Does this 1911 exist?

[Grayfox]

I ended up with a 16# recoil spring. That's what both Colt and Wolff recommend for a 38 Super Commander. I experimented with weights from 14 to 17 lbs. The 16 seems to work best.
I was shocked to find that the original Ruger spring for the 9mm was only 10#. The gun was throwing brass into the next county!

 

[Abbotson]

I GOT IT!
Its been several months in the making, but I'm now ready to call it good to go.
I traded into a Ruger SR-1911 LW commander in 9mm. Eliminated the FLGR, added an arched MSH, changed the grips and installed a Bar-Sto 38 Super barrel.
I've been testing it with various ammo at various ranges. Had to experiment with recoil springs a bit, but now its ready.

Not too shabby for a half blind, decrepit old man.

I want something in .38 Super and a 28 gauge SxS. Maybe I should start a go fund me or something. Very cool pistol. I hope you really enjoy it!!

 

[chanthemann]

Not a l

I'm gettin' old. For most of my life my EDC has been a Colt lightweight Commander in .45acp. Age and arthritis are making it a bit much for me. I'm thinking about changing to the exact same gun in 38 Super. My old familiar sidearm, but in a potent caliber with less recoil. Problem is I can't find one. I've searched the internet, but it seems that nobody makes a 1911 in this particular configuration.
What I want: Commander sized 1911, light alloy frame, 38 Super caliber.

I actually already own one. A 1952 Colt Commander. But its way too rare and expensive for EDC. Besides, it headspaces on the cartridge rim.



Does anybody know of any company that makes a modern version of what I'm looking for?

And don't even start with 9mm 1911s. That ain't happening.

Not a lot less recoil, if any, between a 45acp and 38 super but you could just get a barrel, slide, and extractor for the 1911 you already have.

 

[AJ]

Not a l

Not a lot less recoil, if any, between a 45acp and 38 super but you could just get a barrel, slide, and extractor for the 1911 you already have.

As I have stated I shoot seven different calibers out of my M1911 platforms (.22 LR, .38 Special. .38 Super, 9 MM, 10 MM, .40 cal. & .45 ACP). I use the same extractor for .38 Special, .38 Super and 9MM. Another extractor works for .40 Cal., 10MM & .45ACP. The .22 LR extractor comes in the conversion unit from Colt that I have.

 

[sousana]

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...1+desparado+9mm+38+super+4.25+polished+chrome

Tisas
Ruger
Ria
Girsan

I've got 2 tisas above and a ruger. I do have 2 colt lw commanders in 38 super, consecutive numbered, picked up at a gunshow years back.

 

[Turn4811]

Dad had a Colt 38 Super Combat Commander that he picked up in Mexico in the 80's. I liked that gun. You could spend the day at the rang shooting Winchester White box 9mm and then drop in the 38 Super and the jump was like a 38 Special to 357 jump. The biggest problem was finding ammo or brass.

My current range gun is a Colt Govt Model in 9mm. Cheap to shoot and it is more accurate than I am.

 

[bph9]

I'm gettin' old. For most of my life my EDC has been a Colt lightweight Commander in .45acp. Age and arthritis are making it a bit much for me. I'm thinking about changing to the exact same gun in 38 Super. My old familiar sidearm, but in a potent caliber with less recoil. Problem is I can't find one. I've searched the internet, but it seems that nobody makes a 1911 in this particular configuration.
What I want: Commander sized 1911, light alloy frame, 38 Super caliber.

I actually already own one. A 1952 Colt Commander. But its way too rare and expensive for EDC. Besides, it headspaces on the cartridge rim.



Does anybody know of any company that makes a modern version of what I'm looking for?

And don't even start with 9mm 1911s. That ain't happening.

You are going to a lot of trouble and expense and gaining absolutely nothing. Modern 9mm loadings are so close to the .38 Super its a none issue.

