38 Super Comp Gun

[drawson]

I just got done building a STI 38 Super Comp gun with dot scope and it is by far the most accurate handgun I have ever shot and is WAY fun to shoot. Anyone else out there have a Super?

[This message has been edited by drawson (edited 05-01-2001). ]

 

[Bigsaint]

The . 38 Super is one of the very few cartridges that I have never owned/fired. Seem's like a great combo of flat shooting with controlabilty, i. e. , IPSC, etc. Whose frame, 1911, I presume, did you use ? I have owned a few Springfield Armory . 45's, as well as Colts (also . 45). Both great, though my choice is Springfield A. unless your going to spend the big bucks, then Wilson comes to mind. I have toyed with the idea of trying . 38 supers in my . 357 mag, read somewhere that you could use safely as a option in a . 357 revolver if full house . 357's are too much. Seems like there would be alot of cylinder erosion though with the . 38 supers in a revlover.

Scott W.

 

[Deezul1]

Hey Drawson
Welcome to the Open Division, now you will have to come shoot the Texas State Open Match also. If you ever get out this way come to Waco and shoot with us.
John

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip. (its for sale)
. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[drawson]

The frame and slide are made by STI. It is a hicap 1911 they call it the 2011. The standard mags hold 19 rounds and the big sticks 27. This gun is made for compitition in IPSC/USPSA in the Open class. Up to this time I have only competed in Limited(no dots and comps)

Bigsaint do you shoot IPSC?

 

[The patriot]

I was into IPSC back in the late 80's. The guns have gotten way out of hand, and you have to be semi wealthy (unless you land a sponsor) to afford it.
I'm starting to get into the IDPA thing. More realistic hardware, things you might actually USE in the real world.
Dont get me wrong, I'd love to get into the IPSC and I'm not putting it down,(the more people in shooting sports the better) but it's way to pricey for me right now.
Right now, Highpower rifle is the budget killer for me. #ad

Good luck with the new pistol Drawson. I've always wanted a 38 super.
Eric

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Michelin 265 75 16 lr-E. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Cat in the garage. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 63,000 Mi as of 1/27/01.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

[This message has been edited by The patriot (edited 05-02-2001). ]

 

[LSMITH]

Bigsaint, you cannot use 38 Supers in a 357. You can use 38 Specials, and yes there is some erosion in the cylinder. It takes tens of thousands to do any real damage though. 38 Super is the answer for people who think 9mm is too wimpy and don't care for the 40 S&W or 45 ACP. It really is a great cartridge and packs quite a punch for not much recoil. I don't have one anymore, but I really enjoyed the ones that I had.

 

[Bigsaint]

I wish I did I but have never tried IPSC. Looks like a ton of fun.

LSMITH, I am well aware of the . 38 special and it's use in the . 357, but thanks anyhow. It was quite a while ago, but I remember reading in one of the gun mags. of the use of . 38 Supers in the . 357 revolver. I think it was in either American Handgunner or Combat handguns, not sure though. The article stated that, as the . 38 Super has a small rim on the cartridge base, it would seat in the wheel gun cylinder. I never tried it as I would rather have the power of the . 357 as well as the bullet diameter of . 357 rather than . 355, seem like there would be an accuracy problem with the smaller . 355's in a . 357 bore. Also, I would have to wonder if . 38 Super case would cause the dreaded extraction problems if it was associated with a revolver. The topic of the article was to provide shooters that are leary of . 357 recoil an alternative to those measly +P . 38 specials. Any thoughts ? Again, not for me, just thought I'd throw it out there for consideration.

Forgot to add. Thanks for the info on the frame, does STI have a website ? I have toyed with the idea of building a "dream gun" using the 1911 frame for years, but never really did much work to make it happen. That magazine capacity is immpressive to say the least. Also, how's the size of the grip frame, as it's a high capacity ? Comfortable or bulky ? I've handled a few of the Para-ordinance HC . 45's #ad
didn't like 'em much, just didn't feel right in my hand. I have a Glock . 357 Sig that I like alot, not in the same league as that STI, but a great shooter with a decent punch for an auto that's fairly compact.

Scott W.

[This message has been edited by Bigsaint (edited 05-02-2001). ]

 

[drawson]

HEre is STIs web site http://www.stiguns.com/

The grip isn't very much bigger than a standard 1911. I have a Limited gun also a STI in 40 S&W I can gwet 19-20 round per mag in it. I have had this 40 now for 2 years and have better than 60K round through it and it still shoots as good as new.

 

[Bigsaint]

Thanks, Drawson. Maybe a good "cabin fever" project in the fall.

Scott W.

 

[ZEEEW]

Dee

I didnt get to see you shoot Sat, were you shooting the new 38? I see by the scores you cleaned house pretty well.
I looked at the P16-40, bad move, it went home with me!
Guess if my scores dont go up a little now it isnt the guns fault...


