The L.E. Wilson Pistol Case Holder for .38 Special (brand part no. PH-38S) is a hardened, counter-bored holder built for use with the Wilson case trimmer on fired pistol brass. Because pistol cases like .38 Special have practically no body taper, they require a holder built much like a neck sizing die rather than the free-bumping holders used for rifle cases; you’ll force the case in with a light arbor press or mallet and drive it back out when finished. The holder is machined longer than the case itself so it inserts fully without damaging the case mouth, and while trimming pistol cases runs a bit slower than rifle cases, the payoff is very uniform case length and cleaner, more consistent crimping.

Key Specifications

• Sized for .38 Special fired cases, used with the L.E. Wilson case trimmer.
• Hardened steel construction built specifically for pistol cases, which have practically no body taper.
• Machined longer than the case itself so cases insert fully without damaging the case mouth.
• Counter-bored at the mouth end to clear the trimmer’s cutter.
• Cases are forced in with a light arbor press or mallet and driven back out, unlike rifle cases that bump freely.
• Produces very uniform case length, which improves crimp consistency on finished ammunition.
• Made in the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a pistol case holder work differently than a rifle case holder? Pistol cases have practically no body taper, so they must be forced into the holder with a light arbor press or mallet and driven back out, rather than bumping freely in and out like tapered rifle cases.

What does trimming with this holder improve? It produces very uniform case length across your batch, which directly improves crimp consistency on the finished round.

Buy the L.E. Wilson Pistol Case Holder, .38 Special

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