I might add that even way back in the 1980's when bullet technology was no where near what it is today Pistolero Magazine went to Mexico to circumvent animal cruelty laws and shot barn yard pigs at point blank range and found zero difference between the .38 special, .357 Magnum, 9mm and .45 acp. That is how anemic pistol calibers really are in real life.

You could also buy a .357 Sig in a wide variety of other brands of pistols. The .357 Sig and .38 Super are practically identical in ballistics and in a plasticky pistol you would gain more firepower and even more concealability as well. Remember when you carry a pistol everyday it gets beat up so why not buy a lower priced pistol if you can stand looking at a plasticky pistol as they make them everyday. If you want more quality Sig makes various models in .357 Sig.

I would not buy an "off brand" 1911 if you find one in .38 Super because the reliability just might be hit or miss (pun intended).

Your worries about head spacing on the rim are also a non issue. Gun fights take place most often as close as the tip of your nose and its a rapid fire blast "em" as few people who are not competition experts completely ignore their sights anyway in a life or death situation. Minute of bad guy is plenty accurate enough. The washtub accuracy of the rattle trap WWII 1911's were not an issue in real combat in WWII either.

I personally would never carry a large and low capacity gun like a 1911 when there is so much firepower to be gained by smaller and higher capacity pistols. You cannot have enough ammo in a "real" gun fight, especially if there is more than one bad guy shooting at you.

If you want to stick with "locked and cocked" the H&K P30sk can be carried that way, its light in weight, small, has way more firepower and outstanding accuracy. It can be had in 10 round, 12 round and 15 round magazines.




Sig 1911 .357 Tac Ops

 

[sousana]

Truth there above. But sometimes it's just plain nostalgia. You shot a particular weapon and caliber enough it's "imprinted" on you. For me, my " imprint " is SAFARI ARMS 1911s. I've got nearly 10 versions of each model from the GI model to the Black Widow. Also have a Pietta Great Western II with 3 cylinders, 357, 9mm, 380

 

[Riposte1]

Why 38 Super?

Is anyone making quality defense ammo for 38 Super?

Would seem to me that if recoil is an issue you would be better off with 9mm - much more ammo availability and about 10% less recoil that 38 Super (about 20% less than 45acp).

Buffalo Bore, Underwood, and H.O.P. (House of Pain or Payne) to name a few.

For the OP, I always wanted a LW Commander in Super .38, but never found a deal. I do have a few Combat Commanders in Super .38.

Couple of years ago I found Tisas was making a LW Commnder size gun in 9mm (without the bob tail which I cannot shoot well) in the Aviator so I bought one and immediately ordered a Fusion barrel to fit the frame cut in Super .38 - actually the barrel arrived before the gun.

I shot it in 9mm and it worked OK so I installed the Super .38 barrel and it eventually worked OK. Nifty idea. I have arthritis that flares up from time to time but I usually go out and shoot my carry guns when it does to make sure I can hit with it - it might be painful but then I figure so is getting shot or stabbed by a guy I failed to stop with a 9mm or .357 magnum (both have failed for me on smaller critters than most people).

So I stick with the over .40 but I have no criticism for those who choose differently. Just a personal thing but I think if I have to give up big bores I'll just drop to a .22 and shoot for the eye socket or the upper spine.

Here is my Aviator shot with Winchester Ranger 127 gr. +P+ at 25 yards.



Alas they quit making this gun

Still they make Combat Commander size guns in Super .38 and I cannot tell the difference on the belt between the aluminum and steel frame - I do feel a difference in recoil.

Riposte

 

[sweetgrass]

I have an Astra 400 in 9mm Largo. It's in almost new condition and very pleasant to shoot. I use 38 Super brass and 9mm hard cast 125 grain bullets for reloading fairly mild loads to fire in it. The recoil spring is very stiff and if the internal hammer is in the fired (forward) position, the action is quite hard to cycle. I like the way it handles.

