.38 Super VS

[DownRange1776]

Hi everyone,

This is a topic that I have talked about with another member (Ron Thanks brother) who has been a big help in getting me straight from preps to weapons.

I'm still looking at the .38 Super and I don't know why other then I kind of like it and maybe the mystry that surrounds it.

So tell me how does it stack up against other handgun Cal's?

I'm looking at knock down power and cost of the round. I'm also just looking at it overall.

I really love the 1911 design and history around and being a new owner of one (range report and review coming) I like to know more about the variants and one of those being the .38 Super.

[APX808]

I have no experience with .38 super, but from a prepper point of view you should choose common military calibers that will be readily available when SHTF.
9 luger, .45, 12 gauge, 5.56, 7.62
Besides availability these calibers also are way cheaper.

[sledge]

Well, you probably already know that the Super travels at about 1300ft/s as compared to about 1050ft/s for the standard 38 acp.  That said, I saw the scars of a guy who was shot with a 38 acp in the armpit area.  It was pretty ugly.  Not as ugly as those pics of the 55gr M93 that Dave-M posted the other day.  But it was still pretty ugly.  A faster traveling bullet in HP would be pretty devastating without a doubt.

And what can you say about the 1911.  It's a classic design that did it's job with distinction year after year.  And still does. 

[Dave_M]

.38super, while developed during the early part of last century, is really primarily used for gaming in general and USPSA/IPSC in particular. Raceguns in .38super are popular because it has less muzzle flip than a .40 or .45ACP and is still in the 'major' division. Well, the other approach is to load mouse farts in .40 or .45ACP ('mouse farts' meaning the minimum powder charge needed to accomplish the desired power-factor division).

It's more popular overseas (like Italy) because of caliber restrictions (civilians aren't allowed to own NATO calibers there and other places its popular).

For the US of A? Nah. Pretty uncommon, not as many quality defensive loadings etcetera

[NOLA556]

Dave nailed it pretty well.

I'm not familiar at all with .38 super, but I wouldn't pay it much mind if you're looking for a primary defensive weapon. as others have stated, you want to go with something as common as possible. plus the 1911 was built around .45acp

this is a youtuber that I've followed for a while now. this is a good video dealing with defensive pistol calibers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYzjUGVxcaE&feature=channel_video_title

edit: damn that's not the video i meant to post... oh well it's a pretty good one either way. just look for the previous videos in that particular series.

[RONSERESURPLUS]

Hello all, RON L here

Yes, I see that Dave did Pretty much Nial this one as well? The 38 Super was a Gun that was developed as a Tool for the Gaming of IPSC and others and many Border states were big on it as many folks in Mexico could not have 9MM or 45ACP or 38 SPCL as they were police or Military rounds! I have owned a Few Colt Commaders and as well as Combat comanders and a Star in 38 Super! They are all guns I wish I still had and never sold the 38 Super can be handloaded and get 357 type of performance out of them and all, but from a Prepper standpoint, I say as well as others did here STAY with Calibers ya know you will see ammo for? Yes, you can handload to prevent shortages but one day that Finite amount of Brass will be gone and hard to replace! Have it as an extra caliber if ya like, but I'd defer it's use as a Prepper type of caliber to use and have? Thats just myopinion  and all, but one formed over decades of doing this stuff? LOL

[1000meterstare]

You are all wrong...

The .38 super was designed during the prohibition to better penetrate the steel cars of Depression-era gangsters.  Developed for pistol competition???  Bullshit.  It was designed as a premium law-enforcement cartridge.  In it's full-on loading in hp there is not a 2-legged critter the .38 super can't handle. 

[Dave_M]

You are all wrong...

The .38 super was designed during the prohibition to better penetrate the steel cars of Depression-era gangsters.  Developed for pistol competition???  Bullshit.

Evidently you missed the first part of my post (emphasis added):

.38super, while developed during the early part of last century, is really primarily used for gaming in general and USPSA/IPSC in particular.

 

[RONSERESURPLUS]

Helo all,

Well said dave, reguardless of what it was designed for, the 38 super found it's Nitch with many Ipsc and Ipsd shooters and others for the r4easons ya stated, I like the Cartridge, but I abondoned it a while back and went back to 9MM luger and 45ACP!

RON L

[CrystalHunter1989]

As combat load, the .38 Super was introduced during the Public Enemies era to penetrate the body armor and plated car doors of the liquor gangs. However, automatic handguns were expensive and not entirely reliable. It was quickly outmatched by the .357 magnum, which came in a trusted revolver. The Super is more popular in Latin American countries where ownership of military calibers is prohibited.