Oh hell. 1911 bug is clawing at me.

[roo_ster]

Caliber: 9mm Luger Plus P
Bullet Wt.: 125gr CORBON Self-Defense JHP
Velocity: 1250fps
Energy: 434ftlbs
Test Barrel Length: 4.0 Inches

Caliber: 38 Super Auto Plus P
Bullet Wt.: 125gr CORBON Self-Defense JHP
Velocity: 1325fps
Energy: 487ftlbs
Test Barrel Length: 5.0 Inches

Caliber: 9x23
Bullet Wt.: 125gr CORBON Self-Defense JHP
Velocity: 1450fps
Energy: 584ftlbs
Test Barrel Length: 5.0 Inches

The above are CorBon numbers. (I didn't see a 9x19+P+ listing). Even allowing for the barrel length difference, the improved velocity and energy at equivalent bullet weights are worth it to me. YMMV.

9x23 is in a different league than 9mm, (std, +P, or +P+).  I think .38Casull has to rule the .38/9mm roost in 1911s, though.

I just never got all that excited over .38super or .357sig after I read about 9mm+P+.  Instead of gong through all the drama of bbl/mag/spring/extraxctor changes, all a prudent man might do is switch recoil & FP springs.

http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellk.htm#+P
Winchester 9mm 125gr +P+ @ 1250fps
Yep, Win is 100fps behind most other manuf in 9mm+P+.

www.buffalobore.com
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=119
9mm Luger +P+ Pistol and Handgun Bullets Ammo - (+P+) 124 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,300 fps/M.E. 461 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box
Item 24B/20 (+p+) 124gr. Jacketed Hollow Point
Browning Hi Power MK111, 4.6 inch barrel------------1330 fps
Beretta 92F, 4.9 inch barrel-------------------------------1304 fps
Glock 19, 4 inch barrel------------------------------------1296 fps

Lotsa BB 9mm+P+ with bullets ranging from 115gr to 147gr:
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=1

BB produces a lot of hot ammo.  The produce all flavors of 9mm, plus .38Super, and .357Sig.  With 125gr pills, BB claims an extra 50fps for .38Super than 9mm+P+ lacks (1350 vs 1300).  BB also shows which guns they used & bbl lengths. BB is able to squeeze 1425fps out of .357Sig with a 125gr pill.

So, I can see going to the trouble for 9x23 or .38Casull, but not .38Super.

[Scout26]

Two things.

Robert and I re-loaded 150 rds tonight for this weekend's Zombie Shoot.  There will be more reloading goodness when he comes over Friday.



Oh, and I've eaten Brigid's cooking.   You all have no idea how extraordinarily yummiliochous it was. 

[SADShooter]

scout:

Excellent on both counts. I am envious, as Brigid is obviously a talented and classy person.

More tomorrow on 9mm vs. .38Sfor roo_ster when I'm rested and sober.

SADShooter

[roo_ster]

I want to make it clear I don't dislike .38Super.  Before the advent of the franken-9mm rounds, it was the shinola if you wanted magnum-ish velocity in a semi-auto.

I also would not turn my nose up if a good deal in a quality gun presented itself. I could reload for it and get back the spunk factory ammo lost a decade or two back.

About the only criticism I have of the cartridge is its semi-rimmed case. 

[SADShooter]

And it's SUPER!

I know from prior research that you've looked into 9x23 the same way I have, which is what led me down this path in the first place, looking to approximate a .357 highway patrol load in a 1911. Including Super just adds some versatility in finding fairly uncommon/expensive ammunition or handloading with more bullet choices. If you're going to have a 2 caliber gun, why not 3? I've gone back and forth between starting with either as a conversion platform. 9x19 has the advantage of generally coming stock with ramped barrels. Right now I'm fantaizing about a Kimber Aegis Custom.

As noted, I'll probably wind up with an alloy .45 anyway.

[lee n. field]

I want to make it clear I don't dislike .38Super.  Before the advent of the franken-9mm rounds, it was the shinola if you wanted magnum-ish velocity in a semi-auto.

I also would not turn my nose up if a good deal in a quality gun presented itself

CDNN print catalog (2011-3) is showing a rather garish ("gold accents!") .38 Super Taurus 1911 for $429.  Same thing in blue for $389.

I'd rather have one as plain and GI-ish as I could get (with decent sights).

[HankB]

.38 Super is one of the few cartridges that has a medical affliction associated with it - "Super Face" - a term coined when IPSC shooters were uploading it beyond all reason to make "Major" classification. Occasionally, the cartidge case would let go, and a blast of powder and brass particles sprayed the shooter, testing the strength and coverage of his eye protection.

Ouch.

[Scout26]

As noted, I'll probably wind up with an alloy .45 anyway.

Jeeez, make it sound like your getting a pair of heavily patched and re-stitched hand-me-down jeans from your third cousin's nephew's neighbor kid.

If you really don't want one, you can always just give it to me.

[SADShooter]

  I've been mentally masturbating over the .38 Super/9x23 idea for several years, as an alternative to the Para P13 brick that's my 1911 carry gun currently. THE D in SADShooter stands for ditherer.

My point was that I already have a mess of .45 magazines for the STI Trojan and other accessories, so it would make more sense to go .45 for logistical reasons, and cost less. (Though I did just buy 2 Metalform .38S mags from CDNN to spur myself along.)

[280plus]

I've been mentally masturbating over the .38 Super/9x23 idea for several years,

How's your eyesight holding out? 

[SADShooter]

Let's just say I need more scope magnification than most people, and I'm developing an appreciation for fiber-optic sights.

[280plus]

 

[grislyatoms]

5 days left before I go plunk down the money.

[280plus]

Tick, tick, tick,,,