My Colt .38 Super in SS

[Mick_In_Texas]

My winning bid, on GunBroker.Com, put me in a bigger financial bind than I had anticipated... but, the sellers, have been EXCELLENT. They are working with me, and I am thankful. I am a man of my committments, but, I did NOT know, I would have so much trouble with one of my credit card vendors!

I have one Colt, a USGI 1918 1911 .45. I love her! She is functional, reliable, still good after 88-89 years. But, I also have learned that the Colt, in .38 Super caliber, in modern arms since 1926, are also good, and I've had an interest in this caliber, since I first got into 1911/A1s.

Here are my current and future Colts:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/1ec5165c.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/362840d5.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/cc9c0c7f.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/74a139a2.jpg

The sellers have been VERY GOOD on my buy. I love .45 ACP; but, historically, the .38 Super, is an AMERCIAN round/caliber. .38 Special, .357 Mag, 9mm, are good calibers, and the .38 Super is a good, FBI, and really, not too expensive, round. John Moses Browning's 1911/A1 platform, regardless of whether it's 1911, 1911A1, in .45, 1911A1 in .38 Super, or Hi-Power 9mm, WORKS. I LOVE them ALL.

Y'all take care and be safe.
Mick

[chugwater]

Nice pictures Mick but what's your point? Are you wanting to sell your .38 Super or are you just saying the new purchase put you in a bind?

Chug

[OD*]

But, I also have learned that the Colt, in .38 Super caliber, in modern arms since 1926, are also good
I think you mean 1929.

[larry starling]

I hope things work out and you can add the New SS .38 Government model to your arsenal.... :)

[Hersh]

Hey Mick,

I saw a .38 Super just like that one at a gunshow recently. It was tempting, but restraint won the day :(

[Mick_In_Texas]

chug, mostly it was just "conversation": when I get it, which should be in a couple of weeks or less, I don't want to sell it. I "have" a thousand "out there"; but, I just can't get to it in "one shot"... it was a learning experience. IS a learning experience. "Point" is, that I just wanted to share a coming new acquisition in a 1911/A1 with you folks here: Y'ALL understand. I don't personally know many folks in real time, who do, other than folks at work whose basic "understanding" is that they're in awe of me that my preferred carry gun is a .45ACP... it IS a good round, but, I think they think it's more of a "handfull" than it really is in shooting: it doesn't kick BACK as much as my 9mm, .38 Special, or .357 Mag, or the old .380 I used to have two of when I was married; it DOES have a pretty good muzzle climp up and to the right, since I'm right handed and all my .45s eject the empty to the right of the slide, but, that is easy to learn about to get back on target in a shooting string. But as far as general handling, I LOVE the .45. I PREFER it in an 1911 or 1911A1 platform. I've had folks be in awe of the caliber both at work, and on the firing line in CHL classes. Oh, well. I like it, and I carry it.

Something OD* said... 1929 in re: intro of the .38 Super... I've seen I believe both '26 and '29; I'll have to check that out! OD*, wasn't it, though, introduced by Colt, at the request of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to be used in the 1911(and by then, A1) platform? Another thread here, seems to say that 9mm (9mm Kurtz) can be used in a .38 Super semi-auto? Whatever, the .38 Super, IS a part of John Moses Browning's history of our beloved 1911 pistol... and it has a real appeal for me. Just because this platform is for me personally the best pistol I've ever handled, carried, fired, cleaned, and maintained. I've got big hands; I prefer the "feel" of a flat MSH, since I've had actual shooting experience and handling experience with both flats and archeds; and now, my poor ol' Taurus and Ruger seem too wide for real comfort in handling and shooting... NO pistol or revolver is perfect; but, for me personally, the 1911 dang near IS.

larry: the sellers are happy with my upfront honesty about the situation, they're not having a problem with my delay, and I WILL add it to my arsenal. I've got to go out of town on biz all next week, but, I WILL take care of them on my committment, prior to my leaving, and they KNOW what's up, I communicate. They trust me, and it's justified. As I was telling chugwater, I did NOT anticipate the... problems with accessing "money" that technically is "mine". Stuff happens I reckon. I learned something, the hard way, but, seems to be working out. Thanks to the sellers, mostly.

Hersh: know what you mean, Bro. I resist stuff a lot; but, just didn't know I would have the probs I had (above) on this deal. HEE HEE, prob, gunshow, I could've whipped out that plastic and run it. The sellers of the Colt don't take plastic. That was the prob. And my assuming if I had the open balance, I could actually get it in CASH. WRoNg... LoL...

I'll post my own pictures of it for y'all when it gets in. Done have my FFL buddy's transfer certificate, and the sellers's payment goes out Monday, if not Friday. I've NEVER held a brand-new Colt in my hand, before... I'll be checking the barrel bushing and slide/barrel fit, from that other post. Hopefully, will be good fit and function. I've already checked sources both locally and on-line for .38 Super, both FMJ and SJHP, from 115 gr to 130 gr bullet weight; have been advised by folks here, in another thread, that 125-130 seems to be best.

Y'all all take care and be safe. Have a good finish on your week. Thankfully, next week will be more or less a vacation; but, even though I APPEAR to be having to travel in a state vehicle to Austin... I could be carrying one of my beloved .45 1911s. I won't mention it, and hopefully no one will ask. Later in October, I'm anxious to see how the .38 Super compares to .45 ACP in the similar platform, and to my 9mm and .38 Special/.357 Mag.

