I got started shooting this cartridge because I found a really nice old Victory model Smith chambered in it. I never expected to be able to find ammo, but with the internet these days, I've found Privi, Magtech, Remington, Winchester and some FMJ Fiocchi that barks pretty hard. None of it was too expensive really. I've shot 38 special that cost a lot more and wasn't much, if any hotter.
Pretty good shape! Man, I have seen a lot of Safety Polices and yours is BY FAR the best! I have a 7-shot SP in .22 and it has no finish whatsoever. You have a real gem there.
Sounds like you had misfires or light strikes. I love Hopkins & Allen. They had a hobbyist newsletter out of Ohio some years ago. Apparently H&A revolvers of the late 1800's had the highest nickel content in their finish of any handguns of that era. Very few pit in front of the cylinder
I picked up a NIB H&R 925 "Defender" in the very early '70s, chambered in .38 S&W. I reloaded for it, mostly using .357" 148 gr HBWC reversed over a rather stiff charge of Unique (late '40s Lyman data). Test firing into plastic water jugs showed me the bullets were indeed flying true, even for the .360" groove dia. I also loaded with .357" 158 gr SWC and had good luck with those as well. Factory data for the .38 S&W round was invariably take in a 4" bbl; whereas .38 Spl was taken in 6" bbl. The two rds compare much more favorably in equal length bbls. These days, .38 Spl velocities are generally listed for 4", 5"and 6" lengths. The Feds conducted "strength" tests on various revolvers, I think in the early '80s. Many were surprised that the H&R "top-break" M925 performed better than many of the leading solid frame revolvers inc S&W and Colt. Hard to believe, I know, but one can look up the findings via OUR NRA's "The American Rifleman." Following up on these findings, I won more that a few waged "quarters" firing 9X19 through my M925. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE STRENGTH OF H&R REVOLVERS. These days, I shoot my late-'40s Colt Officers Model Special .38 Spl more than any other handgun, more often than not with ".38-44" loads.
+Thghght Great info,thanks.Yeah,I'm sure plenty of people have slid a 9mm in these.On this H&A they slide too far in for the firing pin to strike.Even then I suspect a full pressure load would blow the cylinder up.If i reloaded light and made some kind of moon clip maybe.Still in all the 38 S&W was probably a pretty good defense round for that time period,at least as good if not better than a .380.
+JohnLeePedimore Speer used to list .38 S&W as the "minimum" self-defense round generally recommended. If given a choice, I would choose the .38 S&W round over the .380 any day. In "Kill or Get Killed," Col. Applegate cites the case of an East St. Louis, IL, felon shot by an LEO at 75 yards by .38 S&W. Very difficult for me to think .38 Spl 158 gr LRN could have performed any better. In no ways did I intend to infer "9mm Luger can be fired in a .38 S&W gun." I knew the strength of my revolver and a 9mm Luger would chamber and headspace perfectly. It just worked out that way. At the time, I also had a 2.5" M19 .357. It would chamber a 9mm Luger in one chamber only, the other five chambers proved "no go."
+JohnLeePedimore Just an FYI The S&W revolver Lee Harvey Oswald used to murder Dallas PD Officer J.D. Tippit was a Victory Model .38 S&W converted to fire .38 Spl. Due the larger bore, the FBI was unable to positively confirm the bullets taken from the decedent LEO were fired from Oswald's revolver. I'm sure these days the FBI could provide a much better analysis.
+Thghght I had heard in a documentary that Oswald shot Tippit with a 38 S&W but I never knew what model.I figured a Police Positive but the Victory model makes more sense.He ordered his rifle from an ad in American Rifleman magazine,maybe he got the surplus revolver the same way.I love reading those old ads.Garands for $79.95,1941 Johnsons about the same.Any kind of bolt gun for about $20.Buy them in the mail with no paperwork.Those were the days.
