.38 Super vs. .38 Auto
I have two boxes of cartridges labeled differently that look the same when held side by side. I have shot both in my Colt series 80 1911, and they seem to be the same. I didn't notice any difference in recoil. So what is the difference between .38 Super, and .38 Auto?
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The two are physically interchangeable but the Super is a much hotter load. The old basic .38 Auto dates from around 1900 for use in Colt's pistols of that period. The Super came out around 1930 for the primary purpose of police use to penetrate car bodies. The .38 Special revolver then in common use didn't do much. If your 1911 handles both the old .38 Auto and the Super, fine, no problem. The other way round, to use the Super in one of the 1900 period types could damage the pistol and might be dangerous to the shooter. Hope this helps. 0 -
The .38 Colt Auto has been discontinued for quite some time, and, depending on the age of your ammunition, may have considerable collector value. If recent, it would still be of interest to a person wanting to shoot an old Colt .38 Auto. 0 -
And that's me!!!! Anyone with .38acp ammo to sell, should email me.
I own a Colt model 1903 in 38acp and need ammo.
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0 -
As I understand it, 38 Auto and 38 Super ammo was made for a couple of years with the same head stamp so you need to be careful when firing it. Iconoclast can probably give a more detailed explanation.
The 2 cases are identical and you can reload for the 38 Colt Auto using 38 Super brass; just make sure to use the lighter specified loads for 38 Colt and keep them SEPARATED from any 38 Super rounds. I have been able to find 38 Colt Auto ammo/brass once in a while on the auction sites. When it is loaded ammo, I pull the bullet and make sure it is reloaded to those specs. Emery
"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin0 -
NJ- can't you just trim the Supers? Maybe reduce the load for consideration of the slightly thicker case wall than the Auto? Don't tell me you have an old gun & don't reload for it!?
If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!0 -
gunut,
I carry a Colt model 1903 .38ACP made in 1912. Ammo is hard to come by, so I also carry a pocket full of rocks, LOL. [;)]
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0 -
Gunnut, you don't need to trim the brass at all; just load the Super brass to 38 Colt Auto specs. Works just fine in my mdl 1900.
"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin0 -
It is my understanding that all 38super rounds must be marked +P to avoid it from being used in 38acp's.
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0
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