It's a fan in Mexico because Mexican law restricts civilian ownership of firearms chambered in military calibers such as 9mm and .45 ACP. The .38 Super Auto, being a non-military caliber, falls outside these restrictions, making it a legal and accessible option for personal defense and sport shooting. I have a Colt 1911 Government Model 80 in 38 Super Auto +P. Flat shooter. If you want to see what it can do buy some Corbon 38 Super Auto +P 100gr Pow’RBall Velocity: 1525fps Energy: 516ftlbs. Cheers!
It got me wondering also, that the 38 Super is smaller than a 380. As far as the prohibition on military cartridges, what is the status of old stuff ? 7X57, 303 British, or Even 45-70
@@scotthanson7888No, the 38 Super is a much larger case than 380 Auto. 38 Super has more ft-lbs of energy than 9mm. In fact, hotter loads approach 357 Magnum. Original spec by Colt in 1929 was a 130 grain bullet traveling 1,300 fps.
@@brettneville2351 my point exactly. In the video he said the ban was on anything more powerful than the 380. That is wrong. The ban was on military calibers. I have seen 44 Mag in Mexico. I have never said, or implied that the 38o was more powerful than the 38 Super. The presenter, who simply does not know what he is talking about, said Mexico bans anything more powerful than 380. That is wrong. This goes back to the revolution, the 7mm Mauser was banned, the 30-30 was everywhere. In Mexico the mini 14 is chambered in 222, not 223/5.56, same rule applied
The .38 super was popular with the American Gangsters and bank robbers of the 1930's. They liked it because it could penetrate the old car doors whereas the .45acp often failed to do so. They also liked the BAR in 30-06 because it could likewise shred a car, occupants an all.
I love 38 Super. I load my own target ammo, 130 grain FMJ's @1250-1275 fps,125 grain hollow points up to around 1350. Dan Wesson Guardian, commander sized if carrying. Colt Competition government model for the range. Oh, and Sig V-Crown makes a pretty good factory round for personal defense carry ammo.
I have the American Classic II in .45, and it's a topnotch pistol in every regard. Excellent trigger, good sights, reliable. If you're not familiar with these, you won't be disappointed
look around got a used one for 299 dollars former owner had mag and grip safety issues changed mags thanks to a you tuber I fixed the grip issue shoots great and it also came with a ramped barrel its now my carry
I have the MA AC II in 9mm, and other than the hammer spring was extremely heavy - easy fix, the firearm is now terrific. Both, to the eye and when shooting most anything I feed it. Nice content and review of a hidden gem.
Dan I have heard of this gun and the 38super round but I have never seen either so I am really glad you brought it out today! I really enjoyed seeing both the gun(a beauty) and seeing you shoot it! So thanks again Dan!
Rossi RP63 picked it up Wednesday! Can't believe the quality for only $337. Its close match to the Colt King Cobra. Love it! Getting Rossi RP63 - 2-Finger Carry Veloce @ LOK grips, & switching out front sight for night. Thanks for your advice.
It's a great cartridge and iit has a storied past. It's popular in Mexico because civilians are not allowed to own a military caliber. It's one of those rounds though that if you like it and want to shoot it you are going to have to handload for it.
Nice video. 38 super is a fun round. I have a RIA 1911 chambered in 22 TCM and 9mm, bought a 38 super barrel and a 7.62 x 25 barrel. I can use four different calibers in one gun.
The 38 Super was basically an attempt to "upgrade" the M1911 and improve on its shortcomings. (By the 1920s it had been around for a couple of decades already). By going to a 38 caliber round, you could fit extra rounds in the magazine compared to a 45 caliber (9 rounds versus 7). 7 rounds wasn't considered to be much better than most revolvers at the time which held 6 rounds. So that was an improvement. Also, the 38 super is a more powerful round than the 45. Definitely more powerful than the 9mm, which was criticized at the time for being too weak (remember this was the early 20th century). So it had two big improvements on an otherwise popular gun and frame like the M1911. It was very popular with gangsters in the 1920s and 30s. I think it is a very underrated round. Probably because most folks think 38 Super is like "38 Special" and think they are alike, which of course they aren't.
its a great caliber 90 years ago in standard ammo would go through heavy steel car bodies and now we have better ammo it will hit harder than a 9mm and more contolability than a 45 I have 4 in 1911 and a 17 round in a witness pistol
.38 Super was a popular round in competition shooting matches for a long time but it never really took hold for other uses in the US. TriStar has had some good guns over the years most notably CZ75 copies. At .82 cents a round and about double the price of 9x19mm, that probably won't help .38 Super gain favor with shooters when 9mm is comparable in velocities to it and cheaper. Congrats. What is old is new again.
