At GunDigest, we independently review products. However, we may earn a commission when you purchase through links on our site. Learn More
Ammo Brief: .38 Super Automatic (+P)
A quick look at .38 Super Automatic. It’s like the older .38 Auto, but with more power.
Introduced by Colt in 1929 as an improved version of the older .38 Auto, the Super Auto is identical to the original cartridge, except that it uses a more powerful loading. This is a fine high-speed sporting cartridge for the improved Government Model automatic pistol, but it should not be used in the older Colt pocket models. The Thompson submachine gun was once available in a .38 Super chambering. In Spain, Llama has made pistols for it. It’s not popular in Europe, but it is very popular in Canada, Mexico and South America, where pistols in military chamberings have been prohibited.
General Comments
This was, for many years, the most powerful automatic pistol cartridge made in the United States, from the standpoint of both velocity and energy. It makes a good sporting cartridge for hunting small to medium game, because the flat trajectory permits accurate long-range shots. However, the original metal-cased bullet did not bring out the full potential.
With good expanding-type bullets, it’s one of our better hunting cartridges for a pistol. It’s more powerful than the 9mm Luger, but both are adequate for about the same range of game. It can give greater penetration than the .45 Automatic but is inferior in stopping power for defensive use. For handloading, any 9mm bullet can be used. However, unless proper round-nosed or conical shapes are used, it will be necessary to single load most rounds. This chambering has been extremely popular among IPSC competitors.
.38 Super Automatic +P Loading Data
| Bullet (grains/type) | Powder | Grains | Velocity | Energy | Source |
| 115 FMJ | Bullseye | 5.0 | 1,200 | 368 | Hornady, Sierra, Speer |
| 125 JHP | 231 | 5.4 | 1,150 | 500 | Sierra, Hornady, Speer |
| 115 JHP | FL | FL | 1,300 | 431 | Factory load |
| 125 JHP | FL | FL | 1,240 | 427 | Factory load |
| 130 FMJ | FL | FL | 1,215 | 426 | Factory load |
Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest’s Cartridge’s Of The World.
Raise Your Ammo IQ
- A Closer Look At Hornady’s .22 ARC
- .45-70 Ammo Buyer’s Guide: The Good Kind Of Big Gov’t
- Holland’s Super 30: .300 H&H Magnum
- .22LR Ammo Top Hunting Loads Tested
- .22 Nosler Overview: Ballistics & Beyond
- Is .220 Swift Still The Reigning Speed King?
- Four Great .223 Remington Loads
