New .38 Super

Doctor Larry K · 11-08-2007, 06:01 PM

Just bought a new Kimber Pro Carry HDll in 38 Super and I have a question about ammo. It seems that the standard .38 Super rounds are harder to get than the +Ps.
My gun has the alloy frame and its intended usage is the range only for some target work. I don't want to start a diet of
+Ps because of the harshness of the fired round. Or am I making a bigger deal than necessary. Are the Plus Ps too strong for a steady diet of them in my alloy frame .38 super.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks
Once I get into it I may shoot 150-200 rounds per week.

Doc

JMax · 11-08-2007, 07:38 PM

Doc,
I would reload a 125gr Bear Creek TC over 4 gr WW231 (~900 ft/sec out of my 5" Clark BBL) and shoot that for virtually ever w/o problems. I have cracked Colt LW Commander frames shooting a steady diet of hard ball and suspect the same fate for the Kimber.

Doctor Larry K · 11-09-2007, 08:33 AM

JMAX,
Thanks for the info and it was just as I suspected. I really try to take care of my modest collection and don't want to get off on the wrong foot. I don't reload yet so I'm thinking of going with the standard Fiocchi round. I've had excellent results with that company and very good accuracy without FTF or FTE in my 1911s.

Thanks again.

Doc

toolman · 11-09-2007, 11:30 AM

Hey Doc, according to an article on the .38 Super that I read a few years ago, there was very little difference between the standard and +P rounds pressure-wise, so most companies started using the +P designation for all of them. I used to fire .38 Super +P's in my Star Super that was chambered for 9mm Largo with no ill effects whatsoever. I would suggest sending a PM to Dave Sample, our resident 1911 guru for his take on the alloy framed Kimber. He builds and teaches all things 1911.

11-08-2007, 06:01 PM	#1
Doctor Larry K Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palm Springs, Calif. Posts: 425	New .38 Super Just bought a new Kimber Pro Carry HDll in 38 Super and I have a question about ammo. It seems that the standard .38 Super rounds are harder to get than the +Ps. My gun has the alloy frame and its intended usage is the range only for some target work. I don't want to start a diet of +Ps because of the harshness of the fired round. Or am I making a bigger deal than necessary. Are the Plus Ps too strong for a steady diet of them in my alloy frame .38 super. Any comments appreciated. Thanks Once I get into it I may shoot 150-200 rounds per week. Doc

11-09-2007, 11:30 AM	#4
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,562 Blog Entries: 22	Hey Doc, according to an article on the .38 Super that I read a few years ago, there was very little difference between the standard and +P rounds pressure-wise, so most companies started using the +P designation for all of them. I used to fire .38 Super +P's in my Star Super that was chambered for 9mm Largo with no ill effects whatsoever. I would suggest sending a PM to Dave Sample, our resident 1911 guru for his take on the alloy framed Kimber. He builds and teaches all things 1911. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

11-08-2007, 07:38 PM	#2
JMax Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	Doc, I would reload a 125gr Bear Creek TC over 4 gr WW231 (~900 ft/sec out of my 5" Clark BBL) and shoot that for virtually ever w/o problems. I have cracked Colt LW Commander frames shooting a steady diet of hard ball and suspect the same fate for the Kimber.

11-09-2007, 08:33 AM	#3
Doctor Larry K Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palm Springs, Calif. Posts: 425	JMAX, Thanks for the info and it was just as I suspected. I really try to take care of my modest collection and don't want to get off on the wrong foot. I don't reload yet so I'm thinking of going with the standard Fiocchi round. I've had excellent results with that company and very good accuracy without FTF or FTE in my 1911s. Thanks again. Doc