38Super: which platform and why?

[jmstr]

I am interested in the .38 Super round and wanted to see which platform people thought was best, and why.

I am in California so I don't have access to every option out there. The three I believe I can find are the 1911 versions, the Sig P220 and a .38Super conversion barrel for the Tokarev pistol.


I don't think I would ever use the .38 Super for a designated nightstand/home defense/personal carry firearm- but that isn't a 100% no.

My expectation is that 95% of the use will be getting tight groups on paper or hitting metal reactive targets.

In California I've seen the .38 Super in 1911 handguns, both with the classic 'unramped' barrel and with ramped barrels. I also know someone with a Sig P220 in .38 Super, but it is the stamped slide with replaceable locking breach bolt that gets pinned into shape.

I also know someone who wants to sell me a .38 Super conversion barrel for my Tokarev TT-33.


Which would you prefer and why?

Thanks!

[L. Boscoe]

I would stay with the 1911 versions, parts are available by the
thousands, they don't have feed problems, and unless you are
shooting 17 rounds at one target, you don't need a stacked mag.
That said, I do have a Tanfoglio 38 super, but it is not my best
in 38 super. that would be a Colt that has some trigger work.
I am 100% target.

[wild cat mccane]

Boscoe, is your Tanfoglio the newest Defiant frame (stock III)?

I have a 9mm Tanfoglio Stock Master. I also have CZ Shadow 2s in SA and DA/SA. I think the Tanfoglio Stock Master has some better characteristics than the CZ.

Don't rule out the Limited Pro (CZ Tactical Sport 2 or Shadow 2 SA kinda idea) or the Stock Master (CZ Shadow 2 SA/DA idea). Tanfoglio comes drop safe too. And hard chrome, the best wear finish there is for a gun, no question. Bull barrels like the newest expensive Orange CZs are coming.

In 38:

https://www.wikiarms.com/guns?q=8051770130208
https://www.wikiarms.com/guns?q=8051770130277

I do recommend them.

[wild cat mccane]

33 conversion barrel. But 33 is already your fun run.

I say convert your 33 bc i cant see wanting to hunt down a 38 Super while side stepping 9mm options. You least out with the 33 conversion when you find the round isn't magic.

AA 7 packed 115gr 9mm is going to 38 super. All being equal a Super barrel will wear out just like 9mm loaded Major.

[Bill DeShivs]

1911 style, with a barrel that seats the round on the case mouth, not the semi-rim.
With a simple barrel and magazine change, the gun will shoot 9mm also.

[Crankylove]

I bought a 9mm 1911, and a .38 super barrel, couple mags, and recoil spring.

Fitting the .38 super barrel took a couple hours, and now I have a 9mm/.38 Super convertible.

[Nodak1858]

I'd be interested in the 38 barrel for the tokarev if you don't grab it

[glider]

I have a few 38Supers, not sure why LOL. A 38Super is definitely a more effective caliber than a 9mm but there is virtually no difference at the range, a 9mm is just as accurate. So if it is a carry gun then yep a 38S is the way to go. Well of course there is the pleasure of saying It's a 38S when someone asked what you're shooting LOL!!!!!!!

[glider]

Oh, I forgot to answer the question. A 1911 of course, I sometimes forget that there are other style pistol's!!!!!!

[Trevor]

A recent production 1911 in .38 Super would be the best choice for this caliber because it has much aftermarket support. Once you vet the pistol it would be good for target shooting, personal protection, and the single stack divisions in IDPA and USPSA. It is a good round for hand loading if you were so inclined. Good luck with your project.

[L. Boscoe]

It's a Stock Master II, I think. The 38 super is a conversion slide
I got from Patriot.

[stagpanther]

For a while Lew Horton got Colt to churn out 38 super 1911s in a myriad of varieties--although a lot of them were quite gaudy and singularly oriented towards Spanish-speaking markets (which makes me wonder if they were favorites among south-of-the border cartels ). I scored one while they still made them for LH; even though I can't shoot a handgun worth a darn, I still love this gun--sorta like being the ugly fat kid in high school dating the best looking girl in the school. I didn't notice the grease on the trigger until I took the shot so I got some practice stripping and cleaning it.

[wild cat mccane]

Honest. Why not get a ton of Federal BPLE to shoot at range for FPS fun and then load HST 9mm for stated probably not personal defense? Analogy, 40 HST 135gr is cheap now, you can shoot premium load at the cost of 10mm range junk that isnt even 10mm hot. What's better? I would think plinking with HST than junk FMJ for the same velocity.

You already have the fireball 33. Best rounds Gold Dot and HST arent factory loaded in 38 Super.

I get wasting money has i like 357 mag at the range. But I am get something new with the revolver fun. A super hot but super expensive 9mm? Just buy super hot 9mm, in a fully support chamber, as range junk and it's going to cost the same and you're not really leaving anything on the table? I would take factory 9mm HST over 40 dollar plus Wilson XTP in 38 Super myself. And end up with two boxes of HST too.

[Mike Irwin]

I've been fascinated with, and wanted, a .38 Super for years. Just never pulled the trigger on it.

Why?

No clue, other than that I love the unloved.

Years ago I considered getting an EAA Witness in .38 Super, but ended up getting one in 10mm instead.

