9 MM largo vs. .38 ACP

[RED]

The Spanish Star Modelo Super was a great improvement over most of the 9mm of the pre WWII pistols.

I acquired one back in 1980 (+ or - 5)

It was a really neat gun. The field striping for cleaning was WAY ahead of the 1911.

Unfortunately 9MM Largo ammo was almost unavailable in theUS.

At the time, I had a friend was a disabled USMC Gunny Sergeant and gunsmith.

I asked about hand loading .38ACP and trimming the rims. He told me that would be stupid!!!

Instead, why don?t we open the bolt face and use .38ACP ammo.

The original 9mm Largo had a muzzle velocity of 1,200 FPS. The factory .38 ACP ammo had 1,067 muzzle

The .38ACP was discontinued and replaced by the .38 Super. It turned out, way too many vintage .38 ACP (pre WWII) guns were destroyed by Super +P cartridges. Thankfully, we can buy .38 super with a 1,150 velocity.

I enjoy my Modelo Super and no longer have to hand load ammo!

[Art]

The original .38 Super factory ammo drove a 130 gr bullet at 1,300-1350 fps which is in the mid range of .357 Magnum velocities. Over the years the product safety folks and the lawyers have reduced the velocities of factory .38 Super ammo down to 9mm parabellum +P velocities and sometimes even less. Only "boutique" .38 Super ammo made by companies like Cor Bon or Buffalo Bore are loaded to the original specs. Which means your buddy gave you excellent advice. Nice to know an old boy who uses his head for more than a hat rack :icon_salut: .

[Johnny P]

The original load for the Model 1900 Colt was 1260 fps from it's 6" barrel. The load varied from 1160 to 1280 fps between cartridge manufacturers. With the introduction of the Colt Super .38, Colt advertised the velocity at 1190 fps from the 5" barrel with the same ammunition. The new .38 Super round was advertised at 1300 fps.