.38 - The Firearms Forum

hstout1143 · 12-07-2012, 03:32 PM

Is .38 Super, .38 Auto and .38 Superauto all the same thing?

Alpo · 12-07-2012, 03:43 PM

No.

38 Super and 38 Superauto is the same.

Long ago Colt made a round they called 38 ACP - 38 Automatic Colt Pistol. Then they put more powder in the same dang case and called it the 38 Super Automatic. They chambered it in the 1911, which was strong enough for it, but it will fit in the older 1908 38 ACP. Really, REALLY stupid thing to do.

38 ACP would be the 38 Auto. Same size as 38 Super, but about half the power.

soundguy · 12-07-2012, 04:17 PM

good grief!

no wonder it's so hard to figure stuff out.

too many too similar cartridge designations... the .308/762 and .223 / 556 are bad enough....

hstout1143 · 12-07-2012, 04:19 PM

So would it be safe to shoot the .38 auto in a gun chambered for .38 super?.

Alpo · 12-07-2012, 04:45 PM

It would be safe to fire it, but it probably would not work the action. Not enough "umph" to push the spring back.

Also, since 38 ACP has been an obsolete cartridge for years (like many old rounds, they quit making them for WW2, and never started back after the war), it would be in the realm of "collector ammo", and undoubtedly worth a bit of money. Why shoot 5-dollar a round pistol ammo, when you could sell it and buy 50-cent a round ammo.

hstout1143 · 12-07-2012, 05:21 PM

Good point.

WHSmithIV · 12-07-2012, 06:28 PM

Then of course there's .38 special and .38 special +p. Another stupid modification. I have to be careful buying .38 because my old .38 revolver wasn't designed to handle +p ammo.

soundguy · 12-07-2012, 06:51 PM

same with some of those newer aluminum framed ones...

hstout1143 · 12-07-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHSmithIV

Then of course there's .38 special and .38 special +p. Another stupid modification. I have to be careful buying .38 because my old .38 revolver wasn't designed to handle +p ammo.

What's the difference between the two?

soundguy · 12-07-2012, 07:30 PM

pressure...

Texxut · 12-07-2012, 08:03 PM

And a side note, just FYI.

The Spanish Model 400 (Modelo 1921) is marked "9mm (38)"
It's not designed to shoot the 9mm luger or the 38 Super, but there are people that will give you an argument on both counts. It was chambered for the 9mm Largo and it's a good idea to stick to the cartridge any pistol is chambered for.

hstout1143 · 12-07-2012, 08:35 PM

I have one of those Astra 400's, what are my chances of finding ammo for it?

soundguy · 12-07-2012, 08:41 PM

9mm largo shows up at gun shows often. I bought a box a month ago

Texxut · 12-07-2012, 08:48 PM

As Soundguy said, it's out there and available.
If you reload, Starline has the brass and you can roll your own.

12-07-2012, 03:32 PM	#1
hstout1143 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Contributor Posts: 1,815	.38 Is .38 Super, .38 Auto and .38 Superauto all the same thing? __________________ NRA Life Member Kids that hunt and fish don't mug old ladies. "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." - Ronald Reagan "Deo Duce, Ferro Comitante", With God as my leader and my sword as my companion -->

12-07-2012, 03:43 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: .38 No. 38 Super and 38 Superauto is the same. Long ago Colt made a round they called 38 ACP - 38 Automatic Colt Pistol. Then they put more powder in the same dang case and called it the 38 Super Automatic. They chambered it in the 1911, which was strong enough for it, but it will fit in the older 1908 38 ACP. Really, REALLY stupid thing to do. 38 ACP would be the 38 Auto. Same size as 38 Super, but about half the power. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

12-07-2012, 04:17 PM	#3
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,743	Re: .38 good grief! no wonder it's so hard to figure stuff out. too many too similar cartridge designations... the .308/762 and .223 / 556 are bad enough.... Last edited by soundguy; 12-07-2012 at 04:21 PM..

12-07-2012, 04:19 PM	#4
hstout1143 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Contributor Posts: 1,815	Re: .38 So would it be safe to shoot the .38 auto in a gun chambered for .38 super?. __________________ NRA Life Member Kids that hunt and fish don't mug old ladies. "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." - Ronald Reagan "Deo Duce, Ferro Comitante", With God as my leader and my sword as my companion

12-07-2012, 04:45 PM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: .38 It would be safe to fire it, but it probably would not work the action. Not enough "umph" to push the spring back. Also, since 38 ACP has been an obsolete cartridge for years (like many old rounds, they quit making them for WW2, and never started back after the war), it would be in the realm of "collector ammo", and undoubtedly worth a bit of money. Why shoot 5-dollar a round pistol ammo, when you could sell it and buy 50-cent a round ammo. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

12-07-2012, 05:21 PM	#6
hstout1143 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Contributor Posts: 1,815	Re: .38 Good point. __________________ NRA Life Member Kids that hunt and fish don't mug old ladies. "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." - Ronald Reagan "Deo Duce, Ferro Comitante", With God as my leader and my sword as my companion

12-07-2012, 06:28 PM	#7
WHSmithIV Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Moore, Idaho contributor Posts: 2,798	Re: .38 Then of course there's .38 special and .38 special +p. Another stupid modification. I have to be careful buying .38 because my old .38 revolver wasn't designed to handle +p ammo.

12-07-2012, 06:51 PM	#8
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,743	Re: .38 same with some of those newer aluminum framed ones...

12-07-2012, 07:30 PM	#10
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,743	Re: .38 pressure...

12-07-2012, 08:03 PM	#11
Texxut V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 267	Re: .38 And a side note, just FYI. The Spanish Model 400 (Modelo 1921) is marked "9mm (38)" It's not designed to shoot the 9mm luger or the 38 Super, but there are people that will give you an argument on both counts. It was chambered for the 9mm Largo and it's a good idea to stick to the cartridge any pistol is chambered for. Attached Images

12-07-2012, 08:35 PM	#12
hstout1143 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Contributor Posts: 1,815	Re: .38 I have one of those Astra 400's, what are my chances of finding ammo for it? __________________ NRA Life Member Kids that hunt and fish don't mug old ladies. "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." - Ronald Reagan "Deo Duce, Ferro Comitante", With God as my leader and my sword as my companion

12-07-2012, 08:41 PM	#13
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,743	Re: .38 9mm largo shows up at gun shows often. I bought a box a month ago

12-07-2012, 08:48 PM	#14
Texxut V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 267	Re: .38 As Soundguy said, it's out there and available. If you reload, Starline has the brass and you can roll your own.