1911Forum banner
Cancel

Rock Island 38 Super

1396 Views 22 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  Kosh75287, 
R
Any negatives on a slightly used Rock Island 38 Super.
Thanks
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
B
I've owned one for about 6 years and it's never given me an single issue.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
R
Brian74 said:
I've owned one for about 6 years and it's never given me an single issue.
Click to expand...
Thanks
Reply
Save
Like
Michael W Cuber
I dropped a Rock Island Super barrel in my Tisas 9mm. They both utilize the Clark / Para cut ramp, and I was amazed at the precision of machine work, and fit between the two barrels. Lock up with the Turkish made slide was perfect, and the frame to ramp and link was perfect. Gave me a whole lot of respect for RIA and Tisas, and the pistol runs great in .38 Super!
Air gun Trigger Wood Gun barrel Gun accessory
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
old tanker
I have a Rock Island .38 Super. Shoots good, reliable, no problems at all. I only changed two things: I replaced the ugly smooth mahogany grips with a pair of GI issue and I replaced the mainspring housing with a WW2 Remington Rand grooved housing to get a lanyard ring.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
J
Rwp315 said:
Any negatives on a slightly used Rock Island 38 Super.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Your going to like that 38 Super round. Only problem you might have is availability, I load my own ,brass and bullets are available. I use 124 grain Blue Bullets they are very uniformed in size and weight. Fast shipping and they have sales and deals. They have there own shooting team . You just got to love that 38 super 1911’s Forever
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
Rustyaa55
38 SUPER 1911 - Take the plunge. It's a serious blast.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
Old Fart
Rwp315 said:
Any negatives on a slightly used Rock Island 38 Super.
Thanks
Click to expand...
They should call the company Rock Solid. I like my GI Super, but like old tanker I was a bit underwhelmed by the grip panels, which look like they were cut from pallet wood. I changed out to some made by Altamont. I load my own ammo for mine and use the Super Comp Brass, which is rimless and allows the case to headspace fully on the mouth. Runs as fast as you can pull the trigger, all internals are stock.
Air gun Trigger Wood Gun barrel Gun accessory
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
B
I'll agree with pretty much everyone else here, my factory grips have never seen one round fired. The only things I have replaced on mine are grips and sights.
Air gun Wood Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
robertrwalsh
I have one I have had for a lot of years and shot a lot. I used to shoot it in IDPA competition and ran it thru a one week course at Front Site five or six years ago. Fine weapon. Reliable, well built and well assembled.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
R
Old Fart said:
They should call the company Rock Solid. I like my GI Super, but like old tanker I was a bit underwhelmed by the grip panels, which look like they were cut from pallet wood. I changed out to some made by Altamont. I load my own ammo for mine and use the Super Comp Brass, which is rimless and allows the case to headspace fully on the mouth. Runs as fast as you can pull the trigger, all internals are stock.
View attachment 674164
Click to expand...

Thanks!
Reply
Save
Like
R
japsco113 said:
Your going to like that 38 Super round. Only problem you might have is availability, I load my own ,brass and bullets are available. I use 124 grain Blue Bullets they are very uniformed in size and weight. Fast shipping and they have sales and deals. They have there own shooting team . You just got to love that 38 super 1911’s Forever
Click to expand...
Great. I have a Dillon 550 so I’d reload also.

Thanks
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
mercman1972
I only have one Colt .38 super 1911 at this time. It's a Series 70 and in beautiful condition. I let a pristine Series 70 Combat Commander slip through my fingers and still dream about in the wee hours some nights................

I do have a Browning BDA in .38 Super. It's the Sig Sauer P220 with the European heel mag release.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
R
Michael W Cuber said:
I dropped a Rock Island Super barrel in my Tisas 9mm. They both utilize the Clark / Para cut ramp, and I was amazed at the precision of machine work, and fit between the two barrels. Lock up with the Turkish made slide was perfect, and the frame to ramp and link was perfect. Gave me a whole lot of respect for RIA and Tisas, and the pistol runs great in .38 Super! View attachment 674126
Click to expand...
Could you convert a Kimber Pro 2 in 9mm? Asking for a friend.
Reply
Save
Like
Q
I'm loving mine.
Air gun Trigger Wood Gun barrel Gun accessory
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Michael W Cuber
Rwp315 said:
Could you convert a Kimber Pro 2 in 9mm? Asking for a friend.
Click to expand...
How long is the slide, and does anyone make a barrel in .38 Super for the Kimber Pro 2 for that slide length?
Some have suggested just reaming the 9mm barrel to Super, but 9mm is actually tapered and a little fatter around the web, while the Super is straight walled, more like the .38 Special.
You could probably make your Pro 2 into a Super. You would probably need to shorten your ejector a little bit, but I found a compromise length for mine; it will cycle and eject loaded .38 Supers by hand, and it still ejects 9mm very consistently. You’ll need some Super mags which don’t use the liners like the 9mm, and a barrel set up like your present 9mm barrel, whether it be fully ramped, or traditional unsupported barrel. The muzzle will need to fit your bushing, or be of the same bull barrel diameter if your pistol is bushingless, but it can all be done. I’d take a look at a Brownells catalogue, and see if they have a .38 Super barrel in the same configuration as your 9mm. That would make for a pretty mean little package!
P.S. .38 Super Comp brass doesn’t have the semi-rim of the old Super and is similar to 9mm, and it will allow you to not have to mess with your extractor.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
F
38 Super? After many years of wondering about the caliber, I bought a Colt Competition in .38 Super. In my mind, it is a step in the right direction. It is definitely a handload proposition. One thing I do is police my brass.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
mercman1972
While I only had about 500 .38 super rounds just before the ammo freak show price increase I did buy 1K of .38 Super ammo along with a K of .32 ACP to feed my 1903 Colt Pocket Hammerless. Prices doubled and tripled shortly thereafter.

I wouldn't be a good gun Dad if I didn't feed my pistol babies.
Reply
Save
Like
Spirit_Phantom
Got a RI to test to see if I wanted to retire my Llama 38 super well the RI stays in safe nothing wrong with it passed my test just did not feel right in my hand My boss fired it and she said keep it she will use it and carry it.
Reply
Save
Like
12Bravo
When I went looking for a RIA 38 Super in 2020, there were none to be had. I did find a good deal on brand new RIA 9mm so I bought it. I then bought a 38 Super barrel from RIA and it dropped right in to the 9mm slide without any hand fitting required.

As far as ammo goes, I am using Starline 9mm Largo brass since I had a bunch of it. The Starline 9mm Largo brass has the exact same dimensions as the Starline 38 Super Comp brass. And I didn't have to tune the extractor, the pistol extracted the Starline 9mm Largo/38 Super Comp and 9x19 just fine.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
1911Forum
A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Gun Discussion Gunsmithing & Troubleshooting Colt Reloading Bench Springfield Armory
Top