38 acp ?

[b44mag]

hey guys n girls got some shells today off of a buddy they say 38 acp and there rimless dont know what kind of gun their for and how much their worth i got about 1000 in a ammo can just wondering never saw 38 acp i thought they were 38 super but they dont say super on them just acp any help would be appericated thanks  :? thanks for info guys  

[sui generis]

Aside from the headstamp, the cases are (at least externally) identical to the .38Super; HOWEVER, the pressure levels are NOT. The Super runs at at least 10Kpsi (or about 40%) higher than the plain ACP. The .38acp was introduced in 1900; the Super in 1929. If that was tried today, I bet the lawyers would have a field day. The ammunition probably has some age on it and, even if ignition is reliable, may not have enough muscle to operate a stock Super.

[Mikey]

The 38 ACP was made right up until about the 1970s, so that ammo should be good, maybe.  It should work the slide of a 38 Super.  Dimentionally the cases and bullet weight are the same but at sui generis said, the acp is a lower pressure round.  

If they are just the cases they can be reloaded to work a 38 Super.  HTH.  Mikey.

[iiranger]

This was the John Browning offering to compete with the 9mm P.

First gun was the 1911 in its earlier 1905 version.

Pressure for .38 ACP was same as .45 ACP (which was demanded by cavalry for knocking down horses...) circa 15K CUP...

As said, later, "+P" version by todays terms, ran at the 35K CUp of the 9mm P and other Europeans with much higher preformance...

[Mikey]

I thought the 9mm Browning (Long) was JB's attempt to outdo the 9mm P?  He even built a pistol for it and I think the Swede's adopted it as a military sidearm for a while.  Nice slim package.  Model 1909 something or another, maybe.  Mikey.

[Mikey]

I thought the 9mm Browning (Long) was JB's attempt to outdo the 9mm P?  He even built a pistol for it and I think the Swede's adopted it as a military sidearm for a while.  Nice slim package.  Model 1909 Browning something or another, maybe.  Mikey.

[Robert357]

I thought the 9mm Browning (Long) was JB's attempt to outdo the 9mm P?  He even built a pistol for it and I think the Swede's adopted it as a military sidearm for a while.  Nice slim package.  Model 1909 Browning something or another, maybe.  Mikey.

John M. Browning's FN Model 1903 was developed for military contracts (while the Colt 1903 in 32 ACP was also designed by John Browning for the commercial market).  The FN Model 1903 was designed and manufactured only in 9mm Browning Long (as opposed to .380 Auto or 9mm Browning Kutz or Short).   The Swedish adopted this as their standard military handgun but called it the Model 1907 when they manufactured it under licence from FN.  It was manufactured until around 1942.

Part of the reason for the 9mm Browing Long is that a US Company (Colt-I believe)  had the patent rights to the .38ACP (ACP stands for Auto Colt Pistol) and so something similar, but different was needed for the military european market so FN wouldn't have to pay royalties.

Among the early Browning designed Colt pistols chambered for the .38 ACP where the Model 1900, Model 1902, Model 1902 Military, Model 1903 external hammer (not to be confused with internal hammer Colt Model 1903 in 32 Auto and .380 Auto).

And yes, if you ever get your hands on one of those old Colts and want to shoot it you can light load up some 38 Super cases before going to the range as they should work nicely.  Just don't use any factory loaded 38 Super.
Cartridge   Bullet diameter-mm (inch)   Case length in mm   Rim in mm   Case base mm.380 ACP    9.02 (.355)      17.30       9.50    9.50 9 x 19 mm Luger    9.02 (.355)      19.15      9.96    9.939mm Browning Long9.02 (.355)      20.32      10.26    9.75 .38 Auto    9.09 (.358)      22.86      10.31    9.75 .38 Super    9.09 (.358)      22.86       10.31    9.75