Contact us: 800-604-1094 Contact Form
38 Special Ammo icon

38 Special Ammo For Sale

Live Inventory
The 38 Special cartridge has earned a world-renowned reputation, largely due to its remarkable versatility and time-tested performance. Its most sought-after advantage is that it can be chambered in small, easily concealed, and highly accurate revolvers. For those looking to train consistently, check out our bulk 38 Special ammo page. Learn More
per page

  1. PMC Bronze 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 132 Grain FMJ Ammunition

    Image of PMC Bronze 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 132 Grain FMJ Ammunition
    $24.99

    1 Review

    26 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type FMJ
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 917 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 232 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 50¢ per round
    • Made by PMC

  2. Magtech 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain SJSP Ammunition

    Image of Magtech 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain SJSP Ammunition
    $26.99
    Add Review

    44 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type SJSP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 755 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 200 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 54¢ per round
    • Made by Magtech

  3. Magtech 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain LFN Ammunition

    Image of Magtech 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain LFN Ammunition
    $26.99
    Add Review

    49 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type LFN
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 919 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 234 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 54¢ per round
    • Made by Magtech

  4. Sellier and Bellot 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain LFN Ammunition

    Image of Sellier and Bellot 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain LFN Ammunition
    $27.49
    Add Review

    30 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type LFN
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 800 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 225 ft lbs

  5. Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain SJSP Ammunition

    Image of Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain SJSP Ammunition
    $27.99

    4 Reviews

    28 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type SJSP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 938 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 244 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 56¢ per round
    • Made by Magtech

  6. Remington 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain LRN Ammunition

    Image of Remington 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain LRN Ammunition
    $28.99

    2 Reviews

    18 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type LRN
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 755 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 200 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 58¢ per round
    • Made by Remington

  7. Magtech 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain SJHP Ammunition

    Image of Magtech 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain SJHP Ammunition
    $29.99
    Add Review

    15 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type SJHP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 807 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 229 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 60¢ per round
    • Made by Magtech

  8. Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain SJHP Ammunition

    Image of Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain SJHP Ammunition
    $29.99

    1 Review

    10 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type SJHP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 886 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 275 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 60¢ per round
    • Made by Magtech

  9. Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain SJHP Ammunition

    Image of Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain SJHP Ammunition
    $31.99
    Add Review

    14 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type SJHP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 938 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 244 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 64¢ per round
    • Made by Magtech

  10. Winchester 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain JSP Ammunition

    Image of Winchester 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain JSP Ammunition
    $39.99
    Add Review

    25 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type JSP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 775 FPS

  11. Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain CNL Ammunition

    Image of Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain CNL Ammunition
    $43.99
    Add Review

    51 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type LFN
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 800 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 225 ft lbs
    • 50 Rounds
    • 88¢ per round
    • Made by Black Hills Ammunition

  12. Winchester Super-X 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 148 Grain LWC Ammunition

    Image of Winchester Super-X 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 148 Grain LWC Ammunition
    $49.99
    Add Review

    47 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type LWC
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 710 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 166 ft lbs

Overview of 38 Special Ammo

The 38 Special has been a cornerstone of American self-defense and revolver shooting for over 120 years, introduced in 1902 and still one of the most widely chambered handgun cartridges in production today. A rimmed, centerfire cartridge, the 38 Special is most often chambered in revolvers, but carbines and a handful of semi-automatic pistols have also been built for the round.

The 38 Special goes by several other names, including the 38 Smith and Wesson Special, the 38 Colt Special, 9x29.5mmR, and 9.1x29mmR. In its standard loading, the 38 Special weighs 158 grain (gr), has a total cartridge length of 1.455 inches, and travels at roughly 755 feet per second (fps). +P loadings push velocity and energy higher for self-defense use, while wadcutter and target loads run lighter and softer for match work and practice.

Many revolver shooters eventually move from 38 Special to 357 Magnum for added power and versatility. The 357 Magnum was developed directly from the 38 Special case, and any 357 Magnum revolver will safely chamber and fire 38 Special ammo, which makes the 38 Special a popular practice load for 357 owners.

What are the most popular 38 Special brands you sell?

For extended range sessions and training, browse our 250 rounds of 38 Special ammo for bulk purchasing options, or step up to the 1000-round case for the best price per round.

How does the 38 Special Compare to Other Calibers?

Comparison Recoil Pros Cons
38 Special vs. 357 Magnum Higher Significantly more power and velocity, better for hunting Much higher recoil, more expensive ammunition
38 Special vs. 9mm Similar Higher capacity in semi-auto pistols, faster reloads Requires semi-auto maintenance, potential feed issues
38 Special vs. 380 ACP Lower Better energy and penetration, proven stopping power Lower capacity (revolver), more recoil than 380
38 Special vs. 38 S&W Lower More powerful and versatile, better ballistics Higher recoil than 38 S&W, not compatible with older firearms

Best 38 Special Ammo for Specific Use Cases

Use Case Winners
Best 38 Special for Self-Defense Best Overall: Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP
Runner-Up: Speer 38 Special +P 125gr JHP
Best 38 Special for Snubbies Best Overall: Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP
Runner-Up: Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ
Best 38 Special for Target Practice Best Overall: Ammo Inc 125gr TMJ
Runner-Up: Fiocchi 38 Special 130gr FMJ
Molly Carter
Written by
Molly Carter

Customer Reviews

Click To Purchase This 38 Special PMC Ammunition
PMC Bronze 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 132 Grain FMJ Ammunition
Add review
  • Chicago John 27 said:

    Just needed small amount to test fire a gun. Worked out very well.

Click To Purchase This 38 Special Magtech Ammunition
Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain SJSP Ammunition
Add review
  • Bcino said:

    Bought for my 357magnum… perfect

  • Bcino said:

    Pricing was fair this brand, less recoil for my 608 357 magnum revolver

  • Bcino said:

    FAIR price &+p is what I wanted for my 357 8rnd revolver for less recoil performance is fairly on point it’s decent ammunition that I will purchase again

  • Deead Eye Duff said:

    You need to check out, Ammo.com. You will not find a better price on hi quality ammo, anywhere. My friends and I in Texas, all stock up, with Ammo com. Keep 'em all in the 10 range. I even bought my wife .357 Ammo there!

View 1 more
Click To Purchase This 38 Special Remington Ammunition
Remington 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain LRN Ammunition
Add review
  • Bobby said:

    Will from u guys again great customer service

  • Tomcat said:

    I was looking for something to shoot that didn't cost me an arm and a leg. There were no 9mm or 22LR available so I bought these 38SPL rounds. They performed quite well and allowed me to shoot my old model 6. 4" heavy barrel S&W. Over all I am happy with the results.

Click To Purchase This 38 Special Magtech Ammunition
Magtech 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain SJHP Ammunition
Add review
  • George said:

    Great ammo great price!