super auto

[econo]

I have a Colt 38 Super that I would like to use +p rounds in. seriel number starts with 70s. how can I tell if these rounds can be used in this gun? Gun is in great condition
Thanks

[Jim Watson]

All .38 Super ammunition is +P relative to the old .38 Auto.

There is only one SAAMI standard pressure rating for .38 Super and it has not changed to amount to anything since the caliber came out in 1929.
They only adopted the +P designation to discourage people from shooting Supers in Colt 1902 .38 Autos and the various Spanish 9mm/.38 marked guns meant for 9mm Largo and .38 Auto.

You will be fine.

[econo]

Thanks Jim Watson for the info. Also was wondering what the date of manufacture is. I went on proofhouse.com but seriel number does not appear.

[Jim Watson]

I know of no public serial number charts after about 1978 although I have seen internet posts with information out of the early 1980s from somewhere.

I trust if it has a 70 prefix serial number then it has a Mk IV Series 70 rollmark on the slide. If so it was made sometime between 1970 and 1982. If the rollmark is a large "billboard" style, then from the first half of that period, if small, the last half, roughly.

But if you phone Colt tomorrow, they will tell you the year made, but no other information without you paying $100 for a factory archive letter.
1-800-962-COLT that's really 1-800-962-2658.

[econo]

great thanks for your help. I will see what I can find out