The .38 Super

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Bill in Oregon
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The .38 Super

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Just thinking about this interesting and often overlooked 1911 chambering -- one that I have never shot or otherwise messed with. Closest I have come is shooting the older .38 ACP out of one of those surplus Spanish Destroyer carbines that were around 15-20 years ago., and out of a Spanish Astra Model 400 "Spud Gun" in 9mm Largo.
Anyone here have a soft spot for old "Supes"?
jnyork
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by jnyork »

I have a soft spot for my Colt 1903 in .38 ACP ".38 rimless smokeless" it says on the slide. :D Has been in the family since about 1920 or so, I take it out and shoot it every so often in honor of the previous owners.

.38 Super is just a .38ACP with more powder in it.
Bill in Oregon
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Bill in Oregon »

JN, I can't think of a better reason to shoot the .38 Auto than owning an heirloom 1903. Getting hard to find that ammo.
jnyork
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by jnyork »

Yeah, I dont think they have made that ammo since WWII. I roll my own using 38 Super brass, exact same case. I have three NOS boxes of 38 ACP brass but no need to use it.
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Paladin
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Paladin »

.38 Super was one of my favorites calibers. Still, have two left a SIG 220 and a titanium 1911 a friend built me.
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wolfdog
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by wolfdog »

I am a fan. Lots more pop than 9mm. I set up a 38 Super top end for my 22 TCM/9mm RI since it uses 38 Super mags.
Bill in Oregon
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Wolf dog, is the 22 TCM accurate enough to take advantage of its unusual ballistics?
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Blaine
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Blaine »

Paladin wrote: Mon Oct 15, 2018 12:09 am .38 Super was one of my favorites calibers. Still, have two left a SIG 220 and a titanium 1911 a friend built me.
How does the .357 Sig compare to the 38 Super?
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jnyork
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by jnyork »

[/quote]
How does the .357 Sig compare to the 38 Super?
[/quote]

Assuming 2 shots center mass and 1 to the head, probably not much difference
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Blaine »

jnyork wrote: Sun Oct 21, 2018 6:41 pm
How does the .357 Sig compare to the 38 Super?
[/quote]

Assuming 2 shots center mass and 1 to the head, probably not much difference
[/quote]

:lol: Same can be said for the 38 S&W, or a .22 for that matter.
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Trailboss
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Trailboss »

I've been carrying a 70 Series Government model for 42 years. Paid $175 out the door brand new. Have taken about every small and medium game with it along with several deer. I load my own mostly using jacketed slugs.
Bill in Oregon
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Trailboss, have a favorite jacketed slug?
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Trailboss »

Bill in Oregon wrote: Mon Oct 22, 2018 8:20 am Trailboss, have a favorite jacketed slug?
Bill, I especially like Wideners 38 Super 121g JHP.
Bill in Oregon
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Thanks, Trailboss. That's a good-looking bullet all right.
Stevie
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Stevie »

At one point in time I owned a Llama full size .38 Super....however back then the only .38 Super ammunition available was Remington 130gr hollowpoint. The Remington hollowpoints would not feed in the Llama! But then Remington also made a FMJ .38ACP load and these would run in the Llama(same cartridge case...different load levels)


Anyhow...I did not bond with the caliber at all
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Trailboss »

Stevie wrote: Mon Oct 22, 2018 5:16 pm At one point in time I owned a Llama full size .38 Super....however back then the only .38 Super ammunition available was Remington 130gr hollowpoint. The Remington hollowpoints would not feed in the Llama! But then Remington also made a FMJ .38ACP load and these would run in the Llama(same cartridge case...different load levels)


Anyhow...I did not bond with the caliber at all
Too bad the Rems didn't feed in your Llama. They feed perfectly in my Colt, though I don't have many left in my stash. I think the 38 Super is a great cartridge but I might feel different if my pistol was finicky or was a Llama :P

tb
Twodot
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Twodot »

So who builds guns today chambered in 38 Super?
..
765x53
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by 765x53 »

Twodot wrote: Mon Oct 22, 2018 8:23 pm So who builds guns today chambered in 38 Super?
..
Armscor, Rock Island 1911's are available in .38 Super Auto.
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6pt-sika
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by 6pt-sika »

Bill in Oregon wrote: Sun Oct 21, 2018 3:03 pm Wolf dog, is the 22 TCM accurate enough to take advantage of its unusual ballistics?
I just shot one at Rock Islands shooting facility in Davao this past Thursday . Shooting factory it seemed ok , but with one of their factory loads it had issues feeding . Not sure which one it was , but they handed me a box of something else and they fed all fifty in fine fashion . I’m hoping to go to the Rock Island shooting facility in Marikina next week and shoot a bit more hopefully one of their 10mm’s and perhaps their bolt action rifle in 22 TCM .
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Paladin »

[/quote]
How does the .357 Sig compare to the 38 Super?
[/quote]

The .38 Super is a bit slower, just as accurate, and the Agency I currently work with will not allow it. The .357 Sig feeds great in the three weapons I have converted from .40 S&W too .357 sig. Much more accurate than the .40 S&W out of the same weapon just by changing the barrel.
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piller
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by piller »

I have a barrel in .357 Sig for my Glock model 22. It has much different kick than the .40 cal. Maybe it is just the traditionally rifled barrel or it may be the fully supported chamber, but it is a much more accurate gun with the barrel and different ammo. Just my opinion, but I think the .357 Sig is a great round. It is not hard on your hand and it hits what it is aimed at.
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6pt-sika
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by 6pt-sika »

Well it’s tuesday in Manila and a typhoons coming . Traffic in Manila is hectic at best . I suspect my intentions of visiting the Armscor place in Marikina will have to be postponed for when I come back in August of 2019 :(
Parkers , Mannlicher Schoenauer’s , 6.5mm's and my family in the Philippines !
piller
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by piller »

Stay safe.
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6pt-sika
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by 6pt-sika »

piller wrote: Tue Oct 30, 2018 5:23 amStay safe.
I think we’ll be okay ! But your thoughts are appreciated. It supposed to be oughtta here by Friday . And we have a wedding to attend Saturday so for my niece and her soon to be husbands sake I hope it’s nice for their event ! I even got a traditional “barong Tagalog” , I got lassoed into giving a toast at the reception :roll:
Parkers , Mannlicher Schoenauer’s , 6.5mm's and my family in the Philippines !
Bill in Oregon
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by Bill in Oregon »

We'll be needing photos, 6-pt.

:D
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6pt-sika
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by 6pt-sika »

Bill in Oregon wrote: Tue Oct 30, 2018 9:05 am We'll be needing photos, 6-pt.

:D
Photos I’ll likely have ! However after the photobucket thing I’ve pretty much given up posting pics anymore .
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Re: The .38 Super

Post by 4t5 »

Believe KIMBER offers 2 1911's in that caliber.
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