1911 in .38 Super

[jpr9954]

I just finished reading Stephen Hunter's "Night of Thunder" in which Bob Lee Swagger carried a Kimber in .38 Super. Hunter has mentioned the .38 Super in earlier books as well. The bottom line of all of this is that it has gotten me thinking about the .38 Super again.

What are the pro's and con's of getting a 1911 in .38 Super that is NOT going to be used for a race gun? I would want it for possible carry and target shooting and just to say I have one.

Who makes a good one that is affordable (less than $1000)?

Would I be just as smart to be less nostalgic and just get a plastic gun and use 9mm +P in it?

John

[TAB]

I doubt you would be able to find a ploy gun that has as good of a trigger as a 1911.

Lots of used colts in the market these days that you can pick up for cheap.

There are 2 probs with 38 super.

1.  Ammo is $$$$

2.  If your going for max loads, you will most likly not be able to reload the brass.( not really a big deal any more as in USPSA you need a 40 cal or bigger to make major)


I'd also like to point out its one of the 3 9 mm pistol rounds men are aloud to shoot... the other being 9x 23 win and 9x25 dillon.






( yeah I know modern sd are ok, but 9 mm ball sucks)

[tombogan03884]

If you get it "just to say you have one" get a Colt. For carry you would be better served by a caliber that is more readily available, as TAB pointed out .38 Super ammo is expensive.

[MikeBjerum]

2.  If your going for max loads, you will most likly not be able to reload the brass.( not really a big deal any more as in USPSA you need a 40 cal or bigger to make major)

USPSA popular loads for major are .38 super and the main one now is 9 mm (9 x 19 packed tight).  It is all in how you load it.  However, for factory loads you are hard pressed to make it with anything under a .40.

[ellis4538]

Another problem w/.38 super is once fired brass is hard to find and new brass is very expensive!  I have a custom spelled $$$$$ and love it.  My advise is get a SS 9mm instead just because of inexpensive ammo and components

FWIW

Richard

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

USPSA popular loads for major are .38 super and the main one now is 9 mm (9 x 19 packed tight).  It is all in how you load it.  However, for factory loads you are hard pressed to make it with anything under a .40.

you can not make major in anything smaller then 40 cal... its the rules now.   One of the reason why they changed it was people where loading 38 super( and its sisters) to unsafe levels.

[Michael Bane]

You could get trick and get a .38 Super with a separate slide assembly and mags in 9mm...

I was really hot to get one of the US Fire Arms Super .38 Automatics, just like it was 1932 again, but I didn't want it bad enough to pay a couple of grand for it.

Michael B

[MikeBjerum]

you can not make major in anything smaller then 40 cal... its the rules now.   One of the reason why they changed it was people where loading 38 super( and its sisters) to unsafe levels.

Excuse me.  I miss spoke ... er ... typed.  In all classes except production, revolver and open you must have .40 caliber or larger.  Production and revolver have no major, and open does allow .38 super an 9X19 for major as long as you make the power factor.

[jpr9954]

Another problem w/.38 super is once fired brass is hard to find and new brass is very expensive!  I have a custom spelled $$$$$ and love it.  My advise is get a SS 9mm instead just because of inexpensive ammo and components

FWIW

Richard

I am covered pretty well on the 9mm with a couple of Hi-Powers and a Tanfoglio CZ-75 clone. I guess if I wanted to be totally practical I'd just get a Glock 19 and be done with it. Problem for me is I find them butt-ugly.

Has anyone tried the Armscor/RIA 1911 in .38 Super? The cost would be marginal compared to a Colt or Kimber. I'm guessing the EAA Witness would also be cheaper.

I guess the problem from what everyone has said with a .38 Super is ammo is expensive and once-fired brass is non-existent. The other problem I've read is finding .38 Super in loads as hot as what it was designed to be.

Thanks for the advice.

John

[tombogan03884]

I am covered pretty well on the 9mm with a couple of Hi-Powers and a Tanfoglio CZ-75 clone. I guess if I wanted to be totally practical I'd just get a Glock 19 and be done with it. Problem for me is I find them butt-ugly.

Has anyone tried the Armscor/RIA 1911 in .38 Super? The cost would be marginal compared to a Colt or Kimber. I'm guessing the EAA Witness would also be cheaper.

I guess the problem from what everyone has said with a .38 Super is ammo is expensive and once-fired brass is non-existent. The other problem I've read is finding .38 Super in loads as hot as what it was designed to be.

Thanks for the advice.

John

About the RIA 1911. I have one for my carry gun, it's been flawless for 1500 rounds. It's the first 1911 I've trusted enough to carry. But, my experience is with the .45, I don't know about the .38 super, but I don't see why it would not be just as reliable.