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Well, it’s not really .38 ammo and that’s the problem. Seems they slipped some .357 in .38+P UMC boxes. If you have a box of the green stuff, it wouldn’t hurt to check the lot number. Or just, you know, look at the rounds. Details after the jump . . .

Remington has determined that one specific lot code of the 100 round box of 38 SPECIAL+P 125 GRAIN SEMI-JACKETED HOLLOW POINT (L38S2B) ammunition, may contain 357 Magnum ammunition.  This packaging mix is specific to lot number: P24UA18R only. DO NOT USE. Usage of 357 Magnum ammunition in 38 Special firearms could result in firearm damage and personal injury.

To identify if you have one of these Lots of ammunition:

  • If you have a case of 38 Special +P 125 Gr. Semi-Jacketed Ammunition the Lot Number is stenciled on the outside of the case; and,
  • If you have a box of 38 Special +P 125 Gr. Semi-Jacketed Ammunition the Lot Number is stamped on the inside flap of the box.

If you have any of this Remington/UMC 38 Special +P 125 Gr. Semi-Jacketed Ammunition, as identified above, immediately discontinue use of this ammunition and contact Remington at the below telephone number.  Remington will arrange for the return shipment of your ammunition and upon receipt will send you replacement ammunition at no cost to you. 

For any consumer questions or instructions on how to return of your Remington/UMC 38 Special +P 125 Gr. Semi-Jacketed Ammunition with Lot Number P24UA18R, please contact the Remington Consumer Service Department at: 1-800-243-9700, Prompt #4.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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21 COMMENTS

  1. Heh, oops.

    I thought part of the difference in case length between .38 Special and .357 Mag was to keep the latter from being chambered in the former. Are .38 Special cylinders not always made with that in mind?

    • That was my thought too.

      .357 Mag is a longer case and can’t be chambered in the one .38 Spl I have. I’ve tried, just to make sure I couldn’t. Maybe if I REALLY forced it..;

      Everything else I have is .357 Mag, which will shoot either.

    • You are correct. Any well made revolver chambered for .38 Special will not function with .357 Mags. .357’s in a .38 will stick out far enough that the cylinder can’t be closed.

    • Well that’s how it is supposed to be, but if something is off on the chamber of the revolver, or the gap between the cylinder and frame is just big enough, it could be loaded and fired.

      It is unlikely in a well-kept firearm, but it could happen.

  2. Ooops!!! Ok now I have to go through all my ammo boxes to check them and make sure of the right stuff!!

    • Yeah, I have several hundred rounds of that exact same ammunition for my .357.

      But am I lucky enough to wind up with some .357? Noooooooo.

  3. Don’t see a “safety issue” or the warning “don’t fire this ammo in .38 guns” because .357 MAG cartridges will not load into standard .38 Special revolvers. .357 MAG cartridges are PURPOSELY 1/10″ longer than standard .38 Special Ammo for that reason. Anyone who bought this stuff & who only has a .38 Special revolver won’t be able to load it anyway. Anyone else will probably see the difference & will appreciate getting a “good deal” on .357 MAG ammo at .38 bulk prices, and go back for more! Besides that the longer cases are stamped .357 for identification.

  4. Looks like some of you haven’t found out about the Middle Size 38+P ammo, It ain’t 38 and it ain’t 357. it is “HOT” 38 hence the +P designation.

    • Bob, +p ammo is hotter than factory standard .38. But, except for the markings it is loaded into standard .38 brass.

  5. I just called them as I have a box with the same lot number on the outside of the box, but a different number on the inside. They said it is NOT the recalled ammo and is safe to use. But I think I’ll use it up in my 357 wheel gun just to be extra safe.

  6. Myth wrong Myth – be careful what ammo you put into your .38 special revolver. .357 ammo will chamber and function in most all .38 special+p revolvers, additionally .357 will chamber and function in some older .38 special revolvers (not +p) such as colt detective. Be careful too many people say things that can get others in trouble.

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