Brand: Colt. But the ideal is not to get yourself so close that no one can miss hitting you with whatever they have to threaten your life, hence the 38 super at 1400 fps you can make shots well past 50 yards and plenty of power to stop just about anything. or redistributed. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). See Sold Price. It was the only pistol chambered for .38 Super that I ever shot until I got one. Find the best prices on used Colt handguns and rifles for sale online at Guns.com. The Colt Walker was created in the mid-1840s in a collaboration between Texas Ranger Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker (1817-1847) and American firearms inventor Samuel Colt (1814-1862), building upon the earlier Colt Paterson design. I recently came across a 1929 Super .38 that also came from Texas. These loads offer excellent feed reliability. After months of pondering if I should, I finally gave in and bought the Kimber. Sold my Glock 17 (after 15 years of daily service as my carry gun) and bought a new Tangfoglio Combat 38 Super. Choose the best gun for you needs with respect of your physical and shooting abilities and select the caliber best suited for the most likely application you could find yourself in. After shooting it, I wanted a smaller grouping and purchased a Bar-Sto barrel and bushing, when they were still located in Southern California. Stevenson wanted to examine the tally sheets in the ballot box for Precinct 13; i.e.,fraudulent poll and tally lists for his opponent, then Congressman Lyndon Johnson. The platform allows good control for those who practice. It took a few years to solve that problem, but by then the .357 Magnum becames the Cats Meow, especially among Law Enforcement (Colts original target market). Over the years, the pistol was chambered for .45 ACP, .38 Super, 9 mm, .22 LR and various. Clyde certainly did not intend to be taken alive. If you are a 1911 fan, after you fire the Super 38, you will not go back to .45 ACP. I loved my .38 super so much i bought a colt competition series a few years ago. Such a reputation is in itself a most intimidating weapon and Hamer never slowed down as he approached Parrs gunmen. I figured that if you go oddball with the Super, why go very normal with a 1911? Those are Supers, and they were the better choice for a while. Some are accurate, but most require a Bar-Sto barrel for best results. One of my favorites! I carry either an XDS in 45 auto or my Nighthawk in 38 super nearly every day. Hamer retained a Special Ranger commission after retirement and he put it to good use. Muzzle brake . For the max in performance, Buffalo Bore offers high-velocity loads, including a 1,400 fps 115-grain JHP. Stevenson and Hamer met the lawyers at the Alice Hotel and Hamer told them to take off their coats so that the well-armed gangs employed by the Duke of Duvall,George Parr, would know that they were unarmed. America's Ultimate Shooting Sports Discounter. Was an excellent firearm but I let it wiggle its way out of my collection and into one of my buddys who had become obsessed about acquiring it till he offered a deal that I couldnt pass up. Traces Professional has everything to make it distinctly his own. Tangfolio Match Elite chambered in 9mm. One can assume this must have been at a bit of a distance or Hamer hit him in the legs as apparently the guy lived. I jumped in and took one shot just to see how the Professional handled. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. He had a bar in West Covina Cali. The .38 Super was introduced in the 1911 handgun in 1929 to arm peace officers with a hard-hitting handgun that offered good penetration against the new breed of mechanized thug. Lot 1183: The nickel-plated Colt Single Action Army carried by Texas Ranger Jack Dean is chambered in 38-40 WCF with factory engraving and carved steer grips. The .38 Super chambered 1911 arriving in 1929 pre-dated not only the .357 Magnum of 1935 but also the .38-44 Heavy Duty of 1930. A question that comes up around gun shops is, Who still uses the .38 Super, if anyone? I am one of the users of this fine cartridge, and while I appreciate the grand old .38 Super, or Super .38 as it is variously called, it is probably not a caliber I recommend for most shooters. HT110, OW86, W:D71) called Old Lucky, either in a holster on his right side, or, when he was no longer required to ride a horse, simply tucked into his waistband. Colt was discontinuing the long-serving .38 ACP automatic and wished to introduce a mid bore to replace it. I use the Colt Combat Commander. Second, gangster use of the .38 Super to telling effect was known and thugs had even hammered the .38 Super into the extremely deadly machine pistol configuration. Add to Wish List. Look at some old gangster photos for 1911s with curiously small holes in the barrel. remarkably easy to handload. Does anyone know how I can obtain ammunition ? SDS Imports 10100513 1911A1 Regulator 9+1 5" Hard Chrome Plated Barrel, High Polished Chomium Coated Serrated Steel Slide & Frame w/Beavertail Frame Checkered Wood Grips. B. Gillett, 1911 Colt Pistols, Capt. I now carry the .45 ACP. I had long suspected that this Colt was not a .45 but one of the then new .38 Supers and I had three reasons for believing this. Since then I now buy nothing but 38 super mags for both the 9mm/38 Supers, and have never had any feeding issues in the 9mm with either 115 or 124 gr. Kimber Custom Shop made only 260 Stainless Gold Match SE II in .38 Super in 2001. To Chris. Serial # 16205 Manufactured in 1891. Colt Paterson. Can a 9mm barrel be used in a Metro Arms 1911 38 super? jacketed bullets Im sending them across my Chrony at 1550 fps. The 1911 is a good home for the .38 Super. Market data provided by Factset. Back in 71, my Dad had a Colt super .38 he called Max. There were several reasons why the .38 Super didnt take off as Colt hoped it would. Below this was a lightweight aluminum-alloy frame, with a flat-black Armor Tuff finish, making the package lighter on the belt and giving a striking appearance. Picked up 150 Rounds of 38 Super by mistake. Finding specific guns right now is a be-otch. Paras quality sometimes left much to be desired, but the best Paras are excellent handguns. I sometimes wonder if it will gain some steam among conventional shooters like the 10mm has. We clamped 3 Oklahoma City phone books together and took them down to the end of the range. Full Details More from this Seller. COLT PYTHON .357 MAG 6" 6RD STS . . You wont find a better pistol and caliber. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I souped it up with night sites and custom grips with finger grooves. He had great regards for the 38 but seemed to like the 45s more. It is a popular caliber in countries that ban civilian ownership of military caliber weapons. Complementing the overall design are the handsome rosewood grips checkered in the classic "double diamond" pattern on this Colt .45 Pistol. The Democratic State Central Committee proclaimed Johnson the winner of the primary by a 29-28 vote (then a deal was consummated in which states rights Democrats were run out of the convention) while Stevenson was granted an injunction by the federal district court. Played by Faye Dunaway in the 1967 classic film Bonnie and Clyde, Parker was glamorized as a chain-smoking, gun-toting gangster gal even though historians doubt that she played a key role in the gang. It has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and clarity. The Rock Island is a fun gun to fire and use. Ironically, they may be a better choice again given the advancements in bullet design. Do you still have the ammo? There can be no other gun with a closer association to Bonnie Parker than the one taped to her body at her death.. It can be loaded just like a 9mm with the same bullets and powder. I bought this pistol off a table at a small gun show in Custer, WA. Thus, Johnson was off the ballot in the general election unless Johnson could do something quickly. Winchester makes a 124gr nickel coated brass case jacketed soft point ammo. It was customized with Wilso Combat grip safety, skelontized trigger and green fiber optic front sight. The conservative ranchers and almost everyone else in Texas loved Coke Stevenson and what he stood for. Hamer was a cowboy on the Carr Ranch, between Sheffield and Fort Stockton when he captured the horse thief. In 1839, the Republic of Texas ordered 180 of the .36-caliber Holster model revolvers for the Texas Navy, but most significant were the revolvers issued to the early Texas Rangers. Trimming, taper crimping, careful selection of bullets, everything still resulted in many rejects that didnt chamber properly. , This is a great history of a very great man fighting bad men including LBJ and the criminal democratic party, Your email address will not be published. I usually load to USPSA Major PF using .38 Super Comp brass. