[Geno]

Fellow Members:

I've been looking at new firearms, and have finally decided to probably get something that I have wanted for years: a Colt Custom .38 Super. Here is the link:

http://coltsmfg.com/cmci/38Super.asp

The following are the specifications per Colt for the specific model that I want to purchase:

http://coltsmfg.com/cmci/downloads/Specs_38_Super.pdf

I would like to hear from fellow High Road members either who own and/or who have fired one of these pistols. I have never seen a Colt Custom .38 Super in-person.

What are your impressions? Does anyone have an approximate cost? Are these pistols truly custom, or are they "custom" in name-only?

Greatly appreciated,

Doc2005

[Texas Colt]

Doc,

I haven't shot one, but I did have one in my hands a few months ago. A local shop had one for $999. The fit and finish was the best I've seen on recent Colts. The unfortunate thing about handgun shopping, is that it would have cost me $999 to find our how well it shot!

[popeye]

I've had 4 "Ultrabright Stainless" 1911 style Colts. A series '80 Enhanced .38 super, a series '80 .45 acp, an Officers in .45 acp, and a Colt Custom. All are pretty guns but unless they've changed manufacture there's nothing custom other than the high polish on all surfaces (all surfaces on the Custom) of the gun. They used to come with imitation pearl grips. I would like to have an "EL PRESIDENTE" .38 super, the first in the line of "EL" guns. The Ultrabrite guns scratch easily. A decent smith can restore the high polish easily but I got tired of it.

Attached is a pic of two of the guns I used to have, The Custom has no rollmark on the left side of the slide, which looks kinda odd to me.

[Geno]

I had heard that about eaisy scrathes. I thought of having it sent for hard chroming.

I'm wondering that I may be farther ahead (in that it is not trully a custom pistol) to simply buy a current production .38 super and have it hard chromed for that shiny, but in the case very durable finish. It would lack only the word "Custom".

Thanks for the info. Sounds like I need to think this through before I make a move.

Doc2005

[Seismic Sam]

Yeah - one of the local gun shops that has more used than new has a couple of El Jefe Supremes, and you have to wear sunglasses when you're shooting them. If you're really worried about scratches, you might consider an EAA Wonderfinish in 38 Super, which is only $360 NIB. Don't know if you have your heart set on a 1911 or not, but the EAA holds 18 rounds :D .

As far as ammo, DO NOT buy 38 Super ammo to go with your 38 Super gun. :confused: :confused: The original 38 Super case was a semi rimmed design which to this day sucks big, flat rocks and isn't a very stout case, either. The brass and/or ammo you DO want is 9x23 Winchester or 9mm Largo, which is a true rimless case and very strong. ReloaderFred in here and over at the Clone Club on czforum.com can give you all the details you need on this very fine caliber, and it can be handloaded quite hot. So hot, as a matter of fact, that no IPSC shooter will admit to the powder weights they use for their handloads.

http://p201.ezboard.com/fczechpistols82792frm35.showMessageRange?

[popeye]

I "believe" that since Colt went to the current "skinney" barrel, from the older bell shaped end barrel the case headspaces on the rim. I just traded my last Colt blue .38 super and a 9X23 barrel kit that went with it. I traded it on a HK Tactical .45. Why I know not, except the Colt was an Enhanced version which no one wanted to buy.

[vesmcd]

The old barrels were the skinnies and headspaced on the rim, the newer ones are belled to use standard I.D. bushings and headspace on the case mouth.

[popeye]

vesmcd: I respectfully beg to differ. No flame. But, belled=old skinney=new

[vesmcd]

I could have sworn it was the other way around. Oh well.