bernie
Member
What would it take to convert a 9mm 1911 to .38 Super? I am aware of a place that has .38 Super barrels for sale crazy cheap and I have wanted a .38 Super for years. The thought of having a "convertible" 1911 appeals to me.
Converting a 9mm 1911 to .38 Super
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BBBBill
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Basically a barrel, recoil spring, and magazine. Note that a lot of the currently available 38 Super barrels are integrally ramped. You will need to take that into consideration when deciding exactly what you want to do. A ramped barrel can be converted to non-ramped/conventional if needed. The frame can be cut for a ramped barrel, but that will mean a new 9mm ramped barrel, too. If you go ramped, be sure to specify which style ramp, either Clark/Para/Lissner or Wilson/Nowlin. The ejector may need to be shortened depending on the length of the nose. The extractor may need to be adjusted for the different rim diameter. A new stronger recoil spring will be needed.
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Cemetery21
Member
I had one converted by the Springfield custom shop. BBBBill nailed the process (except for the "ejector ... adjusted"). I think he meant extractor, since the ejector was already mentioned.
Not sure how much of that they did to mine, but it runs perfectly with both calibers and with both types of Super brass. In fact, I even use the Super mags for both calibers without issue.
Not sure how much of that they did to mine, but it runs perfectly with both calibers and with both types of Super brass. In fact, I even use the Super mags for both calibers without issue.
bannockburn
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bernie
I start from the opposite direction: I convert my .38 Super to 9mm. All it takes is a complete 9mm. barrel assembly (I have an older Storm Lake barrel), and dedicated 9mm. magazines. Since the shorter ejector used for the .38 Super will work fine with the 9mm. there's no need to shorten it. So all you need to do is shorten the 9mm. ejector or else replace it with one for the .38 Super. I use the factory .38 Super recoil spring for both cartridges and have never had a problem with it. Likewise no issues with the extractor either.
I start from the opposite direction: I convert my .38 Super to 9mm. All it takes is a complete 9mm. barrel assembly (I have an older Storm Lake barrel), and dedicated 9mm. magazines. Since the shorter ejector used for the .38 Super will work fine with the 9mm. there's no need to shorten it. So all you need to do is shorten the 9mm. ejector or else replace it with one for the .38 Super. I use the factory .38 Super recoil spring for both cartridges and have never had a problem with it. Likewise no issues with the extractor either.
BBBBill
Member
Yes. I corrected it. Funny that I always notice when someone else makes that same mistake. Then I went and did it, too.
Cemetery21
Member
Glad to help. I have appreciated your knowledgeable contributions for many years.
BBBBill
Member
Careful now. You're gonna make my head swell up. Then I won't be able to get my hat on.
If your pistol has a ramped barrel now, then yes. Just get a new barrel fitted.
just whatever you wind up doing, make sure that your barrel is fully supported if you’re planning to handload rounds to the supers potential.
if you aren’t going to load your own, don’t waste your time. Most commercially available super ammo isn’t much hotter than 9mm.
really, .38 super is one if those oddball rounds that has or had a specific purpose. The brass is freaking expensive. Super isn’t really going to do anything head and shoulders above what a nine can.
just whatever you wind up doing, make sure that your barrel is fully supported if you’re planning to handload rounds to the supers potential.
if you aren’t going to load your own, don’t waste your time. Most commercially available super ammo isn’t much hotter than 9mm.
really, .38 super is one if those oddball rounds that has or had a specific purpose. The brass is freaking expensive. Super isn’t really going to do anything head and shoulders above what a nine can.
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