[David4516]

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/p38sauto.html

Sounds like an interesting caliber to me, I wonder if it will make a "comeback" like some of the other old auto calibers have (.32 ACP comes to mind)...

[Dr.Rob]

Comeback? Colt never stopped making the 38 super.

Witness makes an affordable one.. look on gunbroker and search for 38 super.

[David4516]

Comeback as in become popular.

For a long while most people would have never considered buying a .32, but now just about everyone has a Kel-tec or a seecamp or an NAA. That caliber never went away, it just wasn't popular and then all of a sudden it was cool again to own a .32

I just think something similar might happen with .38 super...

[chevrofreak]

if Glock made a .38 Super, I would buy one ;)

[eerw]

it is cool to have one..

very fun to shoot..pretty much the caliber to have if shoot IPSC open class and IDPA ESP class (and the 9mm)..

[BigG]

You can always get a pimped out Colt brite stainless El Gordo, El Taco, El Toro, El Puto or other El series pistol made for the latin American trade. Very spiffy with their fire blued accoutrements and all in Super 38. :eek:

I've had a Super 38 Colt but other than the uniqueness of the caliber and general coolness of any Colt automatic, it had nothing for me over a .45 or 10mm so I subsequently sold it. The IPSC guys use those type calibers in HICAP widebody 1911esque pistols by STI, ParaOrdnance, whatever. Too fat for my stubby claws. YMMV :)

[mete]

The 38 super was a problem from the start. For some odd reason they used a semirimmed case. The poor tolerances in the guns often left nothing to headspace on with resulting poor accuracy. Some of the factory loadings were actually those of the original 38 auto rather than the higher velocity 38 super. Yes Colt has made them I but I really don't know why. A small number were also made by SIG. Considering modern 9mm loadings and the even better 357sig and 40 the 38 super is past history.

[BigG]

The IPSC shooters still use it becuase it can be loaded to MAJOR power factor unlike the 9mm AND a high cap magazine holds a box or so of ammo (like the 9mm). There are also variants that are RIMLESS like 9X23 and 38 Super Comp.

Why semi-rimmed? Well, when you consider it dates from 1899 or 1900 and the first Colt autos were chambered for it, John Browning had not figured out to make the cartridges headspace on the mouth. You have Georg Luger to thank for that innovation, around 1902, IIRC, and JMB was quick to emulate with his 45 ACP. The latter day 38 Colts all headspace on the case mouth so the semi rim means not a thing.

[Mike Irwin]

The .38 Super was one of a series of Browning-designed cartridges that have a vestigial rim for headspacing purposes.

When a gun is set up properly so that the headspace is correct, the .38 Super can be frighteningly accurate.

The .32 has always had a moderate following. Lots of guns in the American and foreign markets chambered for it, including some really nice ones like the Walther PP/PPks, and enough surplus .32s coming in to keep people interested.

[Matthew_Q]

A little read shows that yeah, the .38 Super wasn't known for accuracy, but that all Colt guns chambered in that cartridge after 1988, were headspaced on the case mouth, like every other auto cartridge, and accuracy was greatly improved.

I thought it would be awesome to get a highcap autoloader like a CZ in .38 Super... So maybe someday I'll have to check into the Witness in .38 Super. For a tricked out race gun, I think that cartridge has promise.

[ElToro]

ahh yess, .38 super the original 9mm Magnum !

they old colts bring BIG $$ i saw a blue .38 sup commander at the last gun show.. 1,900$ ouch !

I see that Springfield is introducing a full size in bright chrome.. Sharp !

the EL series complete with see through plastic grips with mexican flag inlays are cool !
the treinta ocho es muy popular south of the border due to th erestriction on military calibers.. 9mm and .45 So colt saw a market niche and the filled it... think any 000 grit steel wool will take off the "El Presidente" on this slide?

I how it makes a strong comeback and would like to see the commander re introduced in this caliber ( and CA legal)

[Mike Irwin]

"ahh yess, .38 super the original 9mm Magnum"

No, I think that would be the 9mm Mauser Export round...

[ElToro]

true, but can you get a slick bright nickel or chrome 1911 in 9mm mauser without great expense ?

i was merely making the point that lots of people are highly enamored with their wondernine and for little money more they can get a better round.

dont mean to be splitting hairs.

Anybody have a nickel commander in .38 sup for sale ? :)

[RepublicanMan]

Aww man, you mean my series 80 combat commander isn't accurate and those holes in the 10 ring are not really there?
Damn...now I'll have to go sell it and buy another 9mm or .45 or something so I can actually hit my targets. :rolleyes:

[Nightcrawler]

Springfield used to offer their "Mil-Spec" in .38 Super, but I believe they discontinued it.

[BigG]

RepublicanMan: :D

[Tamara]

Considering modern 9mm loadings and the even better 357sig and 40 the 38 super is past history.

Considering .38 Super, you might could understand why some folks were less than impressed when .357SIG debuted. There truly is nothing new under the sun. ;)

[stipilot]

The STI Trojan is available in .38 Super. http://www.stiguns.com.

Some threads about it on 1911Forums: STI Trojan .38 Super (http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56957). Probably more if you look around in the STI forum.

[Tamara]

Not to mention the great review Stephen Camp posted here. :cool:

Here's my .38 Super:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=267729

[RepublicanMan]

Now that is one purty pistol Tamara...no digital camera here but mine's a combat commander, stainless........and is easily the most accurate pistol I have ever fired.

[BigG]

Just remembered. Here is a write up on mine posted on my webpage:

Colt Super 38 (http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-E04-3A0C7138-3A51FF9C-prod5)