Always wanted to know from 1911 experts:

About 60 years ago many thought the Colt 1911 was a great handgun but it kicked too much. So they brought out a version in 38 super.

Why didn't they bring out a version in 9mm Luger instead? The current "American Rifleman" has an article about 9mm 1911s.

Because the Browning Hi-Power had that covered mo betta.

I think I'd worry less about recoil and more about defending your life.

^^^This^^^

Think you are a little short on time span. 38 Super was introduced in 1929. A hot 38 ACP for police. It was obsoleted pretty much in 34 with the introduction of the 357 mag. The only thing that really revived it were the run and gun IPSC, USPSA.

OK, 1929. But why think up the 38 Super when the 9mm Luger existed since 1902? If the 38 Super had some advantage over the 9mm Luger, why are there so many 9mm Lugers today?

Because the Super could propel a 115 or 124 grain bullet 200 FPS faster than a 9mm. Why so many 9mm today? Most people are puzzies and don’t like a magnum performance round in a 1911.

+1

Imo 38 super is to the handgun world much like the 10mm 20 years ago


Why is it not more popular ?

Ahhh but it is with those in the know grasshopper

The 9mm Luger was developed for the effeminate European men who couldn't handle the recoil of a .45ACP nor the ultra fast .38 Super. Come to think of it, half the effeminate European men couldn't handle the 9mm Luger either, so they even reduced it to 9mm Kurz and built the Walther PP to handle it. They trembled as they moved up from the mild .32ACP to the hand wrenching power of the .380 Even James Bond recoiled at the thought of trading in his .32 Beretta for a 7.65mm PPK.

That could explain it. Thanks.

I am certainly no expert on handgun history but one thing I read many years ago was that some handguns made for the 38 Super did not have the case supported just right, which caused it to jam, and gave the round a bad name.

200 fps would seem like a big advantage. I would think that they could have offered two different velocities of rounds, like some cartridges do today. Maybe the lower velocity ones would not have operated the handguns. I dunno.

At any rate, it seems like today nearly all hanguns are 9mm, .40, or .45 ACP, with a few .380s or the new .32s, and .357s for those preferring revolvers.

They did: The Colt Commander.

After WWII the US Army sponsored tests for a lighter handgun supposedly for officers. The spec included requirements for a max length of 7" and a max weight of 25 oz. Colt submitted what eventually became known as the Colt Commander in 9mm built on an aluminum "Coltalloy" frame. The Army didn't follow through with selecting anything, but Colt introduced the pistol to the public in 9mm, .45 ACP, and .38 Super.

These are my guesses, some of which have already been mentioned.

1. Browning P35 had the 9mm market covered for single action fans.
2. 9mm wasn’t nearly as popular then as now. It was viewed as watered-down euro-trash.
3. Why use a Luger when you can be Super?
4. Americans didn’t like metric cartridge designations (or Germans) nearly as much back then.
5. Why use someone else’s cartridge when you can use your own?
6. Why use a cartridge with a shorter OAL when a longer one fits in the mag? The longer one gives you better feeding and velocity.

Yep

I’d like to have one in 357 Sig Caliber

Springfield Armory claimed they were going to make a conversion barrel for their little EMP 1911 in 40 cal

I bugged the schitt out of them about it, but they never did.

It’s even better than the .38 Super caliber. About on par with the 9X21, which they made a few guns in 1911’s.

If I remember right the 1911 38 Supers were originally introduced for the Mexico market because 45 acp was considered a military cartridge and illegal.

When I used to do gun shows in Austin, TX 30 years ago, the wetbacks would pay big money for a 1911 in .38 Super. Especially if it was chrome or nickel plated.

Get one of each. All are fun to shoot.

....Including the .22 Ace. (With a gizmo to make it "kick" more, like a .45!!)

The way I understand what I've read on the subject & a thought on the 9.

First of all, the 9. After WWI & for many years, lots of folks turned their nose up at the 9, as it was connected to the dirty low down Germans. Sure, there were bring backs in a lot of European, or German cartridges, but American ammo manufacturers avoided making many calibers. Even in the 60's, Norma 9mm was about the only factory chambering seen for new factory ammo. It just hadn't been accepted or taken serious, yet.

Now, the 38 super. Read that law enforcement officers/agencies of the 1920's requested something to help penetrate the car bodies of the day and helping fight the gangsters of the era. Note, Wiki indicates this as well. More powerful than an unpopular German 9 & the Super was American. Win/win.

The 357 magnum came along not too many years later & armor piercing ammo was popular for a time.

The M1911 is the easiest pistol in the world to shoot! Excellent balance. All it needs is a person holding it that knows how to shoot a handgun!! PERIOD!