Considering Colt Mk IV in .38 Super - talk me into/out of it

[Tweaker]

I have been considering a 1911 but I hate .45 ACP and a 9mm 1911 just seems sacrilegious (caught me talkin' bout Gawd, Kreutz) and it wouldn't do anything special that my 9mm guns do already.

A .38 super would be a fun new challenge as well as fulfill a 1911 hole in my arsenal. All I would need is a Dillion 3 die set and of course I'd have to buy brass. My other 9mm stuff would already work so that is great.

I have zero knowledge base on Colt 1911s beyond their history and some of their well known traits. If anyone can help me avoid any pitfalls or suggest teh best model, I would appreciate it.

[dorminWS]

I've got 2 Colt Gold Cup Trophys and a Colt Commander that I shoot occasionaly, and a Centenial Anniversary Tribute Colt that I've never fired. The Commander has a 4" barrel istead of the standard 5". I don't know why, but the best-shooting of the three (all are .45ACP) is the Commander. I would think the Commander would be a good choice for a lesser caliber such as .38 super; but then I have zero experience with .38 super.

[jdonovan]

I have been considering a 1911 but I hate .45 ACP and a 9mm 1911 just seems sacrilegious (caught me talkin' bout Gawd, Kreutz) and it wouldn't do anything special that my 9mm guns do already.

Hmm... you could hunt down a S&W model 52, that's a neat 1911, or a 952, but you say you don't like the 9mm...

How about a Dan Wesson 1911, in say 10mm?... or you can find a Colt delta elite, both nice guns.

So why the pull to 38 super?

[jrswanson1]

38 Super is big with the IPSC crowd. If I were looking for yet another caliber to reload, I'd look at getting a 38 Super, but I don't have enough room in my house for another die set.

BTW, GET IT!

[Tweaker]

9mm - No problem with cartridge, I have many, but since I have many, I don't want another I want MOAR POWA!

10mm - Sounds great, as I liked the ported Glock compact I shot once, recoil was fine, but I have tiny baby hands. I think I will find the grip to be big. My Beretta 92FS got sold for that reason. I have dies for 40SW and bullets on the yin yang for 10mm, but I don't think I am a big enough boy (in that specific area).

.38 Super just seems like a fun way to have a 1911 that would also have a higher ballistic performance in a carry gun. My 9mm boolit mold would be a great load for it as well. I do need a 3 die set, but the rest of my Dillion stuff would be all good.

Thanks for teh info!

My buddy has a gun I offered to buy, but it may not even be for sale.

I saw that the Series 70 is preferred over 80 due to a better quality trigger pull.

[CCFan]

10mm - Sounds great, as I liked the ported Glock compact I shot once, recoil was fine, but I have tiny baby hands. I think I will find the grip to be big. My Beretta 92FS got sold for that reason. I have dies for 40SW and bullets on the yin yang for 10mm, but I don't think I am a big enough boy (in that specific area).

In a 1911, the grip size shouldn't be any different than other 1911's... You'll find a little more recoil but a nice 1911 in 10mm is simply amazing. That said, if you don't get a 10mm - get the .38 Super. It's been on my radar for a while, I look forward to your range report!

[Jericho01]

My first handgun was a 1911 Colt .38 Super given to me by my father. Lighter than a 1911 Colt .45, kicks just a bit more than a 9mm (nothing you can't handle), and accurate. While it may not be your ideal CC firearm due to its size, it is definitely fun to shoot at the range. I had to dispose of it when I came here to the U.S. but I always hoped to one day own one.

I finally had the chance to buy one Mark IV Series 90 from Gilbert's (now Sharpshooter's) four years ago and have never regretted it. I always enjoy shooting it, you will too should you decide to get one. I don't think it comes out in production as often as other Colt models that makes the .38 Super a bit pricey. Value for value, you'll never go wrong. Grab one when you get the chance. It's a keeper.

[Tweaker]

You doods really steering me roight with this 10mm talk. It is a real bahstahd of a cartridge and I can readily load these with my .40 S&W dies (OR CAN I?). I will check with Dillion tomorrow.

Are you sure that the grip ain't wider on 10mm vs 38 Super? I have tiny pawses.

