The 38 Super is a semi-automatic pistol cartridge that is most commonly used in the Colt M1911 pistol. It is also used in other variants and handguns. The 38 Super uses a rimless, straight-walled case and has a rim diameter of 0.
394 inches. The cartridge has a total length of 1. 275 inches, and the bullet diameter is 0. 356 inches. It is commonly loaded with a 115grain, 124grain, or 130grain bullet. The 38 Super typically has a capacity of nine to ten rounds in its magazine, depending on the specific handgun.
Table of Contents
Is a 38 Super more powerful than a 357 Magnum?
The 38 Super and the 357 Magnum are two of the most powerful handgun cartridges on the market. The 38 Super is a high-powered pistol cartridge first developed in 1929 for use in the Colt M1911 semi-automatic pistol.
The 38 Super operates at velocities over 1,300 feet per second, making it one of the fastest handgun ammunition cartridges available. On the other hand, the 357 Magnum is a revolver cartridge first released in 1935 as a more powerful alternative to the 38 Special.
The 357 Magnum is also one of the most powerful handgun cartridges available and operates at velocities over 1,400 feet per second.
When comparing the 38 Super and the 357 Magnum, it is generally accepted that the 357 Magnum is more powerful than the 38 Super. While both cartridges operate at high velocities, the 357 Magnum generally produces higher muzzle velocity due to its larger diameter and larger powder charge.
Additionally, the 357 Magnum has a greater stopping power on impact, which is due to the larger bullet and higher energy released upon impact. In summary, the 357 Magnum is generally considered to be more powerful than the 38 Super.
What is the difference between .38 and .38 Super?
The. 38 and. 38 Super are two different cartridges; they are both. 38 caliber but the. 38 Super is a more powerful, faster load. The. 38 is typically used in revolvers and the. 38 Super is typically used in semi-automatic pistols.
The. 38 is typically loaded with a lighter powder, a smaller bullet, and is loaded to a lower pressure than the. 38 Super. This results in less recoil and less muzzle velocity. The. 38 Super, on the other hand, is loaded with a hotter powder, a larger bullet, and is loaded to a higher pressure.
This results in more recoil and more muzzle velocity.
The. 38 Super also has a larger case capacity than the. 38, allowing it to hold more powder which in turn allows for larger bullets and higher pressures. This makes the. 38 Super the preferred choice for self-defense, as it is capable of taking down larger targets with greater force.
Why is 38 Super so popular in Mexico?
38 Super is one of the most popular pistol calibers in Mexico, due to its high performance and reliability. It has great stopping power, and its relatively low recoil makes it a great choice for those seeking a less punishing shooting experience.
Additionally, the compact size of the 38 Super cartridge makes it a favorite for concealed carry, which is common in Mexico. 38 Super can also be more easily acquired in Mexico than some other cartridges, which contributes to its popularity.
All of these factors make 38 Super an excellent choice for self-defense, target shooting, and competitive shooting in Mexico.
What is the purpose of 38 Super?
The 38 Super is a popular pistol cartridge that was developed by John Moses Browning in 1929 and is commonly found as an ammunition choice for competitive shooters and defensive use. Its primary purpose is to be a more powerful round than the 38 ACP, allowing shooters greater accuracy and range.
It’s been known to be an effective round for self-defense, as it is capable of penetrating body armor more effectively than other similar rounds. 38 Super rounds have gained a reputation as a reliable self-defense round, particularly when loaded with hollow point ammunition.
When loaded with Jacketed Hollow Points, the 38 Super offers excellent expansion that increases stopping power for self-defense. Additionally, the 38 Super is highly effective for shooting medium to large sized game.
So in summary, the purpose of the 38 Super is for self-defense, target practice, and even hunting.
Does a 38 Special have stopping power?
Yes, the 38 Special is widely known for its stopping power, even though it is a relatively small-caliber round. Though underpowered compared to heavier rounds, the 38 Special remains a popular defensive round for handguns.
It utilizes a light, rapidly expanding bullet for increased energy transfer and an increased chance of stopping an attacker. This combination of stopping power and low recoil are why it is so popular with law enforcement, concealed carry proponents, and even some hunters.
From a practical perspective, it is also easy to control and manipulate for accuracy. All of this combined makes the 38 Special a powerful and effective round that can stop an attacker if used correctly.
What is a 38 Special equivalent to?
The 38 Special is a type of handgun cartridge misidentified as a caliber. It is actually a rimmed, centerfire, revolver cartridge first developed by Smith & Wesson in 1899 as the. 38 Smith & Wesson Special.
The round is usually referred to in conversational terms such as “. 38 Special”, “38 Special” or even “. 38 Spl”.
The 38 Special is equivalent to the 9x19mm Parabellum (also known as the 9mm Luger or 9mm NATO) ammunition, which is a caliber of ammunition used in automatic and semi-automatic firearms and was developed by Georg Luger in 1902.
It is currently one of the most popular and widely used handgun cartridges worldwide. The 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge is slightly more powerful than the 38 Special, so when firing the same bullet weight and at the same muzzle velocity, the 9mm Luger will generally have more muzzle energy than the 38 Special.
However, both cartridges generally have equal stopping power.
Is 38 Special powerful enough for self defense?
The answer to whether or not 38 Special is powerful enough for self defense is dependent on personal preference and the situation in which you are looking for self defense. 38 Special is generally considered a relatively low-power cartridge, so it may not be capable of causing significant damage on an assailant.
However, 38 Special has proven to be an effective self-defense cartridge due to its high accuracy and comparatively low recoil. In addition, its performance is often considered to be more effective than that of its larger counterpart, the.
357 Magnum. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they feel 38 Special is powerful enough for self defense. It is important to take into consider the effectiveness of the cartridge in both light clothing and tougher materials, like a leather jacket.
