A .38 Special cartridge can be fired from a .357 Magnum revolver. This compatibility stems from the .357 Magnum’s development from the .38 Special. The .357 Magnum essentially uses a lengthened .38 Special cartridge case, allowing for a larger powder charge and thus, higher velocity. The bullet diameter remains the same, enabling the shorter .38 Special round to function safely within the longer .357 Magnum chamber.
This compatibility offers significant advantages. Shooters can practice with the less expensive and lower-recoiling .38 Special ammunition in their .357 Magnum revolvers. This reduces the cost of practice and can be particularly beneficial for novice shooters who may find the recoil of .357 Magnum rounds excessive. The ability to use either cartridge provides versatility, allowing the user to select the ammunition best suited to their current needs, whether target practice or self-defense. The development of the .357 Magnum in the 1930s addressed the need for a more powerful handgun cartridge for law enforcement, while maintaining the option of using existing .38 Special rounds.