Mick

[OD*]

Yes, the Super .38 ACP was introduced by Colt in 1929, it is basically "hot-rodded" .38 ACP. It's a great old cartridge.
I don't recall if it was specifically designed for the FBI or not, it may have been, but I believe it was for LEOs in general.

[John]

Congrats on the new gun. Aren't credit card people crazy? Open balance on the card and no cash withdrawings? It doesn't make sense.

On the pistol, you can shoot 9mm through it with the change of the barrel and the magazine. Some people use .38 Super mags for 9mm, but I think it is not advisable. But the barrel needs to be changed. The 9mm Para and the .38 Super cartridges are not identical in shape, the one is a straight-wall, the other one tappers a little towards the front.

[larry starling]

Great news....... :)

[Mick_In_Texas]

El Jefe first: agreed, that makes sense to me--calibers/cartridges don't interchange, never have, never will, OTHER than the .38 Special and .357 Magnum. The gentleman that mentioned this, probably had a barrel (and barrel bushing, if it was a 1911 platform) to switch his .38 Super/s to use 9mm. I wouldn't have done it; just an interesting piece of information, that I was curious about, and there you go, on THIS forum: a REAL answer. I love it at work (hard to come by sometimes at a government agency, at my level, even), I love it in real time (sometimes also hard to come by, but, not HERE!)...
That credit card: yessir, weird. Real weird... and they would NOT transfer any to my bank account directly either. I've managed to get rid of two of five, and THAT one, will be the one I'll be working on the next 12 months to dump, as well. It has been one of the most frustrating situations in private life in the last year... but, it's working out in bits and pieces, LITERALLY... a hundred a day, every day... LoL... :)

OD*: in the cobwebs and blank spaces of my somewhat feeble mind (paraphrase of an old tv/radio ad: "A mind is a terrible thing to lose"... LoL), I seem to have some residual memory of hearing about .38 Auto, years and years ago... far as the legend about the FBI being the inspiration (specifically) for the .38 Super, I lean towards YOUR thinking, sir... Regardless, this is another example of what some consider an "ancient" gun/caliber, that is as viable today for defensive and LEO purposes as it ever was, just like our beloved 1911 platform. Hate to say it again, but, for my large hands, and my build, I have NEVER loved a platform as much as the 1911. Having one in a historical classic caliber that is in its developmental history, even though a modern one, will be very, very special to me. My "1911" buddy at work knows I'm getting the .38 Super Colt (he's the one that let me handle his Colt Commander over a year ago, in .45 ACP, a Model 70 from about 20 years ago, the first 1911/A1 I ever handled and field-stripped and cleaned WITHOUT (thank the powers that be!!!) idiot-scratching another person's weapon with that notorious slide stop, even WITHOUT a manual!!! HAH!!!). He's vaguely aware of the .38 Super... his first Colt semi-auto pistol was the .22LR Ace... he traded it for the Commander after a rabid large dog that was threatening to attack his father, mother, and siblings, took however many rounds the Ace held and wasn't DOWN, and he had to resort to a rifle that was loaded and handy (didn't have an extra mag; he does for the .45 version, although, think it MAY have a little more stopping power on a rabid dog... :) )...

larry: thanks for sharing my joy and humble thankfulness... You folks here are the BEST, bar none. Period. Good'uns, as we say in Texas, and it is not a lightly-used term. Y'all earn it every day here.

Y'all all take care and be safe.
Mick

[OD*]

Congrats on a great pistol, Mick. http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[daveohno]

Good show, you'll like it, I'm sure.

[OD*]

Mick,

It just dawned on me, the Super .38 could not have been intended for the FBI originally, they weren't allowed to carry weapons until 1933 IIRC.

Technically, it didn't become the FBI until 1935, up until then (1908 to 1935), it had been known as the Bureau of Investigation.

[daveohno]

Mick,

It just dawned on me, the Super .38 could not have been intended for the FBI originally, they weren't allowed to carry weapons until 1933 IIRC.

Technically, it didn't become the FBI until 1935, up until then (1908 to 1935), it had been known as the Bureau of Investigation.
OD, you are probably right, because I know better than to disagree with you! I seem to remember that FBI agents carried those back in the day and I thought that they had something to do with the development of the round. But, I've never seen you wrong yet, so, I'll go with the Gospel of OD on this one.

[OD*]

I ain't always right. :nono: :scared:

They may have helped, thinking at some point in time they would be allowed to carry?

G. Gordon Liddy's uncle was FBI and carried a Super, Liddy's wife still has the pistol. G. Gordon can't own weapons as you know. ;)

[Mick_In_Texas]

I ain't always right. :nono: :scared:

They may have helped, thinking at some point in time they would be allowed to carry?

G. Gordon Liddy's uncle was FBI and carried a Super, Liddy's wife still has the pistol. G. Gordon can't own weapons as you know. ;)
Wow, that is INTERESTING about the former Bureau of Investigation... must've been the bootleggers in the early 30s that made the agency lift the restrictions on carrying firearms (Elliot Ness's crew, certainly had a rather formidable arsenal)... bootleggers = gangsters/Mafiosos...

