The .38 Special was designed in to be a higher velocity round, with better penetration properties than the .38 Long Colt. The .38 Long Colt revolver round would not penetrate the light armor or shields, and the Government contracted the new revolver round to Smith & Wesson. The .38 Special held a minimum of 21 grains of black powder, which was 3 grains more than the current .38 Long Colt, and it was 100 to 150 feet per second faster with a 158 grain bullet.