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel and chambered in .38 Super, this firearm is a pure and simple 1911 designed for you to make it your own. Colt Defense O1911CSS38QTZ 1991 Aztec Empire .38SUP. The cop in the bunch and 2 of 4 others all had 38 super weapons within a month. In those days officers from one state were legally prohibited from chasing suspects across the border of another state. This Davidson's Exclusive Texas Rangers Colt 1911 celebrates that tradition with the classic Mexican peso 5-point star badge with oak and olive branches on the top of the slide and wood grips. per page . While I like the Para very much, if you are interested in a .38 ACP Super, the readily available Rock Island 1911 is a better choice than hunting down an out-of-production handgun. I agree that the round can stand its own with the 9 and .45. And Its got plenty of rounds. The result, no matter which Wilson Combat pistol, is a piece of fighting equipmentalmost a piece of artdesigned and built to work every time the trigger is pulled. A few ago I traded for a RIA 22TCM/9mm combo. , Your email address will not be published. It was well known in Texas that Hamer had killed fifty-three men, been wounded seventeen times and left for dead more than once. Cylinders are all very good, bore has some pitting. One of a kind 1 of 1 done by the Colt custom shop for the Texas Ranger Foundation to auction at their annual fundraiser. And an interesting thing that I hope is pure BS was that my FFL dealer told me when I got the .38 Super that buying it was going to cause the ATFE to keep a close eye on me because its such a popular gun south of the border, used by the drug cartels, and since I live in Arizona, the ATFE folks would be watching me, as though I was gun dealer or drug runner, I guess! in 923. There are a fair number of barrels available from several manufacturers at a price point from $51 up too the $250 range. Long ago (early 1970s) I purchased a Colt Combat Commander in Super 38 from a Pawn Shop. While this is often the stated purpose of the .38 Super, there were two other roles that were more important on a commercial basis. Of course the .38 Super Auto is still in use. Texas Ranger Jack Dean's Custom 1911 .38 Super. Ha. And one has a fitted Minor slide for a Minor Power Factor. Hamer spent 27 years with the Rangers. Bore is near excellent. Power factors have dropped and the original power factors surely stretched a gun after a very active season. Colt 1991 Government 38 Super Centerfire Pistol, Colt 1911 Custom Government 38 Super with Polished Stainless Finish, Colt 1911 Lightweight Commander 38 Super Talo Exclusive, Colt Special Combat Govenment 38 Super Centerfire Pistol, Colt Rose Gold Mexican Heritage 38 Super Limited Edition (1 of 429), Colt 1911 Competition Stainless 38 Super Semi-Auto Pistol with Black/Blue G10 Grips, Colt 1911 Dragon .38 Super Limited Edition Pistol (1 of 500), Colt 1911 Gold Cup Trophy 38 Super Stainless Pistol with G10 Grips, Colt M1911A1 38 Super Full Size Bi-Tone Pistol with Rosewood Grips, Colt 1911 .38 Super Emiliano Zapata Centennial (One of 500), Colt 1911 Heritage .38 Super Full-Size Blued Pistol with Custom Scroll Engraving, Colt 1911 Heritage .38 Super Full-Size Stainless Pistol with Custom Scroll Engraving, Colt 1911 Government 38 Super Semi-Auto Pistol with Blued Finish and Wood Grips, Colt 1911 Classic Government 38 Super Stainless Pistol, Colt Gold Cup Trophy 1911 38 Super Full-Size Stainless Pistol with 5 Inch Barrel and Blue Checkered G10 Grip. Throwback Thursday: Does Anyone Still Use the .38 Super? It will be robust and potent equipment, because when working alone only the best will do. The Defender is an officer-sized aluminum framed gun with a 3 inch bull barrel. The ammo is not as hard to find as stated in the article. Had some handloads that shot 5 out of nine kill shots on a siloute at 100 yards, back when I could see that far. For more on Wilson Combat visit www.wilsoncombat.com. I have heard all the bull about the 9mm. He tuned and polished up the feed ramp and removed some burrs, no issues now. Stevenson succeeded W. Lee Pappy ODaniel as governor in 1941 when ODaniel resigned to take a seat in the U.S. Senate. Still use it? These grips dont just look good, they provide exceptional control. On the morning of May 23, 1934, when my father and the officers with him in Louisiana killed Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, a notarized letter written by Hamer on the gun reads. Both can be