Posted: 5/29/2006 12:04:48 PM EDT
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Any thoughts in general on how easy/hard it would be to convert to a .38WC barrel from a .38Super 1911? I'm thinking the bigger rim on the .38Super (as compared to the 9mm) would allow the extractor to be the same, with re-tuning? I'm not sure what the mags would need to have done in order to feed the WC loads? Feed lips? A double stack .38WC that's bulls-eye capable would be a fun little 1911, IMO. |
Sorta confused myself.  Do you want to make a 38 super wadcutter gun, convert a 38 super to a .38 spl wc gun, or a WC gun to a 38 super? If you have a 38 spl factory WC gun, DON'T monkey with it. You would be better off buying a 38 super. |
Yes. I shoot a 52 & a 5rd mag ain't no disco. I would buy a 1911 in a .38Super (double stack) & then pay a gunsmith to have a .38WC barrel fitted (if made?). I was thinking the mags may be the turd in this punchbowl? I have no clue between the OAL of the two standard loadings, FWIW, as I don't reload. I'm just curious as I love shooting the 52 with its bb-gun recoil & a nice big old double stack mag would be a fun range gun, I thinking. |
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I think the biggest hurdle to overcome in the conversion you propose is the full rim on the 38 Special. All of the following measurements are in inches, to the nearest thousandth of an inch: 38 Special 38 Super overall length (max) 1.155 1.280 rim diameter (max) 0.440 0.406 rim thickness 0.059 0.050 case mouth diameter 0.379 0.384 The maximum length of the 38 Special, not flush seated, is 1.155 inches. The 38 Super is 1.280 inches. I expect that maximum overall loaded length would not be a problem. The rim on the 38 Special is 0.034 inches over that of the 38 Super and 0.009 inches thicker. So, I would expect that magazine rim dimensions would determine if this were feasible. The 38 Super barrel could probably be 'opened up' with a 38 Special reamer to accomodate the larger case rim thickness and diameter of the 38 Special. The twist rate of the 38 Super and the 38 Special are probably pretty close as they shoot similar length projectiles. I hope this may help. Charles.  ETA: I am currently building a 1911 in 38 Super. So, I checked to see if 38 Special case rims will feed and fit in a 38 Super magazine. They fit nicely, but, it looks like similar to the the S&W model 52 that the projectiles will have to be seated flush will the case mouth. A 38 Super barrel can be used and a 38 Special reamer can be used to open up the required areas on the barrel. Some tweaking of the extractor and ejector will be required and perhaps a change in weight of the recoil spring. Also, the breech face of the slide will have to be opened up to 0.440 inches plus about 0.005 inches for clearance. So, the proposal looks feasible and relatively cheap to perform. Charles.
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