This is VERY interesting. Dang it, OD*... I'm fixing to not have Net/computer access for almost a week on a business trip, and you're giving me too much stuff to research!!! dave, THANK you sir. I'm looking forward to this one. I shouldn't have bought it, but, I wanted a NEW Colt, and I wanted a .38 Super. I'll RE-promise myself NOT to buy any more guns AFTER I get this one... LoL... : )-

Reckon ain't nobody ALWAYS right. There's plenty of folks who THINK they are (they're always mistaken); and there's folks like me at work, who other folks think are (I am quick to tell them I certainly AM not and DO NOT know "everything", although "I appreciate your compliment")... but, El Jefe John, OD*, and the rest of the mods, and a lot of the more than old timers here (Johnny, "1911Tuner", for example) are about as close to perfect in their knowledge as human beings can be. That's why I conceded to OD*'s thinking about the FBI and the development of this round... turns out, he WAS right: if you can't carry a weapon, you ain't going to be suggesting modifications or improvements to a current one!

Y'all... I am SO THANKFUL I found this place when I started researching a 1911/A1 platform pistol... This place... well. I'm getting more interested in coming here, than going to my e-mail... and that's saying something.

Y'all all take care and be safe.
Mick

[daveohno]

I ain't always right. :nono: :scared:

They may have helped, thinking at some point in time they would be allowed to carry?

G. Gordon Liddy's uncle was FBI and carried a Super, Liddy's wife still has the pistol. G. Gordon can't own weapons as you know. ;)
I read that his uncle had a super 38 in one of his books.

[Rio Vista Slim]

I read that his uncle had a super 38 in one of his books.
From "Will", by G. Gordon Liddy.

Ray Abbaticchio, FBI badge #19, and carried a Colt .38 Super automatic.

[OD*]

Slim,

I have an autographed copy of "Will" in my collection. The "G" man was in town a number of years ago giving a "commentary" an afterwards there was a "wine & cheese" party where you could meet Mr. Liddy, I took my hard bound copy, just an case. ;)

If there was one, there were a dozen people trying to buy the book from me when we were on stage, I couldn't believe no one else had thought to bring the book with them?

Mr. Liddy was exceptionally courteous and friendly, although he is one of those men you meet on occasion whom you get a strong vibe of, "I'd stick a pencil thru both your ear canals if you cross me."

He has the most penetrating black eyes I have ever seen.

[OD*]

I'll RE-promise myself NOT to buy any more guns AFTER I get this one... LoL... : )-
Good luck with that Mick! :D ;)

[Rio Vista Slim]

Slim,

I have an autographed copy of "Will" in my collection. The "G" man was in town a number of years ago giving a "commentary" an afterwards there was a "wine & cheese" party where you could meet Mr. Liddy, I took my hard bound copy, just an case. ;)

If there was one, there were a dozen people trying to buy the book from me when we were on stage, I couldn't believe no one else had thought to bring the book with them?

Mr. Liddy was exceptionally courteous and friendly, although he is one of those men you meet on occasion whom you get a strong vibe of, "I'd stick a pencil thru both your ear canals if you cross me."

He has the most penetrating black eyes I have ever seen.
OD*,
Thanks for the response. It is, indeed, a fascinating book by one of the most unique persons of our time.

Although I have never met Mr. Liddy, those whom I know who have, felt as you did. And, every "dangerous" person I've ever encountered has also been exceptionally courteous and friendly.............and Dangerous!

Now Mick, the mini-hijack is over. I can't wait for you to get your new .38 Super, and cover this thread with photos!!! :D ;)

[Mick_In_Texas]

OD*,
Thanks for the response. It is, indeed, a fascinating book by one of the most unique persons of our time.

Although I have never met Mr. Liddy, those whom I know who have, felt as you did. And, every "dangerous" person I've ever encountered has also been exceptionally courteous and friendly.............and Dangerous!

Now Mick, the mini-hijack is over. I can't wait for you to get your new .38 Super, and cover this thread with photos!!! :D ;)

G. Gordon Liddy, I like... I was kinda freaked by his comment years ago, in an interview, about how he managed to have guns in his and his wife's house; he told the interviewer, HE was a convicted felon, his wife wasn't. While I like him and his wife, I was a little skittish about the statement, as in our country, many groups don't like firearms period, and don't have a lick of common sense. I.e., LAW-ABIDING gun owners are NOT a PROBLEM to ANYONE except criminals in the commission of a crime. I was just antsy over his comment, even though I like them.

That said, back to the Colt's .38 Super... I like it. I'm looking forward to it. Mid-October, I should have it in my hot big hands, and I'll take some photos of it so y'all can see it, I LOVE my Nikon CoolPix 8700! Some of y'all may hate it, LoL, 'cause I LOVE photos and sharing... I've seen a lot of pistols here on El Jefe's forum, that I wouldn't have if I had the money, but, ALL folk's preferences are GOOD, for them, and I love seeing folks's guns, whether I like them for my own use or not, or whether I can afford them or not. I'm just happy that they can have their preferences, just like I'm happy that I have the ones I have. We're all in this together: law-abiding folks the world over, who also love John Moses Browning's genius, and the products of that genious. He and John Garand, were amazing people. I'm more a handgun guy than a rifle guy... hunting, if I ain't gonna eat it, I ain't gonna shoot it. And that is like most of my friends, and my dad. Defense of my self and other innocents, and targets, and sport, on handguns, that is my thang... but, ALL of us should be free to own and use our guns for whatever. We ain't the threat.

