Lindcott Armory Pistol · SAAMI
.38 Super
Hot-loaded 1911 cartridge beloved in IPSC/USPSA competition.
- Introduced
- 1929
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Colt
- Manufacturer
- Colt
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.356″
- Case length
- 0.9″
- Overall length
- 1.28″
- Base ⌀
- 0.384″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.406″
- Case capacity
- 10.5 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:16
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 36,500 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 3–5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 1,200–1,400 fps
- Energy
- 385–500 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 1,100–1,465 fps · 37 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- .38 ACP
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 37 active loads across 19 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 37 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underwood | Xtreme Defender | 90 | Lehigh XD | 1,500 | 450 | — | $1.30 |
| Cor-Bon | Pow RBall | 115 | JHP | 1,465 | 548 | — | $1.10 |
| DoubleTap | DT Defense | 115 | SCHP | 1,450 | 537 | — | $0.85 |
| CorBon | DPX | 115 | Barnes XPB | 1,350 | 465 | — | — |
| Federal | American Eagle FMJ | 125 | FMJ | 1,330 | 491 | — | $0.55 |
| Hornady | Custom | 124 | XTP HP | 1,300 | 465 | — | $0.85 |
| CCI | Blazer Brass FMJ | 125 | FMJ | 1,300 | 469 | — | $0.55 |
| Sig Sauer | Elite V-Crown | 125 | V-Crown JHP | 1,300 | 469 | — | $0.85 |
| Wilson Combat | Wilson Match | 125 | JHP | 1,300 | 469 | — | — |
| Winchester | Ranger T-Series | 125 | Ranger T JHP | 1,300 | 469 | — | $0.85 |
| Black Hills | EXP | 124 | JHP | 1,300 | 465 | — | $0.85 |
| Hornady | Critical Defense | 100 | FTX | 1,300 | 375 | — | $1.20 |
| Fiocchi | FMJ | 125 | FMJ | 1,300 | 469 | — | $0.85 |
| Speer | Gold Dot | 125 | Gold Dot HP | 1,300 | 469 | — | $1.20 |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ | 124 | FMJ | 1,300 | 465 | — | $0.85 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Suitable powders
21 reloading powders listed for .38 Super, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading cost
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .38 Super
12 models in the database chamber .38 Super. Browse all →
Lineage
Drawn to one scale from published dimensions. Bottleneck shape is approximate (shoulder geometry not recorded).
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Colt in 1929 as an upgrade to the .38 ACP. Achieved notoriety when gangsters favored it for penetrating car bodies. Now a staple of competitive shooting, particularly in Mexico where citizens cannot own military calibers.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38 Super use?
- .38 Super typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38 Super?
- .38 Super uses a 0.356″ (9.04 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38 Super still in production?
- .38 Super is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .38 Super used for?
- .38 Super is primarily used for competition, self-defense.
- What is .38 Super based on?
- .38 Super is derived from the .38 ACP case.
- What are the best powders for .38 Super?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 Super include N330, RS24, CFE Pistol, WSF, among 21 suitable options.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 37 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →