Range Report: Gold Cup in .38 Special

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Adventurer_96

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First, let me say that I was unsure if my loadings would work at all in this pistol. I loaded 50 cases with 2.3gr Red Dot, 50 with 2.4, and 50 with 2.5. The bullet was a 148gr wadcutter which was seated to the top of the case. Cases were mixed, so I'm not out for match-quality ammo performance, just fun.

I had zero malfunctions, which is more a testimony to the quality of the gun versus my loads. The feel seems to be very standard for a 1911, until you pull the trigger an you get virtually no recoil. For those who aren't familiar with the pistol, it works on straight blowback versus the normal functioning of the 1911. Also, one other interesting part is that the chamber has grooves, perhaps one of the more enlightened members of the forum will expound.

The pistol performed admirably, the groups at 25 feet were all one hole, just as good as any target revolver I've shot in the caliber. The only drawback? Chasing down .38 brass, I can deal with losing a few .45's but to come home without every "revolver" case is annoying.

It might not be the newest pistol on the block, but the way it shoots, combined with the 1911 design, make it a new favorite to shoot.
 
I lust for a .38 Special Gold Cup.

Congratulations! A very fine target pistol.

The grooves in the chamber form part of the locking system. When the round fires, the case expands into those grooves. During extraction, the case gets "ironed" out again and that slows down the opening.
That's the idea, anyway.

If you get tired of it, let me know.....
 
Sucks chasin revolver brass, doesn't it? ;) I have a Jim Clark converted 38 AMU to 38 Special Colt. It has the locking system unlike the GC 38. I believe Clark was the first one to make the 38 Special and Colt came out with theirs when he proved there was a market. At least that's what I've been told by some old bullseye shooters. Also have a Mod 52 S&W which is a swell piece also.
 
Good report. Though I'm not actively looking for one, I'd love to have one of those 38 Special 1911s. Very much so.
 
Though I'm not actively looking for one, I'd love to have one of those 38 Special 1911s. Very much so.

That's what I said when I saw it, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to own it.

Yes, this is one of those pistols. The box reads, Gold Cup, but the rollmarks read National Match .38 Special Midrange, or .38 Midrange. I don't have it in front of me.

Thanks for answering the question about the grooves, my gunsmith was curious as he's trying to build one for him and a friend.
 
Adventurer_96 You mentioned in an earlier post that the bullet was seated to the top of the case. Is that manditory , similar to the S&W Mod. 52 , which has to be seated flush in order to fit in the mag.?
 
:)

When I tell most people that I've shot a .38 special 1911 they look at me like I'm daft. It appears there are a number of you that know what I'm talking about.

The one I got to shoot was part of some limited run for an Air Force pistol team that existed some time back in the days of yor.

It's neat to see they can still be had.

-bevr
 
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