brass info needed 38s&w / colt /acp

[uncle joe]

I hope this is the right place to post this, so if you're a mod and it needs to be somewhere else please move it.
I am sorting some more brass from the estate sale and found a few 38/380's Im not familiar with. Some are marked 38 S&W , 38 colt, and 38 auto, and 38acp. The S&W and Colt ones look the same to me. Can someone tell me if I need to sort them or are they the same. From what I've read, the only difference was in the bullets used. the auto and acp also look the same. As soon as I find out I will be posting some for sale in Swappin and Sellin.
Thanks in advance for any help.
UJ

[WallyM3]

Separate the rimmed cases from the semi rimmed cases.

38 S&W (and likely the Colt you have, too) is a full rimmed case. Adopted by the Brits to replace .455. Used a 200 gr bullet (designated 38/200).

38 Auto/ACP is a different beast. The guns and loads pre-date the 38 Super, though the case is identical. The old head spacing datum was off the semi-rim. More recent guns head space on the case mouth like 45 ACP.

I've noticed that confusion still exists in differentiating 38 S&W from 38 S&W Special (38 Special). The 38 S&W has a larger diameter case than the Special, though some will fit some 38 Special chambers.

There are also 38 Colt Long and Shorts. Case length should tell all.

[bob208]

.38 s&w and .38 colt new police are one and the same.

[WallyM3]

Had a typing f@rt in my previous post about head spacing. Corrected.

[Outpost75]

If you are looking to sell or trade the .38 S&W and .38 Colt New Police, I would be interested, if it isn't already spoken for.