Does the 70 series 38super have any accuracy issues

[david tn]

I am in the market for a Colt 38super. I dont know what model I need. I would like a pre 70 series but not sure about spending a lot of money for a gun I want to holster and shoot. So I thought the 70 series might be a good compromise. I have read some comments about the lack of accuracy out of the older Colt 38 supers. Something about head space? For a accurate 38super will I need to buy a custom (Baer, Wilson) or a newer production Colt. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks, David

[stans]

The old Colt barrels (before the mid 1980's) headspaced the 38 super's tiny rim on a recess cut into the barrel hood. Many cartridges would slip past the recess and head spacing became highly variable and accuracy suffered. Other manufacturers head spaced the Super on the case mouth, like all other straight walled semi-auto pistol calibers. Colt went to case mouth head spacing sometime in the mid 1980's as well.

[RickB]

I bought a stainless "M1991A1" Super (don't know the model number . . . 2091, maybe?), last year. It was a pretty nice gun, out of the box. The bushing fit was odd, tight on the barrel and loose in the slide, so I had a match bushing fitted, and the gun is plenty accurate. The trigger was good enough that I didn't mess with it, leaving the Series 80 system intact (Series 80 is a hassle when stripping and assembling, but no big deal when shooting, despite what many will say). The Special Combat Government Model is now also available in .38 Super, if you want more factory enhancements.

[Hunter]

For accuracy the new Colt .38 Super would be you better choice than the older ones. Like stans said the older ones would headspace on the small rim and that did not always work out. i have a series 80 Colt .38 Super in stainless and so far I am well pleased with it.