38 super ?

[Suck My Glock]

I recall Dane Burns of Pistolsmith.com being a huge proponent of that 9.23 when it was intro'd.
I'd literally forgotten all about it. I'm told that's why 9x21 is poplular in Europe, as 9mm is 'military'.
It would seem to me that 9x21 in a modern pistol could be boosted above 9mm power, but perhaps I am mistaken.

The 9x21 was merely the exact same dimensions as 9x19, but the case lengthened by 2mm so they could not be chambered in 9x19 guns. OAL for the loaded cartridge remained the same, as the round was intended for use in guns and magazines originally designed as 9x19. But what that means is that there is no extra internal volume for propellant, and so if you cram more powder in a 9x21, its the same as if you did that to a 9x19 round. A few people didn't understand that and blew up their guns. The gun writer, Frank James, blew up his transferable Uzi doing that. He figured since the Uzi was designed to use hot carbine loads of 9x19, loading some hot 9x21 and using a 9x21 conversion barrel, that should be no problem. He was wrong. His handloaded 9x21 ammo blew the open bolt back so hard it bulged the rear of the receiver. That was a costly mistake.

 

[laabstract]

My friends dad growing up used to love .38 super. He had about 10 guns chambered in it and learned to shoot on full size loads on it. From what I remember it was a little snappier than 9mm but still managable.

 

[blasternaz]

I had a Colt 1911 in 38 Super. Really pleasant to shoot but typical Colt quality, the front sight went flying before I shot 100 rounds. I never trusted it much even though that was the only glitch. If Colt ever makes a Classic Combat Commander in 38 Super I’ll get another.

Agreed. I've a Kimber 4" in /38 Super, not the lightweight version, but still a very nice shooter! Easy round to load for and if you also load for something like the 9x21, use the .38 Super sizing die, It really makes the 21 feed well.