I have some .38 ammo thats between 25-27 years old and i was wondering if it was still good to shoot?

Question

I have a revolver and i dident know if my ammo was still good to shoot. I dont want the gun to blow up in my face when i use it.

Sorry guys i have .38 special ammo.

Answer 1

It won't 'blow up' in your face, no matter what. Old ammo will either fire, or not. There is surplus ammo from WW II & Korea still on the market, even though it's getting rare.
As long as it has been stored properly, it may still be good, just try it. (And make sure to dispose of any duds properly. DON"T just throw them in the trash! Even DUDS can still burst if thrown in a fire.)

Answer 2

I have ammo dating from the 2nd world war and it shoots just fine, never assume your ammo is bad just because it's old. 38 special was never a black powder charged ammo, since its inception it has always been smokeless powder so there is no worry of blowing up your gun. You might get a squib( where the bullet doesnt exit the barrel after firing) and this might cause an explosion if you pull the trigger again, usually a squib can be detected by the sound and recoil of the firearm being much MUCH weaker.Hang fires are another factor you might come across when using old ammo, where it takes a split second longer for the charge to ignite and propell the bullet.Sometimes a hang fire can take as long as 5 seconds! I've seen people at my range pull the trigger, hear click and immediately eject the round, thinking it's a dud, only for the round to go off on the shooters bench a few seconds later! Always wait at least 15 seconds with the barrel pointed down range if you encounter a "dud" or a hang fire.

Answer 3

Sgtdan456 did not state 38 Special, the statement was 38 ammo.

38 ammo WAS loaded with black powder at one time.

38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt were all black powder ammo’ today you can buy black powder ammo under the name of TEN-X Cowboy Ammunition at Cabelas.
So as to the debate over was the 38 ever loaded with black powder yes it was and yes it still is in specialty ammo only.

You stated 38 ammo but there are several 38 calibers.
38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38 S&W, 38 S&W Special,38 Auto, 38 Super

The .38 Long Colt is a cartridge introduced by Colt's Manufacturing Company in 1875
The .38 S&W is a revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1877.

But I would bet your 38 ammo is not black powder.
25 to 30 year old ammo is not that old and the “most” modern Smokeless powder has a very good shelf life.

Can ammo get old and still fire yes it can.
So I would say if your ammo is not corroded it “may be safe” reason I say “may be safe” is I for one know of some Federal brand ammo that my father in-law bought several boxes on sell 10 years ago that just last year went bad and from age became super hot loads and showed signs of extreme chamber pressure as in.
1. If you begin to see pressure signs on the primer such as primer blow out, flattening or "cratering" around the firing pin dent.
2. If enough brass flows into the ejector pin hole on the bolt face so as to cause a shiny spot or dent when the cartridge is ejected.
3. If the head stamp is ironed out, as in caliber and manufactures name is less visible or no longer visible the pressure is way too high at that point.

I have seen it also in old WWII 30-06 ammo that showed all these signs and then some.

The common sense factor: the weapon is more valuable then the old ammo, so I would trash the ammo to be safe and just buy new.
The price of a new weapon and or a visit to the hospital and all the bills that can accrue from that.
I would say trash the ammo your not sure of and buy new, it’s not that expensive.

D58

Answer 4

Bound's hubby here:

First, the .38 Special has always been loaded with smokeless powder... it was NEVER loaded with black powder.

Second, ammo that's 25-27 years old will not blow up your gun. If the ammo went bad, chances are very good that the primer will fail to ignite the gun powder. I would wager the farm that your ammunition will fire reliably. If the ammunition does not go off when you drop the hammer on a round let that round stay lined up with the barrel for about a minute in the event that you have a "hang-fire" (delayed ignition). I would not rely on this ammunition for self-defense but would not hesitate to use it to shoot targets at the range.

In some of the matches that I compete in, we have been issued US military .30-06 ammo that has been almost 50 years old and it fires reliably. I still use some of my Grandfather's hunting ammo that is at least 40-50 years old.

You do not have to fear the ammunition that you have.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Ammo has a very long shelf-life, but deteriorates quickly in the weather or in and out of air conditioned vehicles. You should use up ammo every six months to a year if your take it out in the field. It won't blow up but it may not shoot, or worst still, the bullet may just have enough force to lodge in the barrel. If you hear/feel a very weak report, don't pull the trigger again and make sure the bullet isn't stuck in the barrel. Or go out and buy new ammo and mark the box with the date and year. After a year use it to practice and get more new ammo.

Good luck.

H

Answer 6

Definitely, I am 14 years old and I have an old German Mauser from WWII. The ammo I shoot out of it ranges from the years 1936 to 1975. The 1936 ammo is pre WWII and I fired 11 rounds of it and it shot just as good as any ammo that you buy in the in the sporting goods stores today.

Answer 7

Interesting you should ask. I just got back from the range where I fired off some old ammo my brother gave me years ago. It was 41 magnum stuff. My brother gave me the stuff with a bunch of other ammo back 1976. The Remington box had a price tag of $9.00 on it! I fired the stuff in my S&W 57. Still accurate, not a single misfire. Kicks pretty good too.

Answer 8

Make sure your gun is safe to shoot. The ammo should be fine.I have an M1 Garand and i shoot surplus ammo that was made in the late 40s and 50s through it with no problems.not so much the 40s any more just because it is harder to get not unsafe.

Answer 9

I have and just this week ammo made in 1957 in Yugoslavian. As long as the ammo is good shape no splits cases and or other bad looking suff on it should be fine to shoot.

Answer 10

You should not use ammo this old as u dont know what moisture has gotten to the ammo and the temps. it has been in so discard this in a safe matter and buy new.