Tell me about the Colt .38 Super Polished Stainless

[Monkeyleg]

While in the local gun shop recently, I saw a highly-polished stainless Colt. When I looked more closely I saw it was a custom shop model in .38 Super.

I have handguns and long guns in all sorts of finishes, but not like this. While it borders on being pimpish, I think it's still a looker.

How is it on performance, quality, accuracy, etc? The price tag was close to $1300.

My wife and I will be quitting smoking in less than two weeks, and the agreement is that half the money each of us would spend each day on cigs goes into our own "mad money" jar. If I'm successful in quitting, I could probably have $1300 by the end of the year.

So, replies much appreciated.

 

[paul45]

OMG.... you call a classic bright stainless Colt Custom........."pimpish"???

You don't deserve to have one.


BTW.....1300 is way to high.....Pass.

See them on GB from 944 to 1100 bucks.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Sorry. The one I saw had mother of pearl grips on it. The ones I see on Gunbroker have rosewood grips, which look beautiful.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

If it's model number is 02071ELC2, and has Colt Custom on the slide, I'm not really certain that it has any special enhancements; other than the high polish.

The catalog doesn't list any enhancements, match this or match that.

But... If you like it, can get it, go ahead and enjoy it.

If you want the stretch your money on a 38 super, model 02991. It comes with 2 mags, and factory mags can be found for 30-35 dollars.

 

[floydster]

Or if you want to stretch your money and still get a great 38 Super.
The Elite Match by EAA.

 

[Hunter0924]

The high polished Colt Super .38 is a beautiful pistol.
I am a fan of the Super .38 in the Colt Government Model and if you were looking to get into one a little cheeper the 1991 is a great way and the Special Combat Government is a nice option for about the same money as the high polished Colt.

 

[AJD]

Its a very beautiful pistol but you will find that bright stainless steel guns are about the most easily scratched guns you could ever imagine. Having owned three(including one of these Supers) and not owning any more I found that simply wiping them down with a cloth would produce small hairline scratches in the finish.

Bright hardchrome would be a much better choice for someone looking for a bright finish that is more durable. (That's HARDchrome, not the bumper chrome crap that you find on alot older jennings and such that chips off like snowflakes in December).

Other than being brightly polished that Colt Super .38 is basically going to be the same as a standard 1991 Colt Super .38 with a brushed stainless steel finish(with the exception being the Colt Custom will have a stainless steel trigger, etc.).

If you want a great shooter that is a "custom" Colt than a Colt Special Combat would fit the bill nicely. I have one in .45 ACP with a brushed hardchrome finish and I can tell you that its very attractive AND it hasn't shown a SINGLE nick in that hardchrome finish. It also has alot of nice "custom" features like a national match barrel, S&A grip safety, etc.

It is also factory tested for accuracy.

If you want a shiny Colt 1911 then I would buy a used Colt and send it off to Ford's Refinishing and you will probably end up near the same cost if not less(depending on how much you pay for the gun) and you will have a bright hardchrome finish that will hold up better for you better than bright stainless.

Just my long winded 2 cents.

 

[Logan5]

I think I've seen the same .38 super in the store, and I'd have to agree that the 02991 is a better buy, mostly because that's what I went and bought instead.
In my experience, there are three levels of Colt pricing; bargain, MSRP, and that other level where there's not enough oxygen for me to breathe, but I hear it's nice. $1300 isn't up there, but it's not a bargain either.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Thanks for the replies.

AJD, I have a Kimber Gold Match Stainless with the highly-polished flats on the slide and frame, so I know what you're talking about when it comes to fine scratches. I have to be very careful, and still I wind up using Flitz every so often.

I'll look into Ford's refinishing.

Sure is a beautiful pistol.

 

[loplop]

I've been ogling one of these as of late, too. Since I'm reloading now, 38 super isn't as much of a stretch to consider. The negatives I've thought of: I will have to buy brass (no one shoots it around here, and if they do, they certainly pick up their brass!), and since I shoot at an indoor range, and frequently brass is tossed in front of the firing line due smacking off the stall, and I can't retrieve it, I'll have to keep buying brass. So still kinda expensive to shoot.

Darn if it isn't a nice looking gun, though. It would look real nice next to my WW1 repro

 

[AJD]

Monkeyleg,

If you are interested in going the Ford's route. I would suggest contacting a user on another forum by the name of Hammer It. In this thread he shows a S&W that he had bright hardchromed by Ford's and he has pictures of what it looks like after 10 months of daily carry.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297681&highlight=Chrome

He would probably be happy to give you his opinion and answer some questions if you have them.

 

[Frog48]

OMG.... you call a classic bright stainless Colt Custom........."pimpish"???

Sorry. The one I saw had mother of pearl grips on it.

I dont care what anybody says, stainless and/or nickel 1911's with pearl grips are beautiful.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Wow! Hammer It's revolver is beautiful.

I looked on Ford's website, and they show $280 for bright hard chrome finishing. How can they do that so cheap?

 

[larry starling]

The Colt Custom 02071ELC2 is a excellent pistol. The asking price is high though....If you want one shop around. Dont settle for IMHO a lesser pistol with a Kimber or lesser brand. Here is a picture of mine.

with new stocks

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Fiocchi 38 super, $17 and change at Midway USA the last time I looked.

Works well, reloadable brass.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Larry_Starling, that's a great looking pistol. I already have Kimbers; I want a Colt.

Are those bone or faux ivory grips in the first photo?

 

[larry starling]

Monkeyleg Larry_Starling, that's a great looking pistol. I already have Kimbers; I want a Colt.

Are those bone or faux ivory grips in the first photo?

there faux ivory. I really didn't care for them there your's if you want em....PM me