Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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Vintage Remington Kleanbore .38 S&W rounds (left) with modern, nickel plated-cased rounds (right).

What the .38 S&W really has going for it is its inherent accuracy combined with almost no recoil. In the K-frame sized gun, it had little more recoil than a revolver of the same sized chambered in .22 Long Rifle. With the right handloads and in the right gun, it makes for a very handy small game cartridge. Rabbits and squirrels would certainly be within the .38 S&W’s limits in either an old Smith & Wesson M&P or a Regulation Police. It has enough power to get the job done on game animals without destroying too much meat like more powerful calibers.

The .38 S&W, despite being written off at one time or another, is still hanging on even though no handguns have been produced for it for 35 years. I have little doubt that while it has been on the ragged edge of retirement more than once, the .38 S&W won’t be going away any time soon.

THE WEST AND THE GUN

BY JIM FORAL

After the Civil War, America moved westward across the continent. In the two decades to follow, civilization gradually but steadily stretched from ocean to ocean. The old emigrant trail had given way to the iron horse and the settler made certain that the savage made room for him. Cattle grazed where the buffalo once roamed, and regions formerly devoid of humanity were how inhabited.