Thoughts on a 1911 in .38 Super

[Certaindeaf]

Well, it had good car penetration. You ever shoot at an old car? let alone an armored one? Same reason they used sawed off BAR's. and were killed with same.. them G men were fast learners

 

[retsam lotsip]

IDEA!

Heres a quick change o topic... after practicing trigger pulling in my house last night with snap caps, I had an apiphany. What if you were to make snap caps with small laser diodes with the same accuracy as a bore sight? You could shoot at photo reactive target paper so you would know EXACTLY where you were hitting. A few button cells and a laser diode housed in a 9mm or .40, or .45 or whatever caliber down to 5.6mm. (which is the smallest standard off the shelf laser diode) sold in a kit with the paper. It would at least be good for sighting your gun in if anything. thoughts?

 

[KTXdm9]

Something like this?

http://www.opticsplanet.com/laserly...plusbox-beta&gclid=CI-l55e57LICFcaiPAodfRwAcw

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Recoil in a fuil size 1911 is probably between a .45 in the same gun, and an alloy framed 9mm. The weight of the 1911 subdues it a lot, but you will have way more muzzle blast and a hypersonic crack. Not the best for indoor shooting without hearing protection, as a .45 will be easier on your ears.

 

[XTrooper]

The Super .38 aka .38 Super: my all-time favorite 1911 caliber!

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Nice Colt XTroop

 

[XTrooper]

Thanks, cyclopsshooter!

I also bought a 9x23 Winchester barrel for it and shoot that caliber in it also. I use the same mags and only need to swap in a heavier recoil spring.

 

[bannockburn]

I have always liked the .38 Super in Commander sized guns; for me it's the perfect size and balance for the gun and cartridge.

 

[win71]

I got the same bug several years ago and ended up with a Commander in 38 super. I reload and at times use it as a ccw weapon. For whatever reason it is easier for me to shoot than commanders in .45.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

What do you guys who carry .38 Supers use for ammo? Have read of problems with JHP bullets intended for 9mm breaking up at .38 Super velocities.

 

[2zulu1]

The Super is one of the sweetest shooting calibers there is and is literally a 357mag in a 1911. When VihtaVuori load data shows a 124gr jacketed bullet at 1500fps, that is what you get.

http://www.lapua.com/en/products/reloading/vihtavuori-reloading-data/relodata/6/30

One of the benefits of shooting the Super is that it can be loaded with certain 357mag bullets that will perform at magnum velocities.



We know from feral goat culling in Australia that the 9mm/124gr XTP comes apart in the upper 1300s to low 1400s, the 125gr XTP is a much tougher bullet. I've tested the 357SIG 125gr Gold Dot to ~1435fps and it had reliable expansion.

The good news is that N105 powder is a neutral powder and that keeps operating pressures under 33,350psi.

With under max loads the above pictured Colt chronogrphed 1491fps in the first session and 1486fps a few months later shooting the 125gr XTP; that's faster than Hornady's 357mag ammunition.

 

[mavracer]

I use Georgia arms 124gr golddot load.

 

[Snowshoe]

I bought an RIA GI Super .38 about two years ago and had a 9mm barrel installed.

I enjoy the Super, but brass is a little expensive. That really isn't an issue for me though as I shoot at an indoor range.

Recoil in the Super is not bad at all. The weight makes the difference.
In .45 my wrist won't take but 25-30 rounds. In the Super 200 rounds or more is not an issue.

I also like the Georgia Arms 124 Gold Dots for carry.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

It does fling the brass. Been shooting a .38 super Colt Enhanced in IDPA as a minor load and it has been a favorite.
My Chip McCormick mags hold 10 rounds.

 

[BSA1]

The 38 Super was popular in the "20's and "30's due to it's ability to punch through car doors and body armor of the era.

Both the 38 Super and 41 Magnum are excellent rounds that had too brief of a moment in the sunshine. They are just waiting to be rediscovered.

 

[Casefull]

I love my kimber in 38 super. BTW twinny I do not know about "bullets breaking up" but my Casull revolver rips the jackets off a lot of pistol bullets. Once you get around 1500 fps a lot of things change with light jacketed bullets.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I think they are Super

 

[tipoc]

You can read a bit more about the Super here...

http://www.38super.net/

and here...

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon 38 Super Ammo Tests.htm

These may be helpful.

tipoc

 

[Certaindeaf]

I love my kimber in 38 super. BTW twinny I do not know about "bullets breaking up" but my Casull revolver rips the jackets off a lot of pistol bullets. Once you get around 1500 fps a lot of things change with light jacketed bullets.

Then just use un-jacketed lead.