38 Super Vs 38 Special

38 Super vs 38 Special: A Comparison of Ammunition

The 38 Super and the 38 Special are two of the most popular handgun cartridges in the world. The two cartridges have been around for more than a century and have been used for a variety of purposes. Both cartridges have been used for personal protection, target shooting, and hunting. While both cartridges are similar in size, there are some major differences between them. In this article, we will compare and contrast the 38 Super and the 38 Special, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

What is the 38 Super?

The 38 Super is a semi-automatic pistol cartridge and was first introduced in 1929. The cartridge is based on a lengthened .38 ACP case and uses a .356 inch bullet. The 38 Super is capable of velocities up to 1,400 feet per second and is considered to be a high-pressure cartridge. The cartridge is popular with law enforcement and competition shooters due to its accuracy and power.

What is the 38 Special?

The 38 Special is a revolver cartridge and was first introduced in 1898. The cartridge is based on a lengthened .32 S&W Long case and uses a .357 inch bullet. The 38 Special is capable of velocities up to 1,200 feet per second and is considered to be a lower-pressure cartridge. The cartridge is popular with recreational shooters and hunters due to its accuracy and milder recoil.

The Differences Between 38 Super and 38 Special

The most obvious difference between the 38 Super and 38 Special is the size of the cartridge case. The 38 Super is a semi-automatic pistol cartridge and uses a larger case than the 38 Special, which is a revolver cartridge. The larger case of the 38 Super allows for higher velocities and more power than the 38 Special. The 38 Super also has a higher maximum pressure than the 38 Special, which can lead to more wear and tear on the firearm.

The other major difference between the two cartridges is the bullet size. The 38 Super uses a .356 inch bullet, while the 38 Special uses a .357 inch bullet. The difference in bullet size is not significant, but it does affect the performance of the cartridge. The .356 inch bullet of the 38 Super is more aerodynamic and has a higher ballistic coefficient than the .357 inch bullet of the 38 Special, which makes it more effective at long range.

Advantages and Disadvantages of 38 Super and 38 Special

The 38 Super has a number of advantages over the 38 Special. The larger case of the 38 Super allows for higher velocities and more power than the 38 Special. The higher pressure of the 38 Super also allows for more reliable cycling in semi-automatic pistols. The .356 inch bullet of the 38 Super is more aerodynamic than the .357 inch bullet of the 38 Special, which makes it more effective at long range.

The 38 Special has a few advantages over the 38 Super. The milder recoil of the 38 Special makes it easier to shoot for novice shooters. The .357 inch bullet of the 38 Special is also more effective at shorter range than the .356 inch bullet of the 38 Super. The 38 Special is also more widely available than the 38 Super, which makes it easier to find ammunition for.

Conclusion

The 38 Super and the 38 Special are two of the most popular handgun cartridges in the world. While they are similar in size, there are some major differences between them. The 38 Super is a semi-automatic pistol cartridge with a larger case and higher velocities than the 38 Special. The 38 Special is a revolver cartridge with a milder recoil and longer range effectiveness than the 38 Super. Both cartridges have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the shooter to decide which one is the better choice for their needs.

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