.38 Long Colt

.38 Long Colt
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1892–1909
Used byUnited States Army
Production history
DesignerColt
ManufacturerColt
Produced1875
Specifications
Parent case.38 Short Colt
Case typeRimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.357 in (9.1 mm)
Neck diameter.381 in (9.7 mm)
Base diameter.381 in (9.7 mm)
Rim diameter.445 in (11.3 mm)
Rim thickness.060 in (1.5 mm)
Case length1.031 in (26.2 mm)
Overall length1.360 in (34.54 mm)
Maximum pressure (CIP)13,000 psi (90 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
125 gr (8 g) LRN 772 ft/s (235 m/s) 165 ft⋅lbf (224 J)
150 gr (10 g) LRN 777 ft/s (237 m/s) 201 ft⋅lbf (273 J)
Source(s): Hodgdon Reloading Data Center[1]

The .38 Long Colt, also known as .38 LC, is a black powder cartridge introduced by Colt's Manufacturing Company in 1875. In 1892, it was adopted as a standard military pistol cartridge by the United States Army for the Colt M1892 revolver. The metric designation for the .38 Long Colt is 9.1×26mm. It is slightly more powerful than the .38 Short Colt, also known as .38 SC. The original .38 SC and .38 LC differ in case length, bullet diameter, weight, and design and are not interchangeable; however, modern production .38 SC ammunition is now loaded with a smaller, internally-lubricated bullet which can be fired from firearms chambered in .38 LC or .38 Special. The modern .38 LC can be fired from a .38 Special firearm, but not from a firearm designed for the .38 SC, since the case length is too long.[2]

  1. ^ "Hodgdon Reloading Data Center". Archived from the original on February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  2. ^ "The Other .38's: Short, Long and Everything in Between". Guns.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.