If you are a referring to factory-made pistols, then I give the nod to the current crop of Colt Super .38 Auto Government Models that may be found in many gun shops. They are nicely done. It is the original and still the best you will see from a factory.

That said, I am still of the opinion of that, if anyone is in need of a high-quality 1911, he have a full-house custom pistol made by a reputable 1911 smith. Whether he chooses a .38 Super or .45 Auto, it will be $3000 well spent. Avoid the gimmicks and have it built just as John M. Browning designed it.

 

I've got a Series 70 Colt and a Springfield Armory. The Colt is like new in the box with all paperwork. I bought it new in '77 or 78. I don't shoot it anymore because it's worth more as a collector's piece than a shooter.

The Springfield I got used and I like it better than the Colt for several reasons. The Colt has G.I. sights. The Springfield has combat sights. The Colt barrel headspaces on the semi-rim of the Super round. The Springfield headspaces on the case mouth. The Springfield also has a fully supported ramped barrel. Less chance of a case blowout with hot rounds and basically feeds better. The Springfield frame has been milled out for the ramped barrel.

I recently purchased a used 9mm barrel with a ramp. It needed a little fitting and now I have a gun that shoots both 9mm and .38 Super. 9mm's feed from the .38 Super mag, but not that well. I have 9mm mags as well.

Randy

 

Smith and Wesson PC. Accurate and has a supported chamber which the Colt does not have.

 

thanks for the info. I did't know the Colt chamber was unsupported. and I was looking at the Colt lightweight commander in 38 super. scratch that one off the list.

 

I would choose the Colt over any of the current 38 Supers made at this time.I had a pre series 70 Colt Commander that had over 180,000 rounds down the tube that was the best gun I have ever had.And I now have a series 80 Colt Government Model 38 Super with over 6000 rounds with out a bobble.To me Colt is the best factory 38 Super under $1000.

 

Also I would like to add.I have had 38 Supers from Sig,Springfield Armory,Para and also STI.But Colt still turns up at the top and I carry one every day.

 

Also Kimber...

Kimber offers some 1911s in .38 super, including the Pro Carry HD II shown below. The barrel length is 4 inches and the frame is aluminum, so the gun would be an interesting conceal carry choice. With the right ammo you can approximate .357 magnum ballistics with the .38 super. For example, Corbon offers a 125 grain .38 super +P JHP that gives 1325 fps velocity and 487 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.

 

I have a Colt Series 80 38 Super Enhanced Stainless. Best pistol I have ever had. Love it. Great carry gun as I like the safety and it is a Tack driver. I use Wilson Combat ammo 1335 FPS.

 

How much money do you want to spend? That will answer your question or rather will narrow it down a bit...

 

Looks like we are going for the record.

Resurrection of an 11 year old thread !

Bob

 

OMG, you're right.

haggy, my friend, this is not kosher... see Forum rules.

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FWIW, my initial reply:

How much money do you want to spend? That will answer your question or rather will narrow it down a bit...

+1911

Generally speaking, the top tier 1911 builders will also be the top tier 38 Super 1911 builders.

Allowing for other opinions, a lot of people think of Wilson, Nighthawk, Ed Brown, and Les Baer as top tier. Unless you think otherwise (in regard to the top tier), this is also where you're likely to find the best fitted, finished, etc., 38 Super 1911.

 

Could not resist....

 

Between my wife and me, we have .38 super 1911s from Dan Wesson, Guncrafter Industries, and Wilson Combat. The Wilson is my favorite pistol but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them. Get whichever best fits your budget. You won't be disappointed.

 

Friends, the original poster Silver Wings appears to have made no (0) posts after year 2008.

IOW, he may not be seeing today's replies to his year 2006 post. Ditto for all other year 2006 posters.

 

OK, time to close this one. Haggy, our Forum policy on old threads is that we don't re-open a thread that's been dormant for more than 3 or 4 months, unless you're the Original Poster with new or updated information.