38 Special Semi-Automatics? Sig P320 Caliber X-Change Kits

[CountryGent]

I may be mistaken but I seem to remember that the Hammerli also comes in .32S&W and is designed for strictly Wadcutter too.

You are corrected on both points. The Sig—Hämmerli 240 was produced in .32 S&W Long WC. Hämmerli made other centerfire handguns in the .32 chambering as well (e.g., 280, et al.), but that is another story.

 

[Boboclown]

We need to ask em to design a semiauto pistol in .44 magnum, just have the mag as the grip somehow.

 

[Colts4me]

This is what we have been talking about, look close.


sig hammerli p240 - Bing images

 

[best defense]

Two Questions:

1) Why does there not appear to be any 38 Special semi-automatics?

2) Sig P320 Full Sized. I own a 9mm and if I were to buy the .357 caliber x-change kit would I be able to ALSO shoot 38 Special with it? Safely? I own a Ruger GP100 revolver and can do this no problem, made for it. Are there limitations with this caliber or set-up preventing me to do so?

Caliber X-Change Kit, P320 Full, .357SIG, BLK, 14 Round Mag

Thanks for the clarity.

************************************************************************
The short answer to your question would be No.

If you look in a reloading book you will see that the two, 357 Sig and 38 Special don't even use the same size bullet. They are not the same length case, the 38 Special being much longer and the 357 Sig is actually a 9 mm (355), not a 357. The other main difference is the 38 Special is a rimed cartridge and the 357 Sig is rimless.
There is the 38 Super but it is not a 357 caliber either it is a long 9 mm.

Now just to expand on this a little bit, there used to be a semi-auto pistol that shot 38 Special. I don't know if you can find one these days but it was a target pistol along the design style of a 1911.
I have only read about them I have never seen one.

If you want more power than a normal 9 mm in a semi-auto I would suggest the 38 Super. It is more powerful than a normal 9mm, having a longer case length and actually exceeds the power of any standard 38 Special. As far as that goes, the typical 9 mm cartridge exceeds the power of a 38 Special when you use the same weight bullets.

 

[KKG]

As far as that goes, the typical 9 mm cartridge exceeds the power of a 38 Special when you use the same weight bullets.

That statement is untrue and never has been. The 9mm has a smaller case capacity than the .38 Special; which means that the amount of powder that can be put in the .38 Special is going to deliver more energy to a bullet of the same weight.

 

[DirectDrive]

9mm vs 38 Special | Ballistics 101

 

[aboveandbeyond]

A while back . Smith and Wesson made a pistol that shot .38 Special ( Wad Cutter's only )
It was made for the target handgun crowd.
If I remember right Coonan made a pistol in .357 Magnum as well...
Again , kinda of a specialist kinda thing....
Andy

Smith is model 52 and can be found- very fine bullseye gun. Colt made 1911s back in the day for 38 wad cutters also. Those can also be found, a little finicky but were common in completion years ago.

 

[Doc In UPlace]

Makes me think of the Hot Tuna song on the Burgers record:

"
I got a 38 special on a 45 frame
I can't miss 'cause I got dead aim
Got dead aim, got dead aim
Got dead aim, got dead aim

 

[DeanMk]

Why does there not appear to be any 38 Special semi-automatics?

Thanks for the clarity.

Because about 100 years ago, Browning developed the rimless version of the .38 Special, the .38 ACP.
...it didn't sell then, why would it sell now?

Dean
P.S. The .38 ACP does live on with a stronger case and loaded to a higher pressure. It's now called the .38 Super.