38 Super

[Cal44]

In looking for 8-shot moon clips for my 627, I ran into clips designed for 38 super.

Can you shoot 38 super using moon clips from a stock 627?

Or do you need a different cylinder?

 

[Kilibreaux]

The short answer is MAYBE....the .38 Super is listed as having a slightly larger case diameter than the .357 Magnum...you'll have to see it it fits. IF the .38 Super ammo fits into your chamber then it's every bit as useable.

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

New cylinder needed or a reaming job to cut a new chamber, don't jam them in you 357 cylinder, they shouldn't even fit in reality as Supers are slightly larger in diameter, but tolerance stacking often allows it too.

Also unless you hand load you will probably find accuracy a little underwhelming with a 357 barrel since most use 0.355 or 0.356 jacketed bullets.

Any particular reason to pick 38 super over 38/357? Are you shooting competition and reloading on the clock? It is easier to go with 38 short colt if that is the case. It's basically a 9mm luger length 38 spl in fact you can use all 9mm dies with the exception of the sizer die which needs to be a 38/357 die or anything in that family.

 

[Kilibreaux]

Choosing the .38 Super is REALLY about choosing a 1911 - for most folks.

 

[Donn]

Choosing the .38 Super is REALLY about choosing a 1911 - for most folks.

^^+^^ Spot on. Although, my dad had a Ruger Single-Six 357/9mm convertible. He had the 9mm cylinder machined to accept and shoot 38 Super.

 

[SuperMan]

I can be done depending on the gun. Last year I had TK Custom modify three Smiths for me to take .38 Super....

The first was a 60-10. Although I could have used the original cylinder I found a like new one on GunBroker and had it timed/fitted to the gun. Then it was sent to TK for rechambering and milled for moon clips.







The second was a 3" 66-2. Did the same, found a like new, in this case unfired, cylinder on ebay and sent it down to TK for rechambering and moon clip modification.





The last was a 638 2" .38 Special. The original cylinder was sent down and milled/rechambered so it will shoot Super and .38 Special.




I also have an original 686-7 .38 Super...had two but after having the other guns rechambered sold off the second one. I have read that only 300 were made.




TK does excellent work and they had the cylinders back in about 2-3 weeks...

Bob