Gonna be out of pocket after Sunday. Y'all all take care and be safe. Have a good weekend, folks.
Mick

[daveohno]

OD, you met Liddy? He is one smart and steel spined individual. My take is that he would shove a pencil in one of your eyes and not miss a beat. Have you ever listened to his radio program? It used to be on in Chicago from 1000 to 1400 hrs each day. He has a different take on things than most people. I listened all the time.
When they sentenced him to jail, he did those years in the DC jail and never ratted out his partners in crime. Most people like that do time in a federal country club and you can't shut them up squealing on everyone that can get their sentence reduced by 5 minutes.

[OD*]

Yes sir Dave I did, October 19, 1989 and again the following year or year after.

I still have the ticket stubs, program and of course the book he signed and my hand still hurts from his handshake. ;)

I use to listen to his show religiously when I worked days.

[Mick_In_Texas]

My Colt Commander in .38 Super is in transit as of yesterday!!! I am so looking forward to it... I'll have to get some ammo, but I'm thinking I may wait until I get my Colt before I take my Springer GI45 to the range.

If the Colt proves reliable and functional, I'm sure it will be carried! I love it that it will fit the four holsters I have for my .45 cal 1911/A1s... and since it's stainless, should work well for concealed, as well as open, carry.

I recall something Mr. Liddy said years ago in an interview: the interviewer, probabaly a gun-hating person, asked him how he could still own arms if he was a convicted Federal felon... he simply replied, "My wife isn't." In Mr. Liddy's case, I have NO problem with him having access to guns. This may sound odd, in my case, but he is not a murderer, rapist, theif, or common hoodlum; he's tough, he's conservative, and he supports common-sensical law-abiding citizens. Actually, in his case, I like him. I don't think he's a threat to any law-abiding American man or woman.

I'll get some pictures of the .38 Super Commander for y'all when I get it. May be a week to 10 days, before I can pick it up from my FFL.

Y'all all take care and have a good weekend!
Mick

[larry starling]

My Colt Commander in .38 Super is in transit as of yesterday!!! I am so looking forward to it... I'll have to get some ammo, but I'm thinking I may wait until I get my Colt before I take my Springer GI45 to the range.

If the Colt proves reliable and functional, I'm sure it will be carried! I love it that it will fit the four holsters I have for my .45 cal 1911/A1s... and since it's stainless, should work well for concealed, as well as open, carry.

I recall something Mr. Liddy said years ago in an interview: the interviewer, probabaly a gun-hating person, asked him how he could still own arms if he was a convicted Federal felon... he simply replied, "My wife isn't." In Mr. Liddy's case, I have NO problem with him having access to guns. This may sound odd, in my case, but he is not a murderer, rapist, theif, or common hoodlum; he's tough, he's conservative, and he supports common-sensical law-abiding citizens. Actually, in his case, I like him. I don't think he's a threat to any law-abiding American man or woman.

I'll get some pictures of the .38 Super Commander for y'all when I get it. May be a week to 10 days, before I can pick it up from my FFL.

Y'all all take care and have a good weekend!
Mick
Great news mick....Let us know how she works out for ya! :)

[Mick_In_Texas]

Great news mick....Let us know how she works out for ya! :)
I appreciate your support here and in another thread, larry... I've actually always wanted a Colt 1911A1; the old Series 70 Commander of my work buddy's being the first 1911A1 I ever handled/stripped/cleaned/lubed, prior to buying my own first, which was the SA Mil-Spec in ss. My FFL's .45 is a Colt Commander... and Colt's Firearm Mfg was JMB's first manufacturer of the beautiful 1911 back in 1905 and 1906... for the U.S. Government.

Sir, I cannot express in words here how thrilled I was to get an original USGI 1911 from 1918 in a Colt last year!!! It is functional, reliable, just a beauty... I LOVE it. I was extremely lucky and blessed to get it. It was a dream of mine, once I fell in love not only with the .45 ACP cartridge with my Ruger P90, but also the 1911 platform with my first 1911, the Springer Mil-Spec 1911A1. From your post, I just realized... that NOW, I am a COLT owner as well! Not only my ol' girl, the USGI in .45 ACP, but also my in-transit .38 Super Commander!

While I look forward to both handling it and shooting it, the .38 Super... I also look forward to sharing information about it with all you fine, incredible folks here on John's forum. As much as I love the 1911, and as much as folks at work are in awe of me for carrying and loving JMB's Ol' Slabsides, YOU folks here are just... amazing. I so enjoy y'all's sharing of knowledge, y'all's sharing of experience, and y'all's decency and love of this platform. It is the best I've ever shot or carried. I just love it. And I am so thankful that I found this place on a search, two years ago.

Y'all all take care and be safe and have a good weekend, and especially you, Sir.

Mick

[larry starling]

I appreciate your support here and in another thread, larry... I've actually always wanted a Colt 1911A1; the old Series 70 Commander of my work buddy's being the first 1911A1 I ever handled/stripped/cleaned/lubed, prior to buying my own first, which was the SA Mil-Spec in ss. My FFL's .45 is a Colt Commander... and Colt's Firearm Mfg was JMB's first manufacturer of the beautiful 1911 back in 1905 and 1906... for the U.S. Government.