One of these days I'll get a Super, probably a 1911 style.

My ideal would be a 1911 Lightweight.

[44caliberkid]

I started combat shooting in 1978 thru the 80’s. The 38 Super was a big deal back then. I had a Colt Commander in 38 Super back then. It was rather unreliable with anything except FMJ round nose. It also wasn’t accurate, like 12” groups at 25 yards. It also split all the cases so you couldn’t reload them. I was planning on sending it to King’s Gun Works for a barrel and trigger job. Never got around to it and it was easy to trade off when something else shiny came along. Three years ago I bought a chrome plated Iver Johnson 1911 (Phillipine). It is acceptably accurate but still only functions 100% with FMJ round nose. I put pearl, silver, and gold Mexican grips on it, just for fun, I call her, Date Night in the Barrio. I have lots of 38 Super ammo and brass and reload for it.
That said, 38 Super today is really unpractical. The only reason to own one is just because you like something different. I have a lot of guns that fit that category. So spend your $$$ on what you like, but Wild Cat has the practical answer.

[P-990]

I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned this yet, so I'll chime in: the SIG P-220 in .38 Super isn't really a practical solution to your wanting a .38 Super pistol. They're a collectible rarity, along with the Browning BDA (early SIG P-220 imported by Browning). I'm not sure SIG has cataloged a .38 Super pistol in the US in my lifetime, and I'm 41.

Having had a Colt Competition Model in .38 Super, the 1911 platform gets my vote if you absolutely have to have one to play with for a while. I'll note mine was probably the least consistently accurate center-fire pistol I've owned since a Kel-Tec PF-9. If your goal is "tight groups on paper", prepare for some headaches getting there. Mine was also picky about magazines and bullet shapes, things that my Colt Competition in .45 ACP has not been. The Super also gets bonus aggravation points for throwing Starline brass deep into the weeds where it's very difficult to find.

I'd also recommend taking all of the claims of ultra-high velocities with a huge grain of salt. Mostly because "there's no such thing as a free lunch", and we all know speed comes with pressure in metallic cartridge reloading. When you read an article telling you to use specific brass because other brands begin to show guppy belly when approaching the loads needed for those velocity claims, you know they're skating on the thin side of the safety margin.

I sold that .38 Super years ago and have never missed it. The .45 ACP has just proven to be a much easier cartridge to deal with in equivalent-size pistols.

[74A95]

For people who are interested, here are some links on 38 Super accuracy and power for handloaders:

Accuracy:
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editor...r-loads/326242


Power:
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editor...38-super/99160

[stagpanther]

All this super 38 talk got me excited enough to load some up--115 xtps driven by CFE Pistol. My Colt trigger breaks at 5.5 lbs--kinda surprised me since it's smooth and crisp and feels lighter.

Like I said, I'm not a handgun guy so don't make fun of the results.

[Aguila Blanca]

Stagpanther, those rounds seem to have a LOT of shoulder/bullet body exposed. Do they pass a plunk test in your firearm?

[stagpanther]

Stagpanther, those rounds seem to have a LOT of shoulder/bullet body exposed. Do they pass a plunk test in your firearm?

Good question--I loaded them to 1.245 and as far as I know that's the recommended COL; plunk OK too (dummy cartridge WO primer which I also do magazine, feed and eject test with).

[44caliberkid]

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

Stagpanther, those rounds seem to have a LOT of shoulder/bullet body exposed. Do they pass a plunk test in your firearm?

Stag’s cartridge length is right on. When I started loading 38 Super I was concerned that very little of the bullet body sits in the case, especially with light bullets like 100’s or 115’s. But that’s what the recommended OAL is. That’s why crimp is really important, a taper crimp or Lee Factory Crimp, because that bullet can not be pushed back in the case, especially with hot loads, or you will create a high pressure spike. Pressures can double if bullets are seated too deep. Hello super face.

[stagpanther]

For people who are interested, here are some links on 38 Super accuracy and power for handloaders:

That's a great article and gives me some ideas. It wasn't until near the end that he mentioned the distance--25 yds--and my jaw dropped--except that he also used a Ransom rest. As I've said, I'm not a handgun guy and thus have admittedly poor technique--but I have NEVER been able to get results shooting freehand that resembled what I shoot off of any kind of support--so I just don't do it anymore because I know whatever I do from a rest is not going to be representative of what I do freehand. Does anyone else experience this--or is it entirely on me?

[74A95]

Everybody shoots better off a bench than shooting freehand.

[stagpanther]

Everybody shoots better off a bench than shooting freehand.

I'm not arguing that consistency is better off-hand--I guess I should have been clearer--my groups/impacts always seem to shift rather dramatically when going from some kind of support to shooting freehand.

[44caliberkid]

With a new to me gun, I usually start with bullseye targets, shooting from the bench, just to see how the sights are regulated and the potential accuracy. Then I shoot whatever I’m likely to engage with that weapon, like steel plates at 15 yards (Cowboy) or combat silhouettes for a defensive pistol or rifle, shooting standing, unsupported, because that’s how it will be if I ever really use/ need it. POI doesn’t change except for my swaying and shaking, which is a lot worse these days, along with fading eyesight.