.38 Super +P in a .38 Special +P Revolver?

goldenspurholderx2 · September 09, 2008, 19:54

Is this OK, or am I asking for trouble?

STGThndr · September 09, 2008, 20:08

Big trouble I should think. Different size cases, and much higher pressure from the .38 Super. Also, the Super is much more expensive, why not use the less expensive Special in the weapon it was made for?. This is like using .357mag pressure rounds in a .38. Not safe, not wise, could blow off some fingers and eyes.

goldenspurholderx2 · September 09, 2008, 22:35

I kinda figured it was bad. By accident I shot not 1, but 2 full cylinders thru my airweight. 10 rounds, I don't see any signs of stress on the revolver. I just had a real bad day at the range today. It's my carry a lot and shoot a little weapon, so I didn't notice it shooting hot until my hand hurting about round #8.

STGThndr · September 09, 2008, 23:11

You shot those in an airweight Smith??? Im surprised they even fit the cylinder. Maybe the semi rim caught the rear of the cylinder enuff to "headspace" it. The pressures must have been remarkable; not to mention the recoil. How was the accuracy? I sold my airweight Smith years ago and dont remember if it was set for plusP or not... This is not something to be repeated, for safety's sake!~ According to stats published by leverguns.com, SAAMI max +P pressure for .38 special is 18500 while .38 Super +P is 36500 cup, a MAJOR difference!

Survey Punk · September 10, 2008, 06:33

Woo-hooo-hooo-hoo-hoo-hoo!!!
WHOA, DUDE!!

How many fingers?

JB

Hippiecx44 · September 10, 2008, 13:54

They do it all the time in Mexico where the Treente ocho Supra is hot stuff and ammo is hard to get. You can dimple the rim in a couple of places with a punch and the extractor star will grab and extract

tracyballard · September 10, 2008, 19:38

well, there you go. if it's done by the mexicans it can't go wrong.

goldenspurholderx2 · September 10, 2008, 23:14

Not something I plan on repeating. I was a little sick to my stomach when I realized what I just did. I had just broken the front sight adjustment screw on my sig556's first ever outing, so I was already a little pissed and distracted, probably why I didn't realize something could be wrong until the 8th round. For academic purposes it grouped 10" at 25 meters out of the 2 and whatever inch barrel.

**K.O.A.M.** · September 11, 2008, 08:48

Quote:

Originally posted by goldenspurholderx2
Not something I plan on repeating. I was a little sick to my stomach when I realized what I just did. I had just broken the front sight adjustment screw on my sig556's first ever outing, so I was already a little pissed and distracted, probably why I didn't realize something could be wrong until the 8th round. For academic purposes it grouped 10" at 25 meters out of the 2 and whatever inch barrel.

I hate those days when nothing works and you break stuff. I put a .40 into my .357 Sig 226 on one of those days. Thank God it wouldn't chamber.

Hippiecx44 · September 11, 2008, 18:57

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tracyballard
well, there you go. if it's done by the mexicans it can't go wrong. [/QUOT

I wasn't saying that it was all right, just that it was commonly done as a "field expedent" means of using available ammunition.

My post was an attempt to pass on what might be usefull information. If I was facing down an army of Zombies (or Mexicans, for that matter) I would be tickled to death to have an Airweight stuffed to the brim with Super +Pi n my hand rather than a ham sandwich. 9mm Largo will work, too

On a similar note .32 Long can be used in Nagant revolvers and I have been told that .38 Spec. can be fired in a 30-30. Supposedly the bullet swedges down after it jumps through the chamber and is nearly silent. YMMV.

Hope this helps someone, sometime. I'm reminded of Cormac Mcarthys hero in "The Road" that was trying to figure a way to remove loaded primers from .45 ACP rounds to reload his .32 revolver cases. Hope it never gets that bad for me and mine.

tracyballard · September 11, 2008, 19:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Hippiecx44
I would be tickled to death to have an Airweight stuffed to the brim with Super +Pi n my hand rather than a ham sandwich.

what if it was one of the new Wendy's baconators?