purchased through the Texas Ranger Museum Gift Shop. The town had seen over one hundred men killed in shootouts but the town became tame while Hamer was the city marshal. He hated political corruption as much as he hated murder and the other lawless activities that characterized Texas in the early Twentieth Century. A wide selection of CMP surplus ammo will 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. Editors note: This post was originally published in January of 2020. When we lived in Oklahoma City, the guys I shot with were always giving me a hard time about my Colt in 38 Super. I had an EAA Witness in 38 super ,thats right a HI CAP! Its low muzzle blast, light recoil and accuracy are hard to duplicate. Colt is known for the engineering, production, and marketing of . Own a Taurus 1911, and have used it in matches. . defense as they sell hollow points as well. I shoot 45s more than anything else but sometimes wish I had purchased a SUPER back in the day. Colt 1911 Heritage .38 Super Full-Size Stainless Pistol with Custom Scroll Engraving. M. T. Gonzaullas, 1921 Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, Ranger H. Purvis, 1950 Colt .38 Super, Ranger Glenn Elliott, 1857 Manhattan Firearms Co. "Navy" Revolver, Capt. A rumor had been circulated that the Rangers had orders from the Governor not to shoot. A 2.5 to 3-inch group for five shots at 25 yards is the standard. Thanks for your article, it helped shed some light on the history, i might try to pick up another 1911 in that caliber. It's unknown when he first acquired the gun, but it is described as a C-engraved, 4 3/4-inch-barreled, blued revolver. The .38-caliber revolver taped to Bonnie Parkers inner thigh when she and Clyde Barrow were killed by a Texas posse in 1934 has been made federally compliant and will be auctioned later this week. Its true, the cartels love it because it is a non-military caliber and subsequently not banned in Mexico. All-carbon-steel construction, excluding the hand-fitted, stainless-steel match barrel, is standard on the Professional, and a liberal coating of Armor-Tuff finish is applied to frame and slide, in matching or contrasting colors. Frank Hamer, on the other hand, retired in 1949 and lived in Austin until his death in 1955. Ahhhh, the good old days. He is buried in Austin. Bonnie Parker was just 24 in 1934 when she and Clyde Barrow died in a hail of gunfire after being ambushed by authorities in Louisiana. See FRANK HAMER, TEXAS RANGER by Hans-Christian Vortisch. Elliott carried the pistol on duty while assigned to work with the Texas Rangers in the 1957 Lone Star Steel Strike. I love Super 38! While every effort is made to include accurate and correct images, descriptions and pricing for all products, inadvertent errors may occur. Hamer drew down on him with a shotgun and told him to not do it. No remorse, excelent gun/caliber combination. SS 5" w/KNIFE 1 OF 500 (TALO) Out of stock View Details . While the .38 Super isnt a mainstream cartridge (rather, its an enthusiasts choice), it is an interesting caliber with much to recommend. I would recommend it for any novice shooter or women; especially the unfortunately short-lived downsized frame which made it an excellent choice for concealed carry or purses. I find very few people casually shoot the Super. The Rangers were dealing with arms smuggling, bandits and bootleggers along the Mexican border. Can someone give me an idea of what they are selling for? 1939 Super .38 serial number 32239 - in new condition with original box, . When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com. The caliber saw extensive use in the hands of the FBI and figured into the demise of dangerous fugitives such as Baby Face Nelson. $135.00. Belgian made six shot revolver. The young lawyers following those two Texas legends saw groups of armed men standing all around the street. Action works in both single and double action. The Starburst Pattern G-10 grips really grabbed and held onto the hand, too. It is a great calibre that is moribund because too many shooters jump on the bandwagon of whatever is popular at the time. I reload for mine so ammunition is not a problem, All loads are made up in rimless Starline match brass and with a load the pistol likes I can get 2 groups at 25 yards. Several variations of the Colt .38 Super guns were introduced. Its used most commonly in competition teamed with a compensated 1911 (opinion). The first practical revolving-cylinder handgun