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Why no .38 Special Semi-Automatics?
- Thread starter wly1942
- Start date
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The S&W M-52 is a 38sp auto. They use wadcutters seated flush with the case mouth. These were very popular target pistols way back in the 50's and 60's. The Coonan was a semi-auto chambered for the 357 magnum and is still around. The cartridge is long for a semi-auto and there are rounds that will match or better the round.
Rimmed cartridges don't always feed so well in a semi-automatic. They're typically used in a revolver where the rim is used for extraction.
As max said, the S&W Model 52 was chambered for .38 Special flush mount wadcutters, as was the colt MK III.
As max said, the S&W Model 52 was chambered for .38 Special flush mount wadcutters, as was the colt MK III.
The biggest problem is the "rimmed" case. This makes magazines difficult to make, and feeding problems. The cases don't stack well. Colt also made a 1911 match pistol in 38 Special also, back in the 50's. Very limited and now very expensive.
When you stack cartriges with the base of a .38 Special, you don't get a straight stack as you do with a cartridge without a lip on the base. The stack is curved because of the lip. My Coonan was an excellent shooter in .357 Magnum. It would also handle .38s with a lighter recoil spring but the clips would only hold a certain amount of ammo and then you got into a banana like situation.
Find a 52 you will be glad that you did!
s1mp13m4n
Member
Seems like the obvious answer has been over looked. It is because we have 9mm semi auto. LOL
TheHobbyist
SWCA Member
I see a few on occasion. One of them things where if your not looking for one, you find one, but if you are looking they are absent. YMMV
Last one I saw for sale was around $1,250.00, a model 52.
Last one I saw for sale was around $1,250.00, a model 52.
mc5aw
Member
Rimfire cartridge in rimfire gun.
Not insurmountable problems in making one,,just not a very large market for one .
The larger diameter of the rimmed 38spec case makes for smaller magazine capacity in most instances as the few rounds curve quickly as they stack. Not alot of room in a 1911 or M39 frame/mag for the long 38special cartridge with anything much more than the wadcutter bullet.
Though the Bullseye guns are set up for 5rd capacity anyway.
Kind of defeats the purpose of a large frame center fire pistol for most peoples uses.
At one time they tried to re-invent the wheel with the 38AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit) round. Simply a rimless 38special in a Colt1911.
Worked well, but ,,They finally just skipped the 38Special use and went to 45acp for all the centerfire course.
The larger diameter of the rimmed 38spec case makes for smaller magazine capacity in most instances as the few rounds curve quickly as they stack. Not alot of room in a 1911 or M39 frame/mag for the long 38special cartridge with anything much more than the wadcutter bullet.
Though the Bullseye guns are set up for 5rd capacity anyway.
Kind of defeats the purpose of a large frame center fire pistol for most peoples uses.
At one time they tried to re-invent the wheel with the 38AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit) round. Simply a rimless 38special in a Colt1911.
Worked well, but ,,They finally just skipped the 38Special use and went to 45acp for all the centerfire course.
BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
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Too specialized, too small a market. Like 9MM in a revolver, people say
"Great Idea!"-then they don't sell.
"Great Idea!"-then they don't sell.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Terry C
Member
.22LR does not double stack. And reliable feeding in straight single stack mags is limited to about 10 rounds or so.
.22LR mags with greater capacity, such as the Ruger BX-25, are very long (due to being one long single stack) and very curvy.
LouisianaJoe
Member
I like this .38 Super P220
george minze
Member
I like this .38 Super P220
In my opinion the 38 Super is a hard round to beat...Hard to find, I'll admit but if you get one you will love the way it performs especialy compaire to 9mm.....I have spent a long time trying to find a Colt 1911 38Super I could afford, or could justify......Novak makes a good one but with a good high price, I'm sure worth it I just can't justify at my age to buy it.......And wait for it, at 74 I just might not need it and I would sure hate to leave it to family....It would probably be sold for a lot less than I paid for it......Kids!!!
UncleEd
Member
Now how did we get from .38 Special to .38 Super?
cmort666
Member
I was wondering the same thing.
Now somebody needs to address the supposed need for a revolver in .38 super or something stupid like that.
