New / Old .38 Super

[tacticalacp]

I Have Just Obtained A 1946 Colt .38 Super That In Is In Poor Cosmetic Condition ( Slide Buffed Heavily. Roll Marks Almost Gone , Pitting And An Aluminum Cleaning Rod Laying On The Rear Sight In It Storage Case That Badly Corroded The Rear Sight.
The Good News Is The Internals Show Very Little Wear And With My Old Rear Sight From My Rock Island It Shoots Better Than I Am Able Too.
What Would Be The Best Direction For Me To Take This Project In As Far As Restoratin / Modification Or Full Custom???
As Soon As I Am Able I Will Post The Before Pictures
Thanx To All

[pa_guns]

Hi

I assume it's a Colt?

Pictures are a must before anybody can really help very much.

Based on your description, it sounds like at least a re-finish would be in order. I would also suspect replacing the rear sight will be needed. Neither one of those is a really big deal.

Sounds like you have a winner !!!

Bob

[daveohno]

Sounds like you found an ugly duckling that is a real shooter. It will really depend on how much you want to spend and how close to original you want it. I'm sure it can get to be very expensive if you want the lettering restored along with refinishing.

[DuckRyder]

Sounds like it might be a good one to send to one of the folks like Bill Adair.

http://www.restoration-gunsmith.com/

[pa_guns]

Hi

Pictures !! Definitely need pictures.

Bob

[XTrooper]

I'd do what needed to be done to make it a decent shooter and then enjoy it.

[pa_guns]

Hi

One thing to consider - Super 38 is a bit higher pressure than 45 acp. That makes checking things like headspace a good thing to do.

Bob

[tacticalacp]

Thanks for the input , but im thinking about not worrying about the roll-marks as they are almost polished off and I barely have enough money to shoot this thing on a regular basis(20.00 a box of fifty around here).
I restore antique cars for a living and like many of the cars I have seen this poor thing has suffered more by its previous owners than anything else.
Instead of going the restoration route I am thinking more along the lines of building a hot rod(better sights , b.tail safety etc.). i will try to post pics so you guys dont think Im sharpening a 500 year old samurai sword on a bench grinder.
Thank to all for your input.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Definitely need pictures. Without something to look at it's very hard to judge just what the options are.

Bob

[XTrooper]

Thanks for the input , but im thinking about not worrying about the roll-marks as they are almost polished off and I barely have enough money to shoot this thing on a regular basis(20.00 a box of fifty around here).
I restore antique cars for a living and like many of the cars I have seen this poor thing has suffered more by its previous owners than anything else.
Instead of going the restoration route I am thinking more along the lines of building a hot rod(better sights , b.tail safety etc.). i will try to post pics so you guys dont think Im sharpening a 500 year old samurai sword on a bench grinder.
Thank to all for your input.

It seems to me you already know the answer.............it's a shooter, plain and simple. Get it running and use it as God intended. ;)

[pa_guns]

Hi

Before we cross this poor beast off sight unseen, let's at least get a look at it. What's "horrible" to one set of eyes is often fixable to another ....

Bob