38 spec 1911 - The Firearms Forum

bompa · 11-11-2004, 10:02 PM

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this so if not please place it where it should be..
That said I have always wanted a 38 spec 1911 and am wondering if someone has any idea where I might find a inexpensive,read cheap, barrel..
This is to be sort of a winter project and not sure it will ever come about so I don't want to put much money into it..
I know that years ago Colt made some GC's but those are way out of reach even if one is to be found..
Hope someone can help me out..
Thanks..

Henry

AlleninAlaska · 11-11-2004, 11:45 PM

38 special or 38 Super? There are several 38 Super 1911's on the market. Some are even very inexpensive.

CountryGunsmith · 11-12-2004, 06:04 AM

Dont think you're going to find one that fits the 'cheap' category.

Clark Custom Guns still does .38 Special conversions on 1911's, and they sell barrels. Note that the conversions are done on either .38 Super or 9mm guns due to ejector, etc. You would also need a different magazine, springs, etc.

I believe all Clark's .38 barrels are going to be ramped which will require modifications to the frame. Check with them, though, for specifics.

Pistolsmith · 11-17-2004, 02:17 PM

The U.S. Army Advanced Marksmanship Unit perfected this (.38 AMU) conversion for low powered target loads, and you may be able to find literature and prints if you search the archives for the early 1960's. I don't know what became of my AMU manuals, but others may have taken better care of theirs and still have them.
Oddly, Hi Standard also once made a prototype of .38 special autoloader on a G frame, that jammed even more frequently than the Colt conversion.
A suggestion: Go with a conversion to a low to medium power RIMLESS case. I personally prefer using "Super comp" cases and a 9mm extractor/ejector. By varying spring tension, you can get certainty of function with any level of ballistics you choose and Wilson .38 super magazines feed the cases flawlessly. This allows you to avoid a ramped barrel that needs frame modification to fit and function.

bompa · 11-17-2004, 06:12 PM

Thanks guys for your answers to my question about the 38 spec in an auto loader..Guess what I have been doing is about the best for the least investment..I am loading 158 gr lswc in 38 super brass with a light,3.5gr,load of Bullseye..This works great on the indoor range that I shoot most on except it is smokie..Guess that was part of the reason to go to a full wadcutter.plated,and figured the long case,38spec,would be needed..Haven't tried a plated swc as yet only because I can't find one with a long front section so the bullet doesn't have to be seated so deep in the case..That is what caused me to not use the regular WC..A gas checked bullet would solve most of the smoke problem but finding one is almost impossible as is making them myself again..Stopped casting about thirty years ago..
Well back to the drawing board..

Henry

stash247 · 11-20-2004, 08:40 AM

A .38 "wad" gun is do-able, as the .38 AMU demonstrates. Having said that, why not, first, look at the Smith M-52, which wasdesigned for the "centerfire" chore, from the outset, and runs like a swiss watch?
2.8 of Bullseye, 148 gr wads, and small ragged groups appear, with, essentially, no recoil.
I owned, for a time, an ex-AF AMU pistol, which shot very well; the M-52 Smith has available parts, mags, etc, and shoots as well, perhaps better.
FYI... Terry

11-11-2004, 10:02 PM	#1
bompa V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Western Mass. Posts: 118	38 spec 1911 Not sure if this is the right place to ask this so if not please place it where it should be.. That said I have always wanted a 38 spec 1911 and am wondering if someone has any idea where I might find a inexpensive,read cheap, barrel.. This is to be sort of a winter project and not sure it will ever come about so I don't want to put much money into it.. I know that years ago Colt made some GC's but those are way out of reach even if one is to be found.. Hope someone can help me out.. Thanks.. Henry -->

11-11-2004, 11:45 PM	#2
AlleninAlaska V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bethel, Alaska Posts: 252	Re: 38 spec 1911 38 special or 38 Super? There are several 38 Super 1911's on the market. Some are even very inexpensive. __________________ Allen Glore Delta Firearms & Supply P.O. Box 1228 Bethel, Alaska 99559 (907)543-2080 aglore@gci.net

11-12-2004, 06:04 AM	#3
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	Re: 38 spec 1911 Dont think you're going to find one that fits the 'cheap' category. Clark Custom Guns still does .38 Special conversions on 1911's, and they sell barrels. Note that the conversions are done on either .38 Super or 9mm guns due to ejector, etc. You would also need a different magazine, springs, etc. I believe all Clark's .38 barrels are going to be ramped which will require modifications to the frame. Check with them, though, for specifics. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

11-17-2004, 02:17 PM	#4
Pistolsmith V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 185	Re: 38 spec 1911 The U.S. Army Advanced Marksmanship Unit perfected this (.38 AMU) conversion for low powered target loads, and you may be able to find literature and prints if you search the archives for the early 1960's. I don't know what became of my AMU manuals, but others may have taken better care of theirs and still have them. Oddly, Hi Standard also once made a prototype of .38 special autoloader on a G frame, that jammed even more frequently than the Colt conversion. A suggestion: Go with a conversion to a low to medium power RIMLESS case. I personally prefer using "Super comp" cases and a 9mm extractor/ejector. By varying spring tension, you can get certainty of function with any level of ballistics you choose and Wilson .38 super magazines feed the cases flawlessly. This allows you to avoid a ramped barrel that needs frame modification to fit and function. __________________ A man who does not learn the lessons of history is condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past. George Santana Last edited by Pistolsmith; 11-17-2004 at 02:20 PM..

11-17-2004, 06:12 PM	#5
bompa V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Western Mass. Posts: 118	Re: 38 spec 1911 Thanks guys for your answers to my question about the 38 spec in an auto loader..Guess what I have been doing is about the best for the least investment..I am loading 158 gr lswc in 38 super brass with a light,3.5gr,load of Bullseye..This works great on the indoor range that I shoot most on except it is smokie..Guess that was part of the reason to go to a full wadcutter.plated,and figured the long case,38spec,would be needed..Haven't tried a plated swc as yet only because I can't find one with a long front section so the bullet doesn't have to be seated so deep in the case..That is what caused me to not use the regular WC..A gas checked bullet would solve most of the smoke problem but finding one is almost impossible as is making them myself again..Stopped casting about thirty years ago.. Well back to the drawing board.. Henry

11-20-2004, 08:40 AM	#6
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: 38 spec 1911 A .38 "wad" gun is do-able, as the .38 AMU demonstrates. Having said that, why not, first, look at the Smith M-52, which wasdesigned for the "centerfire" chore, from the outset, and runs like a swiss watch? 2.8 of Bullseye, 148 gr wads, and small ragged groups appear, with, essentially, no recoil. I owned, for a time, an ex-AF AMU pistol, which shot very well; the M-52 Smith has available parts, mags, etc, and shoots as well, perhaps better. FYI... Terry __________________ Don't start no s*t and there won't be none, Terry Last edited by stash247; 11-20-2004 at 08:42 AM..*