Rare ammunition

[Gnadenhuten]

A friend of mine is has an 1897 Colt .38 ACP smokeless rimless handgun. The predecessor to the Colt 1911. I'm looking for ammunition. Are there any manufacturers who make this or any which specialize in vintage or rare ammunition?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Welcome to the Forum.

Tell your friend to be sure and NOT shoot .38 Super ammunition in his old auto loader. The cases are the same, but not the pressures.

You can load .38 acp ammunition using .38 Super brass, since they're the same size.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Ultravox]

Are there any manufacturers who make this or any which specialize in vintage or rare ammunition?

Here is one I found when looking for .40-82 cartridges. His prices seem reasonable.

http://gadcustomcartridges.com/

 

[ustate]

The ammo for the .38acp may be hard to find. But as ReloaderFred mentioned the components for .38acp and .38 Super are the same. If he can't find the ammo he can buy .38Super brass and bullets just make sure to use data for the .38acp to avoid a KB.

 

[ustate]

Here is a site that sells some...

http://www.ammo-one.com/38APCAuto.html

I've never used them so can't say if they're good or not.

 

[steveno]

I would have a gunsmith look at the pistol real good before shooting it. I would also see what the collector value is as it would be zero if something goes wrong.

 

[Shadow 7D]

my local gunshop carries it,
but then that's their specialty

 

[rcmodel]

I would also see what the collector value is as it would be zero if something goes wrong.

What he said!!

If you want to shoot, sell the old Colt and buy something you can shoot.
You should have a bunch of money left over for commonly available ammo.

BTW: It isn't an 1897.

The first model made was the Model 1900 and the other one was the Model 1902.
At any rate, they are getting to be quite valuable collector guns.
And if you break it, you will not find parts at Walmart.

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/show_inventory.php?catID=13&subcatID=163

rc

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Just an observation, if you look at the load data from the era, the older 38 auto was originally advertised at 1050 fps with a 130 grn bullet. The Super started out at 1090 fps and later was updated to 1300 with a 130 grn bullet.

My observation of modern ammo is that the 38 super from the big makers today is a lot closer to the 38 acp velocities in the 130 grn then the 1300.

Not recommending anything mind you, just observing the facts.