GCNM 38 Super

[MarkAlt]

Picked up a new 38 Super GCNM, 2024 production. Seems like a decent example.

Even though it’s their standard bluing, I think Colt could have done better. A couple of very small water spots on the rear of the slide. For the price, it would be a nice gesture to include an extra mag again.

Hopefully, I can get out to the range with this one soon.

 

[Rick Sanborn]

I bought the same type recently but have yet to shoot it. Not expecting any issues.

 

[Doug M.]

Love to know how it does. It would be a poor fiscal choice compared to my other current uses of money, but I am fascinated by the idea of a Super 38 carry pistol. Good ballistics, similar to a .357 Magnum, 9+1 capacity, flat carry.

 

[Wyo]

I recently picked up one of those in 45 ACP. The trigger on it was VERY heavy - nearly 8 lbs - but once I got it tweaked down to three it was fine and very clean. I haven't got a lot of rounds through it yet, maybe 300-400 but it has been 100% reliable and wonderfully accurate with 200 gr. SWC's and 230 gr. ball. I have a couple of 38 Super Govt. models but have been thinking real hard about one just like yours. Seems Colt did a run of them as there are quite of few available. I would really like to hear how you like yours once you get it to the range.

 

[Rock185]

From the '70s on, I've owned several GCNMs and they were always a favorite. But not all of my GCs were very good guns. The new Gold Cups are decent guns. But my 9mm example, purchased within the last couple years, did have finish issues. Looking at it indoors at the FFL, the finish issues were not apparent. Colt took care of that issue, and created another. The finish is now "good enough", not chancing sending it back again. I converted mine to a 38S/9mm convertible. Decent gun, but selective about what 9mm JHP ammo it will reliably feed. My other 9mm 1911s, with ramped barrels, handle all the JHP I've used without issue.

 

[31FordA]

I was looking for a .38 Super GCNM, but couldn’t find any locally. What I did find was a stainless Competition in .38 Super that I’ve been very happy with. I also have the 1911 Classic in .38 Super. Now I’m waiting for one of the new .38 Super Commanders to turn up. The .38 Super is a great cartridge, and not really more expensive to shoot than a .45ACP.

 

[chief38]

My 1974 GCNM (in 45 acp) is my #1 favorite pistol to shoot! It has been my competition gun of choice for many many years. It is also just about the most accurate as well. I would say I've got between 40,000 and 50,000 rounds through it easily, and the only thing I have had to do is to replace the rear sight about a month ago. The original Elaison sight had plum worn out beyond where it would be worth repairing. $70 bucks and now I am back in business again. BTW the original Elaison sights are still being made by Kensight.

I don't know what you payed for it but last I looked the going price was about $1,400. As prices go these days, that is not a terrible price for the pistol you got. All my experience for over the 50 years owning and shooting Colt 1911's (both Gold Cups and Gov't models) has been nothing short of excellent!

Your new 38 Super looks good from here. It is a terrific SD cartridge as well and gives you the advantage of an extra round. Let us know how it shoots and how you like it. Enjoy!

 

[Retired W4]

Anything 38 Super gets a lot of attention around here. Not a GCNM but a LW Commander from 1971.

 

[Bro. Dave]

I have a Satin Nickel Colt Series 70 Combat Commander Pistol in .38 Super that I value highly. It's accurate, effective and easy to carry. The bonus is that its cool factor is pretty much off the charts for me.

 

[44wheelman]

Does anybody have a nice polished blue anymore?

I understand, for $1500, expectations might be higher.

 

[Borderboss]

Love to know how it does. It would be a poor fiscal choice compared to my other current uses of money, but I am fascinated by the idea of a Super 38 carry pistol. Good ballistics, similar to a .357 Magnum, 9+1 capacity, flat carry.

I agree, as I carry a Para Ordnance in .38 Super. However, this Colt GCNM would need to have a fully-supported, ramped barrel in order to load the ammo to the 1,350 - 1,400 fps range that the round is capable of to give .357 Magnum performance. I don't know if Colt is doing that.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I have a Tanfoglio Stock III in 38super which I really like . What's not to like with 18 rd's of 38super on deck ? I always wanted a Colt in 38super , but didn't want just any one . A few months ago this came up here as wtt/wts . She's a beauty and extremely accurate , 1 of 750 . They made them in 45 and 9mm , and just a few in 40 .

