.38 ACP - Got an old one but can't find ammunition...

[generator12]

I've got an old Star .38 auto that I bought in the 1960's. It's in great condition, but hasn't been fired in many decades. I can't find any ammo for it. It's the Browning .38 ACP - a good cartridge but it was waylaid by the emergence of the 9mm. If anyone has a line on a source of ammunition for this, I'd appreciate knowing about it. I don't really want to fire it much - just a few rounds to remind me how much I enjoyed it way back then.

 

[MTboatguy]

The rounds for your pistol now go by the name of ".38 Auto"

Take a look at this thread I found on a gun forum.

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=465147

And here is a company that is listing ammo for it for sale.

https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/11948

Here is another one

http://www.ammo-one.com/38APCAuto.html

Another place to always check when looking for ammo is Ammoseek

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/38acp

Oldy but goody and not all that common these days.

The ACP of course stands for Automatic Colt Pistol and it was developed right around the turn of the century by John Browning.

Also if you can post up a picture of it, I have not seen very many of them over the years and would be interested in seeing the one you have.

Just to add, read this on the history of the cartridge on this for sale page so you make sure and get the correct ammo.

https://shop.ammo-one1.com/product.sc?productId=220

 

[generator12]

Thanks for the leads. I'm still checking them out. I've come across ads for this ammunition but the links don't work or when you bring it up you find it's "out of stock". Anyway, to your request, see the pics.

 

[MTboatguy]

Thanks for the leads. I'm still checking them out. I've come across ads for this ammunition but the links don't work or when you bring it up you find it's "out of stock". Anyway, to your request, see the pics.

You must have got those pictures off of Gun Broker, cause than one says it is a 9mm!

I will have to unload one of my safe's cause I have one that was made in 1901 in that caliber, looks a lot like the later model 1911 models, that came out in .45 ACP and is a Colt.

The .387 auto is not one I hear much about anymore, I don't shoot mine and have not for over 25 years now, but I do still have ammo for it and I also have an old classic manual Lee Loader so I can reload shells when and if I ever need to again.

 

[Bob_VT]

38 auto and 38 super are the same size BUT VERY differing pressures. If you decide to reload - Starline Brass makes /sells the brass and it is decent quality

 

[MTboatguy]

38 auto and 38 super are the same size BUT VERY differing pressures. If you decide to reload - Starline Brass makes /sells the brass and it is decent quality

Yup, that is why I mentioned make sure you get the proper ammo, the super came out around 1929 and the pressures are in the range of what is call +P ammo, which can destroy a gun not able to handle the pressure as well as injure the shooter.

 

[generator12]

You're right about the .38 Super. I bought a box on the recommendation of a guy in a gun shop (who apparently knew no more than I did), but never fired any of them through the pistol. And MTboatguy, you're right about the 9mm stamping on it. I actually fired a couple of boxes of 9mm luger through it, but had a few feed problems. That's when an expert friend of mine told me that it was intended for .38 ACP and not 9mm. Thing is, these pieces were standard issue for the Spanish army at one point, which is probably why they were marked that way.

In any case, I've ordered a couple of boxes of 50 from Ammo One ("A Call to Arms"). I'll put a few through it, then clean and store it away like I have for over forty years, along with the rest of the cartridges.