magnun means its bigger so it can hold more powder so what do special and super mean? like 38 special and 38 super.
2007-05-17 02:41:02 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Nothing really. There is no real numerical system of measurement. They're just names attached so you'll know the bullet is diff. A ".38" was originally an entirely diff Colt round that became known as the .38 Short Colt.....then the .38 Long Colt was a bit longer. The .38 Special was an improved, slightly more powerful .38 LC.
A .38 Super is a .38 cartridge (.35cal bullet if you want technicalities) without a rim so it works in autos. It was based on the .38acp (automatic Colt pistol)....the "super" just tells you it's a bit more than the .38acp so you wouldn't try to use it in your .38acp weapon.
2007-05-17 02:51:15 · answer #1 · answered by randkl 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
As others have said, "Super" really doesn't have much meaning in the shooting world. Today, +P or +P+ has replaced it in most instances
IIRC, the first use was to designate a heavy .38 ACP load. You can safely shoot ammo labeled .38 ACP in any handgun designated .38 Super or .38 ACP Super. You can not safely use .38 Super ammo in a pistol designated .38 ACP. The Super loading is what we would have named today a +P load.
I don't think there have been any pistols made since WWII that were made for .38 (non-super) ACP.
And, when it was originally introduce in 1925, the .300 H&H Magnum was known as "Super .30."
2007-05-17 12:36:14 · answer #2 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Special means it's got extra add-ons like eggs and ice cream, while Super means it's faster than a speeding bullet : P
Hehehe, just kidding, from what I understand, Super means it's faster or has a higher velocity than the regular .38 ACP, approximately about around two hundred thirty feet per second more faster. As for the .38 Special, it's supposed to be an upgraded version of the .38 Long Colt cartridge with higher accuracy rate and less recoil.
2007-05-17 10:06:32 · answer #3 · answered by Shienaran 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The word 'super,' in .38 Super, defines the caliber, differentiating it between the other .38s already around. It is more of a .9mm than a true .38 round (which is .357 in diameter vs. the .9mm which is closer to .355). The word 'super' also gives the product more marketing appeal.
The .38 Super actually is a pretty good cartridge especially now that hollow point ammo is available for it. In its day it was considered THE most powerful handgun cartridge around. The 1911 pistol chambered for it held one more bullet than the same pistol in .45 acp, and the Super could defeat the early soft body armor which the .45 could not. I wouldn't mind adding one to my collection.
Best.
H
2007-05-17 15:08:22 · answer #4 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Super" is a seldom used term to describe an upgraded load of a specific caliber. The more used descriptive term is "Magnum".
A .38 Super is an upgrade of the original .38ACP cartridge originally used in the Colt semi-auto Browning design pistols, including the 1911's.
The .38 Special is an 'upgrade' of the .38S&W short cartridge, developed with a longer case so it can't be loaded in .38S&W pistols. The .357 Magnum is a further, more powerful upgrade of the .38 Special round, with an even longer cartridge case, for the same reason.
2007-05-17 10:18:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
well the special is a little smaller at the top of the shell and super is a little longer
2007-05-17 13:47:59 · answer #6 · answered by hunter1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means the company that designed it decided to call it super in hopes of getting your attention so you will buy it.
2007-05-20 17:52:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