M1911 chambered for 38 AMU

Status
Not open for further replies.
An up date on the 38 Special M1911 project.

I have the barrel fitted to the gun and one magazine modified.

With dummy rounds, it will not feed the last two rounds in the magazine reliably. I seated several bullets quickly in cases and probably not deep enough to get the case to be crimped over the end of the bullet. I need to redo them.

I need to load some ammunition with the cases crimped over the end of the bullet before I can try it live. If it stops raining some, I may get to try the gun out over the weekend.

If I cannot get my modified 38 Super magazine to work, I may have to wait until I get the Triple K 38 Special magazines that are on back order.

I'll have more pictures after I shoot some targets.
 
Between rain showers, we're 200% or so ahead for rainfall in February alone, I managed to shoot my re-barreled 38 Special M1911. As I expected, I had some feeding issues from the magazine, mostly with the last round in the magazine.

The first four rounds I fired were my 38 Wadcutter reloads with the bullet extended out front of the case abut 1/8". They actually fed reasonable well, except the last round and they cycled the gun. I shot them at a different target.

The last 10 rounds I shot were Fiocchi 38 wadcutters. The Fiocchi rounds were too light to cycle the gun with the 38 Super recoil spring. I'll have to dig in my stash of recoil springs and see what I have in lighter springs.

Next, I need to reload some of my wadcutter ammunition with the bullet seated just below the case mouth.

The bottom two photos show the modifications I made to the magazine. the modifications are similar to one I found on the internet. When I started on this project back in December, I had found a different set of modification pictures but I have been unable to find them again at this time. The modifications were similar as I remember. I have an idea for some modifications to the magazine follower.

The magazine I modified is a Checkmate 38 Super. It differers a little from the Colt 38 Super magazine so I may modify one of my Colt magazines.

I do have a couple Triple K 38 Special magazines on order.

The target is not great but I was shooting more for function than groups and an SR-21 repair center at 30 feet is not an optimum for handgun. The group shows promise.

The project is proceeding well.

M191138Sp1.JPG
M191138Sp2.JPG M191138Sp3.JPG
 
Last edited:
For those just tuning in, this is the only mag I have for my colt 38 super. The base plate is stamped colt 38spec.

Here I show it with HBSW 38 spec. loaded.
20190220_180120.jpg
20190220_180146.jpg
20190220_180215.jpg
20190220_180306.jpg

This is the first cycle of feed
20190220_180352.jpg

The second is tough to capture. The cartridge slides forward and the rim catches on the curved retainers and the rear of the cartridge pivots up
20190220_180501.jpg

The follower is fairly simple
20190220_180558.jpg 20190220_180618.jpg

Notice a regular 38spec cartridge wont fit length-wise
20190220_180719.jpg
 
For those just tuning in, this is the only mag I have for my colt 38 super. The base plate is stamped colt 38spec.

Thanks for the photos. I had not thought about the rim riding up on the front part of the magazine. I had figured that space in the rear was to allow for the rim to get out of the magazine.

Another point I noticed earlier today and your magazine confirms it, the front lips of the magazine hold the cartridge in position with little available movement from side to side. My magazine has some slop in that area and the round sometimes catches on the side of the barrel next to the chamber.

So, I think I need to narrow up the lips in that area. I have to think about what to do with rib formed in the side of the magazine to narrow the magazine for 38 Super.

Thanks again.
 
Notice a regular 38spec cartridge wont fit length-wise
View attachment 827480
I once went to a local range to zero my guns for Camp Perry.

When I got there, they wouldn't let me shoot my lead bullseye handloads.

Instead they tried to sell me some hot .38 Special JHPs to shoot out of my Giles .38 Special M1911.

I just picked up my gun box and left.
 
A brief update on the progress of my 38 Special M1911.

I received the 38 Special magazines from Triple K a day or two ago. They work a better than the magazine that I modified although there are some things that could be done to the modified 38 Super magazine that would improve its operation. For the amount that I will probably shoot the gun, I'll probably buy another Triple K magazine and not fool with trying to modify magazines any more. I've only had 50% success modifying a standard 38 Super magazine so the costs will add up quickly to equal the Triple k 38 Super magazine prices.

The gun definitely prefers the bullets seated to case mouth. If the bullet extends past the case mouth, the round is too long for it to be loaded by the slide. The round jams into the barrel or ramp before it can turn to get up into the chamber.

Next step is to load some of my own ammunition to try and compare it to the Fiocchi 38 wadcutters that I have on hand.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top