.38 Special Velocity by Barrel Length

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Velocity by barrel length data for the .38 Special , also known as .38 Smith & Wesson Special or .38 SPL for short. The data below was sourced from Ballistics by the Inch. Also included are velocities from real-world firearms with various barrel lengths so that we are able to compare performance between something like a revolver, to a carbine chambered in .357 Magnum.

Note: If you are looking for data for .357 Magnum ammunition and firearms, check this page!

barrel length Cor Bon 110 gr. JHP Cor Bon 125 gr. JHP Cor Bon 110 gr. DPX Federal 125 gr. Hydra-shok JHP Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot HP
18" 1243 1190 1332 1247 n/a
17" 1211 1209 1298 1233 n/a
16" 1298 1261 1388 1252 1315
15" 1220 1210 1301 1231 1255
14" 1187 1180 1274 1214 1264
13" 1151 1182 1311 1199 1247
12" 1181 1164 1298 1192 1233
11" 1200 1144 1232 1178 1242
10" 1163 1135 1232 1182 1217
9" 1162 1129 1230 1144 1209
8" 1105 1092 1214 1119 1189
7" 1095 1069 1171 1094 1145
6" 1021 1014 1106 1052 1115
5" 1009 1045 1129 1029 1101
4" 1013 996 1084 954 1027
3" 851 854 963 831 892
2" 675 723 814 700 756

Real-World Firearms

Velocity data from various real-world firearms with various barrel lengths and action types. Like above, this data is sourced from Ballistics By The Inch.

Real-World Weapons Cor Bon 110 gr. JHP Cor Bon 125 gr. JHP Cor Bon 110 gr. DPX Federal 125 gr. Hydra-shok JHP Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot HP
Stoeger Buntline 18" Barrel 1135 fps 1115 fps 1080 fps 1085 fps 1131 fps
Winchester 94AE 16" Barrel 1261 fps 1256 fps 1392 fps 1210 fps 1289 fps
Colt Python 6" Barrel 1015 fps 983 fps 1014 fps 871 fps 890 fps
Korth Revolver 5.875" Barrel 1068 fps 1093 fps 1101 fps 1009 fps 992 fps
S&W 627-3 w/ Brake 5.625" Barrel 986 fps 903 fps 1008 fps 930 fps 942 fps
S&W 627-3 w/o Brake 5" Barrel 972 fps 909 fps 1026 fps 918 fps 988 fps
Colt Diamondback 4" Barrel 1003 fps 939 fps 1017 fps 865 fps 957 fps
S&W 686 4" Barrel 1018 fps 1027 fps 1064 fps 923 fps 1025 fps
Bond Texas Defender 3" Barrel n/a 900 fps 1020 fps 853 fps 885 fps
Colt Detective Special 2.125" Barrel 816 fps 893 fps 988 fps 858 fps 928 fps
S&W 642 1.875" Barrel 940 fps 911 fps 961 fps 847 fps 897 fps

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