Action works in both single and double action. Calling all crime buffs: Here's your shot at history. The Combat Commander 45 ACP pistol on the right includes a nickel engraved finish and custom silver grips. My Para-Ordnance is middle of the road. Hamer stood in the doorway of the bank and a long confrontation ensued until finally Parrs gunmen walked away. I too loved my 38 super but it was notoriously HARD to get right handloading. $901.00 $901.00. Sell a Similar Item. Over many lonely, weary years, he earned the absolute confidence of his neighbors hauling their goods to market. . I think the fact that during the 60s 38 Super kinda faded and like I said the ammo wasnt really easy to get. Shipping, Payment & Auction Policies. Slides wear a set of Wilson Combats Tactical Pyramid sights and ejection ports are lowered and flared. I have 2 Kimber 38 Supers and love them. At the age of 24 years old, Hamer established and maintained order in Navasota. Started reloading rounds as store bought ones were not to my liking. Required fields are marked *. But, ammo is not plentiful and 9mm+P is. The nemesis of Bonnie and Clyde packed an M1911 but it was a .38 Super. At the beginning of her second term, she fired all the Rangers that remained and appointed replacements for them. The .45 SAA Colt was a mainstay until John Browning completed his 1911 project. My super 38 Colt is an outstanding pistol. The .38 Super was introduced in the 1911 handgun in 1929 to arm peace officers with a hard-hitting handgun that offered good penetration against the new breed of mechanized thug. Texas Rangers are an independent lotalways have beenperhaps from that time alone riding horseback across the vast expanse of Texas. A 2.5 to 3-inch group for five shots at 25 yards is the standard. 2007-2023 Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore. Its used most commonly in competition teamed with a compensated 1911 (opinion). Finally, after the last batch of rounds, which I paid extra attention to the details, still had an alarmingly high rejection rate, I finally said I had enough and sold it for a 10mm. It was customized with Wilso Combat grip safety, skelontized trigger and green fiber optic front sight. I shoot 38 super in a RIA 1911 that my gunsmith set up Add to Wish List . Very inexpensively made and prone to breakage with no parts availability. The 9 mm didnt make it through the first book. My father said that one reason she had the gun taped to the inside of her leg was that, in those days, no gentlemen officer would search a woman where she had it taped Sometime later, my father gave this gun to Buster Davis who had been a Texas Ranger and was, at the time, an FBI Agent.. I usually load to USPSA Major PF using .38 Super Comp brass. I had Republic Forge build me a 1911 in 9mm and also included the 38 super barrel and spring. Colt was discontinuing the long-serving .38 ACP automatic and wished to introduce a mid bore to replace it. The Rangers were dealing with arms smuggling, bandits and bootleggers along the Mexican border. Hamers first stint as a Texas Ranger was with Captain John H. Rogerss Company C. In his first assignment he put a stop to murders and riots in the Rio Grande Valley that, notwithstanding the efforts of federal troops, had been raging unabated for many months. My latest purchase was a Nighthawk Custom that I ordered, and they made me, in 38 Super. Historically, thats why it was created. Categories: Semi Auto Pistols Condition: New Manufacturer: Colt Model: 1911 El Samuel Colt Caliber: 38 Super Auto +P SKU: 098289112774 MPN: O1911C-38-ESB UPC: 098289112774 WE BUY GUNS! Ben in Arizona. Then acquired a Colt Defender and that, I thought, settled it. There can be no other gun with a closer association to Bonnie Parker than the one taped to her body at her death.. Same ballistics as .357 mag. Nelson killed Federal Agent Baum at Little Bohemia with a .38 Super machine pistol. Caliber: .38 Colt Special Overall condition as seen in photos. The Colt Walker was created in the mid-1840s in a collaboration between Texas Ranger Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker (1817-1847) and American firearms inventor Samuel Colt (1814-1862), building upon the earlier Colt Paterson design. Just pick up your brass. Burley Auction Group - TEXAS RANGER COLLECTION/ESTATE AUCTION - TEXAS RANGER COLLECTION/ESTATE AUCTION - New Braunfels, . The March, 1992 issue of Guns and Ammo's " HANDGUNS FOR SPORT AND DEFENSE " magazine contains an interview with Frank Hamer Jr. who confirmed that his father's Colt was a .38 Super. Bill was glad to do it. Hamer, by then an accomplished detective and gunfighter, studied the way in which Barrow made a wide circle along certain state borders. Very Fast. I happen to have a Colt 1911 National Match in the .38 Super Full Wad Cutter. Is it good for self-defense? . At the time i knew nothing about guns At all. The most fun to shoot pistol i own. A few ago I traded for a RIA 22TCM/9mm combo. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. According to one of the posters, the reason that the Texas Rangers liked the Super 38 was that it would penetrate car bodies better than other calibers. 