colt 38 super frame

[Shadyduk1979]

I have a 38 special kit that I want to build on a period correct real colt frame. Does anyone have a source?

[wiuprof]

Do you mean "38 special" or "38 super"? It would take some doing to get the 38 special upper to work with a 38 super frame. I have the pictured 38 special mid-range match and as you can see, a complete extra upper end in 38 special; it won't work without lots of modification.

[Shadyduk1979]

Nope i have a 38 special kit, reminiscent of the 22 conversion. From what i have read these were sold to gunsmiths and installed on 38 super frames

[kenhwind]

This is true Colt sold the 38 Special WC conversions in the late 50s and/or the early sixties. Also make sure it is for the rimmed .38 Special and not the 38 AMU cartridege, which is a 38 Special case with the rim turned to the 38 Super dimensions. Pistols were also made using a .38 Super and a new barrel.

As for a period correct frame you will probably need to buy a Colt Super .38 to acquire a frame. An alternative would be to buy a frame from Caspian Arms as a lesser expensive alternative.

[wiuprof]

The barrel you have pictured has a link and one locking lug, which is different than the barrels in the 38 special mid range match that I have posted earlier. My 38 special barrel has no link nor any lugs on the hood. The 38 AMU barrel in the photograph has one lug on the hood. 38 super barrels (like 45 acp) have two lugs on the hood. As indicated in the previous post, the 38 AMU (army marksmanship unit) was a 38 special case with the rim turned off. A 38 special case will not fit into my 38 AMU barrel, as the rim interferes with the hood. Notice that my AMU barrel is outfitted for a link, I just haven't installed it. The top barrel is 38 special, bottom is marked 38 AMU. I also have the magazine marked "Colt 38 AMU"
I'm just curious as to what is stamped on your barrel hood and the bottom of your magazine.

[Shadyduk1979]

This is great! I was unaware of this other variant. My barrel is marked:

COLT 38 SPEC.
KIT

[kenhwind]

I like reading threads like this, you do not see much info on these kind of oddities except in some books and then it is breifly mentioned. The pictures are cool too.
I guess you need to locate a pre-Series 70 Super .38 for your project, or like I suggested an aftermarket frame

[wiuprof]

After looking at your photos with a barrel having a locking lug on the hood and a link to allow it to lock and unlock, I agree with Ken. You should be able to get any frame and by installing the correct ejector (38 Super or 9 mm) you'd be good to go. My initial opinion of complexity had more to do with my familiarity with my pictured Gold Cup Mid-Range match 38 Special. With no locking lug, and no link, it operates as a blowback, similar to the 22 Ace & Conversion unit. My extra upper end for 38 Special has me scouring the countryside for a frame for that upper. What's so different about that frame? Take a look.





Notice the little bump at the top of the feed ramp; it mates up with a recess in the bottom of the barrel and makes contact with the tiny spring sticking out of the bottom of the barrel. I would like to have a gunsmith modify a frame for me to duplicate that and then mount my extra upper on it. Anyway, that's the reason that I was initially thinking that you needed more than just a normal frame, but you indeed have a different animal. BTW My 38 AMU barrel came with magazine, spring, link, and an ejector. The fact that it came with an ejector tells me that I could pop it onto any frame and be good to go. (so long as the slide was compatible for the cartridge head dimension)

[Shadyduk1979]

I like reading threads like this, you do not see much info on these kind of oddities except in some books and then it is breifly mentioned. The pictures are cool too.I guess you need to locate a pre-Series 70 Super .38 for your project, or like I suggested an aftermarket frame

I agree. I just learned about something I never knew existed! I am in no real hurry to build it. I will continue to look for a period frame, even if I have to pay for it. I would prefer to find a bare frame, rather than "ruin" a original gun so to speak

[CJS57]

I looked for about 15 years to find a pre-war Government Model frame. Finally found a whole mismatched made up gun on Gunbroker but with a good original frame on it. In the end it cost me about $700 for the frame alone. I would like another if anyone has one!