Sir, I cannot express in words here how thrilled I was to get an original USGI 1911 from 1918 in a Colt last year!!! It is functional, reliable, just a beauty... I LOVE it. I was extremely lucky and blessed to get it. It was a dream of mine, once I fell in love not only with the .45 ACP cartridge with my Ruger P90, but also the 1911 platform with my first 1911, the Springer Mil-Spec 1911A1. From your post, I just realized... that NOW, I am a COLT owner as well! Not only my ol' girl, the USGI in .45 ACP, but also my in-transit .38 Super Commander!

While I look forward to both handling it and shooting it, the .38 Super... I also look forward to sharing information about it with all you fine, incredible folks here on John's forum. As much as I love the 1911, and as much as folks at work are in awe of me for carrying and loving JMB's Ol' Slabsides, YOU folks here are just... amazing. I so enjoy y'all's sharing of knowledge, y'all's sharing of experience, and y'all's decency and love of this platform. It is the best I've ever shot or carried. I just love it. And I am so thankful that I found this place on a search, two years ago.

Y'all all take care and be safe and have a good weekend, and especially you, Sir.

Mick
No mick thank you for sharing with us pictures of your Colt's. And while I can't speak for everyone I too am of the opinion that the user's on this forum are some of the greatest people to recieve and share knowledge with. ;)

[daveohno]

No mick thank you for sharing with us pictures of your Colt's. And while I can't speak for everyone I too am of the opinion that the user's on this forum are some of the greatest people to recieve and share knowledge with. ;)

+1 on that, Larry.

[Mick_In_Texas]

+1 on that, Larry.
It may take 6-10 days to receive my Colt .38 Super. My FFL's close enough to work that I can pick it up on my lunch hour, if it comes to him during the week; so, for the benefit of my sellers (a husband and wife team) I prob will, they were very, very good to work with me on my payment issue, which is deeply appreciated. I am just excited to handle a NEW Colt, as I've never handled one before... the shop I take my CHL classifications at, isn't a Colt dealer, Springer, Kimber, Taurus, Smith, Wilson Combat. Maybe a couple of others on handguns, but, not Colt. So, the excitement I feel, is ALMOST equal to that when I got my USGI Colt 1911, and very quickly found it was rust-free and in great shape... and especially when I learned a few months later, after two gunsmiths told me "she's fine, shoot her!", she was indeed fine, and like the rest of my guns, 100%, old as she is! To think that I've acquired a NEW Colt... Well, my buddy Hunter will be proud, LoL...

Much as I like them, I'll probably never be able to afford a Kimber or a Wilson Combat. I've bought tools and parts from them both for my current 1911s, although the USGI will NEVER be modified or refinished. She's in good shape, and there's no reason to do that to her. She'll be loved and respected and kept clean and rarely fired, surely not carried, but, she was made to shoot, and I suspect she'll get to eat a mag or two with factory FMJ once a year, then, cleaned and lubed and cared for. She LIKES being fired, I think, as she certainly didn't balk at my retired gunsmith's handloads to standard 930 fsp powder charges, she ate them all and kicked the slide open for another magfull... she didn't get one, but, I certainly don't abuse my guns, and especially her. He was begrudgingly IMPRESSED. I've been impressed since the day I got her. He challenged her authenticity, then, had to concede defeat: She is 100% USGI, 1918 Colt manufacture. And she works, just like she was made to do. Sorry, dude. I'm happy, he loses.

I am thinking of doing y'all some special photos of the new Colt with her predecessor, like, "old" and "new". I'm almost certain the .38 Super is a Series 80... were it to turn out to be a Series 70 (without the firing pin block, like my P90 has, and that my OTHER 1911s do NOT have), I would NOT shed a tear. But, I can live with the 80 series. Like I do with my Mil-Spec's "notch" in the chamber for a "loaded chamber indicator" (least, Springer didn't do something more radical than that, and thankfully, my GI45 DOESN'T have it). My and my dad's RIAs, don't have these concessions. As y'all may know, the ILS MSH is gone on my two Springers. They've both got after-market flat MSHs. That .38 Super, has a FLAT MSH!!! I LOVE THAT!!! The flats, are much, much more to my liking... my hand seats better on draw/shooting, and my hand is firm on the grip safety, it's subtle, but, it does make a difference to me. I am really happy for that. Although I've learned that it's no big deal to change the MSH on a 1911/A1 that is built to spec, not having to do so works for me, 'cause I WOULD have changed it. I don't have to on this one. Matches in that way with that ol' sister of its, from 1918...

Y'all all take care and be safe. Y'all are one fine group of folks, regardless of what country y'all are in; salt of the earth, and good'uns, as we say in Texas, and it is NOT used lightly. Y'all are GOOD'UNS. Including our El Jefe, John.
Mick

[OD*]

It's a Series 80 Mick, Colt didn't make a stainless Series 70 until they released the current reproductions and they are not offered in Super .38.

[Mick_In_Texas]

It's a Series 80 Mick, Colt didn't make a stainless Series 70 until they released the current reproductions and they are not offered in Super .38.

