38 super

[AnthonyS]

I know the argument this round is old as hell, obsolete, not as powerful as 10mm or even 40 S&W and I understand them. But honestly the more I shoot this round the more I love it. It's like 9mm only with more punch. It's really a 9mm magnum if you think about it. It's same diameter and weight bullets but with a longer stronger case that holds more powder.

So after getting my 1st 38 super 1911, I told my wife she had to shoot it. She loves it too! She preferred shooting it to her 9mm CZ. She was more accurate thanks to the inherent accuracy of the 1911 (longer barrel and longer sight radius) and she just liked it more.

I'm starting to think in a 1911 platform the 38 super has quite a few advantages.

1) Nearly the same energy and high capacity (9 or 10 rds +1 vs. 7 or 8 +1)
2) Less recoil! Always nice for getting back on target fast. 38 super has so little recoil it's just a pleasure to shoot all day. Unfortunately that necessitates reloading due to price.
3) Now for this one you have to strap on your engineering / mechanic hat to get: Less FTF problems! Yes, the 45 ACP and certain 1911s have feed issues. It's one of the reasons smith work is popular for 1911s and why a lot of people love Glocks, XDs, CZs, Sigs, etc..... Now the 38 super has the same length as 45 ACP but a much smaller diameter. This means the angles the ammo takes during reloading are less and it just feeds easier.

I honestly expected to have minor feed and extraction issues with the RIA 1911 in 38 super. I bought it so I could do a buff and fluff to it and some trigger tuning etc. Sadly right out of the box it just performs flawlessly. And face it the 1911 SA trigger is still the best even right out of the box.

My next two pistols purchases will be a Colt 1911 gov't in 38 super or a Dan Wesson Guardian 1911 in 38 super / Colt 1911 commander in 38 super. My wife may even carry one of them since she has the luxury of purse carry.

Anyone or disagree with the 3 advantages listed above?

Of course the huge disadvantage is ammo availability and cost.... which stink for 38 super.

Sadly my two new favorite pistol rounds are 38 super and 10mm.... guess I'm stuck reloading for life.

[dee]

When run a major factor level the super is very powerful. It was originally invented to shoot through the car bodys of the period.

[Moose242]

Why not just get a 9mm that is capable of shooting +P+ because you know, it is better, faster, has more energy behind it, and isn't obsolete as fuck?

[dee]

Why not just get a 9mm that is capable of shooting +P+ because you know, it is better, faster, has more energy behind it, and isn't obsolete as fuck?

It's only better or comparable in a few rounds. Sadly factory ammo for the super is mostly anemic like the 10mm.

[Probie]

When run a major factor level the super is very powerful. It was originally invented to shoot through the car bodys of the period.

Uhhhhhhhh wut


Just get a 1911 in 9mm.

[dee]

Uhhhhhhhh wut


Just get a 1911 in 9mm.

What's wrong junior? Don't understand what major power factor is or the original design?

[AnthonyS]

When run a major factor level the super is very powerful. It was originally invented to shoot through the car bodys of the period.

Yes 38 super was the first FBI designed round. Colt worked with them and made it work in the 1911 frame. I honestly think it works better than 45 ACP due to the smaller diameter and same length. And then the recoil is so much less too.

38 Super +P is going to be faster than 9 mm +P.

9mm +P loads hit 1200 ft/sec in 115 grain bullets. 38 super +P loads will have the same bullets at 1400 ft/sec or faster. And energy is mass times velocity squared.

I've shot plenty of self defense 9mm +P out of my XDm. It's not nearly as fun to shoot as 38 super in a 1911 platform.

Now I need to find a good supply of power pistol or No 9 or N350 powder...... I'm going to need a lot for 38 super and 10mm.

[AnthonyS]

Uhhhhhhhh wut


Just get a 1911 in 9mm.

When you could have 9mm magnum, aka 38 super instead? No way!

[bird_dog0347]

38 Super (and supercomp) are still very much alive and well in USPSA shooting in the open division. The only reason for that is that the division allows you to make major power factor with a bullet as small as .355 and the additional room in the case makes it much easier to load to major PF with a slower burning powder that will work the comp.

Outside of that, I see very little reason to use 38 super since it's expensive, hard to find, the brass is expensive if you're reloading it, and unless you're trying to make a hotter 9mm round there's no reason to take on the added expense over 9mm.

[YALE]

They also lowered the power factor needed to make major in a lot of classes.

Tony, if you're happy with it, rock on.

[dee]

I have always wanted a lightweight commander in 1911 for a carry gun but there aren't many options out there. Factory ammo availability has no bearing on me being a reloader and it offers a nice balance of performance and recoil.

[YALE]

I have always wanted a lightweight commander in 1911 for a carry gun but there aren't many options out there. Factory ammo availability has no bearing on me being a reloader and it offers a nice balance of performance and recoil.

Colt makes one in .38 Super, and .45. I think Springfield dusts the tooling off every now and then and runs some. STI will make you anything, lol.

[dee]

Didn't know Springfield made one. I think Dan Wesson made a lightweight bobtail super but it's a rare bird. Les baer also makes one but I've heard hit or miss about their qc.

[YALE]

Didn't know Springfield made one. I think Dan Wesson made a lightweight bobtail super but it's a rare bird. Les baer also makes one but I've heard hit or miss about their qc.

Springfield's isn't a .38. I'm sorry for the confusion.

[Nash B.]

When you could have 9mm magnum, aka 38 super instead? No way!

It's not 9mm Magnum. Heck, it's not even 9x23 Winchester.