It is also advised to consider the capacity and reloading capability of the revolver or semi-automatic pistol you are using before making a decision to rely on 38 Special for self defense.
Is 38 Super the same as 357?
No, 38 Super and 357 are not the same. 38 Super is a semi-automatic pistol cartridge which utilizes a rimless straight case. It was introduced in 1929 and it is the first semi-automatic pistol cartridge to be used in the United States.
357, on the other hand, is a revolver cartridge which uses a rimmed case, making it suitable for use in revolvers only. The 357 is more powerful than the 38 Super and it was much more popular when it was released, as it was more widely used in law enforcement and self-defense applications.
Both calibers are still very popular today and are used for different purposes.
Is .38 Super better than 9mm?
The answer to this question really depends on what your preferences and needs are. In many ways, the. 38 Super is comparable to the 9mm, but there are some key differences between the two. For starters, the.
38 Super has a slightly larger bullet diameter, which leads to slightly more power, higher muzzle velocity, and more penetration potential than the 9mm. Additionally, the. 38 Super has slightly greater magazine capacity than the 9mm, depending on the specific firearm.
Finally, the. 38 Super is typically more affordable than the 9mm.
So when it comes down to it, it’s really up to you and what you want out of your handgun experience. If you’re looking for more penetration and power, then the. 38 Super might be a better option. If affordability is more important to you, then the 9mm may be a better choice.
Ultimately, it’s a personal preference and it really just depends on what you want in a handgun.
Is 38 Super a good defensive round?
The. 38 Super is a good defensive round, but it’s important to keep in mind that it is an older round and not as powerful as some of the modern rounds currently available. It also doesn’t offer the stopping power of some of the newer rounds that are specifically designed for defensive purposes.
The. 38 Super is a very powerful round, though, and is often considered to be comparable to a. 357 Magnum in terms of its ballistic performance. The. 38 Super is capable of expanding or fragmenting bullets, making it a good choice for defense.
It has moderate recoil, and its accuracy is very good. Due to the bullet shape, it is capable of delivering very precise shots. Ultimately, the. 38 Super is a good defensive round, but it may not offer the same performance of newer defensive rounds that have been specifically designed for defensive purposes.
Can a 38 S&W shoot 38 Super?
No, a 38 S&W can not shoot 38 Super. The 38 S&W uses a rimmed, straight-walled cartridge case, while the 38 Super uses the semi-rimmed, tapered case of the 9mm Parabellum. They are two different cartridges that are not interchangeable and cannot be fired in the same chamber.
The 38 S&W is a revolver cartridge often used in small frame pocket revolvers and the 38 Super is a semi-automatic pistol cartridge typically used in competitive shooting. The 38 Super may generate more chamber pressures than the 38 S&W, so attempting to fire 38 Super in a 38 S&W chamber could potentially be dangerous.
Therefore, it is not recommended even for experienced shooters and gunsmiths.
What bullets can you shoot in a 38 Super?
In a 38 Super, you can use a variety of different types of bullets, depending on your specific firearms needs. Some of the most common types of bullets used with a 38 Super are:
• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) bullets: Generally considered the standard round for self-defense and target shooting, FMJ bullets are made of lead and have a copper or other type of metal jacket. They are designed to penetrate targets at high velocities, making them the preferred bullet for range and competition shooting.
• Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) bullets: These bullets are designed to expand or “mushroom” upon impact. They are mostly used in self-defense scenarios, because they maximize stopping power on an impact.
• Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) bullets: TMJ bullets are similar to FMJ but don’t have an exposed lead base. This helps reduce fouling in the barrel and makes them ideal for more tightly accurate shooting.
• Lead Round Nose (LRN) bullets: These soft lead bullets provide good accuracy and are generally used for target and competitive shooting.
• Lead Flat Nose (LFN) bullets: These heavy, flat-nosed bullets are great for precision accuracy and are often used for competitive and long range shooting.
Which is more powerful 38 Special or 38 Super?
Overall, the 38 Super is generally more powerful than the 38 Special. The 38 Super is a high-pressure round that performs better against body armor and other lightweight barriers, whereas the 38 Special is a slightly lower pressure load designed for target shooting.
The 38 Super has a muzzle velocity of 1,300 to 1,450 feet per second, with an energy of 470 to 543 foot-pounds. The 38 Special’s muzzle velocity is around 950 feet per second, with an energy of around 259 foot-pounds.
The 38 Super is thus more powerful than the 38 Special in terms of energy.
The 38 Super shoots flatter and more accurate than the 38 Special, since it is a higher-pressure round than its 38 Special counterpart, and is capable of penetrating body armor more reliably.
The 38 Special is a fine choice for the shooter looking to enjoy the shooting range, without paying the price of the other cartridges. The Super is great for self-defense, and better-managed recoil makes it an ideal choice for those looking to learn defensive shooting as well as up their game on the range.
Which 38 caliber is best?
When choosing a 38 caliber, the best option will depend largely on the purpose for which you intend to use the weapon. If you are looking for a concealed carry revolver for personal defense you will want something small and lightweight like the Smith & Wesson Model 360 with a 1.
875-inch barrel. If accuracy and power is key, then you may want to go with a heavier framed variety such as the Ruger GP100 with a 4. 2-inch barrel. They are both excellent options in the 38 caliber range.
The 38 caliber is also popular for target shooting and range use. For an option with adjustable sights, consider the Beretta PX4 Storm or the Ruger GP-100 with adjustable sights. Both offer superior accuracy and will be more than sufficient for target practice or competition shooting.
No matter which 38 caliber you choose, be sure to research and follow local laws, become familiar with how the firearm works and use it responsibly. Ultimately, the best 38 caliber for you will depend on your personal preferences and intended use.
