"@type": "ImageObject", Though the .38 Special caliber enjoyed extensive usage in police departments in the US, very few of them now issue it as a standard-duty weapon. An improved version of the .38 Auto, this semi-rimmed cartridge is very popular in the competition world. Find Bulk 38 super auto ammunition fast and cheap with Americas best ammunition search engine. #Many people use the .38 special as a light target load and it is in While the 9mm is often thought of as a modern cartridge, it’s actually old enough to be the .38 Super’s father. The .38 Superwasn’t introduced until 1929, some 27 years later. The .38 Auto is a semi-rimmed cartridge where as the .38 Specials is rimmed. Using the latest ammunitions, the .38 ACP / Auto velocity can reach roughly 1,040 – 1,150 Feet Per Second. There is a cartridge that is called .38 Super Comp that is the same as .38 super but has a "rimless" case like the 9mm. Remember that you should never use the .38 cartridge in a .38 Special gun. It also has a bit thicker web for higher pressure rounds. However, most people still find themselves at crossroads since the info given on these cartridges is minimal. To improve feeding reliability, the original semi-rimmed case can be replaced by a nearly rimless one. "image": { Shooting and Showing A new Colt 1911 chambered in .38 Super! The “.38” is actually referring to the case approximate diameter. 9mm Luger, which we’ll refer to as 9mm for the duration of this article, was introduced in 1902, and is essentially a .30 Luger cartridge that was necked up to accept a .355 diameter bullet. The case of the 38 Special is capable of supporting a variety of powders from Hercules 2400 to Alliant Bullseye. Shooting Mystery is an independent website that provides content for informational purposes only. Again, make sure that your revolver is able to handle them. Due to various velocity and weight restrictions, many … Find the best .38 Super semi-automatic handguns from a variety of top manufacturers at the lowest prices, in stock and ready to ship to you! There has been an ongoing debate on multiple firearm forums and shooters circles on the .38 Super vs .38 Special topic. The semi-rim of the .38 Super is the cartridge’s one flaw. Even the application of the cartridges is not exactly similar. If you want something stronger, then the 38 Special +P+ with 22,000 Pounds per square inch pressure load can achieve a 1,100 Feet Per Second velocity. Because of its larger case volume, which allows for more smokeless powder and results in higher muzzle velocities at approximately similar pressure levels, the .38 Super offers higher bullet velocity potential than the 9x19mm Parabellum when handloaded and in some defense loadings. "dateModified": "2020-12-01", .380 cartridges are better if concealment is a top priority. The .38 Super is a powerful, high pressure-loaded version of the .38 Automatic. The .38 S&W also used a .361 bullet, but it was not heeled in. Which is better for personal protection? The .38 S&W Special uses a .357 bullet as does the .357 magnum. The .38 Super began life in 1900 as the .38 Automatic. } This is due to its original black powder loading. Besides, by using some bipods and scopes, the performance also will be affected. "datePublished": "2020-12-01", On the other hand, the .38 Super is able to push the velocity to around 1,215 – 1,450 Feet Per Second. In the following guide, we’ll take you through an in-depth analysis of the two to help you decide which one suits your needs. We have seen that the two calibers register significant pressure differences, with the .38 super being on the higher end. case diameter). 38 Super vs. 45 ACP Comparison Getting to Know .45 ACP. "keywords": ["38 super vs 38 special"], The restriction of military grade cartridges like the .45 ACP in some regions of the world significantly enhances the popularity of the .38 Super. Why Does My Bow String Keep Hitting My Thumb? The .45 ACP, for “Automatic Colt Pistol,” is one of the most powerful handgun cartridges currently available, despite that fact that it was released only a few years after the end of the nineteenth century. "https://www.pinterest.com/theshootingmystery/", "headline": "38 Super vs 38 Special: Which One Is the Better Choice? Shooting Mystery is reader-supported. "@type": "Article", The .38 Special (also referred to as .38spc or .38spl) is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge that’s commonly used in revolvers. 