That is awesome work! I have contemplated such a conversion. What difficulties or challenges did you encounter, if any? Do you mind sharing a few more details such as what barrel and/or bushing you installed, any fitment issues, etc?
The Super .38
- Thread starter shanneba
- Start date
One of my favorite authors and book series.
Talyn
Emissary
The Conversion work was simple for both the RIA & SA Loaded Target.
Just an appropriate 38 Super barrel, barrel bushing (BarSto for the 38 Supers) (Nowlin kit for the 9x23 Winchester), and different power/strength recoil spring appropriate for the cartridges.
A skilled gunsmith to adjust the extractor (once adjusted both RIA & SA run fine with just a barrel swap) and any barrel & barrel bushing fitment, plus the appropriate 38 Super magazine(s) which also works for the 9x23 Winchester (not the 9x23 Largo).
The 38 Super Conversions were straight forward, but I had to test different recoil spring weight for the more powerful 9X23 Win.
So, basically, I just have 3 sets of barrels and recoil spring to swap out for the 3 cartridges for the SA Loaded Target & 2 for the RIA.
Grayfox
Professional
The 38 Auto and 38 Super are identical in size. The 38 Super was developed by simply adding more powder to the 38 Auto. However, the pressure difference is dramatic. While its completely safe to shoot 38 Auto in a 38 Super, its dangerous to try to shoot 38 Super in a 38 Auto. Don't do it.
For this reason all 38 Super ammo is marked +P even though its standard pressure for that cartridge. The +P designation is to warn people not to use this ammo in a 38 Auto.
As for headspacing, the 38 Super is a semi-rimmed cartridge. Originally guns were built to headspace on that tiny rim. This resulted in less than stellar accuracy. I believe it was in the 1970s that Barsto began making barrels that headspaced on the case mouth like other semi-auto cartridges. Accuracy greatly improved and soon most makers had changed to headspacing on the case mouth. However, Colt proved to be stubborn. They didn't make the change until sometime in the mid to late-80s.
As for converting a 9mm 1911 to 38 Super, I have done two. All that is required is a 38 Super barrel and magazine. Its possible you may need to change the recoil spring, but not necessarily as 1911s in 9mm and 38 Super use the same recommended weight spring.
The first was the RIA Tact II. I simply ordered a 38 Super barrel directly from RIA. It was almost a drop in requiring very little fitting. I did this one myself.
The second is my current project gun that isn't quite perfected yet. I started with a Ruger SR1911 lightweight Commander in 9mm. These come with a Nowlin style ramped barrel. I got the barrel from Barsto. This required a full fitting. Fortunately, I have a good friend who is a very skilled 1911 gunsmith who did this work for me.
Right now I'm experimenting with recoil springs. Once I get that where I want it, this gun will become my new EDC.
The 38 Auto and 38 Super are identical in size. The 38 Super was developed by simply adding more powder to the 38 Auto. However, the pressure difference is dramatic. While its completely safe to shoot 38 Auto in a 38 Super, its dangerous to try to shoot 38 Super in a 38 Auto. Don't do it.
For this reason all 38 Super ammo is marked +P even though its standard pressure for that cartridge. The +P designation is to warn people not to use this ammo in a 38 Auto.
As for headspacing, the 38 Super is a semi-rimmed cartridge. Originally guns were built to headspace on that tiny rim. This resulted in less than stellar accuracy. I believe it was in the 1970s that Barsto began making barrels that headspaced on the case mouth like other semi-auto cartridges. Accuracy greatly improved and soon most makers had changed to headspacing on the case mouth. However, Colt proved to be stubborn. They didn't make the change until sometime in the mid to late-80s.
As for converting a 9mm 1911 to 38 Super, I have done two. All that is required is a 38 Super barrel and magazine. Its possible you may need to change the recoil spring, but not necessarily as 1911s in 9mm and 38 Super use the same recommended weight spring.
The first was the RIA Tact II. I simply ordered a 38 Super barrel directly from RIA. It was almost a drop in requiring very little fitting. I did this one myself.
The second is my current project gun that isn't quite perfected yet. I started with a Ruger SR1911 lightweight Commander in 9mm. These come with a Nowlin style ramped barrel. I got the barrel from Barsto. This required a full fitting. Fortunately, I have a good friend who is a very skilled 1911 gunsmith who did this work for me.
Right now I'm experimenting with recoil springs. Once I get that where I want it, this gun will become my new EDC.
A pretty qualified gunsmithing 1911’s (and tevokvers he teaches at Revolverfest and revolver roundup) told me you can convert a 38 Suoer to 9mm in a 1911 but 9 to 38 not so much
So that said my question With the 38 super being semi rimmed did you have issue running the stock 9mm ??
Grayfox
Professional
I did not. But for a long time the 9mm in a 1911 proved to be somewhat troublesome due to the shorter cartridge length. I think most of those issues have been solved by now. So it doesn't matter.
The 38 Super is the same length as the .45acp. It fits perfectly in a 1911 and has been chambered in them since the 1930s.
I'm an opinionated old fart who believes that the 9mm just doesn't belong in a 1911.
I did not. But for a long time the 9mm in a 1911 proved to be somewhat troublesome due to the shorter cartridge length. I think most of those issues have been solved by now. So it doesn't matter.
The 38 Super is the same length as the .45acp. It fits perfectly in a 1911 and has been chambered in them since the 1930s.
I'm an opinionated old fart who believes that the 9mm just doesn't belong in a 1911.
Just discussing ak don’t take this as arguing. I believe the issue with the 9mm in 1911’s was the extractor was hard to tension more yha the length but several companies seem to have cracked the code
Also an issue as reported by Larry Vickers and he knows more tjan probably anyone here in 1911’s was 9mm 1911’s run better with a ramped barrel 45 doesn't need it because it’s just large enough the round does not care. Where a traditional barrel in 9mm can also have feeding issues with the small (especially hollow points) hitting that little. A ramped barrel doesn't have that and works more dependable .
While I like the 45 I have to say an all steel frame Commander in 9mm is cheating
Grayfox
Professional
No problem. We're just talking here.
You do make a valid point. As I mentioned earlier, the Ruger I'm currently working on came with a ramped barrel. I believe this has become a common solution to 9mm feeding issues.
Again, my opinionated old self, a 9mm 1911 is for wussies who can't handle a real pistol.
If you want a single action 9mm pistol, get a Hi-Power.
You do make a valid point. As I mentioned earlier, the Ruger I'm currently working on came with a ramped barrel. I believe this has become a common solution to 9mm feeding issues.
Again, my opinionated old self, a 9mm 1911 is for wussies who can't handle a real pistol.
If you want a single action 9mm pistol, get a Hi-Power.
No problem. We're just talking here.
You do make a valid point. As I mentioned earlier, the Ruger I'm currently working on came with a ramped barrel. I believe this has become a common solution to 9mm feeding issues.
Again, my opinionated old self, a 9mm 1911 is for wussies who can't handle a real pistol.
If you want a single action 9mm pistol, get a Hi-Power.
Well according to Nighthawk 75% of their 1911 orders are for 9mm so while skne of us kine 45’s it’s all about sales.
And I wouldn’t call a 124 gold dot at 1,200 FPS exactly wussy LOL