Back in the day I had a 70 series Combat Commander, satin nickel in 38 Super. Bought one box of ammo, fired one mag to see how it shot, then went out and had a gunsmith fit a 9mm barrel. A lot cheaper to shoot.
Nice gun and good caliber. I have a friend uses and reloads 38 super for comp shooting. I had a TriStar AC 1911 in 45 and had nothing but problems with it. Feeding issues even after sending it in for service. Sharp gun but not reliable. Was bummed out for sure.
Nice looking pistol. Except for the giant TRISTAR stamped on the slide. I wish importers would be more subtle. Under the trigger guard is a good spot. Satisfies the law but isn’t obnoxious. Just my opinion.
Always wondered why no companies made a rimless 357 that would be great. Instead I have a Coonan 357 thats mostly reliable but does stumble sometimes due to the rimmed cartridge.
It is named +P because it is not intended for the older 38 auto guns that are not as well made as the new gun. +P in a .38 super is not the +P you might associate with other calibers.
Wow, that is a gorgeous 1911. I know that you are big on Red Dots, so I hope it is a keeper for you anyway, haha! And $41+ a box for its ammo? JEEZ. Perhaps you have considered this over the years but because of expensive ammo like this, I started reloading. If you just got a basic reloading setup, it would pay for itself almost instantly when loading overpriced calibers. Of course, it does take time, even if you are only reloading 50 rounds a week or a month. You and I are the same age, I believe, and it is a busy time of life. I choose to make the time to reload, but obviously that means that I am not doing something else while I am reloading. If you ever are interested in a basic setup and want to talk with someone personally, I would be glad to email, talk, whatever. Thanks for the interesting video of something off the beaten path!
@@TheFirearmGuy you are welcome, have found an colt 80 series in 38 Super auto,that's allowed here. But the ammo is a bit expensive.24,45 USD for a box off magtech if I'm buying 1000 rounds,like Lapua better,but they a more expensive,if can find it.
I heard the 38 super is like a 9mm on steroids and I always wondered about this caliber. I knew it was a competition round but I was curious about its stopping power. So I guess in Mexico they can only the 32 version of this gun.
This caliber is TOTALLY ILLEGAL IN MEXICO, its so powerful like a .9mm Luger, and almost like .357 Magnum specs, sometimes its ballistics are similar to .40 S&W, the only higher calibers in Mexico allowed by the Mexican Narco government for civilian use are .38 Special and .380 ACP, ALL CALIBERS WERE LEGAL BEFORE 1972, only army, navy, police forces, narco traffikers and the President are allowed to carry, possession and use of the .38 Super, federal law is applied to narcos too, but police departments dont mess with them, so they are considered in permission to use all kind of weapons, people belive that .38 Super is legal, because SootchOO said so in one of his videos, but that is totally absurd, even the the book of Federal Gun Laws, specified clearly, that .38 Super is only legar fir Army use only. All short barreled shotguns are illegal too, unlees they have a massive and large 28 inch barrel, that's what happens when you only drink beer, watch soccer and soap operas, politicians do whatever they want with the mexican people.
For inquiring minds out there, anything you see that's TriStar, they rebranded into the well known "Canik" line of firearms. AFAIK, it's the same factory in Turkey. So, if you get your hands on a TriStar, it's an early Canik before the brand name. Let not your heart be troubled, they are good reliable guns, even if you've never heard of TriStar. Now you know, and knowings half the battle. 😉
Glad to see the "break in" cleared the malfunctions. I'd imagine, a couple hundred rounds, a polished feed ramp, and good cleaning and lubing, and you've got a keeper that never fails.