Quote:

I have been told that .38 Spec. can be fired in a 30-30. Supposedly the bullet swedges down after it jumps through the chamber and is nearly silent. YMMV.

I really want to see the youtube of that.

Hippiecx44 · September 11, 2008, 20:09

Quote:

Originally posted by tracyballard

what if it was one of the new Wendy's baconators?

damn, Dude, you really know how to present a guy with the hard choices, don't ya? Gott Sie dank I got two hands

fire for effect · September 11, 2008, 20:19

I always thought taking 'revolver chambered in 9mm, and rechambering it for .38 Super would be a fun conversion.

Hippiecx44 · September 11, 2008, 22:01

Quote:

Originally posted by fire for effect
I always thought taking 'revolver chambered in 9mm, and rechambering it for .38 Super would be a fun conversion.

It would sure make more gun out of it. Dunno why it wouldnt work good, the Super is .356.

Powderfinger · September 14, 2008, 10:22

I'd buy a lottery ticket.

Deltaten · September 14, 2008, 12:57

BTDT...

I cut .38 brass down to Super specs and loaded accordingly.
Quite the barker out of the 4" m66 bbl. I don't remember the actual data, but I duplicated the Super pretty easily. Used 110 and 125 gr jsp's over some odd quantity of Clay's.

Accuracy was only so-so...so I shyte-canned the idea . STill have half-a-hundred brass made up..
Hmmmmm?
Paul

xcpd69 · September 21, 2008, 11:31

Quote:

Originally posted by goldenspurholderx2
Is this OK, or am I asking for trouble?

You are one lucky man. Go buy a lottery ticket.

SAAMI specs for 38 Spl +P is 20,000 psi. A proof load is 50% over that or 30,000 psi.

Are you sitting down?

SAAMI specs for 38 Super is 36,500 psi. That's higher than the 44 Magnum.
You are extremely lucky that thing didn't grenade on you.

I believe I would have that pistol checked THOROUGHLY before using it again.

tubalcane · September 30, 2008, 14:08

I have a revolver that looks for all the world like a Smith model 19 but it was made by Phillips and somebody. It wll shoot any "38 caliber" cartridge from 38 Smith and Wesson to 38 Super or 9MM. (9 calibers I think) It has a really complex ejector wheel that holds everything. It shoots best with .357 size bullets. I'm told Colt bought the rights but never made it

September 09, 2008, 19:54	#1
goldenspurholderx2 Registered FALaholic #: 18600 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: colorado springs, co Posts: 1,818	.38 Super +P in a .38 Special +P Revolver? Is this OK, or am I asking for trouble? __________________ http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member1822.png

September 09, 2008, 20:08	#2
STGThndr Registered FALaholic #: 14583 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Colorado mtns and desert Posts: 3,409	Big trouble I should think. Different size cases, and much higher pressure from the .38 Super. Also, the Super is much more expensive, why not use the less expensive Special in the weapon it was made for?. This is like using .357mag pressure rounds in a .38. Not safe, not wise, could blow off some fingers and eyes. __________________ Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B Yeats

September 09, 2008, 22:35	#3
goldenspurholderx2 Registered FALaholic #: 18600 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: colorado springs, co Posts: 1,818	I kinda figured it was bad. By accident I shot not 1, but 2 full cylinders thru my airweight. 10 rounds, I don't see any signs of stress on the revolver. I just had a real bad day at the range today. It's my carry a lot and shoot a little weapon, so I didn't notice it shooting hot until my hand hurting about round #8. __________________ http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member1822.png

September 09, 2008, 23:11	#4
STGThndr Registered FALaholic #: 14583 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Colorado mtns and desert Posts: 3,409	You shot those in an airweight Smith??? Im surprised they even fit the cylinder. Maybe the semi rim caught the rear of the cylinder enuff to "headspace" it. The pressures must have been remarkable; not to mention the recoil. How was the accuracy? I sold my airweight Smith years ago and dont remember if it was set for plusP or not... This is not something to be repeated, for safety's sake!~ According to stats published by leverguns.com, SAAMI max +P pressure for .38 special is 18500 while .38 Super +P is 36500 cup, a MAJOR difference! __________________ Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B Yeats

