where does the 38 super fit in? not a whole lot of info out there other than it seems to be used in shooting matches. Does it have a role in hunting? I should be getting my grampa's colt super 38 (1953) in a bit

That's a nice gun, but I wouldn't use it for anything other than small game. Some people say minimum for deer is 500 foot pounds of energy, some say 700, some say more. Considering a 38 Super with +P ammo will barely get 500 at the muzzle there's no way it could be adequate at 50 yards. Energy isn't everything though and I'm sure it has been accomplished with less, but I would have to classify it as a personal defense and small game cartridge. IMO medium game hunting starts with 357mag and 10mm with at least a five inch barrel.

I have the exact same gun, it was a gift from my father n law, along with about five other pistols. It's a lot of fun to shoot.

I'll be getting a 1903 Colt in 38 auto but with a blue book value of 5k it will sit in a safe and shot once in a great while.

lamnia, Your Grandfathers 38 Super, depending on condition, probaly has more collector value then hunting value, even though the caliber was used to great effect in the hunting fields. Find out what its worth. James

lamina, As far as what the 38 Super is capable when used to hunt medium game , I would like you to read the 2nd paragraph of an article taken from the March, 1934 issue of American Rifleman. The bullet that was used in this article is the same as shown in the Peters advertisement in my previous post....

I agree, the colt's are bringing a good penny on today's market, but I wouldn't part with mine for any reason. Just like my P38. I guess you could call them "gun safe queens", but I wouldn't have it any other way..

ya i was lookin and seems about 900-1200$, prewar def worth alot more. I like shooting and gramps was never a safe queen kinda guy. I dont remember him ever shooting this one , nor did I know he had it. He loved colts and smiths though. He died in Nov, we are still sorting through his stuff. He was such a collector of everything guns, as well as a stupendous stock builder and reloader. Feels odd going through his stuff, can just feel the sense of him using and building and reloading with it all. Even got some 40s gun digest issues. Just can't wait to shoot em, gonna get his sw mod 57-sure hope I can kill a deer for him next season with that....well thanks for those ads and info james

depends on the Colt, you would be surprised at how many aren't worth very much at all. I have a police protective in 38 SW I took in trade for doing a muzzle brake and alot of the earlier DA's in the service weapon catagory are the same. The two I'm getting are a 1903 (this is the auto version, prerunner to the 1911) in excellent condition which booked for 5k a few years ago and a and a new service in 38-40 which books for about 2k if I remember correctly.

There is alot of history in the old Colts though so regardless of it's monetary value just take care of it and you'll be able to continue to pass it on down the line.

I was lucky enough to get an old 1940's Llamma in 38 super. Rod refinished it in a matte blue. It rattles a little, but it keeps 1.5in groups at 25 yards and my wife loves shooting that gun!

Duane

speaking of which, can you use 9mm dies to load 38 super loads?


Duane

Can I use 9mm dies to load the 38 Super?


Pro's-Con's???


Thanks


Duane

The same dies are used for 9x19, 9x21 and 9x23, but not for .38 Super. The first three are all tapered cases of the same dimensions in diameter, but only differing in the length of the case. The 38 Super is a straight case and is different diameter than the others.

Thanks my friend.

TC, I only have the Super dies...

LOL... I don't have any... Working on that one though.