38 Super for Bullseye

[wv109323]

Ruby Fox shot a .38 Super with a compensator to help tame recoil. IIRC she did not stay with that set-up very long. I shot beside her a Camp Perry near the end of her shooting career and she was shooting a .45 for center fire.
I think you would have a truckload of money in a .38 Super by the time it was BE competitive, plus constant brass expense.
Why not pick up a used model 52? I would look at the .32's, Pardini or Benelli.
From what I understand, if you use a slide mounted optic, the recoil of the 9mm or .38 Super has to be equal to the .45 ACP to operate the slide. It makes sense since they would be equal weight.

 

[Big Cholla]

Gibekim: There is a world of experience and opinions voice above about what is 'best' and why it is best for obtainable accuracy in bullseye equipment. IMHO, most of the above posts are very valid and on point from their point of view and experience. The problem is it is your problem and not theirs. YOU have to try various solutions until you hit on one that your mind accepts as 'the one'. Then you fine tune your loads and practice, practice, practice. During the hey-days of USPSA-IPSA competition, I built .38 super and .45 acps on Colt frame until I could listen to a customer's stated wishes and turn out just about what he exactly was describing. 38 Supers and 45 acps can be equally accurate depending on the shooter's physiology. The ignition/barrel time is different with the 38 S. being the 'snappier'. If the shooter has strong arms, hands, upper body that is not a problem. But, if the shooter has a little less strength, an infirmary or reaction problem the snappiness of the 38 S. can become an issue. In short either will work for you if your mind accepts it and your personal physiology allows it, and then you put in the practice time with lots of rounds down range.

I wish you and I lived closer. I have a slightly unique handgun that could be an almost instant problem solver for you. I would love to see you shoot it. It is a Springfield Arms built M 1911 that came with a ugly looking but very efficient optics mount that mounts to the frame by lots of drilled and tapped holes. The slide operates independently of the frame mounted optic sight and therefore can be 'recoil springed' for very light loads. With the usual customization most shooters do on their M 1911s you could shoot 45 acp that would be lighter in recoil than any ***** cat 38 Spec. or 38 S. and retrain the advantage of the bigger bore for scoring purposes. The options for internal modification and external for that matter on M 1911 pattern guns is endless. Equip your M 1911 with a barrel rifled for lighter lead bullets, a grip designed for your hand, choice of sights, a Brilley barrel bushing, custom trigger job and you are going to shoot well. Add, good reloading, dry fire and range practice, IMHO, you will shoot to satisfaction much longer in life that you seem to think you can right now. ........ Good luck! .........

 

[Wee Hooker]

You might spend some time researching hand loads to the 38 super that duplicate 38 spl performance (and firing behavior.) IMHO, factory 38 super loads can be pretty hot.

BTW, there are other options. for instance, I own and shoot Sig traditional Match Elite 1911's in 9mm and 40 S&W. When fed handloaded target fodder, they are recoil friendly and capable of accuracy better than most can hold them.

 

[ckcrranch]

Won't any of the custom barrel makers build a barrel for a model 52 for you. Most all of them should be familiar with the 52; I would think somebody reputable would make one for you. If you're at Camp Perry this year, you might ask around including the armorers at the military vans, including the National Guard.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have three .38 super 1911s, one is a very compact once-off Kimber that is my carry gun. The others are a 4" and 5". I don't shoot Bullseye with them but the 4" is plenty accurate enough for me to shoot in IDPA competition and the 5" shoots better than I can hold.