from 45 to 38 super for CC. Thoughts anyone?

[alawrence]

I am looking to go from a XD in 45 to a Kimber in 38 super. Along with my gut I am looking to downsize in weight. My XD is a 13 rounder at present and it handles great. What are your thoughts folks? I have never owned a Kimber or fired a 38 Super.

Andrew

[Tomray]

At its release into the market, the 38 Super was quite a sensation. It raised the bar in power over the older 38 offerings. If I recall, the early Supers headspaced on the mouth of the case, and the newer ones no on the slight rim, or is it the other was around? I forget...Accuracy was said to be lacking in the early ones, due to the way it headspaced. My Super was fine, or at least I thought so.........

I used to own a 1957 Colt 38 Super in the early 80's, but I was pestered by a friend to sell it to him.................I was moving into the 10MM, and his offer was really good, so I sold it to him.....No, I really wouldn't want it back as a shooter today, but it IS very collectible, and he no longer shoots it.

Today, I'd think the 9MM is as good and cheaper to shoot........ 38 Super Brass can be expensive and hard to find at times......But if you own a Super, you DO have the bragging rights...................

If you're looking for a CC gun with MORE power that the 45ACP...............IMO,.......You should be looking at the 10MM................

The 10MM will double as a Defensive, Target and Hunting pistol. Its a little easier to load for, than the Super, and ballistically, Waaaay ahead of the Super, the 9MM and the 45ACP.

Re: Kimber............Kimber makes a nicely finished pistol, but I think down the road, a Colt is a little better investment.

Tom

[BloodGroove4570]

Im not really sure what you trying to gain/end with here, is it weight or capacity or power? I carry a Kimber Compact in 45acp and i love the caliber/gun, but im looking in the other direction, more compact pistol in a 40, even though the Kimber is a compact it aint light!! Im seriously considering the Glock 27, minimum of 9+1 and its smaller overall and Lighter than my Kimber with more ammo if needed...

BG4570

[alawrence]

Two things really for wanting to change. Number one is I would like a slimmer pistol. Number two is my wife does not like me carrying a black pistol. To her it looks evil. The weight of the pistol really is not a major concern, as long as it is comfortable to carry. As for it having to be a 38 super, not particularly necessary, I just like the ballistics.

Andrew

[papajohn]

Ballistics are something to consider, but the bottom line is how well you can shoot it, because shot placement still trumps everything else. Use good ammo in whatever caliber you settle on, practice with factory-equivalent loads, and make sure the sights work for your eyes under as many kinds of lighting conditions as possible.

I had a buddy that swore that his 38 Super was every bit as effective as a 357 Magnum, but he'd never shot anything living with it, so I ignored his babbling. The 38 Super is a good 100+ foot-seconds faster than the 9mm with similar bullet weights, but I worry more about bullet construction than speed.

If power is a consideration, Tomray's suggestion of a 10mm is a good one, though it limits your choices.

He was right that he had it wrong about the 38 Super, the early guns headspaced on the rim, later (better/more accurate) guns used the case mouth to set headspace. The 38 Super is considered a semi-rimmed case, and there aren't many of those used in auto-pistols. Any time you want to change calibers. you have to remind yourself of the why behind it, what are you gaining VS what you're giving up? Bigger/smaller bullet, ammo capacity, weight, sight radius, concealability, all those things matter in a carry gun.

And if your wife is averse to Black Guns..........you might remind her that it's not only evil looking, it's also dangerous and deadly........and that's why you carry it!

[miatakix]

Seems like a reasonable choice if you want a 1911 but want something a little different than .45 Auto.

The glaring deficiency it has as far as I can tell is not having factory loads available for the latest generation defensive ammo. But there are some good loads out there if you choose wisely. Check out this article:

Corbon

Aside from the 1911 thing, almost really might as well go with something in 9mm+P or .357Sig. But then you're pretty much back to a modern black gun unless you go with something like a Browning Hi Power.

Could always go with the old standby .45Auto. Sounds like you probably already have ammo and whatnot (and maybe reloading dies and components?).

1911, Hi Power, CZ...can't really go wrong with anything like that. But I'm guessing they'd all actually be heavier guns than your Xd, well at least as far as the gun itself goes....maybe by the time you're doing calculating the ammo weight for 13 (or 14?) .45Auto cartridges... Am I missing something? Is there a .38 Super out there that is really going to be lighter than a polymer framed gun? Were you thinking of some kind of lightweight commander?

[alawrence]

Miatakix,

Weight is not really the issue. I want a pistol that is narrower in profile. My Xd is a 45 with a thirteen round magazine. I enjoy shooting it, but it is really more mag capacity than I would need. Yes, I hear some people saying you can never have enough bullets in your gun, but if I am in a fire fight that needs that many rounds, I will be running in the opposite direction a lot sooner.

Andrew

[miatakix]

Cool, yeah, the 1911 is nice and thin. The slide on a Browning Hi power is nice and thin, as well, although the grip area on it is thicker since it's a double stack, although not as wide as a double-stack .45, I'd imagine.

My Dan Wesson Bobtail commander carries very nicely...it has had some reliability issues, though, and doesn't shoot for me near as well as a full size 1911 (I don't like the bobtail grip). I'm going to swap it out at some point (once I have enough money to get it fixed).

[dpe.ahoy]

I've got a 38 Super and really like it, but it's a full size 1911, so not saving much weight. With the firearm finishes that are available today, you can take a "black gun" and turn it pink, purple or what ever color she likes. (And if you carry it, just tell anyone who asks that "I am confident in my masculinity). Defensive loads for the Super are not as abundant as for other cartridges, also something to consider. The 9mm has come along way, 40 S&W or 357 Sig. are top notch as well as a 45 acp. The 10mm might be a bit vigorious for your wife, maybe not. There are more single stack autos around now to choose from, good luck on your quest. DP

[biku324]

Don't overlook the 357 SIG - the NMSP here has carried for nearly a decade with no unsatisfied customers on either end. It fits in anything a 9 or a 40 wiil fit.