I suspect it will be. That is okay with me. I know the firing pin block, from my Ruger P90. My buddy's at work was a Series 70, but I can live with the 80. It's a Colt, and it's got a flat MSH. It is GOOD. Really, the thing that is challenging about my P90 Ruger, is the extractor thingie in the mag well... the firing pin block, hasn't been an issue. It's just another complication, but, in a fine firearm, as long as it shoots, you know? Parts are parts. I'm more concerned about the barrel bushing and barrel/slide fit, than the firing pin block, from another thread here on John's site. And because of that, its reliability. But we'll see in the next couple of weeks...

I appreciate your info! Thank you, sir! Long as it's reliable, I can live with the firing pin block. My retired gunsmith buddy's AOs and Kahrs, all have it. I think if he wasn't so obssessed with reloads, they'd be more reliable, like my Springers, my RIA, and my Colt USGI... I support recycling and reloading, but, on the other hand... you get too esoteric, you have probs. I like fresh factory ammo, myself. He can have all my empties he wants. Me, I'll stick with my factory ammo, especially breaking in my Colt .38 Super. I'm taking good advice from you folks here, for that.

YOU take care and be safe.
Mick

[Mick_In_Texas]

Evenin', All...

Well, after the payment struggle (with a very understanding seller), I GOT IT TODAY at lunch! It is BEAUTIFUL.

As OD* said, it's a Series 80, NIB, in .38 Super. It's a Government Model. It is the first Colt 1911A1 in either caliber I've ever handled or remembered even SEEING in my 52 years... It just FEELS "different", but that is a RIGHT FEEL: solid. Heavy. It function checked perfectly (non-firing). It doesn't seem to have any looseness around the barrel bushing; everything is tight enough, but, as we like the basic ones, not too tight. Model number: 02091; I don't know why I kept saying "Commander", maybe because my work buddy's old Commander is a full size Series 70 from 15-20 years back... unlike my Springer ss Mil-Spec, this beauty's grips are top-notch: black rubber diamond-double checkers. Has a black adonized aluminum trigger; heck, I can live with that! Just like the firing pin block... and it's the LONG trigger (1911, vs. 1911A1), even though it has the lowered ejection port and cutouts behind the trigger. FLAT MSH!!! I LOVE that, too, as y'all know... This one is ready to rock, OUT OF THE BOX... I love it that it has the "Colt's PT FA MFG Co Hartford Conn USA" engraved in the right side of the frame, barely above the grip... links it back to my ol' Black Beauty, the 1911 Colt USGI from 1918 production run...

Wow. WOW! Sorry for my exuberance... This weekend, I'll try to get some photos of it and the 88-89 year old "grandmother" together... Wow. What a beauty. .38 Super or not... GOT to quit buying new ones/used ones, or I'm going to get an investigation going on me or suffer financial ruin; but THIS was WORTH it. Here she is, y'all:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/47392d5c.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/47392d5c-1.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/82ca22be.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/82ca22be-1.jpg

Thank y'all ALL for your guidance, information, interest, and support... One of the many many reasons, this place is like no other forum, regardless of the interest, that I've ever found.

Y'all all take care and be safe.
Mick

[clughog]

Congratulations, Mick. It definitely is a beauty!

[Mick_In_Texas]

Congratulations, Mick. It definitely is a beauty!
I think so. Got her for $780. NIB. I find that's reasonable for a Colt, new, in ss. Don't see them much in Aggieland, or before I moved here, in Odessa/Midland. She seems solid. I'm really impressed with Colt's three-dot combat sights, over my SA Mil-Spec... and unlike the ss Mil-Spec, this Colt's grips are first-class. I love her. So far. I cannot imagine her not function with live ammo; she checks out perfectly on the function check that Tuner1911 has shared with us here... She is the ONLY 1911A1, or .45, or 9mm, I've EVER gotten with an EXTRA magazine. I love the engraving on the mags: the rampaging colt, and .38 Super Auto... All I've ever experienced, is one stamp (Springers, my USGI 1918 1911). This baby, with the variation on the three-dot combat sights, is VERY quick to find the point of aim for a right-handed shooter like me. That alone, is GREAT. I mean, it's like the difference between night and day... I can hardly wait to shoot her. While it's very subtle on the one hand, it's also very significant on the other. Really.

You, sir, take care and be safe.
Mick

[daveohno]

Looks like she is home now! You must be very happy after the wait.

[John]

Nice .... pillow. Can I have it together with its accessories???

:D :)

[larry starling]

Evenin', All...

Well, after the payment struggle (with a very understanding seller), I GOT IT TODAY at lunch! It is BEAUTIFUL.

As OD* said, it's a Series 80, NIB, in .38 Super. It's a Government Model. It is the first Colt 1911A1 in either caliber I've ever handled or remembered even SEEING in my 52 years... It just FEELS "different", but that is a RIGHT FEEL: solid. Heavy. It function checked perfectly (non-firing). It doesn't seem to have any looseness around the barrel bushing; everything is tight enough, but, as we like the basic ones, not too tight. Model number: 02091; I don't know why I kept saying "Commander", maybe because my work buddy's old Commander is a full size Series 70 from 15-20 years back... unlike my Springer ss Mil-Spec, this beauty's grips are top-notch: black rubber diamond-double checkers. Has a black adonized aluminum trigger; heck, I can live with that! Just like the firing pin block... and it's the LONG trigger (1911, vs. 1911A1), even though it has the lowered ejection port and cutouts behind the trigger. FLAT MSH!!! I LOVE that, too, as y'all know... This one is ready to rock, OUT OF THE BOX... I love it that it has the "Colt's PT FA MFG Co Hartford Conn USA" engraved in the right side of the frame, barely above the grip... links it back to my ol' Black Beauty, the 1911 Colt USGI from 1918 production run...

