by R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
The .38 ACP Super is easily our least popular handgun chambering that is still in production. Just the same, many thousands are in use with a small but dedicated group of fans. The history of the .38 Super is a thrice-told tale. (Fans refer to the cartridge as the .38 Super and the handgun as the Super .38.)
Colt introduced the Browning designed .38 ACP in the Colt 1900 handgun. Much engineering led to the Colt 1911 .45 ACP. The .38 ACP hung on until 1927 when Colt ceased production of the aging design. The .38 ACP fired a 130-grain FMJ bullet at 1050 fps. Testing of 1960s-vintage Remington ammunition shows an actual velocity of 960 fps. The .38 ACP was boosted to 1300 fps using a cartridge case identical to the .38 ACP. Colt chambered the .38 Super in the 1911 handgun. They then had a pistol they could sell to those wanting a cartridge smaller than the .45 ACP and a cartridge legal in South America where the 9mm and .45 are prohibited as military wares. The high velocity .38 Super also gave cops an edge in penetration against the new generation of military thugs.
Note- many years later SAAMI designated the .38 Super the .38 ACP +P. This is simply the .38 Super.
A GI .38 Super
Original Super .38 pistols were in the same configuration as the 1911 .45. This means GI sights and grips. The original pistols were not as accurate, overall, as the 1911 .45, but that doesn’t mean they were inaccurate, and this varies from gun to gun. The original pistol headspaced on the cartridge case rim. Modern .38 Supers beginning in 1981 properly headspace on the case mouth. As an example, one of my .38 Super pistols is fitted with a Bar Sto barrel. There is no more accurate handgun in the gun safe, given quality ammunition. Armcor has offered a .38 Super version of their GI 1911 for some time. Recently they have been a bit easier to find. Mine was purchased at South Carolina Gun Company (SCgunco.com). The pistol is supplied with one magazine. I added several MecGar magazines from Brownells.com. These magazines are first class and offer excellent feed reliability.
The Rock Island Armory pistol shows good fit and finish. The trigger action was smooth enough and breaks clean. It was one that ‘feels lighter than it is’ as the RCBS trigger compression gauge registered 6.0 pounds. The sights are adequate, GI types, and proved well regulated for 130-grain FMJ ammunition. The fit of the slide lock safety is crisp. The safety snaps into position sharply. The grip safety properly releases its hold on the trigger at the half way point in compression. The simple flat slabs supplied with the pistol are utilitarian at best. I fitted a set of custom grips from A Woman’s Touch Guns, by Crystal Powell. It doesn’t get any better and this addition gave the shooter a much better purchase on the handgun.
New Loads
Sources
Armscor.com
Awomanstouchgun.com
Brownells.com
Wrightleatherworks.com
Rock Island Armory 1911 Full Size GI Semi-automatic Pistol specifications:
– Caliber: .38 ACP
– Action: Semi-automatic
– Capacity: 9 rounds
– Barrel length: 5”
– Frame: Parkerized steel
– Grips: Wood
– Sights: Fixed
– Overall length: 8.5”
– Overall weight: 2.4 lbs.
Most .38 Super loads have been loaded below the potential of the cartridge. These includes practice loads with the 130-grain FMJ bullet at 1150 fps. Most JHP loads are loaded in the 1200 fps range. Just the same this gives greater energy and performance than all but the hottest 9mm Luger loads, and without excess wear and tear on the handgun. A properly maintained .38 Super handgun may have an edge over the .45 for long term reliability but this is simply my impression. Just as I was working in the new handgun SIG Sauer introduced two new loads in their Elite Performance Ammunition line. One is a 125-grain FMJ load. The other is a 125-grain V Crown JHP. There has been little demand for match grade .38 Super loads but the new loads are quite accurate. The SIG FMJ load offers excellent performance at a fair price. The 125-grain loading clocks just over 1200 fps and offers excellent penetration and expansion. Control in the 38 ounce .38 Super is excellent—yet you are outstripping the 9mm +P loads!
Another new loading was introduced in early Autumn this year. There must be more interest in the .38 Super than ever! Federal Cartridge Company offers a 115-grain JHP in their American Eagle line. This JHP appears to be the same 9mm JHP offered in their famous 9B load and the LEO 9mm +P+. This means predicted performance is excellent. This loading breaks just less than 1200 fps, reasonable for practice and defense use. This load offers light recoil and good accuracy. I began the test program with these loads.
On The Firing Line
The .38 Super cartridge is a joy to fire in a 38-ounce 1911 pistol. Beginning with a pistol lubricated on the long bearing surfaces I fired several magazines of the SIG Sauer Elite FMJ load at man-sized targets at 5, 7 and10 yards. Control is excellent. I maintained the same firing grip I use with the .45 and any handgun. Double taps, hammers and controlled pairs were fast, very fast. The pistol has been proofed with the FMJ load and also both JHP loads. The initial 300 cartridges never failed to feed, chamber, fire or eject. The piece was then cleaned and lubricated. At a later date the Rock Island was fired for absolute accuracy at 25 yards. Five shot groups ranged from three to four inches. The pistol is clearly accurate enough for personal defense or even predator hunting at moderate range.
Energy Comparison
9mm Luger Federal
124-grain HST 1160 fps 333ft lbs.
9mm Luger Federal
115-grain +P+ LEO 1320 fps 444ft lbs.
.38 Super Double Tap
115-grain JHP 1419 fps 514 ft lbs.
.38 Super Double Tap
125-grain JHP 1402 fps 545 ft lbs.
.45 ACP Federal
230-grain Hydra Shock 860 fps 377 ft lbs.
.45 ACP Speer
200-grain Gold Dot +P 1050 fps 489 ft lbs.
.357 Magnum
Federal 130-grain Hydra Shock 1489 fps 630 ft lbs.
( 4 inch barrel Ruger GP100)
I have tested several loads from Double Tap Ammunition. As the energy comparison table shows, these are credible service loads. The 125-grain load, as an example, expands to .84 inch while penetrating 18 inches of test media. The 115-grain loads penetrate less and maintains good expansion. These loads maximize the caliber, are pleasant to fire, and give the shooter an edge in control and effect on target. The sensation of recoil is similar to a 9mm +P in a polymer frame handgun. The steel frame 1911 is a controllable and effective handgun. The Rock Island .38 Super gets a clean bill of health. Reliable, accurate enough for personal defense and, firing a powerful cartridge, the Super .38 has made a comeback.
Carrying the Rock Island 1911
The Wright Leather Works Banshee is a product of taking the world’s most comfortable holster, the pancake, and modifying the design to an inside the waistband holster. With the holster inside the trousers there is no holster body below the belt line to conceal. This works well for concealing even the largest service pistols. Dual belt loops ensure comfort and the best draw angle. The Banshee even had a tuckable option.