Super .38 vs .45 ACP

[Mac]

I plan to purchase a new Colt and think I want a Super .38 but the .45 ACP sure has some appeal. Plans are to use it just for plinking and informal target use. Perhaps use it for home protection once I get some experience with it. Will most likely hand load for it.
Any pros and cons would be appreciated.

Mac

[Pendennis]

...calibers.

I own a Springfield 1911 in .38 Super, nickel plated. It's my "El Jeffe" gun. The recoil is mild, and I managed to get around 500 round of ammo with it. I reload, and the cost remains very cheap.

I also own several 1911's in .45 ACP. Ammo is plentiful, but since I reload, the cost is fairly low for shooting, also.

My two Colts are a SS Commander, and a SS Gold Cup.

I would be hard pressed to select between the two, but I would go with the .45ACP if I could only have one 1911. But that .38 Super is sure fun to shoot.

[williamd]

Have 38Super, 45CP, 9mm, 10mm, 40S&W of 1911A1 type. Like them all, but my reach out and touch guns are the 10 and the 38S. You can find a 45 anywhere, anytime. I would go a the 38Super ... first. Consider ammo expense if not a reloader.

[Armyphotog]

I have never understood the fasination with the .45. I carried one in the Army, was the first gun I ever owned (and 1 was enough!) Almost anything else is easier to shoot and hit with. As for home protection, get a shotgun. Military 00 Buck.

[williamd]

WOW, Armyphotog, you are asking to get blasted. I'll start!

If you have a good 1911A1 in 45ACP (does not have to be a $2K+ gun) and work up a good load many will shoot into 2" at 25 yards. I have some. Also have 1911A1's in 9mm, 10mm, 40S&W, 38Super. I find recoil very manageable in all, accuracy great (45ACP best), weight/balance good ... just great guns. I can shoot a 1911A1 as easily and accurately as my wheelies.

Yea, no argument, a shotgun is a good HD weapon. Have that, too. Claymores around the homestead might be even better. Couple of bear traps.

[therevjay]

Since you say you reload it dosen't really matter. If you didn't, then I'd say .45ACP Ammo is fairly cheap, and easy to find almost anywhere. .38 super is never cheap, and often hard to find.

[macey109]

I have never understood the fasination with the .45. I carried one in the Army, was the first gun I ever owned (and 1 was enough!) Almost anything else is easier to shoot and hit with. As for home protection, get a shotgun. Military 00 Buck.

I'll just say wow....

[Colt75]

There are pros and cons to each. Own several .45 ACPs and a .38 Super. Have shot plenty with both. If I had to a choose one I would get the .38 Super. I think it is an underappreciated and underrated cartridge with very impressive ballistics.

As for Home Defense, rely on the 12 gauge short barrel pump loaded with a duck loads or #4 Buckshot. The handgun is for backup.

[kmyers]

We have both and like both here. Both are great calibers.