 

[Photog]

Y'all just ain't getting it. I want something very specific.
I already own 5 1911s in 38 Super. Including a 1991 Combat Commander. But I want a lightweight.
No, I don't want to carry my 1952 gun. Its a very nice collectible and I don't want to put undue wear on it. BTW: I do shoot it from time to time.
Yes, I do reload 38 Super and I have a good supply of quality defensive ammo.
I have looked at the Dan Wessons. But all I'm seeing in lightweights are Bobtails which I don't care for.
No, I DO NOT want a 9mm. If I wanted to carry a 9mm, I already own several other good options. My Sig P239 is at the top of the list. I just want a 1911.
Yes, I am considering buying a 9mm and converting it to 38 Super. However, it would have to be a used gun at a good price before I would do that. I don't want to end up spending way more than it would be worth. But its looking more and more like that may be my only option.
I started this thread in the hope that somebody knew of a company that's making what I'm looking for. I guess nobody does.

Seems crystal clear to me. People that are suggesting a Commander seemed to have missed you want a light weight, not steel framed. I would like to have the type you are searching for, but they seem to be very hard to come by. Good luck in your search and let us know when you find one.

 

[AJ]

I'm gettin' old. For most of my life my EDC has been a Colt lightweight Commander in .45acp. Age and arthritis are making it a bit much for me. I'm thinking about changing to the exact same gun in 38 Super. My old familiar sidearm, but in a potent caliber with less recoil. Problem is I can't find one. I've searched the internet, but it seems that nobody makes a 1911 in this particular configuration.
What I want: Commander sized 1911, light alloy frame, 38 Super caliber.

I actually already own one. A 1952 Colt Commander. But its way too rare and expensive for EDC. Besides, it headspaces on the cartridge rim.



Does anybody know of any company that makes a modern version of what I'm looking for?

And don't even start with 9mm 1911s. That ain't happening.

There are quite a few Lightweight commanders on Gunbroker. Some in 9MM, but most in .45ACP. Keep bidding until you get what you want at your price. I would just get a .45ACP and swap the needed parts to make it a 9MM.

 

[guntha45]

There are quite a few Lightweight commanders on Gunbroker. Some in 9MM, but most in .45ACP. Keep bidding until you get what you want at your price. I would just get a .45ACP and swap the needed parts to make it a 9MM.

I picked up a couple single stack 9mm 1911's that required only a barrel, recoil spring, and magazine to convert them to .38 Super. One is a Tisas "Commander" size and a full-size Kimber, also picked up a double stack 5" Rock Island 9mm and got a .38 Super barrel for that one.

 

[Grayfox]

Uh guys, you seem to have missed the fact that I got what I wanted. Go back to post # 85.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

At 76, I have major health issues, several and my time is limited. That said, I can still reload and shoot and do. I built a full size 38 super long ago. Most accurate center fire that I own. Being full size there is almost no recoil.

I have SLAC in both wrists, meaning the bones are beyond repair and only full fusion of both will stop the pain, but then I could not shoot because I could not move my trigger finger, so, I take pain meds, get shots in the wrist every 90 days, wear a brace, and I shoot.

You have a dillemma. When you decrease the barrel of a 5 inch 38 Super, you destroy the advantage of the 38 Super and then the 9mm Plus P will get the same velocity. So, perhaps if you demand the commander size gun, the 9mm is a better option?

I think Colt still sells a 38 Super Commander size, if you can find one, there is just not much demand for them, for many reasons.

Looks like Bud's Gun Shop has one in stock.

View attachment 808710



I build 1911s. If I were buying a 9mm today, I would not. build one nor would I build another 38 Super. For a carry gun, I would opt for the Ruger, lightweight commander in 9mm, they have perfected this puppy. https://athlonoutdoors.com/article/sr1911-lightweight-commander-pistol/

This one has been on the market about a decade and well proven. https://gundigest.com/article/1911-review-colt-lightweight-commander

View attachment 808682

As a 1911 guy, I understand the custom and semi custom market, and I always wanted some turquoise grips, like Elvis had on his. But you are talking about EDC, where performance meets the road and only quality and reliability matters. And that is this one.