was invented in 1831 by Samuel Colt of Hartford, Connecticut, and patented on February 25, 1836, the year of the Texas Revolution. Hamer left the Rangers and then returned again in 1921, transferring to Austin where he served as Senior Ranger Captain. Sheriff D. S. Barker recommended Hamer for a position with the Texas Rangers. A 6 1/2 inch gun would have been difficult to use. Born in Rowena, Texas, Parker met Barrow at the home of a mutual friend in January 1930, according to the most credible accounts. At about 9:15 AM just after the thundering torrent of lead subsided, Frank Hamer, Sr. approached the 1934 Ford V8 with his 1911 style .38 Super drawn. I purchased a Colt Goldcup National match 38 super elite used back in the late 1980s and still have it. over the 45ACP, and got one. The unfortunate rarity of any sort of bulk ammunition and the corresponding magazines makes it more of a niche type of weapon but they are worth the extra effort. I request a letter from Colt on all pre-war Super .38s as many were carried by various LEOs. What you end up with is a 10 shot stiff 9mm or a 10 shot 357 Magnum+P and after dropping 2 deer with the 923 I can attest to its effectiveness. In 1948, Hamer accompanied Gov. Serial numbers 1TR to 200TR were reserved for the deluxe engraved examples. Shipping, Payment & Auction Policies. Two of these 22 round magazine equipped death machines were confiscated in a raid on John Dillingers apartment in St. Paul in April of 1933. The 9 mm didnt make it through the first book. After I retired from a near 30 year career in emergency services (firefighter/paramedic) I got a job in a gun store. Frank Hamer hated corruption of any kind- even when other police officers were involved! This is an easier cartridge to master than the .45 and has two more rounds of magazine capacity. cartridge. 100 Texas Ranger Trail Waco, TX 76706 (254) 750-8631 [email protected] 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Last guest admitted at 4:30 p.m. Interstate 35 at Southbound (from Dallas) Exit 335C or Northbound (from Austin) Exit 334B in When asked why he carried Colt's .45 Government Model, he replied in typical Ranger fashion 'Because they don't make a Colt .46!' Texas . Keep Reading. I enjoyed my super so much the other 3 went in the safe and stayed there till now. (Normal boolits are .355 .356. It is made to use Colt 38 Colt Model 1889 U.S. Navy Revolver. I have three .38 Supers, a Star, Colt 1911 Govt and Kimber Gold Match SE II from their custom shop. That is, you cant have a gun which is chambered for any cartridge which has been used by any military anywhere at any time (Im sure theres an exception for 12 gauge shotguns and rimfires). Sheriff Henderson Jordan and his deputy, Prentiss Oakley, joined Hamer along with former Ranger Manny Gault. SIG Sauer offers the V-Crown hollow point at about 1,210 fps. Historically, thats why it was created. The nemesis of Bonnie and Clyde packed an M1911 but it was a .38 Super. Following the success of its initial collaboration with Vertx, Premier Body Armor announces its continued partnership. The polished blued finish is accented by a bordered golden rampant colt, Texas flag, and vine and leaf engravings, pairing a timeless elegance with . The .38 Super was introduced in the 1911 handgun in 1929 to arm peace officers with a hard-hitting handgun that offered good penetration against the new breed of mechanized thug. 1894 the family moved to Oxford in Llano County and Frank worked in his dads blacksmith shop. Shortly thereafter, many Rangers adopted the platform, first in .45 Auto, later in the .38 Super. Gun #: 962326740. Hamer and Stevenson were both tall with big shoulders and carried themselves in a way that stated they meant business. In the 1920s, Hamer brought law and order to oil towns such as Mexia and Borger. Got my grouping back, sold the glock. The Professional was developed to mate a full-size frame to a compact (4-inch) slide. The little guy hold an honorary place in my collection and I smile when I think back to when I purchased it for $100.00. It is just that ammunition and handguns in this caliber are sometimes difficult to come by. Hamer was still on his feet as one of the fleeing hit men turned to shoot. 