1911 in .38 Special?

[AveragEd]

Good thought but I have many thousands of good .38 Special cases plus a complete .38 Special tool head for my Dillon 650. I know, I can use that brass in my Model 66s and 686s but the idea of a semi-auto just tickles my fancy.

I've investigated Model 52s in the past and found that as noted, parts availability is somewhat chancy - even the takedown tool is hard to find. But a nice one might just trip my trigger.

Ed

 

[4barrel]

The Colt 1911 is a blow back design . It shoots the same load as the 52. A Clark shoots a bullet spaced out 1/8 inch or so with a taper crimp and a little more powder. Also when a 1911 38 special is built you need to use a 38 super or 9mm firearm. There were only about four or five gunsmiths that could make a 38 special 1911 shoot bullseye matches.

 

[batman4706]

I have a Colt NM 38 Special and several 52s. The Smith is the better of the two. It has a lot better trigger and the magazines are much easier to load. I do shoot the Colt better though, probably from many years of shooting 1911s.

 

[daddy bear]

IN the 60s, a retired BorderPatrol friend loaned me his .38 NM1911. His had a really good trigger. I actually shot 1911s a little better than my tuned 28. They just seem natural to me.

As others have said, the 52 may be a better choice, from both price and function perspectives. My friend's NM worked fine, but not all did.

Jack

 

[Wee Hooker]

FWIW, as a reference point, the mod 52 pictured above was purchased a year or so back for just under $1K. It was in excellent condition w 3 mags. The wrench was missing but I easily found one on the net for less than $20.
Spits HBWC 38's WAY better than I can hold it.
That said, I do love my 1911's and would jump on one in 38 if one came along at a similar price.
As I always say,
"The heart wants what the heart wants."

 

[BEEMER1]

I have several of the Colt Mid-range 1911's and they are a retarded blowback system. None of them are very accurate and a Mod 52 shoots much better.

I did buy a Clark 38 Special conversion and it out shoots the 52. It is a fun gun to shoot. This one was built in 1968 by Jim Sr.

 

[AveragEd]

That's the same model (61-E?) that is on GunBroker currently.

Ed