The world is evolving at a very rapid pace; productions are getting better, technology keeps wowing the population of the world. This advancement has led to a numerous range of amazing Ammunitions available for sale. And it keeps getting better because the quality and efficiency of the newer ammunition are quite superior to the previous ones.
Howbeit, some old cartridges are still being used today because of their efficacy and quality. The 38 super and the 38 special used for personal defense, target shootings, and hunting games are still being used today.
If you want more knowledge about the .38 super and .38 special, then you are in the right place. We are going to be reviewing these cartridges in detail in this article.
It’s going to be a hard task deciding which is best among these two cartridges because they are not used in similar settings, for example, the .38 special is usually used in revolvers, while the .38 super is commonly used in pistols and also, people have differences in their taste and preference. To make a wise and logical decision, you’ll need to consider your need and requirements; are you using a pistol, or a revolver, etc. This will make the selection process easier- Your purpose determines your choice because they are great in their unique ways.
Your shooting skills should also be considered; the use of bipod and scope scan also affect your performance.
Now, what’s the .38 super and the .38 special all about?
The .38 Super
The 38 super, also known as the 38 super Auto, made its first appearance in the late 1920s. It was launched out as an upgrade with higher loading pressure over the previous .38 ACP. The old .38 ACP propels a 130- grain bullet at 320.0m/s, whole the .38 super is an improved pistol cartridge that can do it at 390.1 m/s. When it was introduced, it could pierce through automobiles and body armors.
Over the years, the .38 super has taken over many hearts. It has become the ammunition of choice for many pistol match competitions.
The .38 Special
The. 38 special, also called the .38spl or .38spc, is a cartridge that’s usually used in revolvers. It was made in the year 1898 by Smith and Wesson to replace the .38 Long colt because it had better penetration power. It is a rimmed centerfire cartridge that used black powder initially, but this was modified by the manufacturer, which provided a smokeless loading a year after it was released. Though it is called the. 38 special, the accurate caliber is the .357. Its approximate case diameter led to that name, the “.38”. Its round dimensions make it acceptable by revolver chambered in .38 long colt, .38 short colt, and the .357 magnum.
Several years after its release, it has become one of the most popular revolver cartridges. Its accuracy and manageable recoil have paved the way for it to be used in target competitions, target shootings, hinting games, etc.
Dimensions and pressure
Colt .38 Super
- Parent case: .38 ACP / Auto
- Case type: Semi-rimmed or nearly rimless, straight
- Case length: 0.900 Inch
- Case capacity: 1.14 Cubic Centimeters
- Overall length: 1.280 Inches
- Bullet diameter: 0.356 Inch
- Neck diameter: 0.384 Inch
- Base diameter: 0.384 Inch
- Rim diameter: 0.406 Inch
- Rim thickness: 0.050 Inch
- Maximum pressure: 36,500 Pounds per square inch
The. 38 special smith and Wesson
- Parent case: .38 Long Colt
- Case type: Rimmed, straight
- Case length: 1.155 Inches
- Case capacity: 1.52 Cubic Centimeters
- Overall length: 1.55 Inches
- Bullet diameter: 0.357 Inch
- Neck diameter: 0.379 Inch
- Base diameter: 0.379 Inch
- Rim diameter: 0.44 Inch
- Rim thickness: 0.058 Inch
- Maximum pressure: 22,000 Pounds per square inch
Performance
The .38 Super
The .38 super has a large case volume, which allows it to hold a tangible amount of smokeless powder, which also results in a high muzzle velocity. Amazingly, it performs better because of its velocity; it performs better than the 9x10mm parabellum for some defense loading.
Overall, the .38 super is considered to be an efficient and well-balanced cartridge. It possesses high energy, impeccable accuracy, and a flat trajectory. These features have made it one of the dominant calibers in lots of competitions and even self-defense (with just one hand, you can defend yourself with this gun).
The .38 Special
Due to its original black powder loading, the .38 special is a low-pressure cartridge. The least .38 special pressure commonly used nowadays is 17,000psi. This pressure propels a medium-sized bullet at a lower speed in contrast to the .38 ACP and the 9x19mm parabellum.
There are newer versions of the ammunition that can increase the muzzle’s energy; however, not all revolvers can use them. For example, the 38 special +P with about 20,000 pounds per inch pressure load produces a 20% rise in velocity. It can also achieve 1,100 feet per second velocity. You can only use this version if your revolver can handle them.
It is discouraged to fire this ammunition with old guns, so entertain caution.
Applications
We know by now that the .38 super is used with a pistol, while revolvers majorly employ the .38 special. Howbeit, you can find some semi-automatic pistols chambered in .38 special in the market.
The.38 super has gained a good amount of popularity in many pistol competitions because its recoil is more controllable.
The .38 special, as stated earlier, is a popular choice for target shooting, including formal competitions. It is also used for home defense, conceal carry, and civilian recovers. It is also used by policemen when carrying out investigations.
Interchangeability
You can’t apply interchangeability with a .38 super and a .38 special. Which means you can use one in place of the other. Even if the profile fits perfectly, It is dangerous to use specific ammunition for firearms they are not designed for.
As we mentioned earlier, they have different pressures, and interchanging them will lead to shooting failures. It can also expose you and your gun to unnecessary risks.
Popularity
In terms of popularity, the .38 super is a common caliber for competitive shootings. Its controllable recoil helps shooters deliver follow-up shots precisely. The .38 super also gained his popularity because of the restriction of some military-grade cartridges in some parts of the world.
The 38. Special is preferred by shooters who leans towards hand-loaded ammunition than the factory loaded ones. It’s also popular around hand loaders because of its ability to be fired through .357 Magnum guns. Also, its amazing availability of case and straight wall makes it a preferable choice for hand loaders. It can also hold a variety of powders, which makes it more attractive to hand loaders because they can customize the rounds’ energy and velocity to meet individual demands.
Conclusion
Now that’s all you need to know about these cartridges. Not so complex right,?
We’ve broken down the two cartridges in terms of specifications, performance, applications, and interchangeability.
We’ve concluded that they have different pressures, and the .38 super is ideal for shooting competitions because of its controllable recoil, while the. 38 special is ideal for hunting small games, concealed carrying, etc.
Also, remember you cannot use one in place of the other, as this poses a great risk to you.
They both have amazing qualities, which may confuse you about which one is suitable. All you need to do is relax and consider your shooting style and preference. It will lead you straight to the one to use because of how it’s been carefully broken down in this article.
We hope this was helpful!!