About .38 Super

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about .38 Super. The cartridge has persisted in common use for nearly a century and is still employed by various end users. Today we will provide a brief overview of the .38 Super while delving into traits, features, use cases, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about .38 Super.

What is .38 Super?

The .38 Super was introduced by Colt nearly a century ago in 1929. The cartridge essentially serves as a higher-pressure version of the earlier .38 ACP cartridge. Like its predecessor, the .38 Super was designed to work with semi-automatic firearms such as the 1911. Additionally, the round was designed to appeal to law enforcement desires for a pistol cartridge capable of penetrating car bodies as they are often used by gangsters. The .38 Super was capable of this desired level of barrier penetration due to its high pressures and velocity potential.

Generally speaking, the .38 Super is a soft-shooting cartridge with a flat trajectory. This flat trajectory is a product of the high pressures and velocity potential of the cartridge. Recoil on the .38 Super is generally regarded as tame and controllable. The .38 Super will generally exhibit more felt recoil than a 9mm Luger and feature an impulse similar to that of .45 ACP. The lack of stout recoil makes the round accessible and easily employed by shooters of all types. Experienced shooters can capitalize on the light recoil impulse and make quick, accurate follow-up shots. Newer shooters will not be abused by stout recoil and can effectively build familiarity with the cartridge.

Is .38 Super Interchangeable with .38 Special?

While the cartridges feature similar naming conventions, no interchangeability exists between the .38 Super and .38 Special. The .38 Special features a longer case with a significantly more pronounced rim, a trait which optimizes the round for use in lever action rifles and revolvers. As mentioned above, the .38 Super cartridge was designed for use in semi-automatic firearms and features a significantly smaller rim.

Is all .38 Super Ammo +P?

One will find that .38 Super ammo offerings generally feature +P labeling on headstamps and ammunition boxes. This is done to denote the higher pressures of the cartridge and further differentiate the cartridge from the .38 ACP. This industry practice began in 1974 and continues to this very day as producers of .38 Super ammunition utilize +P marking to denote the round’s high pressures. Due to their similar dimensions, the .38 Super could be chambered and fired in .38 ACP firearms. The higher pressures of the .38 Super are beyond the threshold of what a .38 ACP firearm is rated for, meaning that improper ammunition could lead to damage or harm.

Foreign Popularity

The .38 Super is very popular in foreign countries which prohibit the possession of military calibers. Restrictions on military calibers such as 9mm Luger and 5.56x45mm NATO lead many shooters in restrictive countries to adopt calibers such as 9x21mm and .38 Super. Shooters in many Latin American countries, Mexico, and Australia employ the .38 Super in common use as is not a military caliber.

How Available is .38 Super Ammunition?

At this point in time, .38 Super ammo is supported by a number of manufacturers. While .38 Super ammunition is not as common or prevalent as loadings for 9mm Luger or .45 ACP, it is still accessible. Generally speaking, .38 Super ammo can be found at most places where ammo is sold. Of course, if one elects to shop for ammo online, their potential options for .38 Super ammo become broader. This is especially helpful if one is looking for a specific loading for competition or defensive use.

A number of ammunition companies across the globe currently produce .38 Super ammo. These companies include Aguila, Armscor, Corbon, PMC, and Vairog to name a few. Loadings for generally come in the form of individual boxes of 50 rounds or in bulk .38 Super ammo quantities. Case quantities and ammo cans are common forms of bulk .38 Super ammunition. These loadings are most commonly found in the form of full metal jacket (FMJ) or jacketed hollow point (JHP) offerings optimized for competition or defense.

All in all, one will certainly be able to find .38 Super ammo if they are looking for it. The cartridge’s popularity in foreign markets and in the realm of competition motivates the industry to support the .38 Super cartridge.

How Available are Firearms Chambered in .38 Super?

The firearms market currently offers a variety of firearms chambered .38 Super. Like .38 Super ammo, .38 Super chambered firearms are less common than offerings for 9mm Luger and .45 ACP. Firearm offerings are mainly found in the form of single stack or double stack semi-automatic handguns. Many of these models are optimized for competition and target use, with other offerings being geared towards carry and defense. Companies such as Colt, Rock Island Armory, Kimber, Dan Wesson, and EAA are manufacture these types of firearms. One will also be able to find old production and vintage .38 Super chambered firearms. All in all, one will be able to find a firearm in .38 Super if that is what they are after.

What is .38 Super Used For?

Shooters currently employ the .38 Super cartridge for a variety of use cases and purposes. Perhaps the most dominant and common use for .38 Super ammo is going to be competition. Shooters in shooting disciplines like IPSC and USPSA employ the cartridge and appreciate its accuracy and soft shooting nature. In IPSC and USPSA disciplines, the cartridge is classified as a power factor major cartridge, offering superior capacity and tamer recoil than other major power factor cartridges.

The cartridge is also employed defensively by many shooters who appreciate its soft recoil and accuracy potential. Modern defensive loadings from companies like Corbon make the .38 Super a viable defensive option. Of course, .38 Super is employed for recreational plinking and target shooting, like many other calibers.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, .38 Super remains a popular cartridge nearly a century after its introduction. The cartridge is still employed by shooters of all types for many purposes such as competition, defense, and recreation. If you are looking to buy .38 Super ammo, we here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of loadings. Our inventory of ammo for sale covers range loadings, defensive loadings, and more, allowing shooters of various types to find what they need. Regardless of whether you are wanting to buy .38 Super ammunition or something else we stock, we here at True Shot Ammo have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

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Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.