Crosman 38-T

[mindsweeper333]

Crosman Model 38T/.177 Cal.

Hello to all,

Crosman introduced their first six shot double/single action Co2 revolvers in 1964, the 38T (Target) .177 caliber and 38C (Combat) short barrel .22 caliber, powered by a single 12gram Co2 cartridge, btw, the pistols were discontinued in 1976!

The 38 series pistols were in essence a replica of large N frame SMITH & WESSON center fire revolvers, in almost every detail right down to the adjustable rear sights, (Crosman called it Authentic look and feel) in fact these pistols were used as training aids in some Military Law enforcement training programs to defray the cost of center fire ammunition as well as the safety aspect. (Crosman continued the replica tradition later with the Model 357 revolver patterned after the "Colt Diamondback" center fire revolver)

A note of caution on the 38 series revolvers, they are so realistic in outward appearance they can easily be confused with the real thing from a distance, maybe not much of a problem 50 years ago, but something that must be taken into account as I write this!!

The Crosman 38 T under review here has specs as follows: 6" rifled barrel .177 caliber, OAL 11-3/4 "weight 2 lbs 12 ounces (big Co2 pistol) adjustable rear sight, double/single action. Velocity rated @ 350 fps with 7.5 grain pellet, Crosman claimed 50 + shots on a Co2 cartridge.

As I understand it there were two variants of the pistol, the first had a metal rear sight and pellet cylinder the second utilized plastic in both those areas, mine under review herein is the second version. 

One thing stands out immediately when looking at the 38T is the absence of grip screws on the left grip panel and a rather large, slotted screw on the butt of the grip frame, this is of course self-explanatory when one understands the charging procedure.

The large screw is what secures the C02 cartridge hidden under the left grip panel, the left grip panel has a spring clamp attached to the underside that snaps over the Co2 cartridge and holds the grip panel in place, simple but effective, no need for grip screw.

Charging requires removing the left grip panel after loosening the butt screw remove the expended C02 cartridge, install a new C02 cartridge small neck up, tighten the butt screw and snap on the left grip pane, cock hammer and fire to make sure the Co2 cartridge has been pierced.

Loading the pellets can be a bit fiddly as one cannot remove the cylinder to load, there is a spring loaded " Pell Loader " located on the cylinder which is pulled back under spring tension and a pellet dropped in and the "Pell Loader" released charging the pellet into the cylinder, the cylinder is then rotated and the sequence repeated until 6 pellets have been loaded.

I have found Dome head pellets the easiest to load and the flat head match type the most troublesome.
I picked up my 38T in 1974 in a trade. It was in the original box with all literature Co2 cartridges pellet rod for dislodging stuck pellets and some .177 caliber pellets, it was in as new condition!! One note of interest the Co2 cartridges had the old-style coke bottle crimp seal caps, seldom seen today not sure when Crosman switched to the current seal type. Also of note is the name of Coleman on the box, they owned Crosman from 1971-1989!!!

I had recently resealed the 38 T so set out to range test, targets set up at 10 meters and shot from bench 3 types of pellets were used: Crosman Match@ 7.5 grain - JSB @ 8.4 grain - Crosman Destroyer @ 7.9 grain Six shots per target.

First target Crosman WC =1.720" center to center, Crosman Destroyer = 2.150" center to center and JSB = 1.650"a final target with Crosman Destroyers =1.650" center to center.  The JSB and Crosman Destroyer pellets displayed better concentricity and accuracy and would be the better choice for this pistol. Crosman indicated no accuracy figures for this pistol that I could find, if my pistol is any indication 1.5/ 1.75 inches 6 shot groups would be the norm @ 10 m. * Note all shots fired single action!!

Velocity was quoted @ 350 fps with a 7.5 grain pellet. My first 6 shots with Crosman wadcutters average 425 fps, JSB averaged 401 fps over next 6 shots, Crosman Destroyers 372 fps over next 6 shots. The 38T could easily deliver 30 shots on one Co2 cartridge, Crosman claimed 50+ shots per cylinder, 35-40 would be a better possibility velocity was low enough at shot 35 that I would just discharge the remaining CO2.

The Crosman 38 T is a fine old robust Co2 pistol is well made and time proven!!!

Garey

[Mzq284]

They're a great pistol! I bought 3 as a package deal.  One 177 T, a 22T, and a 22C. I converted the 177 to 22, refinished it, and gave it to my brother. It's a little brother to his Taurus 357.
The other T I resealed and caved to a friend pestering me for it.
The C is the cream of the crop. It has the metal cylinder and sight and hasn't been resealed. It holds gas for a long time and shoots straight. I have a Target length barrel shroud to fit to it, and I'm going to cut the top rib into a 3/8 dovetail and mount a scope. The perfect little brother to my scoped 44 magnum.

[mindsweeper333]

Mzq284,

Thanks for looking in and your comments !!

Garey

[bantam5s]

I have a 1977 dated 38T and it's a great shooter.
My only complaint is the loose fitting grip that's annoying.
It's quite an accurate plinking pistol with some decent power and range.