I've been using a lee 358-158-RF mould, it drops at .360-.361 and shoots very well in my guns chambered for this round, unsized of course and using wheel weight, I've been using pyrodex, and some light loads with unique, tried triple seven but i think its a bit hot, at least in my top break, it did however shoot well. unfortunately I've been unable to locate any real black powder in my area. fun plinkin gun and at the low pressures the brass will last you an eternity. have fun, and thanks for a look at a really nice H&A.
I have read some warnings against using smokeless powder in the H&A Safety Police. The late Bill Goforth was one of the top experts in American top break revolvers and I am quoting him. The US government tested this revolver for possible use and its frame failed with smokeless ammo. Bill's strong advice was to only use black powder (or a black powder substitute).
Great video, I picked up a nickle .38S&W H/A I have some factory .38SW rounds but hmmmm thinking a lighter load would be the best idea. Great info sir, thanks.
I just need to figure out an indexing issue with mine, mine falls short about 1/8 inch, you can push it the rest and it will stop in line to fire but that's sketchy lol so going to try to find some parts lol
Hey nice review. Im extremely new to reloading and was wondering if there was a lee loader kit for .38 s&w or if a 38spl/357 lee loader kit would work?
I have a Colt Police Positive in 38 S&W,, it was made in early 1900,, it's a first issue, i absolutely love this pistol,, but unfortunately it's just barely starting to go out of time, so i stopped shooting it,, trying to find a "Real" Colt gunsmith is like finding gold in your backyard,, it just doesn't happen,, these new young gunsmiths don't know how to repar the old model Colts..they were hand fitted like a fine Swiss Watch,& each part relies on being in perdect "spect" with other parts in the gun...
@@0570965 unfortunately top break revolvers went out of style when the stronger swingout cylinders were invented. And that was about 20 years before the invention of the .38 special.
Just got a colt police positive in 38 S&W. Just purchased commercial ammo. Looking to reload. What good stout reload do you recommend? Bullet and powder. Thanks Ed j
+Ed “Ed J and H sports” J Well,you can buy .361 bullets online or just use .357 like I did.You could shoot 158 grain bullets.I used Bullseye powder because it works really well in the .38 special and I'd probably stick with that.I probably wouldn't load more than 3 grains though.
HELLO . I ' m french i don't speak very well english but i would like someone to say to me the history of this gun because i 've just buy one .thank you !
The gun has an internal safety that won't allow the gun to fire unless your finger is on the trigger when the hammer drops. I'm not sure about the police part. More than anything the name is probably just for marketing.Kind of like Security-Six or Combat Magnum.
I have a British top break webley 38 cal , I never reload pistol, I have a lb of hodgson HP 38 any suggestions on how much pounder I need I was thinking about 1,9 gr to start
I'd like to get a couple of those old Enfield & Webley revolvers in .38 S&W someday.
38 sw is still made. About one run a year by Winchester.
That gun looks like it's in fantastic shape. Great find! Thanks for sharing and enjoy
I know this was 7 years ago, but that is a really nice revolver. Hope you still have it...
Yeah, it's a keeper.
Very cool!! Didn't know they made revolvers. I have a 16 gauge I take into the squirrel woods once in a while
I got started shooting this cartridge because I found a really nice old Victory model Smith chambered in it. I never expected to be able to find ammo, but with the internet these days, I've found Privi, Magtech, Remington, Winchester and some FMJ Fiocchi that barks pretty hard. None of it was too expensive really. I've shot 38 special that cost a lot more and wasn't much, if any hotter.
Pretty good shape! Man, I have seen a lot of Safety Polices and yours is BY FAR the best!
I have a 7-shot SP in .22 and it has no finish whatsoever. You have a real gem there.
Sounds like you had misfires or light strikes. I love Hopkins & Allen. They had a hobbyist newsletter out of Ohio some years ago. Apparently H&A revolvers of the late 1800's had the highest nickel content in their finish of any handguns of that era. Very few pit in front of the cylinder
I picked up a NIB H&R 925 "Defender" in the very early '70s, chambered in .38 S&W. I reloaded for it, mostly using .357" 148 gr HBWC reversed over a rather stiff charge of Unique (late '40s Lyman data). Test firing into plastic water jugs showed me the bullets were indeed flying true, even for the .360" groove dia.
