1911 in .38 Super

[bannockburn]

JTQ

Thanks for the link. Indeed quite a "dream" gun set-up, mainly because at those prices dreaming about one is all I will ever do!

 

[JTQ]

I know it's in my "dream" category as I didn't even bother looking at what it costs, and I have the magazine.

 

[bannockburn]

JTQ

A quick estimate based on prices in the article would make that 6 caliber on 1 frame somewhere around $13,500. That's a little pricey!

 

[JTQ]

Agreed.

I think that's higher that I would have guessed (though I suppose not unreasonable), but even my guess would be higher than I'm willing to spend.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Sounds like good enough reason to get another gun

 

[HisSoldier]

After shooting a friends Springfield 38 Super I wanted one pretty bad, couldn't find any. So I called SA and asked fo a heads up if they ever made another run of them, the guy told me to not hold my breath waiting.
So I bought a race modified SA 38 Super, took most of the aftermarket stuff off and re parkerized it, and made it as close to a new SA as I could.

Very happy with it too!

 

[Walkalong]

So I bought a race modified SA 38 Super

I also bought a retired "race gun" in .38 Super. Might have been outdated for the games, but it still shoots great. Lots of fun. I changed the Aimpoint 5000 out for a newer large dot model. I should have bought two of them, as they are now (Sadly) discontinued.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

New Question...

Since it is very clear I can't easily turn a 45 ACP 1911 into a 38 Super how about turning a 9mm 1911 into a .38 Super? Can that be done easily?

 

[WC145]

Sure, just fit a new Super barrel and bushing, might need a heavier recoil spring, might need to tweak the extractor and/or ejector, and you'll need Super mags. Do the opposite to fit a 9mm barrel to a 1911 in .38 Super. Pretty common upgrades, both ways.

I have a custom Colt that came from the factory as a Super but I had it fitted with 9mm and 9x23 Winchester barrels as part of the build, I just have to swap the barrel, bushing, and recoil spring for the caliber I want to shoot. Super and 9x23 use the same mags, 9mm has dedicated mags, although some people use Super mags with 9mm and say they work fine.

This pic is from when the work had just been completed a couple of years ago, the grips hadn't been fitted yet-

 

[bannockburn]

Since it is very clear I can't easily turn a 45 ACP 1911 into a 38 Super how about turning a 9mm 1911 into a .38 Super? Can that be done easily?

Sure can. Just swap out the 9mm. ejector for one for a .38 Super (it's slightly shorter), and it will work fine with both rounds. Then get a complete .38 Super barrel assembly (that way the barrel bushing will be fitted to that barrel and you won't have to swap them out when you change barrels), recoil spring, and magazines.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

OK cool because I looked around and didn't see a 38 Super 1911 that wasn't from a custom or semi-custom builder. Ruger, Springfield and a few others have a 9mm and a fair price I can convert without spending $2500/$3000 for one from Les Baer Custom for example.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Colt has a couple of .38 Supers in production at the moment, blued and stainless 1991 Government Models.

 

[Reloadron]

A new Colt in 38 Super will run you right around $850 to $900 from a distributor like Bud's Guns. Colt 9 + 1 Round 38 Super Government w/5" Barrel. That being a standard model 1911 Government with the 5" barrel. I have an older Colt Series 70 gun in 38 Super which I really enjoy shooting and loading for. Anyway, there should be plenty of new 38 Super guns out there from a variety of manufacturers depending on budget.

Ron

 

[bannockburn]

Colt still offers 5 different models in the 1991 Series in .38 Super or 9mm. plus two .38 Supers in the Special Combat Government Series along with 9mm. versions in the Competition Pistol and the Rail Gun. Currently they're only showing a blued 9mm. in the Lightweight Commander Series.

 

[tark]

The OP is wise in skipping on this conversion. It is a pain in the butt. It requires a Super slide and barrel, a super ejector, and a 9mm/38 extractor. Plus a lighter recoil spring. And, of course, a super magazine.

No thanks.