[jdonovan]

You doods really steering me roight with this 10mm talk. It is a real bahstahd of a cartridge and I can readily load these with my .40 S&W dies (OR CAN I?). I will check with Dillion tomorrow.

Depending on die length, you might be able to full length size, you can absolutely reuse the seat/crimp die.

[jrswanson1]

You doods really steering me roight with this 10mm talk. It is a real bahstahd of a cartridge and I can readily load these with my .40 S&W dies (OR CAN I?). I will check with Dillion tomorrow.

Are you sure that the grip ain't wider on 10mm vs 38 Super? I have tiny pawses.

I use the same dies for my 10mm and .40 Short and Weak. As for grip size, the full sized 1911s are all the same, the 10mm was designed to fit in a .45 ACP length magazine. I don't have huge hands, but I do have a 1911 in 10mm. I switched out the standard grip panels for thin, titanium ones and the gun and I mesh much better now. If you're going to shoot full power 10mm loads, get a heavier recoil spring.

[Tweaker]

Ok then. Sounds like a recipe for success. Now to find a spare M note laying about. I suppose this will have to wait for my step-kids father's supina before a federal grand jury for failure to pay $130,000 in child support gets resolved.

Longest trial preparation in the personal history of the HHS Health & Human Servixes' prosecutor's career; ought to be a real barn burner! It's the must attend event of the 2012 calendar year for me.

[M1A4ME]

Sorry, while I'm a 1911 fan (have been since 1978) I can see no reason to buy a .38 super these days.

There are easier to obtain (more locations that sell the ammo), cheaper (gun stores are seldom the best place price wise to buy ammo) places to buy the ammo and guns that hold more rounds than a 1911.

After 30 plus years of having nothing but 1911's in the house/yard/holster/car/truck (where ever I'm at) I bought a smaller caliber pistol a few weeks ago. More velocity than a .38 super, ammo is easier to find and the gun carries more rounds.

Yeah, its a Glock in .357 SIG. I'm not carrying it yet (and may not) but if I do it's like having 16 rounds of .357 magnum 125 grain HPs in my hand. Did you know you can get magazines for these things that hold anywhere from 28 to 32 rounds? Yeah, they stick out of the bottom of the frame and don't look cool but who cares about cool if you've gone through the first 16 rounds and still need more.

A good 1911 is accurate, reliable and feels good in the hand. I just question the caliber since these days there is something better.

Oh, I got the M31 but they make smaller models that are easier to conceal than the 1911 or the M31 but still hold more rounds than the 1911.

[Tweaker]

Good, informative semi-rant.

What are yo thoughts on a 10MM 1911?

Do not want a Block. Do want 1911.

[CCFan]

Colt Delta Elite - get one.

It's one of my fav firearms.

It's got dual recoil springs @ 23 lbs from the factory, so it'll handle the full power stuff no problem... I've shot light Federal loads, good, stout Remington loads, and full power 180 gr @ 1300+ fps Double Tap loads through it - it's never hiccuped, FTF, FTE, sputtered, it's been 100% reliable and it's the one firearm I've let a few folks shoot, and they always go "Oooh, that's fun..."

I posted something about it a while back: here

[jdonovan]

The only other choice is a Dan Wesson.

[CCFan]

Kimber makes the Eclipse Custom II in 10mm, but I've ogled a few Razorbacks myself...

[jrswanson1]

Kimber makes the Eclipse Custom II in 10mm, but I've ogled a few Razorbacks myself...

Dan Wesson no longer makes 10mm 1911s. And Kimber also makes the Stainless Target II in 10mm.

[jdonovan]

Kimber makes the Eclipse Custom II in 10mm, but I've ogled a few Razorbacks myself...

Dan Wesson no longer makes 10mm 1911s. And Kimber also makes the Stainless Target II in 10mm.

correct but there are TONS on dealer shelves and in the supply chain from what I've heard.

[bk1330]

There are several company's making 1911's in .40 s&w now I would just get one of them. It is too bad you say grip size is so important because the next 1911 I am buying is a coonan in .357 magnum. But the frame is a little larger but not like a desert eagle.