Where Are All The .38 Super Guns?

[Flashover16]

I


Yep, cause it is a really great round, although I think it has been eclipsed by the 357 sig in terms of popularity, handgun and ammo availability and in performance.

Plus, like you referred to: 357 Sig sounds better than 38 super!

Now how about that 9x25 Dillon; now that should be the 9mm Super Mag...

OH a lot of cartridges have long ago replaced the 38 Super in popularity.
its still running strong in competition circles due to light recoil and power factor, add a few weights and compensators and its got the recoil of a 22 and still has adequate capacity.
the cartridge now lets not forget was originally offered by browning as the 38 Auto!
the Super designation was added by Gun manufactures and ammo companies to hint at the power!
Colt advertised the 1911 as the Super 1911 38 auto in early production.
later it was changed to 38 Super Plus P, although no addition was added to the pressure, it was a added safety matter to prevent the older 1911's from coming apart, which they did with the original design.
so 38 Super ammo was had for use in these older weapons along with the still produced 38 Auto ammo.

 

[napp]

well none of my 3 are collecting dust for sure!
I own a Citadel 1911, A Taurus 1911 and a EAA Witness.
would likely own a CZ if they chambered it!
the cartridge has a great history and its kind of a niche caliber but its sent from Heaven for the reloader!
Being slightly ahead of the 40 S & W generally in power but flatter shooting its a very good caliber for many uses.
as its a true 9 MM plus P it can utilize all the projectiles available in that caliber, reloading cost for me un about 6.50-7.00 bucks per 50 round box, about 12 -13 bucks per box of 50 for self defense ammo, that's of course with me already having the brass.
yea they get shot quite a bit!

My son picked up a Colt LW Commander .38 Super back in the nineties. It lived in our gun safe for about fifteen years and we never got around to firing it. When he finally decided to sell it, I toyed with the idea of buying it from him just to keep it in the family; but a real buyer came along while I was still undecided. I am still mentally kicking myself for not, at least, shooting it before he let it go.

Now, I am getting the itch to try the .38 Super caliber. I'm not ready to spring for one at Colt prices; but have been considering some of the same guns you own because of the lower prices. I believe that the Taurus .38 Super has been discontinued; and the RIA 1911 .38 Super is the same gun as the Citadel. If you have a few minutes to spare, I would be very interested in hearing your comments comparing the different guns you own. I would especially be interested in your thoughts about the EAA Witness. I have never fired a witness in any caliber; but the higher magazine capacity intrigues me. Is yours the all steel or the polymer frame?

I packed away my Dillon automatic press when I moved into this house ten years ago. I'm thinking it might be time to unpack it again.

 

[Gun Nut]

I had a guy bring me one that he was carrying under his seat but it needed a new extractor I told him I could put one in no problem. got it home looked at the serial # 31xxx. I called Colt and gave them the serial # for the year of mgf 1932. I told him to take it home put it in his gun safe and send it to Colt and get it fixed and get a letter on it. He said I have the oringal box and receipt because it was his granddad's who used to be a Federal Judge. I ask him if he had any idea of the value he said I don't know $800? I told him he could probably add a zero to that. The gun was in 95% condition. And he was carrying it around in a sock under the seat of his truck. This pistol was from the first year of manufacturing that caliber.

 

[dsp]

The .38super 1911s and EAA models are great for converting to 7.62x25 tok.
Other than that, nothing great about them.
There are better options in .357sig (many choices) and .357mag (Coonan)

 

[Flashover16]

My son picked up a Colt LW Commander .38 Super back in the nineties. It lived in our gun safe for about fifteen years and we never got around to firing it. When he finally decided to sell it, I toyed with the idea of buying it from him just to keep it in the family; but a real buyer came along while I was still undecided. I am still mentally kicking myself for not, at least, shooting it before he let it go.

Now, I am getting the itch to try the .38 Super caliber. I'm not ready to spring for one at Colt prices; but have been considering some of the same guns you own because of the lower prices. I believe that the Taurus .38 Super has been discontinued; and the RIA 1911 .38 Super is the same gun as the Citadel. If you have a few minutes to spare, I would be very interested in hearing your comments comparing the different guns you own. I would especially be interested in your thoughts about the EAA Witness. I have never fired a witness in any caliber; but the higher magazine capacity intrigues me. Is yours the all steel or the polymer frame?