Wow. WOW! Sorry for my exuberance... This weekend, I'll try to get some photos of it and the 88-89 year old "grandmother" together... Wow. What a beauty. .38 Super or not... GOT to quit buying new ones/used ones, or I'm going to get an investigation going on me or suffer financial ruin; but THIS was WORTH it. Here she is, y'all:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/47392d5c.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/47392d5c-1.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/82ca22be.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/82ca22be-1.jpg

Thank y'all ALL for your guidance, information, interest, and support... One of the many many reasons, this place is like no other forum, regardless of the interest, that I've ever found.

Y'all all take care and be safe.
Mick
Looks great mick. Great looking piece. Are you going to keep the black rubber grips on it or go with some nice wood grips? ;)

[Mick_In_Texas]

Looks great mick. Great looking piece. Are you going to keep the black rubber grips on it or go with some nice wood grips? ;)

Well, I'm so excited about this one, and the Colt OEM grips are really good... I once PAID for a set of Hogue double-diamond checkered rubber ones, aftermarket; these are every bit as nice as those... I reckon I'll keep them on there this time for a while, grip pimp though I am! LoL...

One of the fine folks here has a pair of Alumnagrips, checkered in OD Green... and we're working on a trade for a Yaqui style Galco holster for the 1911 platform. So, those may be in the offing... actually, since the Government is what I call two-tone (and OD* told me it's really just stainless; what Colt calls it is "brushed" stainless, but, you can see the sides of the slide are polished out) stainless, just like my SA Mil-Spec (although it has the dull ss trigger, not the adonized black aluminum)... I may either eventually switch the ones on the .38 to the faux pearls, faux ivories, OR try for another set of these Texas Star ivories like on my Mil-Spec:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/SpringerAfter01.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/28wSpringerR2.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/28wSpringerL2.jpg
These look very good on a dull-/brushed-finish 1911 platform.

The SA Mil-Spec in .38 Super, comes nickel plated with faux pearls from the factory (or ivories, I believe it's pearls); I think this is because of the somewhat film-noir/pulp fiction aura about the .38 Super in a 1911 platform (the 20s and 30s, G-men, bootlegging, private investigators, gangsters and gun molls, Model As and Model Ts, as that is the era when Colt's and JMB were first requested to develop the 1911 in the somewhat supercharged version of a .38 Special in an auto round, the .38 Super... I have to admit the "lore" behind the variant on the caliber of the 1911/A1, and its historical time, appeal to me... Hee hee, I've already got a brown fedora among my collection of hats; my holsters fit the 1911, maybe I should buy a shoulder holster rig and a trenchcoat, too... LoL!
:lh:
Hee hee... Seriously, though, I'm actually thinking of getting another set of those Texas Stars. They've held up well to both concealed and open carry, plus a lot of riding around in the center console of my Toyota Tundra...

Of course, you know if I change the grips in the next couple of months y'all will have to endure another bunch of photos of the Colt!

You take care and be safe, sir. Weekend's a-coming, and I NEED it.
Mick

[Mick_In_Texas]

Just put in an offer on GunBroker to Prestige West, the guy who makes these. We'll see if I can secure another set of them for the Government Model. If I do, will be the first time I've duplicated a set.

Y'all take care and be safe.
Mick

[Mick_In_Texas]

Looks like she is home now! You must be very happy after the wait.

She's home, alrighty! Even with the aluminum trigger, she just feels... SOLID. Even empty, mag in place, she weighs as much or slightly more (by feel) than my Springer Mil-Spec or my RIA, fully loaded (7+1, 8+1, respectively)... I love all my guns; but this one... man, it's got me wanting (SLAPPING SELF!) a Colt's in a .45 caliber... I mean, a NEW one, in addition to my USGI 1918 1911... LoL...

You take care and be safe.
Mick

[Mick_In_Texas]

Nice .... pillow. Can I have it together with its accessories???

:D :)

Sir, I think THIS one will live with ME... LoL... I haven't even bought ammo for it (on the way), and it is just fantastic to hold and point and aim... I don't think I'm imagining this. It's different from my Springers and my RIA. Same appearance, different heft or weight, or something. It's a beauty.

Do you have a .38 Super in YOUR collection? Just curious. If so, how do you like it?

Take care, Boss.
Mick

[Phil]

In the Fall, 2006 issue of The Rampant Colt, official magazine of the Colt Collector's Association, there's a fascinating article by Chuck Ellermann about the St. Louis Police Department's "Flying Squads".

According to the article, in 1933 the police department formed squads of plainclothes detectives who had no assigned areas and were free to cruise the city in order to more quickly respond to crimes in progress.

Due to the fact that semi-autos were more easily concealable than revolvers, the department bought 81 Colt .38 Super 1911's for the Flying Squads through local department stores in 1934.