I thought He was going to say Americans like to compete with it &....South Americans like to shoot each other with it with it with that pause He had 😆 Sry
It's actually a better, more powerful cartridge than a 9mm. It's way more powerful than a 38 special. And you can carry as many rounds in the magazine as a 9mm so overall it is the better choice. Now, if you want to go 357 Sig then yes that would be slightly better.
No thanks with that expensive and uncommon caliber. I will stick with my 1911 Commander in 45acp from Taurus. Though I would be interested to know the 38 Super compares to the short lived 30 Super Carry. Cheers, man! 👍🏻
It's a fan in Mexico because Mexican law restricts civilian ownership of firearms chambered in military calibers such as 9mm and .45 ACP. The .38 Super Auto, being a non-military caliber, falls outside these restrictions, making it a legal and accessible option for personal defense and sport shooting. I have a Colt 1911 Government Model 80 in 38 Super Auto +P. Flat shooter. If you want to see what it can do buy some Corbon 38 Super Auto +P 100gr Pow’RBall Velocity: 1525fps Energy: 516ftlbs. Cheers!
Welp...you beate to the punch when it comes to info... 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
It got me wondering also, that the 38 Super is smaller than a 380.
As far as the prohibition on military cartridges, what is the status of old stuff ? 7X57, 303 British, or Even 45-70
Great comment Luther
@@scotthanson7888No, the 38 Super is a much larger case than 380 Auto. 38 Super has more ft-lbs of energy than 9mm. In fact, hotter loads approach 357 Magnum. Original spec by Colt in 1929 was a 130 grain bullet traveling 1,300 fps.
@@brettneville2351 my point exactly. In the video he said the ban was on anything more powerful than the 380. That is wrong. The ban was on military calibers. I have seen 44 Mag in Mexico. I have never said, or implied that the 38o was more powerful than the 38 Super. The presenter, who simply does not know what he is talking about, said Mexico bans anything more powerful than 380. That is wrong. This goes back to the revolution, the 7mm Mauser was banned, the 30-30 was everywhere. In Mexico the mini 14 is chambered in 222, not 223/5.56, same rule applied
The .38 super was popular with the American Gangsters and bank robbers of the 1930's. They liked it because it could penetrate the old car doors whereas the .45acp often failed to do so. They also liked the BAR in 30-06 because it could likewise shred a car, occupants an all.
Thanks for the info
Stop watching History Channel
That's what happened to Bonnie and Clyde
I love 38 Super. I load my own target ammo, 130 grain FMJ's @1250-1275 fps,125 grain hollow points up to around 1350. Dan Wesson Guardian, commander sized if carrying. Colt Competition government model for the range. Oh, and Sig V-Crown makes a pretty good factory round for personal defense carry ammo.
Love the comment Gary
I have the American Classic II in .45, and it's a topnotch pistol in every regard. Excellent trigger, good sights, reliable. If you're not familiar with these, you won't be disappointed
Well said bud
All 38 super is marked as +P. It's a SAAMI thing to try to keep people from shooting it in old colts chambered in 38 auto.
Thanks for the info David
Yup, that has been the case for years.
It is interesting the Hornady reloading manual says 38 Automatic bullet diameter is 0.357" and the 38 Super Automatic is 0.355"
Beautiful 1911
Thanks Matteo
Very informative video and comments. Thanks, Dan. Great channel!
I appreciate that Michael. People here are great no doubt
@@TheFirearmGuy no doubt!
Good looking pistol. It would be nice if its offered in other chamberings. .38 Super is starting to make a come back.
I love my Rock Island 45 acp. But I really wish I had this gun you have here! As a kid all of my toy guns were Chrome or stainless steel 1911.
Metro Arms makes some beauties for well under 1k
@@TheFirearmGuy I really appreciate it I'm going to check it out.
I used to have my grandfather's colt 1911 chambered in 38 super made in 1952 and issued to him I loved that thing
Looks nice dan. I dont think i can afford 38 super. Im sure you're spanish audience on the spanish channel will love this one.
I'm thinking the same Cam. Thanks for checking it out
look around got a used one for 299 dollars former owner had mag and grip safety issues changed mags thanks to a you tuber I fixed the grip issue shoots great and it also came with a ramped barrel its now my carry
Very nice looking 1911 with that hard chrome. My preference is the Commander size in that platform. Thanks for posting Dan.
Good choice Paul
Thanks Dan!
I have the MA AC II in 9mm, and other than the hammer spring was extremely heavy - easy fix, the firearm is now terrific. Both, to the eye and when shooting most anything I feed it. Nice content and review of a hidden gem.
Dan I have heard of this gun and the 38super round but I have never seen either so I am really glad you brought it out today! I really enjoyed seeing both the gun(a beauty) and seeing you shoot it! So thanks again Dan!
Thanks so much Buz
Rossi RP63 picked it up Wednesday! Can't believe the quality for only $337. Its close match to the Colt King Cobra. Love it! Getting Rossi RP63 - 2-Finger Carry Veloce @ LOK grips, & switching out front sight for night. Thanks for your advice.
Great choice Beck
👍👍I always thought I would like that caliber but I never took the plunge, Thanks for the review Dan. Very good looking pistol.
Much appreciated Lance
Nice and shiny! That is sweet looking, interesting caliber!
Thanks James
That’s a sweet looking piece! Thanks for a great video! 😊
Much appreciated Terry
Been thinking about 38 super. This one looks very nice. Thanks for the video
It's a beauty. I have the same thing but in .45 ACP. It's super accurate. I love it. I did change the grips to black ⚫️ and it's a beauty ✨️ 😍.
I may do the same thing Beto - thanks man
It's a great cartridge and iit has a storied past. It's popular in Mexico because civilians are not allowed to own a military caliber. It's one of those rounds though that if you like it and want to shoot it you are going to have to handload for it.
Agree completely T J
Nice video. 38 super is a fun round. I have a RIA 1911 chambered in 22 TCM and 9mm, bought a 38 super barrel and a 7.62 x 25 barrel. I can use four different calibers in one gun.
That is super cool Mrcruiser
The 38 Super was basically an attempt to "upgrade" the M1911 and improve on its shortcomings. (By the 1920s it had been around for a couple of decades already). By going to a 38 caliber round, you could fit extra rounds in the magazine compared to a 45 caliber (9 rounds versus 7). 7 rounds wasn't considered to be much better than most revolvers at the time which held 6 rounds. So that was an improvement. Also, the 38 super is a more powerful round than the 45. Definitely more powerful than the 9mm, which was criticized at the time for being too weak (remember this was the early 20th century). So it had two big improvements on an otherwise popular gun and frame like the M1911. It was very popular with gangsters in the 1920s and 30s. I think it is a very underrated round. Probably because most folks think 38 Super is like "38 Special" and think they are alike, which of course they aren't.
Well said LA
@@TheFirearmGuy Hooah thanks!
Dillinger carried a super .38
Thanks man
Nice looking gun. I have just recently gone back to the 1911 platform for about 98% of my EDC needs.
Very cool Wayne
Man that thing shines. Not sure I'm crazy about the grips with the polished frame. Nice looking gun.
Thanks Chris. Yep, the grips gotta go
Sharp! Thanks brother.
Thanks Rix
its a great caliber 90 years ago in standard ammo would go through heavy steel car bodies and now we have better ammo it will hit harder than a 9mm and more contolability than a 45 I have 4 in 1911 and a 17 round in a witness pistol
It’s a perty one indeed. Big dollar ammo! Thx for the video
Thanks!
I truly appreciate you Von
Very nice looking 1911. I would have opted for it, but I prefer series 80. I’m no competition shooter. Thanks for the vid. 👍
Good stuff Mister
.38 Super was a popular round in competition shooting matches for a long time but it never really took hold for other uses in the US. TriStar has had some good guns over the years most notably CZ75 copies. At .82 cents a round and about double the price of 9x19mm, that probably won't help .38 Super gain favor with shooters when 9mm is comparable in velocities to it and cheaper. Congrats. What is old is new again.
Well said and informative RBM
Back in the day I had a 70 series Combat Commander, satin nickel in 38 Super. Bought one box of ammo, fired one mag to see how it shot, then went out and had a gunsmith fit a 9mm barrel. A lot cheaper to shoot.
