anyone shoot .38 super?

[MEGSDAD]

Thinking of picking up a Rock Island 1911 in 38 super. wondering if anyone has any experience with 38 super. Seems like it can be a hotter round than 9mm. What say you?
Thanks

[mjmagee67]

I have one....ammo is expensive and hard to find. I reload which saves money but then brass is expensive. Really if you want the extra power just shoot 40 S&W.

[Robert1234]

Buy it, install a 9mm barrel and sell the .38 Super barrel.

There's always some cat with a 9mm 1911 who thinks he needs it to be a .38 Super.

[ShaneB]

Buy it, install a 9mm barrel and sell the .38 Super barrel.

There's always some cat with a 9mm 1911 who thinks he needs it to be a .38 Super.

[kenbo776]

Got a great deal on a stainless Colt 1911 in 38 super....never had a 38 super but could not pass up the deal. Love the caliber....ammo availablity not much of problem, as there is a Sportsmans Warehouse close by. You probably wont find any 38 super at Walmart however. I do reload so ammo not much of an issue.
Comparing it to 40 sw not an issue for me....its an interesting caliber and I can use same bullets to reload my 9mm s.
The Colt could use some mods though.....not as well equipped as some of my other 1911 s.

[IVC]

38 Super is used widely by two groups of people: in South America, where "military calibers" are prohibited and thus 9mm is not legal, and competition shooters in Open division, where 38 Super can be loaded to "major" power factor, while providing large amount of gas for compensator and allowing maximum number of rounds per magazine length.

Outside of these groups, 38 Super is almost a wildcat cartridge.

[newbie1234]

Buy it, install a 9mm barrel and sell the .38 Super barrel.

There's always some cat with a 9mm 1911 who thinks he needs it to be a .38 Super.

There are two cheapest 1911 9mm on Roster : Springfield Armory and Kimber both cost around 1K. Many people choose an alternative way by buying RIA 1911 .38 Super then convert to 9mm. RIA 1911 .38 Super on sale $450 and 9mm barrel $90. Under $600 for a 1911 9mm is a good price. Another good thing is RIA 1911 can plug-and-play all the 1911 accessories.

[MrBlazito]

Is anything else besides a barrel swap needed to convert the 38 super to 9mm? Mags? guide rod spring? I've seen a shiny RIA 38 super pop up on consignment at Turner's for as low as $400 in a excellent condition.

[Robert1234]

Recoil spring and magazine, though the .38 Super mag may work with 9mm ammo. You might need a bushing too, but then again, you might not.

[jarhead714]

Recoil spring and magazine, though the .38 Super may work with 9mm ammo. You might need a bushing too, but then again, you might not.

9mm Largo?

[smle-man]

Thinking of picking up a Rock Island 1911 in 38 super. wondering if anyone has any experience with 38 super. Seems like it can be a hotter round than 9mm. What say you?
Thanks

I have the same pistol. It is very accurate and works 100%. I'm a big fan of the .38 super round. I reload for mine and use the traditional 130 gr FMJ round nose bullet and blue dot powder.

Buy it and don't listen to the naysayers!

[Mike0904]

I thought only people with a Masters Qualification could own a 38 Super gun. hUh !! well i'll be !!

[mag88]

I have the RIA in 38 Super. Got another barrel from the manufacturer to convert to 9mm as well. The 9mm has worked with factory recoil spring and 38 super mags and dropped in with no fitting. After shooting both I actually prefer 38 Super for the extra power. Ammo can be hard to find and is pricier but I use 9mm as my starting ammo at the range and end with a box or 2 of 38 Super. When it is at home I have it loaded wit 38 Super. Imo it's worth it to get the gun and a 9mm barrel and decide which you like best.

[alland]

I have been shooting a 38 super for about 30 years. Factory loads are not much hotter than 9mm. Reloading is a different story. I am able to get very near 1500 fps using a published load using Viht N105 with a 124 gr bullet. That is from a 5" 1911.

[russ69]

Kimber Carry II in 38 Super, one of my most accurate 1911s.