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Colt's Super .38 Auto Cartridge: A Mostly Accurate History of the 38 Super

House of Browning

63,192 views

In this video we present a history of the 38 ACP / 38 Super cartridge development and use, and try to address some of the misconceptions commonly repeated.

00:00 Introduction
00:25 Why is it called 38? Cap-and-Ball Revolvers 1830s-1860s
01:50 Why is it called 38? Center-fire Brass Cartridges 1860s-1890s
04:36 The First 38 Caliber Semi Automatic Pistols 1890s
06:30 From 38 S&W to 38 Automatic, Development with Colt 1894-1898
08:41 38 ACP Development with the US Military 1899-1904
12:40 US Military Abandons 38 Caliber 1904-1929
14:15 Colt's Super 38 Automatic Pistol 1929-1932
14:48 High-Velocity 38 ACP gets a new name; 38 Super 1933
15:45 The Decline 1935 -1970s
16:04 Another New Name for the same old cartridge, 38 Super Automatic Plus-P 1979
17:10 Handloader Darling and Prom Queen of Competitive Shooting 1970s-2000
20:17 It's Too Good to Die, but Manufacturer's Don't Care 2000-Current

20 Comments

@linkbond08 7 months ago

To see footage of Paul Harrell used here both warms my heart and pains our loss, rest in peace Paul "pop tart" Harrell.

@robertmakowski7808 7 months ago

Best and most accurately done history of the .38 Super...

@Hoosier_Viking 7 months ago

I love nerding out over historical data like this. TBH, anything with John Moses Browning hooks me

@smc4229 7 months ago

I'm running 38 super comp in USPSA. It's fantastic

@Dave-z9z 6 months ago

Unsung #1 best pistol cartridge out there!

@captainsalty9022 6 months ago

Had a friend with a 1911 chambered in 38 Super. I could not miss whatever I aimed that pistol at. Follow on shots were no problem either.

@mpkuspsa1664 7 months ago

The IPSC portion of this tickles muh jimmy

@tunesandtaleswithmikecarr9479 7 months ago

In Maryland, in the 70s, knew a few plainclothes cops who carried .38 Supers stuck in their belts.

@ThomasRonnberg 7 months ago

i remember growing up watching all the old lads using 38super. Honestly it's surprising how unpopular it is today.

@NormanSilver 7 months ago

I carried one by choice as a USMC aviator. Great weapon.

@mrgunner5351 2 months ago

My current preferred EDC is a Dan Wesson Guardian (commander size) in 38 super. I’m waiting on my Kimber DS Warrior in 38 Super to arrive at my LGS.

@Kevin.odonnell 8 months ago

This was an instant subscribe

@NTuck269 7 months ago

this is a very informational video. thank you for making this. no tangents, no run-ons. straight to the point and nothing but the topic at hand. thank you!

@104thDIVTimberwolf 7 months ago (edited)

I never heard of your channel before this popped up in my suggestions. Happy to subscribe now!

About the round itself, if Paul Harrell preferred it, I need one on the nightstand.

@sgtjarhead99 7 months ago

For a caliber that's "not so popular", they tend to disappear off the shelves immediately whenever (or if) they show up around our LGSs. Haven't seen one for sale in years. I would LOVE one and if there's any reason to get into reloading, the 38 Super is it.

@ripper021_py 7 months ago

Amazing vid, no bull intro, no bull outro, full of relevant historic context for knowledgeable people who likes these things, subscribed =)

@torymartinez2439 7 months ago

great vid and thumbs up for Not using AI spoken bullsxxt

@johnjacobjingleheimerschmi3857 7 months ago

The Para Ordnance P-14 P-16 & P-18 Limited Series were fantastic. I had a customized Stainless P-14 that I wish I would have never let go. Dawson Precision made great aftermarket components.