Interesting. Thanks Manny
Hi Dan,
Good to see you again, hope your well and relocated safe.
God bless
Thanks Kevin. We are closing tomorrow. Appreciate the kind words. God bless
Sharp shooter there Dan. Enjoy. Good older chambering. Glad it's still out there.
Appreciate that G M
Nice gun and good caliber. I have a friend uses and reloads 38 super for comp shooting. I had a TriStar AC 1911 in 45 and had nothing but problems with it. Feeding issues even after sending it in for service. Sharp gun but not reliable. Was bummed out for sure.
Sorry to hear that Lenturzo
@@TheFirearmGuy I’m pretty sure it was just an anomaly. Tri-Star makes very good firearms. Wouldn’t stop me from buying another one.
Nice looking pistol. Except for the giant TRISTAR stamped on the slide. I wish importers would be more subtle. Under the trigger guard is a good spot. Satisfies the law but isn’t obnoxious. Just my opinion.
No argument here
I like that pistol. Thanks for the feature.
Thanks Daily
Rock island is my go to for all things 1911. 😅😊 Working on the 45 acp at the moment
Very cool Iowa
Appreciate the video !
Much appreciated Clay
Always wondered why no companies made a rimless 357 that would be great. Instead I have a Coonan 357 thats mostly reliable but does stumble sometimes due to the rimmed cartridge.
That .38 1911 sure is super 😎
Too funny Rider
HOPmunitions House of Payne has some wicked hot JHPs that Hrfunk tested
Thanks for the info Dan
@@TheFirearmGuy cheers hope you're move is going good.
Thats a good looking 1911, id like to try 38 super myself
My thoughts too Jim
Definitely looks nice! But man that ammo price is crazy thanks Dad!!
True statement Joe
It is named +P because it is not intended for the older 38 auto guns that are not as well made as the new gun. +P in a .38 super is not the +P you might associate with other calibers.
Appreciate the info
38 Super is pretty great! Hotter than a 9mm, not quite as hot as a 357 Sig. More expensive than 9mm, less expensive than 357 Sig.
Well said man
Wow, that is a gorgeous 1911. I know that you are big on Red Dots, so I hope it is a keeper for you anyway, haha!
And $41+ a box for its ammo? JEEZ. Perhaps you have considered this over the years but because of expensive ammo like this, I started reloading. If you just got a basic reloading setup, it would pay for itself almost instantly when loading overpriced calibers. Of course, it does take time, even if you are only reloading 50 rounds a week or a month. You and I are the same age, I believe, and it is a busy time of life. I choose to make the time to reload, but obviously that means that I am not doing something else while I am reloading.
If you ever are interested in a basic setup and want to talk with someone personally, I would be glad to email, talk, whatever.
Thanks for the interesting video of something off the beaten path!
Thanks a bunch Radomguy. My buddy TAB Videos bought a set of dies for .38 Super.
Not allowed to carry here,but allowed to use on some shooting ranges here in Denmark.
Thanks for checking it out Kimpedersen
@@TheFirearmGuy you are welcome, have found an colt 80 series in 38 Super auto,that's allowed here. But the ammo is a bit expensive.24,45 USD for a box off magtech if I'm buying 1000 rounds,like Lapua better,but they a more expensive,if can find it.
Nice gun Dan , its made in the Philippines by Metro arms and imported by Tristar.
Correct Jet - thanks man
I have that exact same gun chambered in 9 mm. Long time ago but decent stuff but I’ve never shot anything with 38 super
Very cool James - thanks man
Yo Danno, great looking gun. You're a lucky guy.
Correct Murat. Thanks bro
almost forgot the one thing that kind of killed its popularity was when they brought out the 357 in 1935
Nice review
Thanks TAB
That's an awesome pistol and round but I'll stick to 9mm.
Thanks Jman
I heard the 38 super is like a 9mm on steroids and I always wondered about this caliber. I knew it was a competition round but I was curious about its stopping power. So I guess in Mexico they can only the 32 version of this gun.
I said 32 when talking about the mag - my mistake
Man I could comb my hair in that finish !