There are others, the Springfield EMP, even smaller. Be sure and get the one with the CT laser in the grip, you cannot miss with that one. But you have to buy the Underwood, Corbon, or Buffalo Bore to match that 38 Super power.




View attachment 808686

Anyway, hope that helps. If you want one, I would buy quick, because as they cut back the less popular models get scrapped first. And most people will opt for the 9mm just because ammo is about half the price of the Super.

FWIW

When you buy a new Colt the only thing worth keeping is the slide, barrel, and frame.

For a serious fighting pistol, everything else must go. Colt makes starter kits, not street-ready pistols.

 

[cowboy94916]

This is a link to a Gun broker 38 super lightweight at half the price of the talo exclusive also out there that based on my reading of your original post is exactly what your looking for and it has a buy now option. It ends in a day or so. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1180586144

 

[MikFinkel]

I told y'all in my original post, NO 9mm. If I wanted a 9mm, I have other options. I want a 1911 LW Commander in 38 Super. Pay attention folks.

A couple of options.

If you have a favorite 1911 in 9mm you could send it out to Bar-Sto and have a 38 Super barrel installed.

Or buy a 1911 in 9mm that you desire and send it out to Bar-Sto to have a 38 Super barrel installed.

https://barsto.com/product-category/barrels/colt-style/

 

[guntha45]

A couple of options.

If you have a favorite 1911 in 9mm you could send it out to Bar-Sto and have a 38 Super barrel installed.

Or buy a 1911 in 9mm that you desire and send it out to Bar-Sto to have a 38 Super barrel installed.

https://barsto.com/product-category/barrels/colt-style/

I've done that with 3 different guns. I got the barrels myself and installed them myself.
The first was a Kimber Custom II in 9mm.
The second was a Commander size Tisas.
The third was a Rock Island double stack convertible .22 TCM/9mm.
I bought 2 Sig Sauer .38 Super barrel off a guy on GB for $50/ea., brand new in the package for the Kimber and Tisa as they have the same style feed ramp.
I bought a .38 Super barrel from a distributor that handles Rock Island parts for about $80, if memory serves correctly.
The Rock Island magazines do not have the "filler/spacer" in the back of the magazines so both 9mm and .38 Super use the same magazines.
I watched eBay and got some good aftermarket .38 Super mags for the single stack 1911's at a good price.
All the barrels were drop-in fit. The only acceptation was installing the 5" barrel in the Commander length slide. The barrel was loose in the factory bushing so I got a new bushing with a smaller diameter barrel opening, turned the barrel and relieved it behind where it fits in the new bushing.

 

[AJ]

A couple of options.

If you have a favorite 1911 in 9mm you could send it out to Bar-Sto and have a 38 Super barrel installed.

Or buy a 1911 in 9mm that you desire and send it out to Bar-Sto to have a 38 Super barrel installed.

https://barsto.com/product-category/barrels/colt-style/

Why send it to Barsto to have it installed. Installation is a piece of cake. Below are the barrels conversion kits that I have put together for my M1911's. The Colt pistol has a .45 ACP barrel in it. As you can see there is a .22 Conversion Unit from Colt. The .38 Super, 9MM, 10MM, .40 Cal and the .38 Special sets I have put together myself. Somewhere hiding amoung my stuff is a 10MM barrel setup. That is seven different calibers that I can shoot off of one frame. The extra slides can be set up with different extractors as needed. Found the 10MM barrel it was hiding in a Springfield Slide.

