[Extractor]

What would I have to do to convert my .45 to .38 super ?

 

[Dave Sample]

You will need a new top end complete, have the lower end cut for a ramped barrel, new mags,and the help of a smith who is very good at their business.A Wilson, Bar-Sto,or my personal choice, a Kart barrel and plenty of bucks! You could go to the store and buy a 38 super for 1/3 what this will cost you.Converting guns to different calibers is not for the faint hearted and never pays off. "Pieces -parts "guns are not worth much to any one except the guy that owns one.

 

[gunny6]

I came across a deal on an engraved Colt 80 Series Commander, nickle, 38 Super top end, complete, I could not pass it up..Took me quite awhile too find an 80 series lightweight Commander frame, but I found one. A little slide to frame fitting was needed, along with a 38 Super slide stop and magazines of course. Frame was rough so it went to Tripp Researce for a black Cobra Coat job. I`m very well pleased with the final product...Pimp Pistol ?? Maybe, but it`s a one of a kind that works well at a very low cost too me...Don`t I remember Colt selling a 38 Super or 9mm conversion unit at one time ???

 

[George Smith]

First welcome to the forum.

I will take the opposite side of dave.

If the frame is name brand try to find a slide of the same brand. 175.00 should do it for most.
You have one problem in my opinion. the 45 ramp is cut deeper and further forward than a 38 super If you go with a ramp barrel you will cut MOST of it out, a non ramped barrel (on a ramp barrel the ramp is part of the barrel and you cut the one out of the frame) you may very well have problems with feeding.

you did not mention if you will reload or shoot factory. with more std loads you will not need a ramp barrel for support.
Factory Colt or springfield 38 barrel should set you back 75.00

extractor ejector firing pin stop firing pin (needs to fit well, espically with springfield) and sights you might as well buy new. It is a project, and you may need professional help to get it 100% at the end.
(take that one either way

)

hope this helps
geo ><>

 

[JoeMc]

The guy I shoot with all the time shoots a 70 series Government that was hogged out for wadcutters with a 10mm Enterprise slide and a Bar-sto 38 super barrel wnd a 9mm extractor. It may be a freak but he consistantly kicks my butt with it. He has never had any Failures with this gun. He had a little problem with timing but his father who is a retired smith fixed it in about 5 minutes.

 

[Dave Sample]

George is one of the people I have alot of respect for and he has made some good points.I love it when he takes the "oposite side" and am never bothered by the opinion of people like him.I have assembled guns out of junk parts and they were shooters.They ran 100% and were as good as it gets , but they were still junk.My guns sold in the $2000.00 range 15 years ago.There are always exceptions to any rule and nothing here is cast in bronze.I was speaking of value to others, not to you. The idea of taking a good factory gun and doing alot of expensive work on it and end up with less is not a good idea, in my opinion. I don't think it will feed with out a ramped barrel and to get anything out of a Super, you need hot loads. Eagles Law: If it doesn't work when you need it, you will never need it again

 

[Extractor]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll just leave it .45acp.

 

[Dave Sample]

You're a good man, Extractor! If you want to play with a Super 38 I will share an idea with you. Pick up a Star Super B in 9mm. Get a hold of some Star 38 super Mags and send that gun to me. I will re chamber it to 38 Super at no charge and you can have a real good carry gun and fun toy. All you have to do is pay the shipping charges both ways ($ about 40.00). I go through it and make sure it works. I'm easy to find . My website is www. captaineagle.com This offer is good for one year.