Haha no doubt Wayne
As a "boomer", loving the retro look with that stainless.
Love the boomers
This is nice! Dan buy me that for Xmas 👍😁
You got it Alan
@@TheFirearmGuythanks 👍 I'll make sure you get a nice 1911 also 👍😁🎁
Did you say 32 super in minute 1:53 lol 😆
Yes, I sure did. Missed that!
This is a good pistol I have both chrome and blue american classic 1911 38 super.
Oooooo super shiny, I like it. 😁
Thanks RighttoArms
Pretty much everything but 9mm, 22lr, and 223 ammo has gotten prohibitively expensive.
It's like a 357 mag
Not sure it's that powerful
@@TheFirearmGuy my duty .357 would stop a frieght train...well almost 🤣
Pretty gun
Thanks David
Metro Arms makes decent firearms.
Agreed Blake - thanks man
What country are these imported from?
Underwood, Buffalo Bore, and Cor Bon ammo is loaded to full power. Name brand ammo is not.
Thanks David
I'd like to have one! 😊
Thanks bud
👍🏻
Does it come in a 3 inch barrel, and is it rated for 38 super plus P???
No, only a 5"
😮😮😮 VERYGOOD man sudyord ⚡⚡ CLASSIC 1911GI 38 Super 🔥🔥
I from THAILAND พัทลุง
จ.24 6 67
Thanks man
This caliber is TOTALLY ILLEGAL IN MEXICO, its so powerful like a .9mm Luger, and almost like .357 Magnum specs, sometimes its ballistics are similar to .40 S&W, the only higher calibers in Mexico allowed by the Mexican Narco government for civilian use are .38 Special and .380 ACP, ALL CALIBERS WERE LEGAL BEFORE 1972, only army, navy, police forces, narco traffikers and the President are allowed to carry, possession and use of the .38 Super, federal law is applied to narcos too, but police departments dont mess with them, so they are considered in permission to use all kind of weapons, people belive that .38 Super is legal, because SootchOO said so in one of his videos, but that is totally absurd, even the the book of Federal Gun Laws, specified clearly, that .38 Super is only legar fir Army use only.
All short barreled shotguns are illegal too, unlees they have a massive and large 28 inch barrel, that's what happens when you only drink beer, watch soccer and soap operas, politicians do whatever they want with the mexican people.
For inquiring minds out there, anything you see that's TriStar, they rebranded into the well known "Canik" line of firearms. AFAIK, it's the same factory in Turkey. So, if you get your hands on a TriStar, it's an early Canik before the brand name. Let not your heart be troubled, they are good reliable guns, even if you've never heard of TriStar. Now you know, and knowings half the battle. 😉
Glad to see the "break in" cleared the malfunctions. I'd imagine, a couple hundred rounds, a polished feed ramp, and good cleaning and lubing, and you've got a keeper that never fails.
Great comment Michael
@@TheFirearmGuy Thanks, Dan. Great review, as always. Thanks for sharing with us, brother.
TriStar Arms is the importer. Metro Arms is a Philippine based company.
All .38 Super is +P.
Thanks James - wasn't sure - still learning
😮
32 super ??? at 1.56 ..really it was made for car doors in the 1930's as doors were made of thick steel
Well said Katana
Sweet 👍🇺🇸
Thanks Dan
😀 👍👍
Better than 9mm.
Thanks DS
I thought He was going to say Americans like to compete with it &....South Americans like to shoot each other with it with it with that pause He had 😆 Sry
Too funny
That safety is wack.
Mil-Spec
First !
Good stuff
.38 Super is a useless cartridge, inless you live in Mexico. Otherwise, there are much better options for what you are doing with it.
Thanks Gator
It's actually a better, more powerful cartridge than a 9mm. It's way more powerful than a 38 special. And you can carry as many rounds in the magazine as a 9mm so overall it is the better choice. Now, if you want to go 357 Sig then yes that would be slightly better.
No thanks with that expensive and uncommon caliber. I will stick with my 1911 Commander in 45acp from Taurus. Though I would be interested to know the 38 Super compares to the short lived 30 Super Carry. Cheers, man! 👍🏻
Fair enough Andy - thanks man