How powerful is a 38 Super?

38 Super launched a 130-grain FMJ bullet at 1,280 feet per second (compared to the . 38 ACP’s still fairly hot 1,050 feet per second). From 1929 to 1935, the “Super . 38” ruled the roost as the most powerful U.S. handgun cartridge.

Why is 38 Special weaker than 9mm?

The shell casing volume of the 38 spl was designed for black powder, a weaker powder than modern propellants. That is why it is quite larger than the 9mm case which was designed for use with modern propellants.

How many foot pounds of energy does a 38 have?

Performance

Cartridge	Bullet weight	Muzzle energy
.38 Long Colt	150 gr (9.7 g)	201 ft•lbf (273 J)
.38 S&W	158 gr (10.2 g)	206 ft•lbf (279 J)
.38 S&W Special Wadcutter	148 gr (9.6 g)	156 ft•lbf (212 J)
.38 S&W Special	158 gr (10.2 g)	310 ft•lbf (420 J)

What gun shoots a 38 Super?

Soon after, Colt released the M1911, which was coincidentally called the Colt “Super . 38” Automatic. However, this gun was able to handle higher pressures compared to Browning’s Colt M1900, so manufacturers began designing a cartridge that could be fired with much more velocity. They named them the Colt Super .

Why is 38 Super so popular in Mexico?

38 Super actually made it big in Mexico and other Latin American countries where governments restrict ownership of “military” calibers like 9mm and . 45 ACP. 45 ACP 1911 pistols, which easily met the power factor requirement using factory ammo.

What is a 38 super bullet?

The 38 Super, also known as 38 Superauto, 38 Super Auto, or 9×23mmSR, is a pistol cartridge that fires a 0.356-inch-diameter (9.04 mm) bullet. The older 38 ACP cartridge propels a 130-grain (8.4 g) bullet at 1,050 ft/s (320.0 m/s), whereas the 38 Super pushes the same bullet at 1,280 ft/s (390.1 m/s).

Is there a difference between .38 and .38 special?

There’s no difference between a . 38 and a 38 special. The former refers to a caliber with a . 357 inch bullet diameter, while the latter is a cartridge variant under the .

What is the difference between 38 Super and 38 Super Comp?

Rimless 38 Super cartridge case variants A common example is the 38 Super Comp case, which has a semi-rim extending only . 003–. 004 inch per side, compared to standard 38 Super which has . 007–.

What is the difference between a 38 special and a 38 Super?

38 Special is a rimmed revolver cartridge with a . 357 (9.1 mm) bullet and overall length of 1.55 inch (39 mm). . 38 Super is a rimless cartridge typically used in auto-loading pistols with a slightly smaller bullet at .

What is the average velocity of a 38 Super?

The average velocity of the .38 Super from a 3.6-inch barrel was 1,280 feet per second for an impressive 418 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. For the 9mm out of a 3.1-inch barrel, the average velocity was 992 feet per second and 251 foot-pounds at the muzzle.

How much power does a 38 Super +P have?

The .38 Super +P load is rated at 1,335 feet per second from a 5-inch barrel, which yields 455 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. The 9mm +P load was from the Pinnacle line. Wilson optimized it for top performance in 9mm handguns with 4-inch (or less) barrels.

Which is better 38 Super or 9mm?

The 9mm round may be more popular, but .38 Super has some great advantages as a defensive load. The average velocity of the .38 Super from a 3.6-inch barrel was 1,280 feet per second for an impressive 418 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.

What kind of gun is a 38 Super?

Also designed for use in the M1911 pistol, the .38 Super was made to be a high-speed version of the .38 ACP, and it has become a reliable option for hunting and self-defense, although it has experienced limited use compared to other handgun option.