[7] As a result, the observed accuracy of the .38 Super suffered until Irv Stone of Bar-Sto barrels re-designed the chamber to allow headspacing on the case mouth.

[11] Other improvements found in some of these cases are modified extractor grooves and increased thickness in key parts of the brass for high pressure loadings.

Because of its larger case volume, which allows for more smokeless powder and results in higher muzzle velocities at similar pressure levels,[9] the .38 Super offers higher bullet velocity potential than the 9×19mm Parabellum when handloaded and in some defense loadings.

The 9×19mm Parabellum is however approved for higher pressure +P loadings by both SAAMI and C.I.P., which compensates for much of the case volume difference in factory-loaded ammunition.

[13] The .38 Super has made a comeback in IPSC and USPSA sports shooting raceguns, particularly when equipped with a compensator, because it exceeds the power factor threshold to be considered a "major" charge, while having much more manageable recoil than .45 ACP.

[citation needed] Part of the felt recoil reduction is due to the use of lighter-weight bullets.

Their .38 Super pistols held one or two more rounds simply due to the smaller case diameter.

[citation needed] Competitors still using .45 ACP pistols attempted to keep pace, both by adding compensators and by reducing bullet weight, quickly reaching the limit at 152-155 grains.

[15] Lacking a compensator, a .38 Super, running at major, has felt recoil much like that of a .45 ACP, and more than that of a 9mm Parabellum.

[citation needed] Apart from its popularity in shooting sports, the .38 Super +P is one of the most popular pistol cartridges in Latin America due to local restrictions on civilian ownership of firearms chambered for military cartridges, such as 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP.

[19] Ammunition is also being manufactured in the modern hollowpoint style bullet with excellent ballistics for personal defense.

A standard single-stack magazine in a 1911-style semi-automatic pistol holds nine to eleven rounds, plus one in the chamber.

Double-stack magazine pistols in this cartridge holds fifteen to eighteen rounds, plus one in the chamber.