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Home > Cartridge and Shotshell Examination > Fired Case Examination > Examination Challenges > Cartridges

Adaptor for shotgun to fire
rifle and handgun ammunition

Courtesy of Jack Dillon

Cartridge Interchangeability

Some firearms are purposely designed to use more than a single cartridge type. An example is the .357 Magnum caliber revolver, which is also appropriate to use with .38 Special caliber ammunition. This type of interchangeability is appropriate and safe and should be expected by firearms examiners. However, there are many inappropriate and unsafe situations in which the wrong type of cartridge may fit into the chamber of a firearm and be fired. This can be both unsafe for the shooter and deceptive for a firearm examiner who is unaware of the possibility and may disregard the evidentiary potential of the fired cartridge case. In some cases revolver cartridges may be fired in pistols, as well as the reverse. Often, the physical effects may include swollen or split cartridge cases. Another indicator may be a blackened or sooty area along the split from the escaping gases.  All of these possibilities should be considered so that evidence is not eliminated from consideration.

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