I'm awaiting receipt of a 1948 Colt Super .38 from an estate sale that is coming with both .a 38 Super and .38 Special Colt stamped magazine. Since the pistol is one of the "headspace on the rim" models I was assuming it would handle wadcutters but have been trying to find verification before trying it out. Have you ever fired commercial 148gr. wadcutters from it and if so has was the accuracy?
Becoming a 38 Super junkie.
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I'm awaiting receipt of a 1948 Colt Super .38 from an estate sale that is coming with both .a 38 Super and .38 Special Colt stamped magazine. Since the pistol is one of the "headspace on the rim" models I was assuming it would handle wadcutters but have been trying to find verification before trying it out. Have you ever fired commercial 148gr. wadcutters from it and if so has was the accuracy?
Thx for the reply. When I was comparing cartridge dimensions that thought had crossed my mind. Is there anyway just at looking at the barrel to determine that or will I have to try putting a wadcutter round in?
Most 1911 barrels have the chambering stamped on the chamber area of the barrel. It should be visible through the ejection port.
You can get a 38 Special barrel for the 1911 and have it fitted. I have done that to one of my 38 Super 1911’s but I have been having trouble getting the last round in the magazine to feed.
But, be aware, barrels might be rechambered as opposed to being replaced
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brutus51
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Have been shooting my 2 Supers for awhile now and the more I shoot it the more I like.
The commander size aluminum frame Guardian has become my favorite CCW pistol.
I'm getting 1400 fps out of it with my 124gr. handloads, what's not to like.
The commander size aluminum frame Guardian has become my favorite CCW pistol.
I'm getting 1400 fps out of it with my 124gr. handloads, what's not to like.
pairof44sp
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I still remember when I first heard the words “38 Super.” It was my boss at work, who had never owned a gun in his life.A Colt 38 super was always on my bucket list. When I decided to get one my research led me to a Dan Wesson PM-38. Absolutely love the gun and cartridge so much I had to have a commander size for I don't know what. My number one carry piece is a .45ACP but I couldn't help placing a bid on a DW Guardian in 38 Super, I'm so weak.
Anyway I will pick it up tomorrow and I can't wait, feel like a little kid in a candy store.
The boss said, “I’ve never owned a gun, but if I did, there is only one gun I would ever get — a Colt 1911 in 38 Super.”
I said something like, “That’s 38 Special, and it’s a revolver cartridge. You must be confused.”
He said, “That’s where you are wrong. Everyone who is anyone, carries .38 Super. Some day you will understand.”
A few business trips to Mexico later, and I did come to understand.
nofendertom
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I read a long time ago the .38 Super was popular in Mexico because " Military Calibers" such as the .45ACP and 9mm were outlawed.
DocRock
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38 Super es muy bueno
.38 Special
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I've had nothing but bad experience with the .38 Super. The one Colt 1911 I had was expensive junk - ugly, unreliable, and inaccurate. I've had a couple of .38 Super revolvers as well, none of which shot worth a damn. And I find the cartridge snappy and loud.
And yet the romance of the thing still gets to me. If I ever find another "Colt's Super 38" in my price range I am going to snap it up.
And yet the romance of the thing still gets to me. If I ever find another "Colt's Super 38" in my price range I am going to snap it up.
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brutus51
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All my Colt 1911's were in 45ACP and I never had a bad one. Got into Dan Wessons a couple years back and I really like them.
Give one a try and you won't be sorry/
The operative word is "was".
pairof44sp
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Howland937
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I've only been to an indoor range a couple times recently, but I shoot my 38 Super handloads with earplugs under my muffs. Never heard a .357 indoors but I can imagine it being pretty intense.
I've never thought the bark of 38 Super was very loud relative to 9x19 or 45 ACP. It is definitely not as loud as full power 357 Magnum.
I do wear good sound reducing equipment when shooting.
But, "loudness" is subjective without the appropriate recording equipment.
I do wear good sound reducing equipment when shooting.
But, "loudness" is subjective without the appropriate recording equipment.
gnappi
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The "problem" I had with my several Colt supers, was case blowouts, one too many in the 90's and I got rid of them. Fast forward to the 2010's and now that supported / ramped barrels are common, and readily available from many aftermarket makers and OEM brands, I have a Tanfo and Springer in super. If the U.S enacts a "military / LEO" style military compatibility ammo ban like Italy and other countries... between the super, .357 Sig and .40 I'm set.
a2x4bbl
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Nice set up .
bltmonty
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I built at 38 super in an officer size 1911. It has a light, alloy frame. It's the best CCW for me right now. I can easily get 1300 fps in 124gr with the 3.5 inch ramped barrel; it's totally reliable and has great accuracy. My follow up shots are much better than my 1911 steel frame officer in 45. I almost never carry the 9mm, for I have opted for the .40 or .45. But I feel comfortable with the power and accuracy of the 1911 officer in 38 super. Right now, I am building a 38 super with a para ordnance warthog p10 alloy frame in double stack but using an officer 3.5 inch barrel and slide. It holds 12+1 rounds and is only 4.6 inches in height. And my next build is a 2011 compact frame in 38 super, which holds 16+1 and is slightly larger than an 1911 officer in height and has a commander barrel/slide. I am converted to the 38 super.
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