Parts from a vintage Ouchy!

[Leadeye]

Shopping for parts for old guns, you sometimes come across somebody's mistake that has turned a vintage gun into a parts sale for other vintage guns. This is what's left of an old Colt 1902 38 ACP, probably after somebody shot off a rocket loaded 38 super in it. The cartridges are identical in size and chamber perfectly, but power levels are very different. In the beginning the 38 ACP was loaded much higher in pressure, but Colt had that reduced after problems with battered slide locks. On this gun the power was so high that the slide lock has been torn out of the front of the gun, probably turning the slide itself into a fast moving missile coming off the frame to the rear and striking the shooter. These are great old pistols so never shoot 38 super in them, find some old 38 ACP or make your own. A Lee cast 125 grain for 38 special works very well in these guns.

 

[WebSnyper]

I think you found the Kaboom...

 

[russc2542]

In case anyone else is confused, I had to do some reading (https://medium.com/@laxammo/brief-history-of-the-38-super-auto-b12b8af0bdb0) to figure it out: .38 ACP (or .38 auto) NOT .380 ACP (9x17/9mm short).

.38 acp and .38 super are indeed the same case and different power levels. similar in size to 9x23 winchester.


crazy family:
.380/9x17/9mm cort
9x18/9mm makarov
9x19 parabellum/luger
9x21 (which is just 9x19 with a longer case for no-military-calibers-for-civvies laws)
9x23 winchester
.38 auto/ACP
.38 super auto

 

[DoggyDaddy]

In case anyone else is confused, I had to do some reading (https://medium.com/@laxammo/brief-history-of-the-38-super-auto-b12b8af0bdb0) to figure it out: .38 ACP (or .38 auto) NOT .380 ACP (9x17/9mm short).

.38 acp and .38 super are indeed the same case and different power levels. similar in size to 9x23 winchester.


crazy family:
.380/9x17/9mm cort
9x18/9mm makarov
9x19 parabellum/luger
9x21 (which is just 9x19 with a longer case for no-military-calibers-for-civvies laws)
9x23 winchester
.38 auto/ACP
.38 super auto

You can also add 9mm Largo (also 9x23, but much lower pressure than 9x23 Winchester).

 

[kaveman]

Don't forget the 9x18 Ultra,....more of a stretched .380. Same metric designation as the Mak but totally different case and bullet diameter.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Don't forget the 9x18 Ultra,....more of a stretched .380. Same metric designation as the Mak but totally different case and bullet diameter.

That's one I'd not heard of! Man, they did some weird **** with ammo back in the day. Lots of companies wanting to make "their" ammo the mainstream (or proprietary to "their" guns like all the offbeat Savage calibers).

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

That looks like it could have left a mark... maybe in the shooters shorts!

Ouch!