38 super

[dropshot]

What's the go to self defense ammo for the 38 super.thanks in advance

Read More

 

[Medic!]

I've seen Sig and Corbon ammo in 38 super +P. But never tried any.
I'm a 357 sig guy.


Bulk Ammo for Sale Online Free Shipping Available

 

[dropshot]

thanks medic

 

[CountryGent]

If you will pardon the digression, what are carrying in .38 Super? I have always had an interest in the cartridge, and the fine classic firearms so chambered. Thanks.

 

[edslhead]

I use the heavier Buffalo for campin and the double tap for home defense.

reloading Ive used 7.8 gr Blue Dot with a 147gr XTP.
Colt comp 1911

 

[dropshot]

Colt super light commander in 38 super is the weapon that I'm asking ammo info.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I'd use something that'd actually equal or exceed the standard 130gr/1300fps load. Pretty good power there but I'll stick with hot 9's.

 

[edslhead]

Or watered down 10's

 

[nammac]

.38 Super has always intrigued me, kinda like a 9mm on steroids. I believe it was John Dillinger who carried one and preferred it for its ballistic performance against automobile sheet metal of the day...

Perhaps 2018 I'll finally take the plunge...

 

[edslhead]

I'd use something that'd actually equal or exceed the standard 130gr/1300fps load. Pretty good power there but I'll stick with hot 9's.

I didn't know you could shoot 9's in the 38 super. Interesting

 

[Certaindeaf]

I didn't know you could shoot 9's in the 38 super. Interesting

The more you know!

 

[Boss]

The Winchester SilverTip might be worth looking at in that particular pistol.

IMHO, 9mm in a .38Sup, without a conversion barrel would be ill advised unless specifically permissible by the manufacturer.

And I have two .38 Sups, one being a swap 9mm, with a proper factory 9x19 barrel.

Boss

 

[Silver Hand]

I have shot 9mm 125 grain lead pills all day long in my .38s and 357 wheel guns. I just beagle the mould then lube and sized them to .358 or . 3575 depending on the arm .

 

[Boss]

I have shot 9mm 125 grain lead pills all day long in my .38s and 357 wheel guns. I just beagle the mould then lube and sized them to .358 or . 3575 depending on the arm .

Are you using 9x19 brass? I presume you'd have to be using moon clips if so (with a revolver).

I'd say that's different situation than shooting a 9x19 cartridge out of chamber set up for brass ~4mm longer (.38 Super) in a semi-auto and isn't your best course, unless, like I say, the manufacturer has given it the Good to Go. I believe shooting 9x19 cartridges out of .38 Super is what is being suggested above.

My $.02 worth, could be wrong. I don't believe I've ever seen a chambered semi-auto barrel marked '.38 Super/9mm.'

BOSS

 

[orygun]

Are you using 9x19 brass?

No, he said "pills" which is slang for bullets. 9mm bullets are usually sized .355 (maybe .356 for cast) and 38 Special/.357 Mags are just slightly larger. He just doesn't size them down as much as if he was loading them in 9mm brass.

Shooting a 9mm Para or .380 Auto round in a 38 Super would rely 100% on the extractor holding the cartridge in place for the firing pin to hit the primer hard enough to light it off. As the 38 Super is actually semi rimmed the extractor may not go as deep into the wrong case, further reducing the reliability. If it works in your gun, it's pretty darn hard on your extractor.

One time my brother in law commented on some "different" ammo he had shot out of his 38 Special S&W revolver. Said they stuck sometimes and he had a hard time extracting the spent cases. Turns out he had been shooting 38 Super ammo out of it!

I once had a Colt Lightweight Commander in .45. If I didn't already have my Dan Wesson the Colt probably would have stayed as my carry gun. Love the Commander size.

Having one in 38 Super would be a great carry gun. I like the recommendation of Buffalo Bore with that 147gr bullet, but I'd probably roll my own.

 

[Boss]

No, he said "pills" which is slang for bullets. 9mm bullets are usually sized .355 (maybe .356 for cast) and 38 Special/.357 Mags are just slightly larger. He just doesn't size them down as much as if he was loading them in 9mm brass.

Shooting a 9mm Para or .380 Auto round in a 38 Super would rely 100% on the extractor holding the cartridge in place for the firing pin to hit the primer hard enough to light it off. As the 38 Super is actually semi rimmed the extractor may not go as deep into the wrong case, further reducing the reliability. If it works in your gun, it's pretty darn hard on your extractor.

One time my brother in law commented on some "different" ammo he had shot out of his 38 Special S&W revolver. Said they stuck sometimes and he had a hard time extracting the spent cases. Turns out he had been shooting 38 Super ammo out of it!

I once had a Colt Lightweight Commander in .45. If I didn't already have my Dan Wesson the Colt probably would have stayed as my carry gun. Love the Commander size.

Having one in 38 Super would be a great carry gun. I like the recommendation of Buffalo Bore with that 147gr bullet, but I'd probably roll my own.

I thought as much ("pills"), it didn't seem completely obvious.

Obviously, there's a bit of a difference...9mm bullets out of proper cases in a revolver vs. a significantly shorter cartridge (9x19 vs. .38 Super) out of a .38 Sup pistol. You're of course correct on the extractor issues (.38 being a semi-rimmed vs. 9x19). If I understand correctly, the .38 Super used to head space on the semi-rim, which was part of its initial lack luster accuracy.

That being said, 9mm in .38 Super barrel probably not a good idea unless the manufacturer gives it the blessing. That's a pretty good jump (~4mm) from the chamber to the lead of the lands and grooves (unless you want to start discussing freebore barrels and the like...a whole other discussion probably better for its own thread). I'd expect there to be extraction and other issues as well.

But in any event, believe we've probably sidetracked the initial thread enough.

For that particularly pistol (LW Colt Commander, which IIRC probably does not have a supported chamber, so the alloy feed ramp probably plays in), I'd probably opt for a bit 'less hot' load...the 125 Gr. Winchester SilverTip at around ~1240 fps. should be quite shootable, relatively easy to find/order, and has been around along time. A little heavier recoil spring and/or maybe a shock buff might not be a bad idea as well, as long as it doesn't effect reliability. IMHO, factory loads are a better choice over hand loading for self defense purposes. If the law abiding citizen properly and legally does his/her part, the SilverTips would do theirs.

Just $.02 worth...

BOSS

 

[DunRanull]

Question: What would the advantage or disadvantages of the .38 Super over the newer .357 SIG? I'm more inclined to the 10mm or .40 personally but I am curious....

 

[CountryGent]

I believe it was John Dillinger who carried one

Indeed. There is a list of his known arms here. One of the more unusual .38 Supers he packed was a highly modified M1911s, chambered for the aforementioned, converted to full-auto, and with the addition of a Thompson fore-grip, Cutts compensator, and a 22-round magazine capacity.

 

[nammac]

Indeed. There is a list of his known arms here. One of the more unusual .38 Supers he packed was a highly modified M1911s, chambered for the aforementioned, converted to full-auto, and with the addition of a Thompson fore-grip, Cutts compensator, and a 22-round magazine capacity.

View attachment 423967

View attachment 423968

I want one!

 

[Jarhead 0311]

I carry a Commander in 38 super every day, with Sig Sauer +P 125gr V-crown JHP. Never had to use it so I don't know how they work, but I bet its good