converting Colt Commander from 45 to 38 Super

[Jimfern]

I have searched around quite a bit (on this site and the internet in general) and it appears that the Commander frame is cut in such a way, and uses an extractor that would work for 38 Super, that it would lend itself to converting from 45 ACP to 38 Super with possibily a barrel (I guess you might need a new barrel bushing too) and magazine change. I am about to buy a Commander from another member and although I will be happy with it as it is (45 ACP), I have been curious about 38 Super.

Can someone tell me if my internet research is correct? Thanks for any help you can provide.

I reload so I'm not worried about ammo costs any more than I am for 45 ACP.

 

[rcmodel]

You need a new top end, including the slide, barrel, & bushing.
And a 9mm/.38 Super ejector.

The .45 ACP slide will not work for 9mm/.38 Super because the extractor is in the wrong place for the smaller case.

rc

 

[Jimfern]

Thanks for your wisdom. I will enjoy my new to me 45 as Colt intended it.

 

[BullfrogKen]

As rcmodel said, it's more than just a minor effort. In addition to the changes he listed, the feed ramps on the .45 and 9mm/38 Super guns are different. So you'd need to cut it out and use a ramped barrel.

 

[krs]

......and the ramped barrel will require that a cut be made into the frame that would prevent switching the gun back to .45 without an additional ramped barrel in that caliber.

So........you need to be real sure that such changes are what you want to do.