[This message has been edited by ZEEEW (edited 05-05-2001). ]

 

['956Wheel]

Bigsaint, The head of a 38 special & 357 Mag is . 058 thick X . 440 in diameter, the head of a 38 super is . 050 thick X . 406 in diameter. Case diameter is . 001 larger on the super. First, why would any one want to chamber a super round in a 38/357 chamber? Second the less head dia. of the super provides little for the case to sit on. On the other hand the 38 S&W would do fine as it is . 055 thick X . 440 diameter on the head.

I used to do gun work for the studios and dealt with live rounds too as well as a nasty reloading/shooting habit that entailed approx. ten years of 1000 or so rounds a weekend! There are a lot of "charlaton's" in this hobby so beware!


Drawson, The super is a load sensitive round but once you get the right load it is a tackdriver... . shouldn't have traded it!
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9535hundred

[This message has been edited by Statland (edited 05-05-2001). ]

 

[Bigsaint]

Statland, I didn't write the article, only reporting what they stated. I agree with what you stated, not for me.

Scott W.

 

[drawson]

Eric(ZEEEW), I shot my STI40 in logan and today at LTD for the first time the 38 super. Thats cool you got the Para. It's a great gun and will do you well.

Statland, I am finding the super to shoot outstanding. And the load is not only a tackdriver but also very flat shooting. I am using a 130g bullet that is running 1300 FPS and with the comp there no muzzle rise. This gun has a very high FUN factor.

 

['956Wheel]

Drawson, Mine was an off the shelf series 70, I got real frustrated at first until I got the right load. I really liked it, I traded it for a "5 screw" S & W 44 mag, unfired in the box. It seems like whenever I do a trade I regret it... oh well.

I enjoy my 45 ACP, series 70, trigger by Kings, fitted barrel bushing, shoots real well with a 200 gr swc over 5. 2 of unique. Nice!

1300 fps and accurate, ya got it made!

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9535hundred

[This message has been edited by Statland (edited 05-06-2001). ]

 

[ZEEEW]

Ok, I chambered a 38 Super in the 357 wheelgun and yes it will fit, though I didnt fire it.
Rim diameter leaves very little to seat on, but considering that a typical semiauto headspaces on the case thickness, should be enough. Might be some extraction problems with the small diameter head, but shouldnt really hurt the gun more than a 38 I would guess. There are a few guns with interchangeable cylinders, one in 357 and one in 9mm, but keep in mind these are cylinders specific to the cartridge.

[This message has been edited by ZEEEW (edited 05-08-2001). ]

 

['956Wheel]

I went to the gas station and noticed that the gasoline dispensing nozzle fits neatly into my Cummins powered Dodge, but then I saw that the price was higher for gas so I went for the diesel! #ad


I remember when the geniuses were yappin about putting 223s (5. 56 NATO) into 222 Rem. Mag guns, excessive headspace was the DANGEROUS result. If you have ever seen a guy blow up a gun, and your the "lucky one" that drives him to the hospital and cleans up your car you would NEVER take an unnecessary chance. Like Mom always said "its always funny till somebody loses an eye".

Engineers spend countless hours designing and redesigning dependaable, safe firearms then a gun magazine has an article on whatever that some folks fall for WHY! Do not ever forget you have an explosion right in your hands!

My opening paragraph may be considered rude, but the matter brought back a real ugly memory that I would not wish on anybody!

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9535hundred

[This message has been edited by Statland (edited 05-06-2001). ]

 

[The patriot]

I was next to a blackpowder when it blew up last year. The guy left the ramrod (proper name?) in it and accidentally shot it. Next think I knew, there was a chunk of metal whizzing by my head.
First thought,am I bleeding? No, OK, second, is my truck OK? YES!! Third, is the guy that blew up the gun OK? Bleeding,minor schrapnel in the face but OK.
It wasnt cool!!
Eric

 

[Bigsaint]

We have the aftermath of heavy double load of Bullseye powder that was used in a old Mauser action in our property room. The action is now nothing but bent metal and it is amazing that the guy is alive. I have no idea why he was using pistol powder in a rifle cartridge, less than Bullseye.

Scott W.

 

[ZEEEW]

Statland, good one!
I didnt "pull the trigger" either, and I certainly dont recommend it just cause it "fits".
The wrong "fuel" in the wrong "cylinder" is not a good thing.

 

[Bigsaint]

Just for the record, I agree 110 % with Statland and in hindsite, sorry I even posted the . 38 Super in . 357 question. I believe that if you want a . 38 Super, buy one. Want a . 357 mag, buy one. If full house . 357 mag loads are too much for you, then you need to practice more.

Scott W.