.380 Mk2z

[CharlesHarris]

I would agree that if I were limited to one handgun it would be a .38 Special. My interest in the .38 S&W cartridge is mostly academic, because I obtained a few revolvers opf this caliber from an estate.

It appears based on pressure and velocity testing to date that in the Webley & Scott Mark IV and strong, model double-actions such as the S&W, can match standard-pressure .38 Special ballistics handloading the smaller case and improve upon factory ballistics for the cartridge, without exceed the pressure design limits of modern revolvers. Factory loads are loaded to modest pressures in deference to the many small-frame, top-break pocket revolvers out there.

The British military Webleys, Enfields, Albions, and the S&W Victory Model or Colt Police Positive chambered for the .38 Colt New Police, having heat-treated frames and cylinders, being manufactured after about 1926-27, can safely be handloaded to approach 800 fps with 146-155 grain cast lead bullets and approach 700 fps with lubricated lead cast bullets approximating the 178-grain weight of the Mk2 ball bullet.

I have not figured out how to post photos, but have the data summaries firing in an Oehler 43 system with piezo-electric test barrel.