is a flat tip. Hope this makes better sense, I take it there won't be a problem shooting either round?
thank you again
Jim

Answer
.38 special cartridges are available with many different bullet sizes and shapes.  It sounds like you probably have some round nose bullets, and some wadcutters or semi-wadcutters.  All are ok to fire in a .38 special gun.  Any cartridge that is labeled .38 special will be OK (but +P only if your owners' manual states that +P are OK).

Hope this helps!

Dave