10 Best Rifle Bipod For The Money: Reviews and Guide (2020). Any source I have seen says never load the 38 Auto at 38 Super pressures. Appeared in the late 1920s, the .38 Super retains the profile of the 38 ACP / Auto albeit with a higher pressure loading. }, Our Obsession with Greenheads Is Ruining Duck Hunting as We Know It. Latest. There specs are also completely different. The .38 special is suitable for concealed carry, hunting small game, target shooting, and home defense. It was introduced in the 1920s as an improvement (with higher pressure loading) over the old .38 ACP. The restriction of the use of .38 Super in some parts of the globe. Introduced in 1898, the .38 Special was supposed to be a replacement for the military 38 Long Colt due to the latter’s inadequate stopping power in combat. In fact, the velocity potential of the .38 Super is even better than the famous 9×19mm Parabellum for certain defense loadings. While the profile may fit, it’s nonetheless dangerous to use certain ammunitions on guns that they’re not designed for. However like many autos it may head space on the extractor and fire. The .38 Super is generally regarded … A higher pressure version of this cartridge loads at 22,000 psi and delivers up to a 20% increase in muzzle energy than the standard pressure loads. It’s hard to decide the winner between the 38 Super vs. 38 Special since there is a diversity of personal preferences and people tastes. It’s even used in the planet’s second-largest shooting sport—the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC)! More Guns. On the other hand, the .38 Super is able to push the velocity to around 1,215 – 1,450 Feet Per Second. The .38 super auto became very popular among the action pistol competitions of the IPSC. The rounds are shorter and less powerful, meaning the pistols that fire them can be smaller and easier to conceal than when using 9mm rounds. 10 Best Bow Quiver of 2021 | Buyer’s Guide and Reviews, 10 Best Single Pin Bow Sight Reviews in 2021, 10 Best Shotgun Flashlight Reviews of 2020, 5 Best Recurve Bow String Reviews of 2021, 5 Best Bow String Silencers (Reviews of 2021) – Hibipod, 8 Best Bow Hunting Gloves (Reviews of 2021) – Hibipod. Nowadays, its pressure is among the lowest around at 17,000 Pounds per square inch. 0.893 - 0.898 O.A.L. Compare their characteristics to your preferences and you shall know what round you need. Fast forward, the .38 Super has become the caliber of choice for most pistol match competitions, including the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC). }. a .357 is a revolver round while a .38 Super is a semi-automatic round. In fact, the .38 Super is officially known as the .38 Super Automatic +P. The .38 Super is a fantastic cartridge for the defensive handgun—especially if you’re looking for a handgun with more power than a 9mm and a higher capacity than a .45 Auto. The .38 Super, also known as .38 Superauto, .38 Super Auto, or 9x23mmSR, is a pistol cartridge that fires a 0.356-inch-diameter (9.04 mm) bullet. To give you an example the .38 special's bullet diameter is 9.1mm where as the .38 Auto is 9mm. The .38 Super has gained distinction as the caliber of choice for many top practical shootingcompetitors; it rema… The .38 Special is often perceived as a low-pressure cartridge because of its original black powder loading. The older .38 ACP cartridge propells a 130-grain (8.4 g) bullet at 1,050 ft/s (320.0 m/s), whereas the .38 Super pushes the same bullet at 1,280 ft/s (390.1 m/s). Thanks to the introduction of the improved ammunitions, the .38 Super can achieve some parity with later rounds such as the .357 SIG. It was introduced in 1929 by Colt for it's new auto pistol. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. John Browning designed the .38 Automatic, the .38 Super’s parent cartridge, in 1900. Unlike the old .38 ACP, which propelled a 130-grain bullet at 320.0 m/s, this new, improved cartridge could do it at 390.1 m/s. In comparison, it sits between .38 ACP and the 9x19 Parabellum. We have analyzed the two calibers in terms of performance, applications, and interchangeability. It was introduced in the late 1920s as a higher pressure loading of the .38 ACP, also known as .38 Auto. Using the latest ammunitions, the .38 ACP / Auto velocity can reach roughly 1,040 – 1,150 Feet Per Second. Handling firearms and hunting gear are what propelled him to create the shooting Mystery is an website. Earn an affiliate commission -designed Model 1900.38 Automatic pistol are important factors to consider well. 1,450 Feet Per Second the right place over the old.38 ACP officially known as the.38 Super is one the... 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