In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
38 ACP ammo?
jetmek
Member Posts: 250 ✭
A quick search didn't turn up anything recent so is there any new factory ammo available? Not 38 super. I know in years past it was unavailable.
Comments
quote:Not to be confused with .380 ACP.
The .38 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) also known as the .38 Auto was introduced at the turn of the 20th century for the John Browning-designed Colt M1900. The cartridge headspaces on the rim.[2] It had first been used in Colt's Model 1897 prototype, which he did not produce. The metric designation for the round is 9x23mmSR (SR-Semi Rimmed) (not to be confused with the modern 9x23mm Winchester or the .380 ACP).
The Colt Model 1900 introduced the .38 ACP commercially.:
.38 ACP pistols:
Colt M1900
Colt M1902
Colt M1903 Pocket Hammer
Star Model AS
Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver
Webley Automatic Pistol
M1911 pistol (civilian market)
)))))))))
++++++++
http://www.ows-ammo.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=58_21&products_id=50
A quick search didn't turn up anything recent so is there any new factory ammo available? Not 38 super. I know in years past it was unavailable.
Demand for '38 auto" (aka 38 ACP) nowadays is nil. No "big" factory loadings, though as mentioned, there are a few small/custom loaders who load these and sell the rounds commercially. You can also find older ammo for sale on the website here. Here's a few potential sources:
http://www.ows-ammo.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=50
http://www.ammo-one.com/38APCAuto.html
http://www.bigbearammo.com/38_ACP_130_gr_FMJ_Box_20_p/38acp-fmj-20.htm
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/11948
http://www.GunBroker.com/Pistol-Ammunition/BI.aspx?Keywords=38+acp
In terms of ballistics, depends on the exactly load, but these typically put out a 125 or 130 grain bullet at around 1000 fps. That's a little better than 38+P, but a little shy of 9mm luger.
Not stellar ballistics, but still better than .380, 9mm Makarov, and IMO not "weak".
Edit: There probably are still few residual sources of (relatively) cheap 9mm largo ammo. Here's one: https://www.buymilsurp.com/9mm-largo-100-rounds-4-x-25rd-boxes-p-5708.html
To be clear, 9mm largo is dimensionally similar to 38 ACP, but case is a little longer, and nominal pressure may be a (small bit) higher. People do fire this in 38ACP guns, and there are some guns labelled to be OK for both (depending on chamber dimension) though I would be concerned about possible increased wear and tear on a "pure"/early 38 auto gun from 9mm Largo.
See here for more info: http://www.9mmlargo.com/cartridge/largo_vs_others.htm
Note that .38 SUPER and especially 9x23 Winchester are dimensionally similar and may fire from an older .38 ACP gun, but they run hotter (especially the 9x23, which is super-hot) and should not be considered safe in a 38 ACP gun.