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. Paras quality sometimes left much to be desired, but the best Paras are excellent handguns. COLT SERIES 70 LIMITED EDITION .45 TEXAS LONGHORN . This Texas Ranger collector firearm features handsome 24-karat gold decorations, including the hammer, slide stop, safety lock, grip screws, barrel bushing and magazine catch. Colt 38 Super Pre-War - Old Colt I found that using 9mm bullets expanded the available range of bullets without affecting accuracy. After entering the Ranger service in 1961, Elliot . Below this was a lightweight aluminum-alloy frame, with a flat-black Armor Tuff finish, making the package lighter on the belt and giving a striking appearance. I recently came across a 1929 Super .38 that also came from Texas. (Normal boolits are .355 .356. At distances of 50 or less, the Super has virtually the same muzzle velocity of the .357 Magnum. Its very accurate too, I was easily hitting a bowling pin at 50 yards repeatedly. My 38 Super commander is my EDC. The factory letter confirms this is one of only 94 Texas Ranger Special Edition revolvers manufactured, lists the configuration, and notes that is chemically etched with "TEXAS RANGERS" in block letters down the back strap and inlaid with a flush silver "10" on the heel. Known as Mr. Texas, Stevenson represented a kind of independent thinking in politics that makes it now seem inevitable that he and his old hunting partner, Frank Hamer, would be destined to walk down the streets of Alice together under the hard stares of George Parrs pistoleros most of whom were armed with rifles and shotguns. Texas Ranger Jack Dean's Custom 1911 .38 Super. You cant beat going online to find a gun that youre looking for, and I can just about guarantee that youd find 38 Supers on GunBroker, to name just one place. As long as I do my bit, its a straight shooter. The ammo is not as hard to find as stated in the article. By the time Bar-Sto got around to changing it to headspace on the case mouth, the market was nearly gone. Some nations, notably Mexico, prohibit military calibers such as the 9mm and .45, but not the .38 Super. The young lawyers following those two Texas legends saw groups of armed men standing all around the street. My super 38 Colt is an outstanding pistol. My first gun was a colt .38 super from 1958 which i inherited from my uncle who was a big gun enthusiast. My gun likes the heavier bullet weights and Ive been experimenting with the 158 grain JHP and JSPs in .357 diameter with goods accuracy and velocity. Colt 1911 in 38 Super - 24hourcampfire HT110, OW86, W:D71) called Old Lucky, either in a holster on his right side, or, when he was no longer required to ride a horse, simply tucked into his waistband. Originally (and this was a biggie), it headspaced on the cases semi rim, which affected its accuracy compared to the 9mm and the 45ACP. The mob, estimated at 5,000 people, then proceeded to burn black businesses. Coke Stevenson to the Texas State Bank in Alice, county seat of Jim Wells County in South Texas. I find very few people casually shoot the Super. The gun, which has a 1926 patent date, remains in fine mechanical condition, with all original factory markings, and has moderate wear on its grips. The Para-Ordnance is an eye-catching pistol that has proven completely reliable, reasonably accurate, and a great deal of fun. The result? The Colt Six Shooter: A Gun So Heavy, It Takes a Texan - Texas Standard Like many lawmen of his era, Hamer adorned Old Lucky with carved pearl stocks,. The Rangers were dealing with arms smuggling, bandits and bootleggers along the Mexican border. Had a guy once tell me there was no such thing, he is now a believer. today it is in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco. Muzzle brake . Estimate $150 - $300. There were several reasons why the .38 Super didnt take off as Colt hoped it would. The loading gate is loose when down. Shortly thereafter, many Rangers adopted the platform, first in .45 Auto, later in the .38 Super. Thanks for your article, it helped shed some light on the history, i might try to pick up another 1911 in that caliber. The mob succeeded in breaking open the vault and dragging Hughes dead body behind a car, then hanging it from a tree where they set it on fire. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Looking for even more I bought some 923 Winchester brass and long story short from the 5 Super 38 barrel using VV 105 powder and 124 gr. I first discovered the .38 Super when I read one of Stephen Hunters Bob Lee Swagger books. First, a frame handling eight-round Wilson magazines, for a nine-shot capacity, and one on which you can always get all your fingers. Commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, these . An old timer gave me several boxes of ammo and I reload as well but it can be hard to find. Hamer drew down on him with a shotgun and told him to not do it. Great Britain took delivery of 1429 1911s in .38 Super in the 30s to . Para is out of business, some miss them, while some do not. The question is this. Shortly thereafter, many Rangers adopted the platform, first in .45 Auto, later in the .38 Super. Colt Walker - Wikipedia Great 3 cartridge pistol for defense or hunting. I have been reloading .38 Super since 1982 and find it to be a great round, very accurate and hits harder than 9mm. It would eat the center out of targets with factory loads to 15 yards if one did his part. 