JavaScript seem to be disabled in your browser.

You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.

38 SUPER AUTO

Quick links:

Introduced in 1929, 38 Super ammo was the answer to a tough problem. This was the height of dust bowl gangsters robbing banks, and even National Guard armories. The bad guys of the era were embracing body armor with as much excitement as one would who lived by the gun. Crooks wearing body armor and wielding light machine guns from national guard armories were quite the threat to police and federal agents at the time. The standard modus operandi for bad guys was to hit hard and fast and drive away. Again rounds were failing to penetrate the vehicle bodies. Law Enforcement needed a round with more penetration than the standard 45 ACP, so the 38 Super was born.

38 Super was designed to function in 1911s so additional training required to understand the round was minimal. The 38 Super proved a superior penetrator and punched through body armor and vehicles of the time too, a welcome bit of power.

38 Super ammunition has become the preeminent cartridge for competition shooting. A powerful round that offers more capacity over 45 ACP in the 1911 platform, and less recoil it’s a popular choice among some shooters to this day. Take a look at our in-stock 38 super ammo for sale below:

show description

1000rds – 38 Super +P PMC Bronze 130gr. FMJ Ammo

$479.95

$0.48/ppr

15 In Stock
50rds - 38 Super Auto PMC Bronze 130gr. +P FMJ Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

$27.95

$0.56/ppr

137 In Stock
50rds - 38 Super Auto Fiocchi 129gr. FMJ Ammo

$30.95

$0.62/ppr

47 In Stock
50rds - 38 Super Auto Aguila 130gr. +P FMJ Ammo

$34.95

$0.70/ppr

76 In Stock
50rds - 38 Super Auto Federal American Eagle 115gr. +P JHP Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

$49.95

$1.00/ppr

39 In Stock

Federal Ammo

Hornady Ammo

Winchester Ammo

Black Hills Ammunition

Join Today NRA Save $10

More About 38 Super Ammo

What is the Difference Between a .38 Super Auto and a .38 Special?

Because of their similar names, these two cartridges are often confused. However, they are very different cartridges, each with unique profiles and statistics. While they have some similar dimensions, the important difference is that the .38 Super was intended for semiautomatic weapons, while most .38 Special ammo was made for a revolver. Therefore, they rarely function ideally when they are interchanged; using one in a gun designed for the other is generally not recommended.

Are the .38 Super Auto and .38 Super the Same?

Yes. The .38 Super Auto has many different names, including .38 Super and .38 Super ACP. It is sometimes called the “Super .38,” but these are all names used to describe the same cartridge.

What Makes it so “Super?”

It all comes down to speed. In the early 1900’s, law enforcement found themselves outgunned by criminals who shielded themselves with body armor or ducked behind car doors. Before the .38 Super, law enforcement was using rounds like the .45 ACP and .38 Special, which, while throwing heavy bullets, did not have enough velocity to penetrate many barriers. Created by John Browning, the .38 Super was faster and could penetrate better than any other cartridge available at the time. Unfortunately for the cartridge, the .357 Magnum burst onto the scene not long after and overshadowed the Super. While it’s not one of the most popular cartridges today, it has found a loyal following among a very specific circle…

What is the Most Popular Use for the .38 Super?

Competition target shooting. The .38 Super was designed to give law enforcement more power against bad guys, but it has now become one of the staples at elite-level competition shooting. Known for its speed and accuracy, the .38 Super is now a leader at the competition target range, a trend that began in the 1980’s. It’s popular for many reasons, but largely because it is a safe way to have ideal pressures while conforming to the rules of the sport.

What Types of Weapons are Preferred for the .38 Super?

This cartridge is made for 1911-style automatic weapons. Because of its intentional purpose for this handgun, it remains a popular cartridge for semiautomatic handguns. You can find other weapons, such as revolvers, that shoot 38 super, but they remain fairly rare.

38 SUPER AUTO

Recent 38 SUPER AUTO Reviews