I packed away my Dillon automatic press when I moved into this house ten years ago. I'm thinking it might be time to unpack it again.

Glad to share my experience and thoughts on the weapons!
yes the Pt1911 in 38 Super was discontinued about 4 years ago or so.
Now the reason that I choose NOT to go with the RIA was the basic GI Model is all they offer in this caliber, so sights are staked and small, which for me presents a couple of problems, 1) my eyesight, 2) if I ever wanted to change them then no dove tails and so limited availability.
hence the Citadel.
Novak type sights in dove tails, manufactured by Armscor, fitted and finished by Howa in Japan, and warranty by Rock island here.
The Eaa Witness is basically a CZ 75 for most all applications, it may be a tad better refined actually.
all mine except the taurus have been quite good, the Taurus had to be returned as it came with a very soft extractor that would not stay tuned and of course taurus would not sale me a extractor, so gun back to Miami for 9 weeks.
Since then its been flawless as well.
Not sure where you live but if you get down my way we could go shoot them , just let me know ahead of time.
hope this helps.

 

[Flashover16]

EAA Witness all metal, Wonder finish (Silver Tennifer), Old model without the rail, likely 7-8,000 rounds through it now.
If you want an absoulete tack driver check out a Stock, Stock II, or Stock III.
the regular ones like mine can be had for around 400 Bucks.

 

[Flashover16]

The .38super 1911s and EAA models are great for converting to 7.62x25 tok.
Other than that, nothing great about them.
There are better options in .357sig (many choices) and .357mag (Coonan)

I assume that you are speaking as to power??
you are correct the 357 Sig is more powerful, also a pain in the butt to reload, expensive to buy factory ammo, and generally less capacity as its a 40 S & W case.
to me if I am looking for power in the 1911 then I would just opt for a 10 MM.
and by the way EAA Witness/ Tanfoglio also offer the weapons in 10 MM and at very reasonable prices.
Nothing at all wrong with the 357 Sig, its a very good caliber but it does have its drawbacks as well.
we are wandering off topic of the 38 auto/super but the weapon below with the rail is the EAA Witness in 10 MM, 15 + 1 capacity!
now that will keep you warm and fuzzy when walking around Atlanta!

 

[chucklenut]

I assume that you are speaking as to power??
you are correct the 357 Sig is more powerful, also a pain in the butt to reload, expensive to buy factory ammo, and generally less capacity as its a 40 S & W case.
to me if I am looking for power in the 1911 then I would just opt for a 10 MM.
and by the way EAA Witness/ Tanfoglio also offer the weapons in 10 MM and at very reasonable prices.
Nothing at all wrong with the 357 Sig, its a very good caliber but it does have its drawbacks as well.
we are wandering off topic of the 38 auto/super but the weapon below with the rail is the EAA Witness in 10 MM, 15 + 1 capacity!
now that will keep you warm and fuzzy when walking around Atlanta!
View attachment 559463 View attachment 559467

Those 10mm witness with the wonderfinish are prone to cracking, fyi

10Mm is awesome but there is a reason only a few guns are chambered in this caliber. Also.most 10mm ammo sold today isnt as hot as the round was intended to be (or so i have heard)

 

[500mag]

True, but BB stills make a 180 gr JHP with 782# of energy....x 15 rds in my G20...

 

[Flashover16]

Those 10mm witness with the wonderfinish are prone to cracking, fyi

10Mm is awesome but there is a reason only a few guns are chambered in this caliber. Also.most 10mm ammo sold today isnt as hot as the round was intended to be (or so i have heard)

Thats an old problem with the 10 MM Witness/Tanfoglio.
they have since redesigned the shape/thickness of the slide and I don't know IF I have heard of an actual incident in quite a few years?
Remember that the original Bren 10 was a version of the CZ 75 pistol!
depends on who's ammo that you shoot in the 10 MM, several companies still produce the higher rated ammo, and of course I reload so I don't care what factory ammo is out there as long as they still make 40 caliber projectiles.
same with the 38 Super, if you are into using only factory ammo then you will find it limited in choices, if you reload then just how many .355 projectiles are available?