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. However my Dad shot on the 4th Army pistol team in the 50s and they shot 22, 38 Super, and 45 autos all in the 45 frame. 26 years and still my favorite pistol. Posts: 24,416. Have been reading about early Texas history and am amazed by accounts of the states way of life in the early 1900s and the stories of men like Frank Hamer and LBJ who contributed so much good and bad. The rifle was modified to accept a police only 15-round magazine. In those days officers from one state were legally prohibited from chasing suspects across the border of another state. Ive always wanted to experience the Super and am glad I did it. I fitted a .38 Super barrel and stronger spring. Very accurate and reasonable in handling recoil. Self-sufficiency has been a common thread throughout Texas Ranger history, because there have always been so few Rangers at any time (even today there are only134 commissioned positions). The .38 Super is dimensionally identical to the .38 ACP of 1900. I pretty much fell in love with the Colt 1911 38 Super I have. I usually carry the handgun with Wilson Combat magazines. There are a lot of opinions on the .38 Super. Haha But if its your bag and you can hit what youre aiming for with it, then go for it. Add to Wish List. I purchased a Colt Goldcup National match 38 super elite used back in the late 1980s and still have it. Have a EAA Witness Compact converted to 38 Super and it is a tack driver. Got out and bought a new Glock as they were the new kids on the block. 1939 Super .38 serial number 32239 - in new condition with original box, . . If you want to know more about Glenn Elliiott, he has written two books: A Ranger's Ranger and Still A Ranger's Ranger. We used to do some long-range shooting with handguns when I was in college. I know this will sound funny but about the only time I ever even think about the .38 Super is when happening to catch re-reuns of Nash Bridges. 1911forum is your friend. Is it good for self-defense? A few ago I traded for a RIA 22TCM/9mm combo. jacketed bullets Im sending them across my Chrony at 1550 fps. Im in Chandler. Winchester makes a 124gr nickel coated brass case jacketed soft point ammo. When asked by one of the rioters whether he would surrender the prisoner, Hamer replied,Any time you feel lucky come on, but when you start up the stairway once more, there is going to be many funerals in Sherman. This quieted the crowd for twenty or thirty minutes according to Hamers official statement. Combat mags. If you can. COLT .38 SUPER AUTOMATIC - 50 Famous Firearms You've Got to Own: Rick (AP file). The Wilson Combat Texas Ranger Professional on Ranger Trace McDonalds belt works, as our range outing proved. I have a rule for my autos: after it fits in the cartridge gauge, I still load them into a clip and prove they can chamber. Stevenson and Hamer met the lawyers at the Alice Hotel and Hamer told them to take off their coats so that the well-armed gangs employed by the Duke of Duvall,George Parr, would know that they were unarmed. Regular Price Oak Hill Price Cash Price. Trace brought the pistol, and I furnished the ammo (except the load from Atlanta Arms, a company he routinely uses) and targets, and snapped the accompanying photos. The M1911 Pistols Organization Forums Site Help; Remember Me? I have three .38 Supers, a Star, Colt 1911 Govt and Kimber Gold Match SE II from their custom shop. Sig Sauer P320 Texas Ranger 9mm 4.7" Nitron 17rd Talo Kimber Custom Shop made only 260 Stainless Gold Match SE II in .38 Super in 2001. What was it about the old Super .38 and Texas Rangers? I shoot 38 super in a RIA 1911 that my gunsmith set up COLT 1911 45 ACP STAINLESS . Read on. Why so popular South of the border? While I like the Para very much, if you are interested in a .38 ACP Super, the readily available Rock Island 1911 is a better choice than hunting down an out-of-production handgun. 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). Thus, Johnson was off the ballot in the general election unless Johnson could do something quickly. I usually load to USPSA Major PF using .38 Super Comp brass. Dallas County Sheriffs Deputy Bob Alcorn and another Dallas County deputy, Ted Hinton, had previously been involved in an attempt to ambush Barrow and Parker, in November 1933. Ive made hits with the Colt at 300 yards using Remington factory 130 grain FMJ. The effectiveness of the caliber cannot be argued. It is a great calibre that is moribund because too many shooters jump on the bandwagon of whatever is popular at the time. The March, 1992 issue of Guns and Ammos HANDGUNS FOR SPORT AND DEFENSE magazine contains an interview with Frank Hamer Jr. who confirmed that his fathers Colt was a .38 Super. Johnson went on to take the Senate seat that he stole from Stevenson and Stevenson retired to Junction, Texas. The gun shoots better than I can shoot it. To front for Old Lucky, Capt. I haven't had any issues whatsoever and have a good 3k rounds of this stuff thru my 2 guns. The Colt .38-caliber Detectives Special revolver, which was recovered from Parkers body by Texas Ranger Capt. All-carbon-steel construction, excluding the hand-fitted, stainless-steel match barrel, is standard on the Professional, and a liberal coating of Armor-Tuff finish is applied to frame and slide, in matching or contrasting colors. Keep Reading. The abandoned V8 spoke volumes to the able lawmen of Dallas County and to the Rangers. at the time. He had a bar in West Covina Cali. In the latter 