September 10, 2008, 06:33	#5
Survey Punk FALaholic #: 8380 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Blounts Creek, NC Posts: 4,163	Woo-hooo-hooo-hoo-hoo-hoo!!! WHOA, DUDE!! How many fingers? JB __________________ "If innocence is no protection from the weight of criminal law, a crucial incentive to maintain innocence is lost" Fran Haga

September 10, 2008, 13:54	#6
Hippiecx44 Registered FALaholic #: 22928 Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 151	They do it all the time in Mexico where the Treente ocho Supra is hot stuff and ammo is hard to get. You can dimple the rim in a couple of places with a punch and the extractor star will grab and extract

September 10, 2008, 19:38	#7
tracyballard Registered FALaholic #: 22431 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Amarillo Posts: 3,410	well, there you go. if it's done by the mexicans it can't go wrong.

September 10, 2008, 23:14	#8
goldenspurholderx2 Registered FALaholic #: 18600 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: colorado springs, co Posts: 1,818	Not something I plan on repeating. I was a little sick to my stomach when I realized what I just did. I had just broken the front sight adjustment screw on my sig556's first ever outing, so I was already a little pissed and distracted, probably why I didn't realize something could be wrong until the 8th round. For academic purposes it grouped 10" at 25 meters out of the 2 and whatever inch barrel. __________________ http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member1822.png

September 11, 2008, 18:57	#10
Hippiecx44 Registered FALaholic #: 22928 Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 151	[QUOTE]Originally posted by tracyballard well, there you go. if it's done by the mexicans it can't go wrong. [/QUOT I wasn't saying that it was all right, just that it was commonly done as a "field expedent" means of using available ammunition. My post was an attempt to pass on what might be usefull information. If I was facing down an army of Zombies (or Mexicans, for that matter) I would be tickled to death to have an Airweight stuffed to the brim with Super +Pi n my hand rather than a ham sandwich. 9mm Largo will work, too On a similar note .32 Long can be used in Nagant revolvers and I have been told that .38 Spec. can be fired in a 30-30. Supposedly the bullet swedges down after it jumps through the chamber and is nearly silent. YMMV. Hope this helps someone, sometime. I'm reminded of Cormac Mcarthys hero in "The Road" that was trying to figure a way to remove loaded primers from .45 ACP rounds to reload his .32 revolver cases. Hope it never gets that bad for me and mine.

September 11, 2008, 20:19	#13
fire for effect Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 14188 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sioux City Iowa Posts: 1,919	I always thought taking 'revolver chambered in 9mm, and rechambering it for .38 Super would be a fun conversion. __________________ You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. W.T. Sherman, Major General Commanding Headquarters, Army of Tennessee September, 1864

September 14, 2008, 10:22	#15
Powderfinger Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 12897 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: WA state Posts: 3,764	I'd buy a lottery ticket. __________________ The world's greatest forger is unknown. Truth is the cry of all, but the game of few. George Berkeley

September 14, 2008, 12:57	#16
Deltaten Registered FALaholic #: 124 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lancaster, PA USA Posts: 8,502	BTDT... I cut .38 brass down to Super specs and loaded accordingly. Quite the barker out of the 4" m66 bbl. I don't remember the actual data, but I duplicated the Super pretty easily. Used 110 and 125 gr jsp's over some odd quantity of Clay's. Accuracy was only so-so...so I shyte-canned the idea . STill have half-a-hundred brass made up.. Hmmmmm? Paul __________________ All or Nothing! Senator McCarthy was right! and as always......FYB!

September 30, 2008, 14:08	#18
tubalcane Registered FALaholic #: 21936 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central Fla Posts: 74	I have a revolver that looks for all the world like a Smith model 19 but it was made by Phillips and somebody. It wll shoot any "38 caliber" cartridge from 38 Smith and Wesson to 38 Super or 9MM. (9 calibers I think) It has a really complex ejector wheel that holds everything. It shoots best with .357 size bullets. I'm told Colt bought the rights but never made it

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