I also loaded with .357" 158 gr SWC and had good luck with those as well.
Factory data for the .38 S&W round was invariably take in a 4" bbl; whereas .38 Spl was taken in 6" bbl. The two rds compare much more favorably in equal length bbls. These days, .38 Spl velocities are generally listed for 4", 5"and 6" lengths.
The Feds conducted "strength" tests on various revolvers, I think in the early '80s. Many were surprised that the H&R "top-break" M925 performed better than many of the leading solid frame revolvers inc S&W and Colt. Hard to believe, I know, but one can look up the findings via OUR NRA's "The American Rifleman."
Following up on these findings, I won more that a few waged "quarters" firing 9X19 through my M925. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE STRENGTH OF H&R REVOLVERS.
These days, I shoot my late-'40s Colt Officers Model Special .38 Spl more than any other handgun, more often than not with ".38-44" loads.
+Thghght Great info,thanks.Yeah,I'm sure plenty of people have slid a 9mm in these.On this H&A they slide too far in for the firing pin to strike.Even then I suspect a full pressure load would blow the cylinder up.If i reloaded light and made some kind of moon clip maybe.Still in all the 38 S&W was probably a pretty good defense round for that time period,at least as good if not better than a .380.
+JohnLeePedimore Speer used to list .38 S&W as the "minimum" self-defense round generally recommended. If given a choice, I would choose the .38 S&W round over the .380 any day. In "Kill or Get Killed," Col. Applegate cites the case of an East St. Louis, IL, felon shot by an LEO at 75 yards by .38 S&W. Very difficult for me to think .38 Spl 158 gr LRN could have performed any better.
In no ways did I intend to infer "9mm Luger can be fired in a .38 S&W gun." I knew the strength of my revolver and a 9mm Luger would chamber and headspace perfectly. It just worked out that way. At the time, I also had a 2.5" M19 .357. It would chamber a 9mm Luger in one chamber only, the other five chambers proved "no go."
+JohnLeePedimore
Just an FYI
The S&W revolver Lee Harvey Oswald used to murder Dallas PD Officer J.D. Tippit was a Victory Model .38 S&W converted to fire .38 Spl. Due the larger bore, the FBI was unable to positively confirm the bullets taken from the decedent LEO were fired from Oswald's revolver. I'm sure these days the FBI could provide a much better analysis.
+Thghght I had heard in a documentary that Oswald shot Tippit with a 38 S&W but I never knew what model.I figured a Police Positive but the Victory model makes more sense.He ordered his rifle from an ad in American Rifleman magazine,maybe he got the surplus revolver the same way.I love reading those old ads.Garands for $79.95,1941 Johnsons about the same.Any kind of bolt gun for about $20.Buy them in the mail with no paperwork.Those were the days.
I've been using a lee 358-158-RF mould, it drops at .360-.361 and shoots very well in my guns chambered for this round, unsized of course and using wheel weight, I've been using pyrodex, and some light loads with unique, tried triple seven but i think its a bit hot, at least in my top break, it did however shoot well. unfortunately I've been unable to locate any real black powder in my area. fun plinkin gun and at the low pressures the brass will last you an eternity. have fun, and thanks for a look at a really nice H&A.
I have read some warnings against using smokeless powder in the H&A Safety Police. The late Bill Goforth was one of the top experts in American top break revolvers and I am quoting him. The US government tested this revolver for possible use and its frame failed with smokeless ammo. Bill's strong advice was to only use black powder (or a black powder substitute).
Great video, I picked up a nickle .38S&W H/A I have some factory .38SW rounds but hmmmm thinking a lighter load would be the best idea. Great info sir, thanks.
Very cool video of a very cool old gun. Thanks for sharing this with us.
