Commander Length 1911 In .38 Super?

[Phydeaux642]

I have a friend that is looking for a Commander length 1911 in .38 Super and hasn't had any luck in finding one. I thought Armscor did a .38 Super, but couldn't find one. Does anyone have a suggestion as to where he might look for one or is it something that he may have to have done custom?

 

[Zeke Markham]

Colt makes them. I think Armscor only does full sized 38 Supers.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Colt makes them

I didn't see any commander length .38 Supers on Colt's site.

 

[SSN Vet]

call up Fusion firearms and ask Bob Serva what he can do for you.

http://www.fusionfirearms.com/

Bob used to own the Dan Wesson brand and built up their 1911 fame.

He sold DW to CZ-USA and now he's doing very reasonably priced semi-custom builds under the Fusion brand name.

If he won't do it, or you can't afford him, I suspect he'd refer you to someone who does.

 

[Jim Watson]

Haunt the stores, shows, and sale sites. It hasn't been that long since Colt was making real Combat Commander Super .38s.

 

[HZOX221]

Any 9mm Commander can be easily converted to 38 Super by reaming out the chamber.

 

[cmgred]

Wilson Combat

 

[Zeke Markham]

Interesting. One of those was on my list for when I get back too. You may still be able to find a NIB or lightly used one.

 

[Justin Holder]

Kimber Pro Carry HD ll 38 Super.

 

[tipoc]

Try Springfield Armory as well. Their Custom Shop has turned them out in the past.

tipoc

 

[Oro]

If it were me hunting for one, I'd get a Colt in 9mm, then drop in a .38 Super barrel. Then he has both. Besides magazines, there no other modification necessary.

I have a pre-80 9mm Combat Commander and it is one of my favorite guns.

 

[bannockburn]

Oro

I think you have to change out the ejector as the 9mm. is too long to function with the .38 Super case. I used to make up a convertible that way, only I started with a .38 Super, then added the 9mm. barrel and magazines. Worked perfectly.

 

[ElToro]

Havnt seen. A colt super commander in many moons there was a guy selling one locally wanted 1400. Had it for sale for months.
Try the internet gun auctions

 

[Quack]

i know of a place that has a Nowlin Commander with 9mm, 9x23 and 38 Super barrels with it.

 

[Phydeaux642]

If it were me hunting for one, I'd get a Colt in 9mm, then drop in a .38 Super barrel. Then he has both. Besides magazines, there no other modification necessary.

He has a SA Ultra Compact in 9mm with a bull barrel, so, if he changed the extractor and barrel and magazine he would be good? I didn't know if .38 Super mags would work in that gun. I hear you can use some 9mm in .38 Super mags but not the other way around.

 

[bannockburn]

Phydeaux642

I don't think 9mm. rounds will feed reliably out of a .38 Super mag because of the case size difference. With the 9mm. round being shorter and with a slight taper to it, there might be some movement of the round within the mag, and some problems in the area of the feed lips. I have a few older Colt 9mm. mags and they have some sort of filler strip in the back of the mag to take up the extra space, so that the rounds stay securely in place.

 

[Morgo]

He has a SA Ultra Compact in 9mm with a bull barrel, so, if he changed the extractor and barrel and magazine he would be good? I didn't know if .38 Super mags would work in that gun. I hear you can use some 9mm in .38 Super mags but not the other way around.

Yes you can use 9mm in .38 super mags.

I've stopped buying 9mm mags as they get mixed in with the .38 super ones and when loaded with .38 super they will jam constantly when used.

I've had no issues with the .38 super mags loaded with 9mm being used in 9mm 1911's.

All my 1911's are full size and range guns.

 

[tipoc]

I would discourage anyone from using 9mm rounds in mags meant for the Super. Maybe you can get away with it for a bit at the range but eventually it will cause feeding problems and jams. Why do that when a good mag is 30 bucks and will save you much grief.

A visit to the web sites of any of the over a dozen companies that make Commander sized guns will let you know who makes them in .38 Super or whose custom shop can turn one out for you.

A look at Auctionarms web site or gunbroker will turn up more, both used and new.

If you want to buy a Commander in 9mm and have an extra barrel in .38 Super available for it that can also be done. I suggest you have a reputable smith do the fitting of the barrel. With 1911s "drop in barrels" usually produce sub par accuracy.

tipoc

 

[bannockburn]

tipoc

I agree with you about the 9mm. mags for 9mm. ammo, but from my experience the drop in replacement barrels worked fine from a combat accuracy standpoint. Not that I was looking to do any target shooting with it, but for 10 to 15 yards, it was decent enough. If accuracy was a greater concern, then maybe use a semi-drop in barrel from Bar-Sto. The only thing I would change beyond that might be to install a set of adjustable sights.