.38 Super

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Cowboybootnut

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2006
Messages
298
Location
North of Dallas
I love the.38 Super, I have an Auto-Ordinance Model 1911, and a Colt 1911 in the caliber. For me it is an accurate cartridge and easy to reload.

I am looking for another .38 Super in a double action. They are few and far between. Any experience/opinions on the few DA models that are out there?

I wish Glock would make a model in the .38 Super caliber.
 
Witness

A Witness in 38 super is a neat gun. THe match looks especially promising.

I had a regular full size in 38 super. IT was a blast to shoot. Accuracy was a little above average. Reliability was so so. THe occasional failure to feed. It cost me $269 NIB from CDNN.

I have to say that while the guns are a bargain, I hesitate to recommend them to anyone with out mentioning that you can expect little or no support from EAA.
 
The Match model is SA only gun. The regular Witness is a DA pistol with manual safety and I highly recommend them. I've had my Witness PS since about '99 and my Match for a few months. Never had to use customer service except for ordering spare mags so can't comment on that.
 
I know the talk is 38 super.. But

I believe I would go to the 357sig round and you will be very happy with it. I can tell you that. You have to remember the 38 super is really a 9mm.
.356 is its dia. .355/6 is a 9mm.

But go for the 38 super if that is what you want I was just adding a few lines.

HQ:)
 
HQ,

I can see your point, but I am hooked on the .38 Super, I have enough pistol calibers at this time. (25, 32, 380, 38 Super, 9mm, 45)

I'll do a search anyway for .357 SIGs info.
 
The cool thing about 38 Super

You can get Aguilla for under 10 bucks a box.

THe Witness does fine shooting 9x23 Winchester. My handloads were a 115 at 1500fps.

Factory 9x23 is about the same as 357Sig as far as price is concerned.
 
atblis

That is cooking. How do your primers look, is there an imprint of your bolt face on the primer and case base?

HQ:)
 
I believe I would go to the 357sig round and you will be very happy with it. I can tell you that. You have to remember the 38 super is really a 9mm.
.356 is its dia. .355/6 is a 9mm.

But go for the 38 super if that is what you want I was just adding a few lines.
Click to expand...

As I understand it, the .357 Sig is a 9mm, .355", too. The .38 super predates it by a bunch and is about as potent, 9mm+P potent at minimum and it's more compact in a double stack magazine.

I never thought a whole lot about 9x23, it being sort of a match caliber for IPSC shooters to "make major", but it is a very hot defensive round.
 
In double action there were Sig 220's in Super, I see occasionally for sale.

added: 9x23 is a great round! My uncle reloads SuperComp & 9x23. My Colt 1911's chambered in Super (flat top enhanced gov models) will feed 9x23 with nothing but a recoil spring change. My Barsto Super Commander will also handle 9x23, no problem. I can only comment on what I have, have heard other makers chambers may not work.
 
High Standard is making the AMT Backup in 38 Super again. I have AMT backups in 9mm, 45acp, 40S&W, and 357sig. (carry the 40S&W most of the time) I want to add a 38 Super and a 400 Corbon so I will have a complete set.

amt_38superbackup.jpg
 
My Taurus should be in today. I will post a review after some range time. I got the stainless model with accessory rail. It will be interesting to see if it can run 9x23.

GR
 
I had a couple of .38 Supers and was never all that impressed with them.
The recoil was snappy and the guns were not that accurate, even the Series 70 with a Bar-Sto.

The closest thing I have now is an Astra 400 in 9mm Largo and it actually shoots better than the .38 Supers I owned.
 
-----quote-------
In double action there were Sig 220's in Super, I see occasionally for sale.
-----------------

I was thinking this too - the 220 should be a great platform for 38 super. I have seen a fair number of these for sale at various places.

If you are interested in this option, ask about them at sigforum.com - many very knowledgeable folks there.
 
Got the Taurus if anyone is interested. I may do a review after I hit the range if time permits. Initial impressions are good. It is roughly identical in size to my Kimber Pro Carry CDP. It also weighs about the same. The dimensions on Taurus's site are just incorrect. They list the gun as much thicker than it is. The pistol is far flatter than a 1911. I am thinking if I keep it some wood grips will be needed to make the grip a bit wider for comfort (and looks). The DA pull is heavy but smooth, with SA at around 5 lbs I would guess. It has a bit of take up but reset is nearly non-existent. It should be easy to shoot well with the short pull and good ergos. Everything is pretty smooth on the gun with no sharp edges and snag free sights. The dots are large and white. I would prefer an underline or similar arrangement in the back, but these may be replaced later with night sights should the gun stay. Safety levers are a bit small but functional and should not snag. On the whole the gun is pretty compact and light, making for a promising CCW package. I was after a cheap alternative to a Commander sized 1911 in .38 Super. This seems to fit the bill nicely. If it runs I will be pleased. The feed ramp is agressively polished and the angle of entry for rounds fairly straight, so I am optimistic the gun will feed well. Hopefully I can get to the range over the weekend.

GR
 
My goodness, what is it about the .38 Super? I've wanted one for years and I'm not sure why. Not a lot of difference between it and 9mm +p, but just a cool factor off of the scale. Maybe it's because I in my youth I read Jeff Cooper stories about prowling South America dodging bad guys with a Colt Commander .38 Super in his holster. Dang, I wonder what's on GunBroker right now...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

brasskeeper
  • Locked
colt 38 super duper
Replies
8
Views
729
brasskeeper
brasskeeper
E
  • Locked
my 1911 38 super was stolen, what to replace it with?
Replies
22
Views
802
Eric F
E
CZF
  • Locked
1911 .38 Super Fans?
Replies
17
Views
2K
popeye
popeye
R
  • Locked
.38 Super Experiences/9mm 1911 Experiences
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Peter M. Eick
P
P
  • Locked
.38 Super double stack?
Replies
16
Views
4K
JohnBiltz
J
Back
Top