Colt 1911 38 Super Auto Review : The Obscure, Popular Caliber

Published on September 20, 2021
Duration: 18:45

This review by sootch00 provides an expert-level look at the Colt 1911 Government Model in .38 Super Auto. The video details the caliber's history, ballistics, and competitive advantages over the .45 ACP, highlighting its higher capacity and flatter trajectory. It also covers the pistol's features and compares it to other .38 Super offerings, concluding with practical shooting impressions and historical trivia.

Quick Summary

The .38 Super Auto caliber, featured in the Colt 1911 Government Model, offers advantages over the .45 ACP with higher capacity (9-10 rounds), a flatter trajectory, and less recoil, making it ideal for competition shooting like IPSC/USPSA. Its ballistics are comparable to the .357 SIG, with common loads achieving around 1200 fps.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to .38 Super Auto
  2. 01:07History and Evolution of .38 Super
  3. 03:09Capacity and Competition Advantages
  4. 04:03Ballistics Comparison (.38 Super vs .45 ACP)
  5. 06:01Cartridge Design: Semi-Rimmed Challenges
  6. 07:47Colt Government Model Features
  7. 10:12Alternative .38 Super Handguns
  8. 12:12Range Testing and Shooting Impressions
  9. 14:03Historical Trivia and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of the .38 Super Auto caliber compared to the .45 ACP?

The .38 Super Auto offers higher magazine capacity, typically 9-10 rounds versus 7-8 for the .45 ACP. It also provides a flatter trajectory and less felt recoil, making it suitable for competitive shooting like IPSC/USPSA where it can achieve 'Major' power factor with greater ease.

How does the .38 Super Auto perform ballistically?

The .38 Super Auto, with common loads like a 130-grain bullet at 1200 fps, offers significantly more velocity than the .45 ACP (230gr at 850 fps). This results in a flatter shooting curve and ballistics comparable to the .357 SIG, making it effective for target engagement at various distances.

What are the potential drawbacks of the .38 Super cartridge?

A primary concern with the .38 Super is its semi-rimmed case design. While functional in single-stack 1911s, this rim can sometimes cause feeding issues in double-stack magazines, leading some manufacturers to produce rimless variants or requiring careful magazine selection.

Is the .38 Super Auto a good caliber for competition shooting?

Yes, the .38 Super Auto is highly regarded in competition, particularly in divisions like IPSC/USPSA. Its ability to achieve 'Major' power factor with less recoil than the .45 ACP allows competitors to shoot faster and more accurately, while its higher capacity is also a significant advantage.

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