.38 Super?
9mm (approximately .38 cal)?
Author is an idiot?
It was probably a .45 ...
You may want to reconsider that:
http://www.basspro.com/Cartridge-or-Gauge-380-Automatic-Colt-Pistol/Shooting-Guns-Pistols/Type-Pistol/_/N-1z0vjfpZ1z0ux60Z1z0xeo1