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Colt on Xmas vacation, Q on 38 Super

MBKMBK Member Posts: 2,918 ✭✭✭
edited January 2009 in Ask the Experts
Hey, I got a 1935 Colt Super, and golly I found some ammo for $14.95 a box in Ontario. But many stores only carry +P ammo for this caliber. Colt is on holiday.... can't ask them until the 5th.

Can I shoot +p in this 73 year old?

Ontario .... Oregon!
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Comments

  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I didn't know anyone made +p 38 super, your not confused about 38 super and 38 special, are you? Your old Colt 1911 is chambered for 38 super, it is a slightly rimed 355cal semi auto round, OA case lenth .897". A 38 special, standard or +P is a 357cal fully rimed revolver round, with an OA case lenth of 1.15.5". I've shot 38 super for years, but must admit I've not bought many loaded rounds, I load all of mine. But to your question, no, +P round won't hurt your old 1911.
    Enjoy.
    W.D.
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  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290 ✭
    edited November -1
    Awfully hard to buy any 38Super ammo without seeing "+P" on the box. I believe they do that to keep people from firing 38Super ammo in a 38Auto, which has the exact same case length, diameter, etc. as the 38Super+P
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  • golferboy426golferboy426 Member Posts: 970 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The link below is some I just sold. All ammo had the same Mfg code but not all were marked super

    http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=119045461
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  • MBKMBK Member Posts: 2,918 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One gunshop told me there is a current demand for old 38 super pistols in Mexico, therefore also in USA where 20% of Mexico lives, because they ban any military cals for civilian use. So if they get a Mex carry permit, it is likely to be 38 Super if they want a 1911.

    Cal was developed to allow cops to shoot thru doors of mobster limos in the 20s or 30s.
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  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Originally there was the .38 Auto for the 1900, 1902, 1903 guns.
    Then there was the more heavily loaded .38 Super for the 1911.

    Then SAAMI decided you could not tell the difference and member companies started marking .38 Super as +P because it was a higher pressure round than .38 Auto, not because there was a new even more powerful .38 Super. Two pressure level loadings, not three.

    .38 Super +P is no "hotter" than .38 Super, it is just a labeling convention. It is OK for your gun.

    $14.95 is a low price for .38 Super, what brand is it? How many in the box?
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  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Of note, the most famous person to carry a 38super was John Dillinger, supposedly because it would shoot through a car body, whereas the standard loadings for 45ACP of the era would not.
    For what it's worth.
    W.D.
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  • 44caliberkid44caliberkid Member Posts: 925 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've had a 38 Super Commander since 1976 and most factory loadings from W-W, UMC or Federal are +P rated. I would agree with the poster who stated this was to preclude use in 38 ACP pistols.
    The "Mexican's want 38 Supers" is from an old Skeeter Skelton story in the 1960's. He used to take 38 Super 1911's down to Mexico in the 50's, and trade them for Colt SAA's. Now , however, private firearms ownership, especially of handguns, is virtually banned, unless you have enough money to pay off your local and state police, as in drug dealers, to leave you alone. Mexican's would like to be able to own any gun, maybe that's another reason they like it here.
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