COLT .38 SUPER

The Colt .38 Super was an offshoot of the original Colt 1911. In 1929, when the Colt .38 Super was introduced, the .38 Super was the most powerful cartridge made for semi-automatic pistols, more powerful than even the .45 ACP for which the 1911 was originally chambered.

The Colt .38 Super saw a renewed interest in the 1970's, when competition shooters saw the cartridge as an attractive alternative to the .45, with a nine round magazine, less recoil, and less expensive ammunition.

Currently, the .38 Super model is available in a brightly-polished stainless finish, as shown in the photo above. The stainless model above sports walnut grips. Other grip styles are available from the custom shop. Blued models such as the one shown below can be found used or as new in box.

The flat grip safety, solid trigger, and spur hammer are true to the original 1911 model. The notch rear sight and low front sight blade are the same as you'd find on 1911's nearly a century ago as well. The quality of construction and reliability of function, though, are pure 2011 Colt.

FEATURES

• Single action
• 3 white dot sights
• Caliber: .38 Super
• 9 round magazine
• Beveled magazine well
• Standard thumb safety and service style grip safety
• 5” barrel length
• 81⁄2” overall length

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Name:. Colt Custom 38 Super
Frame material: Stainless steel
Frame finish: Highly polished stainless steel ("bright" stainless)
Barrel length: 5"
Overall length: 81⁄2”
Caliber: .38 Super
Capacity: 9 + 1
Hammer: Combat
Trigger: Aluminum
Action: Single
Front sight: White dot
Rear sight: White dot
Grips: Wraparound checkered rubber composite grips on the stainless model, Double diamond rosewood grips on the bright stainless, Wraparound checkered rubber composite grips on the blued model
Grip safety: Beavertail
Thumb safety: Standard

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Reviews Of The Colt .38 Super

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
By Paul B. , Las Vegas, NV
August 21, 2011

Primary use: Target Shooting

"The .38 Super has been an under-rated cartridge for far to long. Its performance is far superior to the 9mm, and it is a cartridge that beats the .45 hands down. Less recoil, with better ballistics, more rounds per magazine, without having to go to a double stack.

It was once asked if there were going to be a 9mm magnum in the works. I believe it was the late Skeeter Skelton, that replied that "...there already is. It is the .38 Super...".

If the gun industry would make a light weight carry .38 super, there would be a ready market for it, and I would be at the head of the line. As a former Army MP, I believe that this is the cartridge the military should have gone with, instead of the silly 9mm.

If one takes into consideration the weight factor of the ammo, the velocity of ammo, the accuracy of this round, and that a woman can shoot this with less trouble, it only makes sense to use and accept a round that is perfect for a military mission. Now lets examine that stupid 9mm..."

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
By RaceGun, Sheboygan, WI
May 21, 2011

Primary use: Target Shooting

"I used a Colt .38 Super back in the 1980's for IPSC. Like an idiot I sold it for $600 to buy something else! Six months ago I was in a gun store and saw a shiny new .38 Super in the display case, and I was bitten again. It's even better than the one I had back in the 80's. This time it's not getting sold!"

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
By MN43Colt Corpus Christi, TX
October 8, 2011

Primary use: Defense/Law Enforcement

"My .38 Super 70 series belonged to my father and was given to me when he passed away 20 years ago. I am in the military and remember the 45, which was a very nice handgun. Then we switched to the 9mm, a very poor choice. Well, that is my opinion. The 38 super has very reliable and I would not let it go for anything. When in time of need, it has been there for me and my family. My plan is to pass it on to my oldest grandson. When we go hunting, it is my backup and holds it own."

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