Author Topic: Taurus 1911 38 Super (Read 2296 times)

dpe.ahoy · « **on:** July 20, 2009, 09:02:10 AM »

Picked up a Taurus 1911 in the 38 Super chambering, am intrested in getting a 45 acp barrel for it. Has anyone tried any other barrels for this weapon and which ones were good with no fitting required. Thanks guys. DP

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2009, 02:28:51 PM »

It's not just the barrel. You would need a slide for the 45 or have the 38 Super slide machined to properly accept a 45 barrel which may forego the use of the 38 Super barrel. The rim diameter on the 38 Super is about .406" while the rim on the 45 runs around .480".

tomray · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2009, 02:43:54 PM »

Quote from: Mikey on July 20, 2009, 02:28:51 PM

It's not just the barrel. You would need a slide for the 45 or have the 38 Super slide machined to properly accept a 45 barrel which may forego the use of the 38 Super barrel. The rim diameter on the 38 Super is about .406" while the rim on the 45 runs around .480".

If the Taurus is anything like the older Colt, Mikey is correct..........You really need a top end 45ACPconversion. Slide, barrel, recoil system, Generally, the 38 Super has more bolt thrust, so the recoil system was different on the older Colts. You'll also need 45 ACP magazines.
Contact Taurus.......You should be able to buy a complete 45ACP conversion.

Tom

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2009, 01:26:40 PM »

Thanks for the insight on this guys. I'll check it out. My first 1911, don't know much about them yet. DP

Savage · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2009, 01:44:49 PM »

Wouldn't cost much more to buy the complete pistol in .45acp.
Savage

williamlayton · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2009, 03:55:12 PM »

Try the .38super--you will like it.
THEN buy a .45, heck fire, since you are at it, go ahead and get a 9x23 and a .357Sig, and a .40, and a .45 gap----
Have I missed one?
Your going to anyway---

Blessings

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2009, 01:09:45 PM »

Went back to the candy store and we tore down a 45 and a 38 super. Breechface is the same, flat, but the extractor would need changed out for the 45. It's doable!

DP

Savage · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2009, 02:00:27 PM »

Breech faces are flat, they are a thrust bearing surface. If a .45 case will fit the breech face of the .38 super, then the breech face is about .080 too large for the super. Hope it works out for you. I suspect you'll run into serious feeding problems due to extractor tuning and oversize breech face. Good luck!
Savage

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2009, 04:10:26 PM »

It looks like replacing the 38 super extractor with a 45apc extractor, it will work. The 38 case appeared to be held in place by the extractor. Didn't have the mic. to measure, but eyeballing it they look the same on the breech. I may just shoot my other 45 and leave this one the way it is, but a boy has to think about changing things to stay outta trouble. To many pretty girls around to let your mind wander for to long, momma might get upset.

DP

Savage · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2009, 12:14:24 AM »

dpe.ahop,
Quick way to check the breech face is to remove the barrel, invert the slide, and see if a .45 acp case will slide up on the breech face of the super. I understand the urge to tinker, it causes me a little grief from time to time. I have a box full of hybrid parts guns! Good luck!!
Savage

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2009, 09:02:05 AM »

Put 13 rounds through the 38 Super yesterday just to check it out,

I LIKE IT! Friend of mine put a couple thru it and had a jam, suspect it was from not holding on tight. He doesn't "do" handguns and was concerned about recoil. After a few rounds, he may be changing his mind, said he wouldn't mind havin one of those on the way home. Think I may just leave this one alone and enjoy it! DP

rbwillnj · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2009, 02:26:15 AM »

Just for the record, and not that there is any reason to do it, but you can convert your 38 Super to a 9mm with just the change of the barrel, and maybe the magazine, but you might be able to get away with the same magazine.

Actually there is one reason to do it. If you reload, 9mm brass is a lot easier to find than 38 Super. You won't find much 38 super brass laying around the range.

williamlayton · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2009, 11:26:48 AM »

I am speaking only from my understanding.
I have a Sig .239 which I bought in a .40 caliber.
I then bought a .357 sig barrel and could use the same mags as the .40.
It is my understanding that there is a problem using a 9mm and its mags with a .38 super---but with my STI, which was punched out too accept 9x23, I can shoot .38 supers and 9x23 with the same mags.
Blessings

rbwillnj · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2009, 05:22:16 PM »

9mm mags won't work with a 38 Super because there is an insert in the back of the mag to push the shorter 9mm cartridge towards the front of the mag (ie a 38 Super round won't fit in a 9mm mag). 9mm rounds will fit in a 38 Super mag, but may not feed properly depending on the ammo and the gun. I have Chip McCormick Shooting Star Mags for my 38 Super (because they hold 10 rounds rather than 9) they work fine for me when I swap out my 38 Super barrel for a 9mm barrel. Your mileage may vary.

williamlayton · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2009, 06:08:53 AM »

Well, i bought a .38super from STI and had it punched too 9x23. use the same .38 super mags.
Blessings

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2009, 02:59:35 PM »

And the main difference between the 9X23 and the 38Super+ is what? I will have to order brass anyway, what would be the advantage of a 9X23? DP

Mikey · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2009, 11:11:42 PM »

The 38 Super is a semi-rimmed straight walled 22.8mm length 9mm cartridge while the 9x23 is a rimless 9mm case (tapered slightly I believe) that is 23mm long. I have used both cases interchangeably, as do many others, while reloading for my 38 Supers and both function flawlessly. I reload both cases with a 9mm set of dies.

Factory velocities on the 38 Supers with 125 gn bullets is around 1280'/sec, or should be by today's liability standards. Factory velocities on the 9x23mm Winchester with a 125 gn bullet is supposed to be 1425'/sec.

williamlayton · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2009, 12:49:26 PM »

The 9x23W is a high pressure load and can be a problem when reloading without W9x23 brass.
It is in small rifle pressures and requires--or is reccomended--to be used with small rifle primers.
Dan Burns has a great deal of information on the 9x23 and its reloading over at "Pistolsmith."
My personal favorite--along with my personal favorite, the .45, or my personal favorite, the .38super, or my personal favorite, the .357Sig.
I hope that clarifies what my favorite is.

In all seriousness it is a .357 or better in a semi-auto configuration.
Blessings

HAMMERHEAD · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2009, 04:55:30 AM »

http://38super.net/

tomray · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2009, 02:10:30 AM »

Quote from: Savage on July 24, 2009, 02:00:27 PM

Breech faces are flat, they are a thrust bearing surface. If a .45 case will fit the breech face of the .38 super, then the breech face is about .080 too large for the super. Hope it works out for you. I suspect you'll run into serious feeding problems due to extractor tuning and oversize breech face. Good luck!
Savage

I agree................

Tom
NRA LIFE