PS, the reloading tip were nice too. ;-)
+Ballenxj Thanks.
was hard to find a video of this exact model
Thank u, I searched for answers everywhere, How to reload my victory 38s&w. Been sitting for 10 years, bullets are hard to come by in California.
Same in Massachusetts we're I live I can't even find a 1895 38 revolver nevermind bullets I want a iver Johnson revolver.
Nicest looking Holpkins and Allen revolver on UA-cam
Thanks for the video! Answered my question whether a 38 special can be shorten to 38 s&w/ short
I just need to figure out an indexing issue with mine, mine falls short about 1/8 inch, you can push it the rest and it will stop in line to fire but that's sketchy lol so going to try to find some parts lol
I have lots o 38 S&W on hand. it is not that hard to find but expensive at $38,99 for 50 rounds
Nice video and great revolver.
Hey nice review. Im extremely new to reloading and was wondering if there was a lee loader kit for .38 s&w or if a 38spl/357 lee loader kit would work?
@Gypsy Minstrels Thanks for the precision, i was foolish enough to believe the diameter of the projectile would be .357!
What a beauty!!
Superb condition.
Good info.👍
I have a Colt Police Positive in 38 S&W,, it was made in early 1900,, it's a first issue, i absolutely love this pistol,, but unfortunately it's just barely starting to go out of time, so i stopped shooting it,, trying to find a "Real" Colt gunsmith is like finding gold in your backyard,, it just doesn't happen,, these new young gunsmiths don't know how to repar the old model Colts..they were hand fitted like a fine Swiss Watch,& each part relies on being in perdect "spect" with other parts in the gun...
wish there was a top break action revolver in 38 special
0570965 there is its a schofield made by uberti for about 1000$ or 800$ but its only 38 spl
Double action?
@@0570965 unfortunately top break revolvers went out of style when the stronger swingout cylinders were invented. And that was about 20 years before the invention of the .38 special.
@@pigglet223 Thanks anyway.
Just got a colt police positive in 38 S&W. Just purchased commercial ammo. Looking to reload. What good stout reload do you recommend? Bullet and powder. Thanks Ed j
+Ed “Ed J and H sports” J Well,you can buy .361 bullets online or just use .357 like I did.You could shoot 158 grain bullets.I used Bullseye powder because it works really well in the .38 special and I'd probably stick with that.I probably wouldn't load more than 3 grains though.
Hi sir. I have H&R top break revolver .38. I just wondering if the grips would fit my gun.
I doubt that they'd fit a Harrington & Richardson.
Good review! I have a couple of pistols in 38 S&W, not special!
Ass..........ole
HELLO . I ' m french i don't speak very well english but i would like someone to say to me the history of this gun because i 've just buy one .thank you !
Wyatt Earp carried 3. Jessie James carried 2. The Lone Ranger carried a Colt.
I have a French 25 auto made about 1925 called a Unique
I found one in my grandpas stuff after he died can anyone tell me what the safty police was
The gun has an internal safety that won't allow the gun to fire unless your finger is on the trigger when the hammer drops. I'm not sure about the police part. More than anything the name is probably just for marketing.Kind of like Security-Six or Combat Magnum.
@@JohnLeePedimore awesome thanks so much. By the way that's a cool username also.
I've got some 38 s&w factory ammo but no gun to shoot it. Can you use 38 special dies for reloads? I rarely see the ammo in store.
I have a British top break webley 38 cal , I never reload pistol, I have a lb of hodgson HP 38 any suggestions on how much pounder I need
I was thinking about 1,9 gr to start
That should be fine. Hodgdon's data for the 145 lead cast bullet says 2.2-2.5 grains. What bullet are you using?
@@JohnLeePedimore
( . 361 )145 gr LRN
hello, what dies do you use for punching, 0.357 dia 358?
Safety police 1908 -1917
What is the value of this?
Guns like this will usually sell for between $100-$300 depending on condition. This one is in pretty good shape so I'm guessing it's at the high end.
That’s was made round the 1800s
😷☕👍
can you put it in your pocket without the handle sticking out lol
I think your little prize has been reblued.