's blog. Item Number: PR52796. I know lots of times my Super rides to the range right beside my G20. While I enjoy the wonderful 45 cartridge I much prefer the higher capacity and easier control of follow up shots with the 9mm and 38 Super. Sold my Glock 17 (after 15 years of daily service as my carry gun) and bought a new Tangfoglio Combat 38 Super. This is an easier cartridge to master than the .45 and has two more rounds of magazine capacity. 2 extra rounds in the magazine. cartridge. The Mission of Cheaper Than Dirt! Well, my grouping sucked. As for the Colt .38 Super . Hammer carried his Triplelock in a shoulder holster. That afternoon, the lynch mob threw gasoline into the courthouse; the rangers attempted to rescue the prisoner while the mob prevented firemen from putting out the fire and cut their hoses. Price: $475.00. A Colt .38 Super was carried by Texas Ranger Jack Hammer, and others, because it was the only caliber of its time that could penetrate the body armor that the then current crop of criminals in the US were wearing. Shot well and handled very similar to a baby eagle. The Professionals groups were a little larger than I might have expected, but including this pistol, I have only test fired two .38 Super handguns. Problem is, they are extremely hard to find now, especially the Colt Gold Cup Trophy. Competition shooters are .38 Super Auto fanatics. Hard to find ammo in a platform I dont particularly care for and no, I cant stand Glock either. Exclusive deals, discounts, new product launches, coupon codes and more. Following the success of its initial collaboration with Vertx, Premier Body Armor announces its continued partnership. There are a fair number of barrels available from several manufacturers at a price point from $51 up too the $250 range. For nay sayers, look at the ballistics compared to a 9mm or .38 Special and you will understand. Regular Price. Sheriff Henderson Jordan and his deputy, Prentiss Oakley, joined Hamer along with former Ranger Manny Gault. There seems to be a consensus that Hamer carried a 1911 chambered in .38 Super when he ambushed Bonnie and Clyde: For most of his career, Hamer carried an engraved .45 Colt M1873 SAA revolver with 4.75 barrel (pp. NW Nevada. America's Ultimate Shooting Sports Discounter. If you can. Great 3 cartridge pistol for defense or hunting. A question that comes up around gun shops is, Who still uses the .38 Super, if anyone? I am one of the users of this fine cartridge, and while I appreciate the grand old .38 Super, or Super .38 as it is variously called, it is probably not a caliber I recommend for most shooters. Hamer used a customized .35 Remington Model 8 semiautomatic rifle with a special-order 15-round magazine. The loading gate is loose when down. Working primarily along the South Texas border, Hamer became known as an expert shot. Adding to the appearance, as well as function, Trace had the normally coated single-side Tactical Thumb Safety, Bullet Proof slide stop, and High-Ride Beavertail Grip Safety replaced with polished stainless steel versions. He was elected to a second term in 1944 and was the longest-serving governor in the history of Texas. Thats my take, now take your best shot to change my mind.. On the morning of May 23, 1934, when my father and the officers with him in Louisiana killed Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, a notarized letter written by Hamer on the gun reads. Shot at point blank range, Hamer snatched the jammed gun out of the assassins hand when a second assailant started blazing away at Hamer. John B. Jones, 1860 Colt Army Richards Transition Revolver, 1878 Smith & Wesson New Model No. Ive made hits with the Colt at 300 yards using Remington factory 130 grain FMJ. Talk about a tack driver, fun to shoot gun. I bought a RIA 1911 in .38 super because everybody has a 1911 in .45. . Barrow, Parker and associate Jimmy Mullens engineered the Eastham prison farm escape and freed Raymond Hamilton, Henry Methvin, Hilton Bybee and Joe Palme. 3 Revolver, 1907 Winchester Rifle, Ranger George Chapman, 1950 Smith & Wesson Chiefs Special, Sgt. Hi Ben, email me at bowhuntr1959@yahoo.com if you are interested in selling your 38 super ammo. Is there a reference for the 6 1/2 inch Triplelock? In the 80s people began to realize that head spacing off the Rim (like revolver cartridges) was why so many .38 Supers were not accurate, and started spacing off the case mouth, like the .45 ACP. ATF understands the importance of this historically significant firearm, Guy Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the ATFs Boston field division, said in a news release. Frank Hamer, had its serial numbers obliterated in the heyday of Bonnie and. At distances of 50 or less, the Super has virtually the same muzzle velocity of the .357 Magnum. He is buried in Austin. It is made to use Colt 38 Colt Model 1889 U.S. Navy Revolver. The Barrow Gang robbed banks in Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa with Hamer in hot pursuit. Factory ammo as you are likely aware is pretty expensive. Serial # 16205 Manufactured in 1891. On horseback pursuing Mexican bandits or errant Comanches, or in the seat of a Crown Victoria sleuthing out a serial killer, Rangers usually carry all their equipment with them. The cop in the bunch and 2 of 4 others all had 38 super weapons within a month. Johnson went on to take the Senate seat that he stole from Stevenson and Stevenson retired to Junction, Texas. The Wilson Combat Texas Ranger Professional on Ranger Trace McDonalds belt works, as our range outing proved. The Ranger Connection I purchased a Colt Goldcup National match 38 super elite used back in the late 1980s and still have it. