#38Super

Welcome everyone to the 170th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

SK Customs has just announced the release of yet another highly stylized Colt 1911 pistol, the MANA in stainless as part two of a two-part limited-edition production designer series. This time the pistol is inspired by Polynesian warriors and features highly stylized engraving along with the slide as well as the grips and will also come with a companion engraved high polish stainless steel knife.

Welcome back to another edition of the  TFB Round Table sponsored by  Ammunition To Go! For those who are first joining us, this is a multi-part series where TFB discusses the characteristics of great ammunition for specific applications. This could vary from big game hunting, plinking, precision rifle matches, small game hunting, or even pistol competitions. Chances are there is someone here at TFB who can offer you advice on buying the right round for your task at hand. This week we return on TFB Round Table to take a look at one of the lesser common cartridges for handguns that used to be all the rage back in the day, but now has fallen to the wayside as both ammunition and handgun technology has advanced. Let’s see what kind of hidden super powers are actually in 38 Super!

Welcome to the 49th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only does it only have Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

At SHOT today, ELEY, the well-regarded makers of 22LR precision rifle ammunition unveiled their first foray into centerfire cartridges with both a 9 Major offering and a 38 Super Comp offering. ELEY has a long history of making high-performance precision cartridges for competition, and they’re bringing that expertise to centerfire cartridges. Competition shooting was at the forefront of both rounds design, with an emphasis on USPSA and IPSC matches.

The Dillon Super 1050 is the most advanced reloading machine in the Dillon Products line. It will accommodate the common cartridges from .32 ACP up through .30-06, but the one in Today’s Picture is normally set up for 9×19 mm or .38 Super Comp.

For many years Colt’s bread and butter has been the 1911 in all it’s variations, as well as the Colt AR15 and military M4. That said, they continue to release new models of this ever popular combat and competition pistol. Whatever you may think of the 1911 it’s still a fine pistol and continues to be very popular among many shooters.

If you’re lucky the barrel will drop right in. Most will find that some fitting will be needed at the rear of the barrel hood. Ideally what you want is a barrel that locks up solidly with the barrel bushing, barrel lugs into the slide recesses and finally the barrel hood length just long enough to fit against the rear of the frame when the barrel locks up with the slide.

For those not familiar with the 38 Super it’s an older law enforcement round widely in use during the 1930’s since it would penetrate the crude body armor of the time. The 1911 in 45 acp was also widely used but took a backseat to the 38 Super once the gangsters started wearing body armor. Both the good guys and criminals used the “Super”. Standard ammunition used was 130 grain ball.

The short answer is “absolutely”, and the longer answer is “yes, think of it as a hot 9mm.”

I let y’all down! Somehow the Taurus 1911 pistols chambering 9mm Luger/Parabellum and .38 Super which were launched earlier this year slipped below my radar.