1911 .38 Super

[SuperMan]

The custom gun above looks like a Clark...as I recall that lug at the end of the dustcover was a Clark signature...

TeamPB...A Colt Commander will run you $2k...a friend just bought one of the stainless 2005 models LNIB and paid $2100...he loves it... There is a two tone TALO Commander and they are about the same money...that said...

The DW Guardian is a better gun... They only make a run of 50 a year so are sometimes hard to find... I have one that is also fitted with a 9mm barrel, Marvel .22 Conversion Unit and also found a complete parts kit on ebay in .45 ACP...dropped right on... The basic gun new is about $1600...just saw a LNIB used one go for $1300...so they are out there...but...

If you want REALLY cheap but all forged parts Commander Bobtail, get a TISAS Stingray 9mm and there is a vendor on ebay who has the correct Nowlin/Wilson ramped 4.25" barrel for $112.... Gun will cost about $550. Bought one just to see what they are all about and it shoots right along with the DW...


Bob..

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I added a fitted 38 Super barrel to my DW Pointman PM-9 so you can swap between the two at will but I leave it as a Super since I have plenty of other pistols to shoot 9x19 in.

I like to think of the 38 Super as the earliest magnum so why not have fun with it?

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[LEO918]

I've had a few Super .38s over the years. Down to two now, a Wilsonized Colt and a Dan Wesson Guardian.

 

[Wyo]

I have two Supers. One is a current Colt Gov’t model. The other is a 1952 Colt Gov’t. model that has been fitted with a Barsto barrel that headspaces on the case mouth. Some of the old Colts had accuracy problems because they headspaced on the rim - this one has no accuracy problems at all. I mostly shoot the newer gun and I particularly like it for long range plinking out beyond 100 yds. - sometimes way beyond. Most 38 Super factory ammo is little better than 9mm, but I’ve found it fairly easy to get a handload that will send a 124 gr bullet over 1400 fps even in an unsupported Colt barrel.. Starline brass is especially good for that. That’s a load that makes for a good defensive pistol so that’s what I carry when I carry the Super for defensive use. I still shoot more .45’s than Supers but it’s a great cartridge and much fun at longer range than the .45 ACP.

 

[ReloadforFun]

You'd need to check with the barrel maker, but I believe everyone these days is headspacing the Super on the case mouth.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I only one one .38 Super, a Colt O2991 I bought new a dozen years ago or so. Nothing fancy, just blued steel and walnut, what a nice pistol that is really enjoyable to shoot.

 

[DWalt]

Most 38 Super factory ammo is little better than 9mm, but I’ve found it fairly easy to get a handload that will send a 124 gr bullet over 1400 fps even in an unsupported Colt barrel.. Starline brass is especially good for that. That’s a load that makes for a good defensive pistol so that’s what I carry when I carry the Super for defensive use. I still shoot more .45’s than Supers but it’s a great cartridge and much fun at longer range than the .45 ACP.

No big trick to come up with .38 Super handloads that far outperform factory loads even if used in unsupported chambers. But as I have earlier stated, I use the heavy 9x23 Win cases for such loads just for extra safety. At least for me, AA#5 works best for that purpose as it has a high bulk density that allows large charges to fit into the case. My top load is a 124 grain jacketed bullet with 8.6 grains of AA#5. It produces a MV around 1450 ft/sec from a 5" barrel. Use a heavy recoil spring.

 

[mike campbell]

Nothing like the 38 Super ... IF you load it as a Super. Otherwise, it's just another 9mm.

I chronographed 19 published maximum loads. I found only 2 powders that lived up to the hype, which is to make major power factor of 165 with a minor caliber. In the case of a 124/125 grain bullet, that's essentially 1350 fps. There are other powders in use, but that's because competitors hot-rod the round, loading as much as 2-3 grains over maximum published charges.

IMO, for shooting paper, it certainly has nothing over the 9mm or 45ACP. For hunting, it can't compete with the boutique 10mm. For self-defense, well ... the best thing in that category will always be debatable. I think it would shine at a water-jug-shooting festival.

I have one, and like it, but it's really just a novelty and I'm doubtful it will ever become common. If you aren't pushing a 124/125 grain bullet to at least 1250 fps with a .38 Super, then you're just shooting another 9mm. Nothing wrong with that. Many, myself included, shoot thousands of 38+P's thru 357 magnum guns. But every now and then it's fun to put the pedal to the floor.

I'm an accuracy buff, so I picked one bullet (Hornady 125HAP) and screened 19 powders.
I don't have a particular need for a major power factor and no wish to hot rod the cartridge as some do. So I selected charges that were 3-5% below published maximums.

I set up to record velocities at 10 feet and accuracy at 50 yards.

After two sessions I had a couple of published recipes (Ramshot Silhouette and AA7) shooting the 125HAP under 3" with average velocities of 1346 and 1366 fps and Power factors around 170 without exceeding published max charges...