 

[guntha45]

Why send it to Barsto to have it installed. Installation is a piece of cake. Below are the barrels conversion kits that I have put together for my M1911's. The Colt pistol has a .45 ACP barrel in it. As you can see there is a .22 Conversion Unit from Colt. The .38 Super, 9MM, 10MM, .40 Cal and the .38 Special sets I have put together myself. Somewhere hiding amoung my stuff is a 10MM barrel setup. That is seven different calibers that I can shoot off of one frame. The extra slides can be set up with different extractors as needed. Found the 10MM barrel it was hiding in a Springfield Slide.
View attachment 883862View attachment 883863
View attachment 883876

View attachment 883875

Interesting use of old glasses cases!

 

[MikFinkel]

Why send it to Barsto to have it installed. Installation is a piece of cake. Below are the barrels conversion kits that I have put together for my M1911's. The Colt pistol has a .45 ACP barrel in it. As you can see there is a .22 Conversion Unit from Colt. The .38 Super, 9MM, 10MM, .40 Cal and the .38 Special sets I have put together myself. Somewhere hiding amoung my stuff is a 10MM barrel setup. That is seven different calibers that I can shoot off of one frame. The extra slides can be set up with different extractors as needed. Found the 10MM barrel it was hiding in a Springfield Slide.
View attachment 883862View attachment 883863
View attachment 883876

View attachment 883875

How does that Colt floating chamber .22 conversion work for you? I have only read bad things about it. Guessing that people don't clean them and they carbon up?

 

[MikFinkel]

How does that Colt floating chamber .22 conversion work for you? I have only read bad things about it. Guessing that people don't clean them and they carbon up?

 

[guntha45]

How does that Colt floating chamber .22 conversion work for you? I have only read bad things about it. Guessing that people don't clean them and they carbon up?

I had no problem with the one I had years ago.
I just got another one but haven't tried it yet.

 

[imashooter2]

Carry what you have. Why trade the pleasure of using your pistol for a few hundred dollars in your estate?

 

[AJ]

Interesting use of old glasses cases!

Keeps all the pieces parts together for that particular caliber.

How does that Colt floating chamber .22 conversion work for you? I have only read bad things about it. Guessing that people don't clean them and they carbon up?

I have no problem with mine. I tend to clean it after every range trip.

 

[Grayfox]

OK guys, listen up!
I got the gun I wanted. Yet people keep adding to this thread, making suggestions that have already been made and apparently not reading it through. I'm even getting DMs with suggestions on what to do.
Go back to post #85. I GOT THE GUN I WANTED! I'M HAPPY WITH IT! THIS THREAD IS DONE!
Mods, please close this thread.

 

[bpd303]

I got the gun I wanted. Yet people keep adding to this thread,

I'm pretty sure most of us realize that. However a lot of posts are directed to other folks that may be thinking about getting something in 38 super, not directed to you.
Like what I was about to post, being late to your thread, which in my opinion is an excellent thread.
My last 38 super was a Star model M which hasn't been mentioned, unless I missed it. I really liked that pistol and like a fool, I let my Lt. talk me out of it.

So if anyone else is looking for a 38 super might check the Star out. Oh, by the way they also make a very good 45ACP the Star PD. I had one of those also and traded it off for a Colt M1908 in 380 auto. Which wasn't a bad trade and I still have the Colt.
http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/m/

PS: If you are serious about locking your thread, hit the report button and ask for it to be locked.

 

[guntha45]

I'm pretty sure most of us realize that. However a lot of posts are directed to other folks that may be thinking about getting something in 38 super, not directed to you.
Like what I was about to post, being late to your thread, which in my opinion is an excellent thread.
My last 38 super was a Star model M which hasn't been mentioned, unless I missed it. I really liked that pistol and like a fool, I let my Lt. talk me out of it.

So if anyone else is looking for a 38 super might check the Star out. Oh, by the way they also make a very good 45ACP the Star PD. I had one of those also and traded it off for a Colt M1908 in 380 auto. Which wasn't a bad trade and I still have the Colt.
http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/m/

PS: If you are serious about locking your thread, hit the report button and ask for it to be locked.

I've got a Star PD and a BM