Colt Super 38 Automatic

[BigBlue 94]

I was meaning maybe the mainspring housing was an original from one of Colts stocked pistols. But the stocks look different so I highly doubt that's the case. So that could stay on the pistol if I got rid of the stock, even though it makes it easy to put a stock on it?

I'm thinking that I'll call them tomorrow, and if it's not registered already, I'll either destroy the stock or sell it if it's actually worth anything. Its uncomfortable anyways. I have no intention of shooting it that way

I'll bring the stock to work tomorrow so it's out of the house.

I really appreciate all the advice. I never even gave this all a thought

 

[Jim Watson]

Which Colt stocked pistol? I don't know of anything after the 1905.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Upon further reading, none were made public. Only prototypes for the army and some made by Mr. Lebman for the likes of John Dillinger

 

[BigBlue 94]

Upon more research, the stock I have appears to have come from the Sportsmans Guide as a kit worth the longer barrel and magazine. Here's my theory: At some point the original mag was lost while it was converted to the rifle length barrel and extended mag. Then, the barrel and extended mag were sold or lost, and they found this 38spec mag because it fit. I do not believe that this was ever registered because of this.

The stock is definitely not as old as the pistol

After looking through my papers tonight, i will consider simply cutting the connecting clamps off the stock and posting the picture of that here in this thread. If I don't find anything suggesting this has been registered, no need to call the atf just for them to tell me to cut the stock up. I imagine that will suffice for any agent that may stumble upon this thread.

 

[bannockburn]

BigBlue 94

Found a set that sold on gunauction.com for $92 over 10 years ago. Listed as having been made by Norinco it included the shoulder stock, slotted mainspring housing, and a 16" barrel but no extended magazine.

 

[cfullgraf]

From what I can see of the magazine through the side of the pistol frame, it may be one of the 38 Special magazines for the blow back target version of the Colt 1911 that was chambered in 38 Special during the 1960s.

Those magazines have some value to them. Hand made versions are still currently made by Clark and go for $85 bucks a piece or so.

 

[Gordon]

I remember those stock conversions mainspring housings sold with 16" barrels for about $100 in the 70s thru early 90s . I actually had a mainspring housing and sock for one but never put it together and it is long gone.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Only got through half the paperwork last night. Lots of receipts for lots of guns I never saw.

Anyways, I disassembled the pistol and tried both 38 super and 38 spl in the chamber. Super fit like a glove, special would not go in all the way. That answers that question! And yes, the wadcutter 38spl rounds load into the mag perfectly.

I also brought the stock to work today.

20181212_185207

• BigBlue 94
• Dec 13, 2018

Torn down for cartridge testing

20181212_184552

• BigBlue 94
• Dec 13, 2018

Some old ammo

20181212_184229

• BigBlue 94
• Dec 13, 2018

Grips

20181212_185222

• BigBlue 94
• Dec 13, 2018

38spl wdc and 38 super

 

[cfullgraf]

Anyways, I disassembled the pistol and tried both 38 super and 38 spl in the chamber. Super fit like a glove, special would not go in all the way. That answers that question! And yes, the wadcutter 38spl rounds load into the mag perfectly.

Sounds like you have a 38 Super barrel. The chamber is not cut long enough to accept the 38 Special rounds.

Without the long barrel, I'd get a standard mainspring housing and put the butt stock and slotted mainspring housing up for sale. Get some value out of the parts and avoid the governmental paper headaches. Unless of course, you want to apply for a SBR stamp.

The 38 Special magazine has some value on its own. If you want to shoot 38 Super, get a couple 38 Super magazines.

Another option, Kart Precision sells 38 Special barrels. With one 38 Special magazine, you are probably good to go if you had a 38 Special barrel. Also, there is some information on the internet on modifying 38 Super magazines to feed 38 Special ammunition.

I have a 1950 vintage 38 Super that had been modified to shoot 38 AMU (a rimless version of 38 Special). I rebarreled it to 38 Super so that I could shoot 38 Super. At the time, the mid-1980s, 38 Super M1911s were few and far between and I was (still am) smitten with 38 Super. I'm planning to this old girl back to 38 Special. I have a few new M1911s so I can convert the 1950 38 Super m1911 back to 38 Special.

Just my opinion. With it and $5, you can get a designer up of coffee.

See this thread for more information on my project.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/m1911-chambered-for-38-amu.844599/

 

[BigBlue 94]

So if I were to sell the stock and mainspring housing, without the 16"barrel, it would have to be as repair parts or something? Where would I sell such a thing?

After searching through many sheets of paper and receipts, i found nothing saying it had a long barrel or any mention of nfa. Only wording I could find was hand written saying "with optional wood stock".

I saw a list of guns he was contemplating buying from a friend. On that list were some of my most wanted firearms, such as a Kansas centennial Colt and a cowtown commemorative colt. I started drooling lol.

Also found out I still have his first ever highpower rifle, a m77 in 220 swift and his favorite shooting pistol, a deep blue SW 14-4 in 38 special.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

BigBlue 94

The grips are probably Nill grips as they use a script KN for their trademark.

Ya know, I think it is a KN stylized script carved into a solid bar on the checkering. The grips are very nicely crafted. Each screws to the factory holes, and then there's a fifth machine screw that holds the bottom of the grips together.

That is definitely a Karl Nill design, and yes if you look at the left side, there is a solid bar at the bottom. This is where KN is usually carved. I can't see it in the picture but if you are seeing it BigBlue94, I think you have a winner. Those grips sell new for about $225-$250 I believe.

Edit: Just saw the pic on page two. Verified.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have a 1950 vintage 38 Super that had been modified to shoot 38 AMU (a rimless version of 38 Special). I rebarreled it to 38 Super so that I could shoot 38 Super. At the time, the mid-1980s, 38 Super M1911s were few and far between and I was (still am) smitten with 38 Super. I'm planning to this old girl back to 38 Special. I have a few new M1911s so I can convert the 1950 38 Super m1911 back to 38 Special.

I understand the easy change between AMU and Super. But can you get a Special in the breechface and under the extractor?

So if I were to sell the stock and mainspring housing, without the 16"barrel, it would have to be as repair parts or something? Where would I sell such a thing?

You might could get it on eBay, certainly on Gun Broker or Armslist.
"Grooved 1911 mainspring housing and buttstock. CAUTION, Must have a 16" barrel or SBR stamp to install on a pistol."

 

[cfullgraf]

I understand the easy change between AMU and Super. But can you get a Special in the breechface and under the extractor?
"

If I remember correctly, before I converted the gun from 38 AMU back to 38 Super I shot some 38 Special in the gun.

But that was in the mid 1980s and I have slept a bit since then. I’ll need to do some checking before I buy the barrel.

Another option is to get a new 40 S&W slide as well to along with the barrel. The breech face would be more aproriate for a 38 Special rim.

 

[Walkalong]

I remember those stock conversions mainspring housings sold with 16" barrels for about $100 in the 70s thru early 90s

Yep, always curious but never enough to buy one.