 

[TeamPB]

So the bug bit me in mid-February, range time this weekend

I am very pleased so far, stripped, cleaned and lubed 2024 DW Guardian .38 Super. My LGS worked at getting it for me and I appreciate them for that. First purchase of 2024:

 

[wbraswell]

I have an enhanced Colt Competition Stainless 38 Super and I love it. It works well. The only thing I don't like is hunting the brass at the range, it blends in too much with 9mm and .40. Someday maybe I'll get a vintage one, but right now, if I'm going to spend an arm and a leg, I'll buy another Smith revolver.

 

[TeamPB]

I have an enhanced Colt Competition Stainless 38 Super and I love it. It works well. The only thing I don't like is hunting the brass at the range, it blends in too much with 9mm and .40. Someday maybe I'll get a vintage one, but right now, if I'm going to spend an arm and a leg, I'll buy another Smith revolver.

Very Nice! Between now and 5/17 I will try to get a handle on both the Guardian and .38 Super, I expect I will like both.

On 5/17 I will be attending the Colorado Gun Collectors Show and in addition to my annual Smith hunting I will be looking for a vintage Colt in .38 Super. Vintage Colt sticker shock is a challenge I will be hard pressed to overcome. The show presents a lot of opportunities for me to get into trouble as it is .

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I always get a little miffed when someone says 38 Super 1911. I was supposed to inherit a nice vintage Colt 1911 in Super 38 but an in law pawned it before the body was cold and said it was "missing" from the estate. It was among several things he quickly sold to buy jewelry for his women. If what an old man thinks matters, I have more expensive 1911's but my 9mm ATI 1911 commander is the one that I shoot most.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

I have been thinking about this a while so going to present the question on 38 Super. What seems to be the advantage to owning

Panache...

 

[Patrick L]

Let me pose a slight variation to the question. I am a paper puncher, pure and simple ( in days of old we were called Bullseye shooters.) I have NO NEED for power. But accuracy is important. Just to give you my perspective, in both my .45 1911s I shoot a 200 grain LSWC over 3.5 grains of Alliant Bullseye pretty much exclusively. I'm not looking for the ultimate gunfighting round.

So, is there any advantage to either 9mm or 38 Super if your goal is a light recoiling, very accurate sub bore 1911? I would think these days the advantage would go to the 9mm, as we have figured out how to make the 9mm accurate, and have no real need for the larger capacity of the 38 Super case.

But I have no experience with either, so those who do, please advise.

 

[stansdds]

Let me pose a slight variation to the question. I am a paper puncher, pure and simple ( in days of old we were called Bullseye shooters.) I have NO NEED for power. But accuracy is important. Just to give you my perspective, in both my .45 1911s I shoot a 200 grain LSWC over 3.5 grains of Alliant Bullseye pretty much exclusively. I'm not looking for the ultimate gunfighting round.

So, is there any advantage to either 9mm or 38 Super if your goal is a light recoiling, very accurate sub bore 1911? I would think these days the advantage would go to the 9mm, as we have figured out how to make the 9mm accurate, and have no real need for the larger capacity of the 38 Super case.

But I have no experience with either, so those who do, please advise.

Good question and I would think that high quality 9mm ammo, likely have to load your own to make match grade 9mm, coupled with a 1911 that has good sights, good trigger, and a well fitted barrel with a bore that has a proper groove depth and twist, would be just as accurate as one in 45 ACP.

 

[Patrick L]

stansdds

That was pretty much my thinking, but like I said I have no experience with either round in a 1911.

I load and cast my own, so I have total control over that. Match grade 9mm barrels are now a real thing (unlike in the 50s/60s) and the techniques of building match accurate 1911s don't really change. If I wanted a hot rod the larger .38 Super case might have advantages, but I don't. 125ish grains at @ 700-750 fps will stop a charging black paper circle easily.

 

[glenncal1]

Tangfolio witness in .38 super. 18 round capacity, nice shooting gun. Also have a 1911 in .38 Super. Just a great round IMHO

 

[bananaman]

Tangfolio witness in .38 super. 18 round capacity, nice shooting gun. Also have a 1911 in .38 Super. Just a great round IMHO

I have owned a couple of witness pistols. They functioned well. At that time, was always looking for something different. Have recently looked at them in 38 Super. Have 2 45 1911's, 9mm full size, and a .40 Commander. Bob

 

[AJ]

I own a 1958 manufactured Colt Government Model in .38 Super. It was customized back in the day to shoot .38 Special. After I acquired a S&W Model 52, the Colt did not get shot much. I acquired a .38 Super barrel and fitted it to the gun. It shoots fine. .38 Super is a good round. Still prefer the .45 ACP, but if needed will use the .38 Super.

I use the Colt Super .38 frame for six different calibers.

 

[kshock]

The 38 super is very popular in NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup) I believe mostly because it’s very accurate and easily makes power factor (120,00) without much recoil. I personally shoot a Super but realistically can’t see a big advantage over the 9 I any at all. Strictly preference for me. Factory 9’s easily make power factor also so meh. If you shot a game that requires major power factor the Super would be a better choice