1557 fps & 553ft lbs. Barrel is 5-1/8 inches. The .38 Super is more powerful than the 9mm Luger and only a little, if any, more difficult to handle. Black ruled that the federal district court lacked jurisdiction and that the question was for the Central Committee to decide. The posse may have fired as many as 150 rounds. This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic. Couple tips / strong suggestions: 's blog. No9t sure why it didnt catch on here like the 9mm. It is a great, slim design and functions flawlessly like most Colts. Its a good-looking pistol! Im not exactly a 9mm or .45 fan either. There are a lot of opinions on the .38 Super. Burley Auction Group * Caspian Arms. Modern ammunition is often marked .38 ACP +P. Estimate $150 - $300. In hot summer days it rests, replaced by a 38 Spl snubnose. First, gangsters (Dillinger, Nelson, etc.) Along with extra magazines. Most were marked " For .38 Colt Special " which is nothing more than the S&W .38 Special but with a flat nose. Previously sold. Frank Hamer, had its serial numbers obliterated in the heyday of Bonnie and Clyde's reign of terror, prompting Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials to issue a new number to make the handgun legal. In mid-March Henry Methvins family contacted law enforcement in Louisiana. GA Sales: 3370. Trace, in the Texas Ranger tradition, had a few of his own ideas to personalize the pistol, opting for a stainless steel slide, coated with black Armor Tuff. My carry ammo has .357 Magnum power and 17 rounds in the magazine what is not to like? It fired a .429-inch, 200 grain lead, round-nose bullet at around 870 feet per second and 336 ft-lbs energy which equaled the .44 Russian's traditional 246 grain load. WE BUY GUNS!NO COLLECTION TOO BIG OR SMALL, FOR OUR GUNS INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS ALL OF OUR FIREARMS CAN BE PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM OUR DURY'S GUNS WEB-SITE. At the beginning of her second term, she fired all the Rangers that remained and appointed replacements for them. I first discovered the .38 Super when I read one of Stephen Hunters Bob Lee Swagger books. The loading gate is loose when down. Scared him 1/2 to death at a Dennys one day. This Texas Ranger collector firearm features handsome 24-karat gold decorations, including the hammer, slide stop, safety lock, grip screws, barrel bushing and magazine catch. Gun #: 999474294. I have not personally owned a 38 Super as they were not a popular round during my real active shooting days and the ammo had gotten hard to find. Trace brought the pistol, and I furnished the ammo (except the load from Atlanta Arms, a company he routinely uses) and targets, and snapped the accompanying photos. I selected it as it appeared to be the most powerful automatic pistol cartridge at the time. After the Hollywood version of Bonnie and Clyde, Mrs. Frank Hamer and Frank Hamer, Jr., sued Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for the defamatory manner in which the movie depicted the famous lawman. He resigned in 1908 to become the Marshal in Navasota, Texas, a violent boom town in which shootouts on the main street were so frequent that in two years at least a hundred men died.. The .38 Super varies in accuracy. I have had the itch for a cap & ball revolver and I can't even find those (or at least not the one's I'm lookin for). The testimony that the lawyers gathered- as a result of the names of voters that later testified they had never voted- and jotted down while in the bank- demonstrated, beyond any doubt, according to Robert Caro (the definitive Johnson biographer)- that Lyndon Johnson had personally conducted one of the most massive election frauds in U.S. electoral history. 1911forum is your friend. Cheaper Than Dirt has a plethora of excellent .38 Super ammo in stock, as well as a TON of reloading stuff. $1,836.00. We reserve the right to edit as appropriate, delete profane, harassing, abusive and spam comments or posts, and block repeat offenders. At about 9:15 AM just after the thundering torrent of lead subsided, Frank Hamer, Sr. approached the 1934 Ford V8 with his 1911 style .38 Super drawn. Colt 1911 Texas Ranger commemorative chambered in .38 Super with a 4 1/4 inch barrel bright bore and good grooves with a display case and Texas Ranger Medallion. After shooting M9s in the military I was a decent shot. Ballistically though, 9mm+P comes real close to catching up with the Super in performance, and so it will most likely remain a niche gun and caliber. Bill was glad to do it. *As a reloader for 30 yrs, Ive also used .357 (copper plated) boolits. Is the .38 ACP Super a viable personal defense and tactical combination today?