The 38 Colt Short (38 Short Colt) was introduced as a blackpowder cartridge in 1875 with a 125-grain bullet at 730 feet per second. Using a .357-inch bullet, it has a stubby .765-inch case. The later and more popular version, 38 Long Colt, was America's military handgun cartridge from 1892 to 1911. The 38 Long Colt uses a 1.035-inch case with a 150-grain bullet at 770 fps. 38 Colt Short ammunition can be used in 38 Long Colt pistols, but not the reverse. Both are extremely mild cartridges, easy to shoot but extremely marginal for personal defense.
