Ruger .380 Rimmed Bore Size?

[bowfin]

Ruger made a run of Service Six revolvers for India chambered for .380 Rimmed, also known as the .38 S&W or .38-200. I have heard that the barrels were cut to the same diameter as their .38 special revolvers, which is .357/.358.

Can anyone tell me if they have either slugged the barrel of one of these Rugers or if they know from an authoritative source what the diameter is?

Thanks.

[Bwana]

That's a new one to me. I knew they put out a run in 9mm for the French.

[9.3X62AL]

Ken Waters in his "Pet Loads" articles in "Handloader" (and later compendium of same by Wolfe Publications) spoke of using such a revolver in his article covering the 38 S&W 38/200. I can't recall if its text gave "a tale of the tape" on that revolver or not. He stated that his example had been issued to the Royal Hong Kong Police, IIRC.

The makers cerrtainly vary their dimensions. My Webley-Enflield and S&W M&P both have .363" throats and consistent grooves, while my Colt Police Positive has .359" throats and .358" grooves.

If I had an oppurtunity to snag such a revo, I would likely do so--and deal with the dimensions as found. The Ruger Service Six has to be the stoutest revolver ever crafted in that caliber.

[bowfin]

My brother just purchased this handgun, still in the foil wrap. However, I think a .38 S&W/.38-200/.380 Rimmed with a .357" barrel isn't really a .38 S&W/.38-200/.380 Rimmed, but some sort of bastardized .38 Special Short or something.

Worse yet, my .38-200 mold from NOE now would need to be sized down a great deal, if it could even go down that small.

I would slug it myself, but since that would move it from the realm of a collector's piece to a shooter's piece, I would have to buy it first, and this isn't a question that is worth $$$$ for me to pay to answer.

[Dark Helmet]

Says that groove runs .356-.357, his cast boolits to .3575 with .358 being the max that would chamber properly.

[bowfin]

Thanks, Dark Helmet.

Well then, it looks like the Ruger Service-Six .380 rimmed is neither fish nor fowl nor good red meat. It can't do .38 Special or .38 S&W to specs, so I guess ship them off to India so they can fight Moslems with them.