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.38 Super Mags for 9mm???

1646 Views 9 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  threerounds
In a couple of the the other forums, others have mentioned using .38 Super Mags in the place of 9mm mags. What is req'd to do this. Someone mentioned "tuning" them a little, but I have no idea what that means. Could someone explain the ins and outs of doing this?
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My SA 9mm feeds rounds with a 1.135" OAL or 1.175" equally well. I would like to load them out to 1.200", but the barrel would need to be throated more to do that. I have found the McCormick 38 Super 10 rd. mags to work well. For some reason I cannot get 10 rds of 9mm to work in a Wilson mag without swapping in a McCormick follower.
I haven't found 9mm ammo to feed reliably in Colt or Wilson mags. I bought a 9mm barrel for one of my .38 Supers, but hate the round and have never attempted to trouble shoot the problem.
I have some Metalform 9-shot round follower .38 magazines that I mix at random with Colt and Metalform 9mm magazines for my 1991A1. Normal operation. I have tried a McCormick 10-shot .38 magazine with 9mm ball and it worked ok. I will be buying a couple in my next order with somebody who carries them. I shoot IDPA ESP with it and declare 9-shots, and will use the 10 rounders only to start the CoF at 9+1 without having to fumble with a "Barney Bullet." I am glad to know to be able to save my money on Wilson. The only Colt .38 mag I have is an old beat up one and won't feed .38s, never mind 9mm.
I bought a Wilson .38 Super mag for my 9mm SA. I should of bought McCormick's it looks like. Not pleased with the Wilson's at all, I will be trying McCormick's shortly. Thanks
I have 2 Wilson .38 Super magazines, and they both work quite well in 3 different guns, both .38 Super and 9 x 23 mm.

I have used the Wilson .38 Super, Colt, and Mec-Gar .38 Super magazines loaded with 9mm hardball. They kind of rattle around some, but reliability has been good. Might not work so well with hollow points, though.
Maybe I am a little slow but why use 38 super mags in a 9mm anyway. Do they work better, are they cheaper, do the hold more rounds in the same space, or is it just a challenge to make something different work where it wasn't designed to work. I am definately NOT trying to be a smartass (can I say that?). I truly don't understand. I mean it is not like there are no good 9mm mags available. As of yet I have not gone out and tried to purchase mags for my 9mm because I got 6 with the gun when I bought it. Perhaps when I try to buy some in the future I will find out why I might want to use 38super mags in my 9mm..

threerounds
Threerounds, there aren't any 10 shot 9mm magazines, but they are made in .38 super. Perhaps not too critical for plinking or even self defense, but that extra round can certainly be worth having in competitions such as IPSC or IDPA.

Also, it's always good to know that certain substitutes can be used in a pinch. For example, until I could locate some actual 10mm mags for my Delta Elite, I tried out Wilson 8rd. .45 mags. They hold 9rds. of 10mm and seem to function perfectly, which let me get to shooting the gun in a match a couple weeks sooner.
Brian Dover and BullfrogKen: Thanks guys. I understand a little better now. Now I think I want to try a couple 38Super mags. I really like the sound of that 10 round mag. To reitterate 'fscoggs' question:

fscroggs said:
In a couple of the the other forums, others have mentioned using .38 Super Mags in the place of 9mm mags. What is req'd to do this. Someone mentioned "tuning" them a little, but I have no idea what that means. Could someone explain the ins and outs of doing this?
What "tuning" might be necessary. Or is this pretty much on a gun to gun basis whether or not they work in a particular 9mm? I guess it's try one and if it works go for more is the way to go unless this "tuning" can make them work in any 9mm???
Again, thanks...I learned something and I appreciate it.
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