I am working through the rifles and pistols I inherited from my father; learning to take each item apart, cleaning and oiling, understanding safety issues, purchasing ammunition or magazines if I didn't already have it and then test firing. At that point I have a working weapon. It's been an enjoyable process so far.

I am onto a Colt .380 Mark IV government model and the salesman at the local gun shop in Pennsylvania sold me "super" .380 ammunition for this one. The manual I have didn't specify "super" from what I saw (I probably need to look one more time and I don't have it here).

Anyway, what is the difference between "regular" .380 and "super" .380 ammunition and is it a requirement to use one or the other in this pistol, or is it simply a preference due to performance factors?

Thanks for the help.

Yeah 38 Super is definitely not the same as .380 but you won't be able to accidentally chamber it in your gun. 38 Super ammo is longer than a .380 and a bit wider. If you are sure it is not just a brand name like Winchester Super-X .380 then your local gun shop guy knows very little about firearms.

One wears a cape and tights!

I've not ever seen a box of "super" .380. Can you put up a picture of the box?

If it is a full size 1911 Govt. Model Colt and not a smaller gun, like a Colt Mustang, it has to be a .38 Super and fairly rare.

Are you sure this gun isn't chambered in Super .38 and not Super .380? I have not heard of the latter, but have heard of the former. gunsandammo.com has an article about it. Seem to recall seeing a a segment on the t.v. show as well...

quote:

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If it is a full size 1911 Govt. Model Colt and not a smaller gun, like a Colt Mustang, it has to be a .38 Super and fairly rare.

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My brother has one from my Grand dad, it's freakin sweet. Nickel, never been fired. I've never seen another like it.

It's a Mark IV Series 80-380 Auto Pistol, Government Model. The manual says it should use 380 Auto ammunition.

The ammunition I purchased at the gun shop is Fiocchi 38 Super Auto, and now that I'm here and took a look, the bullets are definitely too large for the magazine. Looks like I need an exchange.

Thanks for the help.

[This message has been edited by NY Ag (edited 9/4/2010 4:14p).]

So, you tell everyone you purchased super .380 ammo, but then it turns out you bought .38 Super.

Where is that palm-slap to the forehead icon when you really need it?

Yep, I should have just waited until I got back out here and looked at it again before I posted.

Caladan, cut the guy some slack. He's trying to learn about one of our favorite things. We need far more like him.


Now the thing that I call livin' is just bein' satisfied with knowin' I got no one left to blame

NY Ag, it happens to the best of us sometimes, now you've learned something that you won't forget.

Just so that you are aware, most stores do not accept returns/exchanges of ammunition.