Is this a better bullet than a .45,9mm,357mag,38special.
2007-07-25 09:29:23 · 6 answers · asked by guadalupemorenojr 1 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
As a Gunsmith,Combat Pistol Instructor and Competetive Shooter, not to mention Collector I wouldn't reccomend this gun to you. This cartridge was first developed in 1929 along with the 38 Auto cartridge. The 38 Super was the "Magnum" of the two and could be loaded to a higher velocity then the standard 38ACP. The 38 "Super" as at one time the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world (But short lived) There were only two cartridges developed at first... A 125 Grain Super X Silver Tip bullet that developed a muzzle velocity of 1240 FPS (Feet Per Second) and a 427 per square inch ME (Muzzle Energy)
The other round produced was a 130 grain FMJ ( Full Metal Jacketed) round that fired at 1215 FPs and had a 426lbs per square inch muzzle energy. The 38 Super X hits the rock bottom of your list. Not to mention ammunition is available but at a premium price compared to the more modern calibers you listed. So NO the .38 Super is by no means a better bullet or a sensible gun to buy unless you collect antique handguns. With modern smokless powder and primers with the exception of the .38 Special (Which is also a dinosauer replaced by the .38 Special +P+), The 9mm..45 ACP, and the .357 Magnum are all more impressive ballistically and much more powerful. I hope that reading this it will help your decision and knowledge on the subject. Feel free to write if you need additional information
2007-07-25 10:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by JD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you want it for? Personal defense? Add to your collection? Investment?
The .38 Super is/was a greatly unappreciated round except for the cognoscente. Around 1929 it was considered THE most powerful pistol cartridge in the world. It defeated the early soft body armor of the era, something the .45 acp failed to do. It held one more round than the venerable .45 acp. That was then, this is now.
Loads for the .38 Super are difficult to find and expensive. Good .9mm +P n +P+ out-perform the Super. The .357 Magnum revolver round IS the best manstopper yet. The .357 Sig is right on the heels of the .357 Magnum and likewise outperforms the old .38 Super.
Will it serve you well as a defensive weapon? Sure. Does it outperform the .45 acp? Yes (but then so does the .357 Mag., .10mm and .357 Sig.). Is it better than the .38 Special? Of course, but then, anything is better than the old .38 Special 158 grain lead ball ammo.
The nearest rival of the Super was the old .45 acp which used early Ninteenth Century technology: A fat, heavy, slow-moving bullet that punched a hole in its target the size of a US dime without having to expand. Today that is not so important, since modern pistol bullets DO expand. In fact, the .357 Mag. is STILL the best manstopper around, and superior against barriers like car glass and sheet metal which is why the Highway Patrol changed from the .45 acp to the new .357 Sig. The Super approaches .357 Mag. specs (as does the .357 Sig and better .9mm +P+ ammo) and the Super does hold one more round than the .45 in the same platform.
So, the .38 Super is a good but dated round that outperforms the .38 Special and the .45 acp and the standard load .9mms. It does NOT outperform the .357 Mag, .357 Sig or the .10mm. I'm seriously considering adding a Super to my collection, if I can find one under a thousand bucks.
Best.
H
2007-07-25 17:17:31 · answer #2 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends what you want to do with it. At one time the .38 Super was the darling of the IPSC crowd. But too many shooters tried to hot rod the round and began blowing them up.
The round is a very accurate bullet out of the 1911 platform but does not have the power of the .357 mag or the punch of the .45.
The Colt made .38 Super (at least the older ones) were very well made weapons.
2007-07-25 17:16:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always the best choice for your purpose is either the 357 Magnum or 45acp*... Forget about even considering the 38 Super or the 9mm*....
2007-07-25 11:11:42 · answer #4 · answered by dca2003311@yahoo.com 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is a good little round but for stoping power i would choose a 45acp but for target shooting it is great i like it better than the 9mm
2007-07-25 09:45:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
all rounds have advantages and disadvantages. i personally have a 45 and love it. fairly cheap and great stopping power
2007-07-29 04:51:05 · answer #6 · answered by im Zo fly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