1911 Question - Converting one to 38sp

Brian James

Brian James

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I wonder if any of the gunsmithes have converted a 1911 (45 or 9mm) to a 38 Special. I am looking to make a 191138 Special target pistol that I can use for NRA, ISU and ISSF events.

While I am looking to use a 1911, I would be open to another gun as a plat form to produce a 38spl target pistol

Brian
 
I have seen a few and if I remember correctly , you need special mags, a barrel with no locking lugs and a slide that doesn't have locking grooves. The 1911 in .38 special wadcutter is straight blowback . Not much info but a start. This is old school, I believe centerfire now is done with .32 long and rimfire .22 but usually converting the same gun.
 
Jim Clark in the U.S. started in the 50's by custom making 1911's into 38 special.
Then S & W started producing their Model 52 in the same caliber.

I just checked Clark Custom Guns website & they are still advertising the 38 Special as a conversion. Might be others doing it.
 
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If I might suggest, look for a Smith and Wesson model 52. Already set up in .38 Special full wad cutter and it will be way cheaper than doing up a 1911.
Colt did produce some of these in .38 Special but I doubt that they still do!
Scott
 
I own a 1911A1 modified to shoot .38 Special full-wadcutters.

It uses a 9mm frame with a thinned ejector, a .45ACP slide with a tweaked extractor, and a rechambered .38 Super barrel.

The mags are Colt 1911 .38 Special mags.

It shoots very well. functioning is excellent, although to achieve reliable feeding with the WC bullets, required about several hours of tweaking per mag.:p

My pistol was built by Gunnar at Armco.

If I was seriously contemplating Bullseye shooting I would consider a S&W Model 52, as many here have suggested.

A quick search turned-up this old thread.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142940&highlight=norkenstein

There is a photo of my pistol and it's conversions in this thread.
 
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Back in the 70,s when I used to compete in target shooting events a number of people used 1911 Colts converted to 38 special. They would tinker with the feed ramp trying to get them to feed properly. The head of the case was not fully supported and in 3 or 4 matches a year someone would have a case head separate and blow the mag out. Never saw anyone hurt. Buy a 52 S&W.
 
38 special

As noted above, see if you can find a s&w 51 or 52
I had one few years ago and it would shoot standard
reloads into a 1" hole all day and I am a poor shooter.
You have to use full wadcutters seated all the way in the case.
Have never had a colt, thou I just sold a mag in 38sp.
I had in stock for a while.
 
Perhaps, the S&W model 52 is the way to go. I just want an ultra reliable pistol, if its different then all the better.

To everyone thank you for your input.
 
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