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Cartridge question- .380 RIM ???
11b6r
Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
Saw one of the featured auctions is a NIB revolver from Ruger that was made for the Indian govt- in caliber .380 RIM.
Just curious- have been a cartridge collector for some time, have never heard of .380 RIM, and cannot locate info on same.
Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Just curious- have been a cartridge collector for some time, have never heard of .380 RIM, and cannot locate info on same.
Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Comments
It was a cartridge originally developed by Great Britain for the Webley revolver in about 1868 to 1870. The 38 S&W was copied from it in about 1877 and most .380 rim revolvers will accept the 38 S&W version. When the 38 S&W was loaded with a 200-grain bullet it was called the 38 Super Police. It can also be known as the 38 Colt New Police. In India its name is the .380 Rim.
Though similar in name this cartridge in not quite the same as the 38 S&W. The British used this cartridge in Webley pistols and slightly modified it as the Cartridge, S.A., Revolver Ball, 380 in, MkI .38-200. The 200 identifies what the British called the 200-grain "manstopper" bullet.
In 1937 the British modified the MkI and then issued the Cartridge, S.A., Revolver Ball, .380 in, MkII for service. This cartridge has a 178-grain bullet instead of the 200-grain manstopper. Both the Mk1 and MkII were constructed with FMJ for service use, but lead bullet variations exist.
The British had millions of rounds of this ammo and millions of Webley revolvers remaining and either sold or gave the stock of revolvers and ammunition to the Indian government who has used them ever since. The British divested themselves of the .380 rim in about 1963 when they were reequipped with the Browning Hi Power in 9mm.
As the Webley revolvers have worn out, India requested Ruger to chamber the Service Six in .380 Rim for export which Ruger has done. As expected from Ruger, they have made a most robust pistol for this caliber.
There are variations in dimensions for this cartridge depending on the source. The bullet diameter for the .380 Rim is 0.361 inches, so it does not use a true .38 or 0.357 bullet. The .38 S&W bullet diameter is listed by some sources as 0.359 inches diameter (not a true 0.357-inch diameter bullet either). There are also minor variations in the case, compared to the 38 S&W, primarily in rim diameter and OAL.
I have several in my collection and they appear as though the bullet is almost as long as the case and thus are distinctive and easy to recognize. A common headstamp is DA 43 380 from Dominion Arsenal in Quebec. The Indian government is apparently the only country who manufactures and uses this cartridge anymore.
Best,
Heavyiron