The Flying Squads remained in service until the late 1930's, but unfortunately not all of the the detectives were happy or comfortable with the autos, and there was at least one instance of a pistol being dropped with a resulting accidental discharge. The department eventually recalled the autos, storing them for decades and finally selling 76 of them in 1986.

[Mick_In_Texas]

In the Fall, 2006 issue of The Rampant Colt, official magazine of the Colt Collector's Association, there's a fascinating article by Chuck Ellermann about the St. Louis Police Department's "Flying Squads".

According to the article, in 1933 the police department formed squads of plainclothes detectives who had no assigned areas and were free to cruise the city in order to more quickly respond to crimes in progress.

Due to the fact that semi-autos were more easily concealable than revolvers, the department bought 81 Colt .38 Super 1911's for the Flying Squads through local department stores in 1934.

The Flying Squads remained in service until the late 1930's, but unfortunately not all of the the detectives were happy or comfortable with the autos, and there was at least one instance of a pistol being dropped with a resulting accidental discharge. The department eventually recalled the autos, storing them for decades and finally selling 76 of them in 1986.

Hee hee, this is GREAT, Sir!! I LOVE this historical information... I'll also check a search on "The Rampart Colt", as I now seem to have become a Colt's owner as well...

Personal note: yes, I've found my semi-autos easier to carry concealed, than my revolver. I do have a holster for it, and rarely do carry it concealed and open on the lands... but, the flatter profile of the semi-auto, even my P90 and Taurus, and especially my 1911s, works better than a "wheel gun". I like the reliability of the revolver, though, and my GP100 is my "primary" nightstand, with .38 Special +Ps in SJHP, my "secondary" my Mil-Spec .45 with .45 ACP SJHPs. Having been in three or four situations where I've had to brandish in defense, I tend to trust proven functionality. Never want to shoot another human; but... me or them... if it comes to that...

If the Colt Government proves reliable and functional, it's likely to replace my Mil-Spec in 45 on the nightstand, along with the GP100. That in standard speed loading (powder), and around a 115-125 grain SJHP. This because I live in an apartment, I know the FMJs I've ordered in 130 grain, are 1215 fps; that's a little much for inside an apartment, okay for breaking in on the range. I like the 930 fps of a standard .45 ACP in FMJ or SJHP; but I know a FMJ will penetrate inside walls in a dwelling from some experimentation. On a body hit, on a perp, hopefully never, EVER have to fire a round in defense; but, from experience, most criminals don't wear Kevlar or flak jackets (ceramic plates), and don't want any third-party injuries or fatalities if I DO have to fire in defense. Several LEOs and one of my CHL instructors, have complimented me on my thoughts about bullet type, powder load, caliber in various potential defensive situations: on the highway, inside the apartment, carrying about town...

I LOVE the .45 ACP, but, am also familiar with .38 Special, 9mm, and .357 Mag... the .38 Super is in this class of .30+ caliber handguns. I think it's a cool round, the .38 Super... and the Government model Colt, seems really solid and sound. We'll see.

You sir, take care and be safe.
Mick

[Mick_In_Texas]

Well...

She's had her first "test of firing": 50 rounds, WWB 130-grain FMJ +P... and 100%!!! NO failures to feed, no ejection problems, no failures to lock back on the last round ejected... and the really cool thing is... YES: the sights on her are MUCH better than my Mil-Spec's three-dot green/orange over white dots, or my three 1911s with mil-spec minimal sights--the first magazine, at 20 yds, first firing (on a standard round law-enforcement target), and she put 5 out of 8 rounds in about a 2" group on the border between the 8 and 9 ring, just to the left of dead center... but, a close-group bull's eye is a bull's eye, nontheless. part of my problem (it got worse as the hour wore on!) was that I wore my prescription glasses, rather than plain safety glasses... I need to get my prespription updated BADLY.

I also had my SA GI45 and RIA with me, in .45 ACP (more about their performance in other threads in the respective forums); but, did get some interesting comparisons between the two calibers. With the +P, I was getting a HUGE muzzle flash on every round... and actually, even with muffs on, it seemed the +P .38 Supers were noticably louder than the normally-loaded .45 ACPs (all Blazer CCI, FMJ, 230-grain). But, strangely, the felt recoil (subjective, I know) seemed either about the same with the +P .38 Supers, as with the regular-speed .45s. Muzzle climb/rotation seemed roughly the same; maybe a hair worse, on the two .45s, hard to tell much difference. There's an interesting powder-patterning on the muzzle of the barrel: six "dots" in a six-point star shaped pattern. I don't think I've ever seen this on a pistol or revolver:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/bb834365.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/3c7ef95b.jpg

They correspond to the rifling grooves. Must be from that impressive muzzle flash, LOL!

Grips were comfortable as installed. She was a little dry from the factory; I DID field strip her and lubricate her according to standard 1911 practice prior to taking her to the range this afternoon. NO idiot scratch (so far!) on THIS one, folks!!! I think I've learned my lesson on THAT... LoL!

All in all, she is a SHOOTER: 100%. Period. My luck is holding on getting good ones out of the box... Reckon I'll try her next with some good SJHPs, and if she likes that diet, reckon she may start giving my .45s a break in the holster and out on the land in the near future...

Y'all all take care and be safe.
Mick