 

[tlawler]

I really like the .38 Super as well and when the bug bit me a few years ago, I picked up this Wilson Combat tuned Colt during Covid for an exceptional price. Very fun gun to shoot, minimal recoil, and more accurate than I can be.

I’m wondering if there are any smaller platform .38 Supers out there. Perhaps an Officer sized 1911 or a Tanfoglio compact or sub compact? I looked around, but it seems everything that size I see is custom and big bucks.

 

[tlawler]

I really like the .38 Super as well and when the bug bit me a few years ago, I picked up this Wilson Combat tuned Colt during Covid for an exceptional price. Very fun gun to shoot, minimal recoil, and more accurate than I can be.

I’m wondering if there are any smaller platform .38 Supers out there. Perhaps an Officer sized 1911 or a Tanfoglio compact or sub compact? I looked around, but it seems everything that size I see is custom and big bucks.

I did some poking around the interweb and world wide net and found that Astra made a model A80 in .38 Super with a 4 inch barrel. Not a bad looking pistol. Anyone have any experience with one?

Astra A-80 - Wikipedia

 

[stansdds]

I did some poking around the interweb and world wide net and found that Astra made a model A80 in .38 Super with a 4 inch barrel. Not a bad looking pistol. Anyone have any experience with one?

Astra A-80 - Wikipedia

I used to see these at gunshows back in the 80's and 90's. I never took a chance on one, the heel-clip magazine catch did not appeal to me. I have read that the action unlocks rapidly, perhaps too rapidly, during recoil. The 9x19mm versions are ok, but the 38 Super and 45 ACP versions are said to break the bottom lug from the barrel and the slides are of a two-piece design. Slides reportedly hold up reasonably well with 9x19mm, but are more prone to having the recoil spring tunnel separating from the body of the slide with 38 Super and 45 ACP versions. A broken recoil spring tunnel means the slide can come off the back of the receiver during recoil.


The advice given was to avoid the A80/90/100 pistols in calibers larger than 9x19mm. For those chambered in 9mm, use only standard pressure ammo and to keep a close eye out for cracks in those critical areas.


Link to information regarding durability issues.
Thoughts on the A-80 and A-100? | Gunboards Forums

 

[tlawler]

I really like the .38 Super as well and when the bug bit me a few years ago, I picked up this Wilson Combat tuned Colt during Covid for an exceptional price. Very fun gun to shoot, minimal recoil, and more accurate than I can be.

I’m wondering if there are any smaller platform .38 Supers out there. Perhaps an Officer sized 1911 or a Tanfoglio compact or sub compact? I looked around, but it seems everything that size I see is custom and big bucks.

I used to see these at gunshows back in the 80's and 90's. I never took a chance on one, the heel-clip magazine catch did not appeal to me. I have read that the action unlocks rapidly, perhaps too rapidly, during recoil. The 9x19mm versions are ok, but the 38 Super and 45 ACP versions are said to break the bottom lug from the barrel and the slides are of a two-piece design. Slides reportedly hold up reasonably well with 9x19mm, but are more prone to having the recoil spring tunnel separating from the body of the slide with 38 Super and 45 ACP versions. A broken recoil spring tunnel means the slide can come off the back of the receiver during recoil.


The advice given was to avoid the A80/90/100 pistols in calibers larger than 9x19mm. For those chambered in 9mm, use only standard pressure ammo and to keep a close eye out for cracks in those critical areas.


Link to information regarding durability issues.
Thoughts on the A-80 and A-100? | Gunboards Forums

standds, thanks for the link. I went through it and read all of MGMikes posts on the subject. Thankfully, he added the archival material that was too old to access. It was a good read and sage advice to steer away from the A-80’s in calibers more powerful than 9mm Luger. I think you just saved me some money and aggravation because I was looking at one on GB

 

[CH4]

.38 Super?
I have this one on my radar. One of the first.38 Super Automatics from 1929.

 

[jdlii]

This was acquired in a trade (firearm + $) primarily to fill a gap in 1911 calibers. It is a pre 70 Series GM and shoots "okay" but, not as well as the later versions that headspace on the mount of the case. It is a good example of the old style bluing.

The "wavy lines" are reflects of light on the finish, not scratches. This one has no scratches.

 

[libertasdon]

Great to read all the comments on the .38 ACP Super. I live in California where common prices on a Colt Super are north of $2500. I was lucky to pick up a Rock Island in .38 Super for less than a 3rd of that. Haven't fired it yet and won't until I load for it.

 

[MarkAlt]

I think the RIA 38 Supers are a bargain.