Hi guys
Hoping you can help me out. In 38 Super is it recommended to go with a full size Govt gun or would a commander size gun be just as reliable?
Decades ago I carried and shot a commander in super. I handloaded, and never had any issues. Most factory at the time was using revolver hollow points which some were finicky about if the ramp was not polished.
I moved on when 10mm became available in 1911s and became reasonable in cost. Never looked back.
At the time the IPSC crowd was .45 only, did not allow super as a major even though my handloads clearly would have qualified. Of course, later they discovered super and it was the rage for a bit.
Sent from my PRC-104 using phonetics
I am looking forward to reading more on this subject. I have a full size Super Auto that has been very tolerant of my handloads. However the Super just isn’t popular…
Currently have a Series 70 Commander awaiting some work at Combat Precision. Noticed that Wilson is making loads and a WC custom in 38 super as well.
My Dan Wesson Guardian (4.25") in 38 Super has been flawless. I have fired about 500 rounds so far of mixed factory and very hot handloads.
I think with some reading you will find 38 super is better than 9mm in reliability factor
and on par with 45 commanders
The top pistol is a Combat Commander that Don Williams at The Action Works built for me several years ago. It has been a very dependable firearm.
I have a gov model Colt 38 Super that I had set up as a carry gun by Wilson Combat in 2012/2013. It has been perfect. I have about 1200 rounds through it, and I shoot it most of the time at smaller matches where I can recover most of my brass. In fact, I’ll even shoot it when I can’t recover brass, because that thing shoots great.
Edit:If 38 Super ammo was priced closer to 9mm and was more widely available, it would be my go to for almost all my pistol shooting.
My experience entirely! Love my Colt Super Auto, shoots great and reliable too. But even as a reloader ammo is the issue. Just hate to lose that brass…
Smith absolutely needs to start cranking out 9mm J0frames again. I would LOOOOVE to burn through 250 rounds a week of steel-cased crapola for half the price of cheap .38.
Just curious; why would anyone want 38 Super if they’re not going to put a comp on it?
To me it is a combination of preferences and performance. I get the platform I want (1911) with virtually half of the felt recoil of 45ACP, mild loads easily equal 9mm+p, and great overall ballistics, all while reloading around the price of 9mm. It’s almost all the pros of reloading and shooting 9mm and almost all the pros of shooting 1911’s in one great package.
Yes, I get it. 9mm+p+ is quite similar to a full power .38 SA load. The Super does work well in the 1911 platform due to its length, a better fit for the action, Supers often exhibit better reliability than a 9mm 1911. I have a Super and I load for it. Brass is the only hang up, otherwise it’s like loading for the 9mm.
Aim surplus has PPU .38 Super in stock for $17.95 or $17.50 a box if you buy 10. http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=AP38SUP130&name=Prvi+Partizan+PPU+.38+Super+%2BP+130grn+FMJ+50rd+box&groupid=557
Thanks for the great feedback .looks like I will be building a comAnder length 38 Super.