.38 ACP

.38 ACP
TypePistol
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerJohn Browning
Designed1900
ManufacturerColt
Produced1900–present
Variants.38 Super
Specifications
Case typeSemi-rimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.356 in (9.0 mm)
Land diameter.346 in (8.8 mm)
Neck diameter.384 in (9.8 mm)
Base diameter.384 in (9.8 mm)
Rim diameter.406 in (10.3 mm)
Rim thickness.050 in (1.3 mm)
Case length.900 in (22.9 mm)
Overall length1.28 in (33 mm)
Primer typeSmall pistol
Maximum pressure26,500 psi (183 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
115 gr (7 g) FMJ 1,150 ft/s (350 m/s) 338 ft⋅lbf (458 J)
125 gr (8 g) JHP 1,100 ft/s (340 m/s) 336 ft⋅lbf (456 J)
130 gr (8 g) FMJ 1,040 ft/s (320 m/s) 312 ft⋅lbf (423 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World[1]

The .38 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as the .38 Auto, .38 Automatic, or 9×23mmSR, is a semi-rimmed pistol cartridge that was introduced at the turn of the 20th century for the John Browning-designed Colt M1900. It was first used in Colt's Model 1897 prototype, which he did not produce. The metric designation for the round is 9×23mm SR (semi-rimmed), which is not to be confused with other 9×23mm cartridges.

  1. ^ Barnes, Frank C. (2006) [1965]. Skinner, Stan (ed.). Cartridges of the World (11th ed.). Iola, WI, USA: Gun Digest Books. pp. 328, 338. ISBN 0-89689-297-2.