1800s, they all but standardized on the Colt Single Action Army revolver and the lever-action Winchester rifle, and when the more powerful box magazine 1895 model came out, they flocked to them so fast that they are prevalent in pictures of Rangers during that period. Love the gun and love the round. The gang murdered two Texas Highway Patrol officers at Grapevine, Texas. It is a popular caliber in countries that ban civilian ownership of military caliber weapons. Lock up okay, but gun is likely non functional. Belgian "Texas Ranger" .38 S&W (PR52796) - Collectors Firearms Buy ammo while supplies last. Seller: Craig Barter. Colt 1911 Heritage .38 Super Full-Size Stainless Pistol with Custom Scroll Engraving. Fortunately, the Texas Ranger Museum and Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas would prove to be a valuable resource. Frank Hamer was born in Fairview, Wilson County, Texas. recoil spring and a shock-buff. Inside the slide is a heavy tapered (cone) barrel, running above a standard-length recoil spring guide rod with an open-end reverse plug. Clyde certainly did not intend to be taken alive. Black ruled that the federal district court lacked jurisdiction and that the question was for the Central Committee to decide. Regular Price. ATF special agents were then able to obtain an ATF-issued serial number ATF7620091 for RR Auction, which was later stamped onto the revolvers receiver and making it federally compliant for an auction on Sept. 30, when it is expected to fetch upward of $200,000. I used Glocks exclusively for carry went through models and calibers, ending up with the G30 and 45ACP. According to Rick Cartledge in THE GUNS OF FRANK HAMER: Frank Hamer Jr., a distinguished lawman in his own right, gave a filmed interview in which he showed the nimble .35 that his father had bought especially to go after Bonnie and Clyde. It can be loaded just like a 9mm with the same bullets and powder. I dont need it for a semi-auto, I need it for a revolver.. Cabelas sales are final, so what do I do now? One often hears that the Texas Rangers and other Texans were among Colt's best customers for the early Super .38. No single model could offer every feature every Ranger might want. Hamer stood in the doorway of the bank and a long confrontation ensued until finally Parrs gunmen walked away. Jun 25, 2019. *Last, but not the least: CDNN Sports (TX), used to sell genuine, ramped / supported SIG .38 Super bbls for 1.911. Parker was just 24 when she and Barrow died in a hail of gunfire after being ambushed by law enforcement authorities in Louisiana. But read the ballistics on the 38 Super and the info on Genitron: 1350fps with 500ftlbs in a 124 grain, half the recoil in a 1911 govt. They deserve top-notch tools, and Wilson Combat 1911s are that! Disenchanted with the Democratic Party, Coke Stevenson supported Republicans for the rest of his life, including John Tower for the Senate and Nixon and Goldwater for the presidency. As for the loads, the .38 ACP Super is a bit hotter than the 9mm at the top end. In those days, Republicans had no possibility of winning a Senatorial race and the ruling ensured that Johnson was elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas. 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. first time i fired it i couldnt believe how flat shooting it is. I request a letter from Colt on all pre-war Super .38s as many were carried by various LEOs. It only made sense to chamber the 1911 Government Model in a .38 caliber cartridge. $1,836.00. I loved my .38 super so much i bought a colt competition series a few years ago. Guns International #: 101277151 Seller's Inventory #: 219948. If you have a question about an item, please call or e-mail for more information before placing your order. Trace made a good choice with the Professional! Following the success of its initial collaboration with Vertx, Premier Body Armor announces its continued partnership. It is a great, slim design and functions flawlessly like most Colts. The 38 special penetrated around 1/4 inch into the second book. If so, Ill take it off your hands. A larger group stood in the doorway of the bank where Johnsons cronies illegally kept the election records. This Colt was Ranger Rohatsch's carry gun, and shows the wear!!! For general use, I most often practice with a FMJ loading. Hamer and the other peace officers used warning shots and tear gas to break the crowd up on more than one occasion while Hughes was locked in the district court vault for safety. However, for the hunt on Bonnie & Clyde, he replaced the S&W revolver with a .38 Colt Super Auto pistol (pp. The Mission of Cheaper Than Dirt! Belgian Texas Ranger .38 Special 1920s Revolver . However, the .38 Super suffered in popularity after the introduction of the .357 Magnum. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Ballistically though, 9mm+P comes real close to catching up with the Super in performance, and so it will most likely remain a niche gun and caliber. Firing System: External Hammer Frame Material: Steel Magazine Type: Single Stack Magazine Barrel Configuration: Single Rifled Barrel: Yes Minimum Pull Length: 0 in. I liked it so much I bought the other three calibers when released. RR Auction in New Hampshire received the gun this summer from a private collector and noticed that the revolver had been altered, according to ATF officials from its field office in Manchester, N.H. Hamer only had one good hand left but he dropped his opponent dead.