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Is a 38 Super really super?

GunHawkeGunHawke Member Posts: 576 ✭✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
[8D] From somewhere north of Tampa, Fl.,

Taurus is coming out with their PT945 (full size .45 acp) in a 38 Super format. I already carry the 945. What do y'all think about the 38 Super as a defensive load? I read where the CorBon load make power figures near up to a .357 mag........

Thanks,

GunHawke



"They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull a trigger. I won't!" J.B. Books
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Comments

  • wm69wm69 Member Posts: 236 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Back in the early 90's The American Rifleman mag had an article called "A .38 that's really super" that was pretty convincing. You might see if you can dig up the article somewhere. I know a lot of people on this forum have back issues. I've never had the pleasure of shooting one, but looked for a colt govt for a long time before deciding they (they meaning a 70 or pre 70 series colt govt in .38 super) were too expensive. Don't really want a different platform....
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    Go with a 10mm if you want .357 power in a semi auto. The 10mm will exceed the .357mag. The 38 super is .355 more of a 9mm mag. My 2 cents [8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    A N G L I C O
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  • RocklobsterRocklobster Member Posts: 7,060 ✭
    edited November -1
    And 40 Super is better than both.
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  • allechalleyallechalley Member Posts: 888 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The .38 super was getting to be the sensational competition round because it would make major, high cap mags, and a 1911 platform. The idea was less recoil, ect. High cap .45's by Para and others, dropped some popularity, the high cap mag ban killed some more enthusiasm. Was at a range(indoor) and a guy down the line started blazing away with a .38 super. At least that one was really annoying with the muzzle blast and flare (yes even with muffs). Seems anything loaded to .357 velocity (including .357 has this problem)
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a nice Colt in .38 Super many years back; don't remember much about it except it was very accurate and the recoil was mild. I can think of a lot of cartridges I would use for personal defense before this one: .357 Mag, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, 10mm, .45 ACP to name just a few. The factory loadings are extremely limited compared to more popular offerings and relatively anemic. This is one of the rounds one *must* handload to achieve its potential, not just max ballistics, which opens up the spectre of BS if one should ever *have* to use it in self-defense.

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And DemoCraps" (me)
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  • boltthrowerboltthrower Member Posts: 212 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 38 AMU modified to shoot super. Its extremely accurate and low recoil and a joy to shoot. If your into target competition, its "super" for that. For self defense.....there's better 38 to 357's pieces for that.
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