AveragEd
Member
I think I already know the answer to this question but does anyone make a 1911 in .38 Special?
Ed
Ed
1911 in .38 Special?
- Thread starter AveragEd
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
All I can think of is the Coonan that comes in .357 . but can shoot 38 special with an 8 LB. spring. Other than that I don't know of any actual 1911s that would even fit a 38 special sized magazine in the frame.
Not really but it had been an aftermarket conversion decades ago.
Closest thing in production today is a Coonan, which is not a true 1911 pattern but does follow the 1911 and shares a few parts... will digest warm .38 Special when it's included accessory 10-pound recoil spring is installed.
I have have MANY through mine. Not a true 1911 though.
Closest thing in production today is a Coonan, which is not a true 1911 pattern but does follow the 1911 and shares a few parts... will digest warm .38 Special when it's included accessory 10-pound recoil spring is installed.
I have have MANY through mine. Not a true 1911 though.
Rowlf
Member
Colt and several Bullseye gunsmiths like Giles and Clark Custom Guns made them in the past. Magazines can be hard to find and tune. At one time they were very popular. Some bullseyesmiths will still make them if requested.
Now that reamers and barrels are more available most bullseyesmiths will recommend 38 Super instead.
Now that reamers and barrels are more available most bullseyesmiths will recommend 38 Super instead.
mike campbell
Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2014
- Messages
- 542
- Reaction score
- 1,560
Currently? I think not. You probably know Colt chambered the 1911 for 38 wadcutters in the 60's and 70's.
M E Morrison
Member
There was a .38 AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit) a few years ago that was basically a rimless .38 spl - better feeding that way. 
Wee Hooker
Member
..and then there is the S&W model 52. Not quite a 1911 but extremely accurate and likely easier to find
(and fund ) than a Coonan.
Love mine but be aware that any semi auto in 38/357 is going to be somewhat ammo selective. That's where revolvers shine. FWIW, the 52's will only shoot 38 wadcutters.
(and fund ) than a Coonan.
Love mine but be aware that any semi auto in 38/357 is going to be somewhat ammo selective. That's where revolvers shine. FWIW, the 52's will only shoot 38 wadcutters.
jwk
Member
Jim Clark Sr converted 1911s to shoot 38 Special way back when.
Coonan made a 38 Special conversion for its 357. Different mag and spring. Think it used same barrel.
Coonan made a 38 Special conversion for its 357. Different mag and spring. Think it used same barrel.
Doug M.
Member
As said, there are some around. They are truly a niche gun and serve little if any purpose outside the niche. (IIRC, they were made for the centerfire class in NRA Bullseye, but that is not even close to my lane and I could be completely wrong.)
There are good quality 9mm 1911s, and a few in .38 Super - both would be similar to .38 special but better performing for defensive use. Neither is cheap in a quality platform. My understanding is that it is easier to make a .38 Super 1911 pistol work well, as the cartridge length is the same as the 45ACP, or so close it does not matter.
My days of spending a lot of cash to have such a nice platform are over, I suspect. For 99% of all uses, my Glocks do just as well as my Wilson KZ9 and custom Commander size .45 (BBQ gun, really; the serial # is my Bar #). My one truly custom revolver is really nice, but a poor use of cash in an objective analysis. I could buy several cases of ammo and attend good training classes for the money spent.
There are good quality 9mm 1911s, and a few in .38 Super - both would be similar to .38 special but better performing for defensive use. Neither is cheap in a quality platform. My understanding is that it is easier to make a .38 Super 1911 pistol work well, as the cartridge length is the same as the 45ACP, or so close it does not matter.
My days of spending a lot of cash to have such a nice platform are over, I suspect. For 99% of all uses, my Glocks do just as well as my Wilson KZ9 and custom Commander size .45 (BBQ gun, really; the serial # is my Bar #). My one truly custom revolver is really nice, but a poor use of cash in an objective analysis. I could buy several cases of ammo and attend good training classes for the money spent.
gwpercle
Member
If anyone has in stock or will build one for you it would be Clark Custom Guns.. Jim Clark , Sr. built the best ...Jim Clark, Jr. might still do them.
(318) 949-9884 Call them boys and see.
(318) 949-9884 Call them boys and see.
There was a .38 AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit) a few years ago that was basically a rimless .38 spl - better feeding that way.
I used to have a few pieces of .38 AMU marked brass. IIRC, the rim was reduced and had a slight bevel. There was enough rim left to head space correctly in a .38 special or .357 Magnum revolver.
4barrel
Member
The new Clark guns are around $3800 and a good used is $1200 up. Magazines are fitted to a custom 38 gun to function properly.
Sadly Jim Jr has joined his father in heaven. The Company is now run by his Son's.
Many thanks for all the replies. I do just want to shoot wadcutters with it so that opens the option count a little, I guess. Sounds like a nice used Colt might be the best choice, cost-wise and for parts availability as it should be a "true" 1911.
I already have an S&W PC1911 in .38 Super, a DK edition.
Ed
I already have an S&W PC1911 in .38 Super, a DK edition.
Ed
gwpercle
Member
Thanks for the heads up , I well remember Jim Sr's passing and now Jim Jr...... I'm so glad to hear the grandsons are carrying on the legacy of Clark Custom Guns .
All of this is making me realize how old I've become...I don't feel old !
Gary
Last edited:
75R90S
Member
Ed, the .38 mid-range Gold Cup is not a "true" 1911. Colt changed many parts to make it work with .38 wadcutters. There is no barrel link, and the barrel does not tilt down in the manner of all other 1911's.
In my opinion, the S&W M52 is a better choice in today's market. It was more recently manufactured, is cheaper, and feeds more reliably. The "cheaper" part especially applies to magazines. Parts availability is scant for either gun.
Echo40
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2017
- Messages
- 4,062
- Reaction score
- 7,900
As others have already covered, the closest thing is the Coonan 1911 in .357 Magnum.
However, if you just want a 1911 chambered in a cartridge which is ballistically similar to .38 Special, consider one of the 1911s chambered in .380 ACP like the Browning Black Label 1911 or RIA Baby Rock.
However, if you just want a 1911 chambered in a cartridge which is ballistically similar to .38 Special, consider one of the 1911s chambered in .380 ACP like the Browning Black Label 1911 or RIA Baby Rock.
Similar threads