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Revolver has approximately 50% original blue. Their deaths ended a legendary Depression-era crime spree that spanned the central U.S. and included holdups of more than a dozen banks and scores of small shops and gas stations. Had some handloads that shot 5 out of nine kill shots on a siloute at 100 yards, back when I could see that far. Very Safe. Accuracy is pretty good. Notify Me When Available. Its low muzzle blast, light recoil and accuracy are hard to duplicate. Stevenson was elected to a full term in 1942, winning the Democratic primary with 69% and being unopposed in the general election. I built a 1911 Govt in 9mm and I just love it but wanted a little more power. Campfire Ranger. How about compared to the .45 ACP? Today, Texas DPS issues Sig Sauer pistols in .357 Sig, undeniably robust, and potent, equipment. However, as an elite division, the Rangers are allowed some latitude in what they carry, and a large number choose the 1911. The Winchester Silvertip breaks about 1,200 fps with a 125-grain bullet. HT108, W:D71) and the lever-action rifle with a .35 Remington Model 8 semiautomatic rifle (p. W:D72) with 20-round magazine extension (both weapons offering superior penetration against bullet-proof vests and the heavy Ford V8 sedans Clyde Barrow was partial to). Estimate $150 - $300. Crime was rampant in the Roaring '20s and peace officers found themselves at a disadvantage when armed with revolvers firing the standard round-nosed .38 Special. When expecting a gunfight, he also took a .44 S&W Hand-Ejector revolver with 6.5 barrel for backup. The pistol pictured was presented to Highway patrolman Glenn Elliott in 1956. colt .38 Super head space 1911forum site:www.1911forum.com - Google Search. I figured that if you go oddball with the Super, why go very normal with a 1911? Clyde Barrows gang shot and wounded two prison guards one fatally- during a prison breakout in 1934. No9t sure why it didnt catch on here like the 9mm. When you read the engraving it will bring a tear to your eyes. It is not carried everywhere but it is easier to get than some calibers like the .50 ae. His reputation as a Texas Ranger would have made him a legend even if he had not apprehended Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker in Louisiana. In my shooting experience, people have either never heard of the round, remember it being mentioned in passing, or go through a few hundred rounds of it a week for USPSA or something similar. Description: Belgium Texas Ranger 38 COLT SPL. We clamped 3 Oklahoma City phone books together and took them down to the end of the range. As an Old School (Since early 90s) competitive shooter / reloader, and ER/ICU MD, Ive been a fan of ol .38 Super. The Para-Ordnance is an eye-catching pistol that has proven completely reliable, reasonably accurate, and a great deal of fun. (Normal boolits are .355 .356. In 1948, Stevenson led the Democratic primary with 39.7% to 33.7% against Lyndon B. Johnson. A 6 1/2 inch gun would have been difficult to use. To me, affinity for those two rounds would go hand in hand. All rights reserved. The police and the Bankers Associations refused to cooperate with Hamers investigation. The 9mm and .45 probably offer advantages over the .38 Super in many categories, but the old Super is a cartridge with plenty of panache, style, flash, and performance. Hamer was also an officer for Harris County before joining the Rangers again in 1915 and was assigned to patrol the South Texas border around Brownsville. I had an EAA Witness in 38 super ,thats right a HI CAP! Little did anyone with whom Bill Wilson began his 1911 shooting, well over three decades ago, realize his interest in Colt 1911s would prove such a driving factor in his life. As to the rifles ability to tear holes in a V8 Ford, Frank Hamer had an unimpeachable source Clyde Barrow. 13 Kathleen J. Hoyt, historian, to Colt Company, July 26, 1993. My 38 Super commander is my EDC. Nevertheless, Hamer used buckshot on the crowd and wounded at least two as they charged up the stairs of the courthouse. The rifle was modified to accept a police only 15-round magazine. I presently shot mostly bullseye. The Commander Model 38 Super pistol on the left includes the standard blued finish and checkered wood grips. The .38 Super is more powerful than the 9mm Luger and only a little, if any, more difficult to handle. I have heard all the bull about the 9mm. Ted Hinton, in his book Ambush, declares that two of the Colt automatics at the ambush were .38 Supers. Every man in the West wanted one. Editors note: This post was originally published in January of 2020. Stephen F. Austin probably never anticipated the historical impact of his organizing a small civilian group to provide protection for immigrants into Tejas. It will be robust and potent equipment, because when working alone only the best will do. Thanks, Matt.