9MM AND .38 Super Interchange

FPrice · October 31, 2002, 04:29 PM

I saw a nice SA Model 1911 in 9mm at my dealers yesterday. As I looked at it, I wondered if it would be difficult to transform this into a .38 Super. Obviously a new barrel and magazine, but would anything else have to be changed out to make this transformation?

John Lawson · October 31, 2002, 05:12 PM

It might just work. If it will not handle supers, the proper barrel will allow it to handle 9X23 and Largo as well as supercomp cases. That's CASES, loaded to the correct overall with short bullets. Factory largo is loaded too long overall to function. But, this would be a handloading proposition anyway.
Sometimes the semi-rim supers will work and eject properly, but you will have to try them with a super barrel on your pistol to find out. It works fine on my Colt series 80.

Old Fuff · November 3, 2002, 07:24 PM

It will probably work, but you may have to have a second extractor fitted to the gun. The .38 Super is semi-rimed where the 9mm x19 is rimless. It is also possible the breechface may have to be opened a bit, but I doubt it. The 9mm. has an extended ejector, but I don't think it will be a problem. You may want to have an experienced pistolsmith do the conversion rather then simply drop in some parts.

john kilgore · November 4, 2002, 12:55 PM

1911 9mm and .38 Super use same extractor and ejector.
See Brownell's #54, pg. 80
10 examples.

Magazines are different. 9mm has a spacer welded to rear of magazine to move 9mm cart. foward. If spacer is removed the 9mm mag's will work with .38 Super. Use same follower, body.

Changes is barrels usually involves having gunsmith fit the new barrel- feet, lugs, extension, bushing, ect.
Many of the .38 Super 1911 Clones come with ramped barrels (my S-A .38 Super has ramped barrel from factory- Nowlin form), so new barrel would have to be same format as original.

FPrice · November 4, 2002, 04:06 PM

Sounds like this may be a little bit of a project, but not too bad. Will have to consider it.

Thanks for all of the replies!

Big Arm Hannigan · November 5, 2002, 10:44 AM

I am having a 38 super fitted with a 9mm barrel. Should be done in a couple of weeks. Gunsmith assures me it will work fine.

FPrice · December 28, 2002, 04:17 PM

It's still hanging on my dealer's wall, calling my name. But first, I have to pay off the Lew Horton 3" S&W Model 24 in the safe.

Brian D. · December 28, 2002, 07:44 PM

Bought a 1991 colt in 9mm, got a .38 Super bbl and mags for it. The ejector as issued was a little too long to easily eject loaded Super rounds when clearing the piece. So I shortened the ejector just enough to let the Supers get out. Never did need to do any extractor or breechface work, gun seems fine. The 38 super barrel I bought even seems to chamber 9x23, so I put in a heavier recoil spring and a shock buff, gave it a go with a few rounds. No apparent problems noted, but I think this barrel's a bit weird in that regard, 9x23s don't seem to drop in other Super barrels like they do mine. Just some info, hope it helps.

DCR · December 31, 2002, 03:58 PM

I know it can be done; I have one!

Mine is a "parts gun" - essex frame, Colt 9mm slide, .38 super barrel & bushing. Don't know how much other tinkering or parts interchange there was but can find out if anyone wants. My father built it. Shoots like a dream.

DCR

October 31, 2002, 04:29 PM	#1
FPrice Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Posts: 1,456	9MM AND .38 Super Interchange I saw a nice SA Model 1911 in 9mm at my dealers yesterday. As I looked at it, I wondered if it would be difficult to transform this into a .38 Super. Obviously a new barrel and magazine, but would anything else have to be changed out to make this transformation?

December 28, 2002, 07:44 PM	#8
Brian D. Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 230	FPrice, I've done this: Bought a 1991 colt in 9mm, got a .38 Super bbl and mags for it. The ejector as issued was a little too long to easily eject loaded Super rounds when clearing the piece. So I shortened the ejector just enough to let the Supers get out. Never did need to do any extractor or breechface work, gun seems fine. The 38 super barrel I bought even seems to chamber 9x23, so I put in a heavier recoil spring and a shock buff, gave it a go with a few rounds. No apparent problems noted, but I think this barrel's a bit weird in that regard, 9x23s don't seem to drop in other Super barrels like they do mine. Just some info, hope it helps.

October 31, 2002, 05:12 PM	#2
John Lawson Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 1999 Posts: 281	It might just work. If it will not handle supers, the proper barrel will allow it to handle 9X23 and Largo as well as supercomp cases. That's CASES, loaded to the correct overall with short bullets. Factory largo is loaded too long overall to function. But, this would be a handloading proposition anyway. Sometimes the semi-rim supers will work and eject properly, but you will have to try them with a super barrel on your pistol to find out. It works fine on my Colt series 80.

November 3, 2002, 07:24 PM	#3
Old Fuff Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 237	It will probably work, but you may have to have a second extractor fitted to the gun. The .38 Super is semi-rimed where the 9mm x19 is rimless. It is also possible the breechface may have to be opened a bit, but I doubt it. The 9mm. has an extended ejector, but I don't think it will be a problem. You may want to have an experienced pistolsmith do the conversion rather then simply drop in some parts.

November 4, 2002, 12:55 PM	#4
john kilgore Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2002 Location: east georgia Posts: 125	1911 9mm and .38 Super use same extractor and ejector. See Brownell's #54, pg. 80 10 examples. Magazines are different. 9mm has a spacer welded to rear of magazine to move 9mm cart. foward. If spacer is removed the 9mm mag's will work with .38 Super. Use same follower, body. Changes is barrels usually involves having gunsmith fit the new barrel- feet, lugs, extension, bushing, ect. Many of the .38 Super 1911 Clones come with ramped barrels (my S-A .38 Super has ramped barrel from factory- Nowlin form), so new barrel would have to be same format as original.

November 4, 2002, 04:06 PM	#5
FPrice Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Posts: 1,456	Sounds like this may be a little bit of a project, but not too bad. Will have to consider it. Thanks for all of the replies!

November 5, 2002, 10:44 AM	#6
Big Arm Hannigan Member Join Date: September 29, 2002 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 29	I am having a 38 super fitted with a 9mm barrel. Should be done in a couple of weeks. Gunsmith assures me it will work fine.

December 28, 2002, 04:17 PM	#7
FPrice Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Posts: 1,456	It's still hanging on my dealer's wall, calling my name. But first, I have to pay off the Lew Horton 3" S&W Model 24 in the safe.

December 31, 2002, 03:58 PM	#9
DCR Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 1999 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 178	I know it can be done; I have one! Mine is a "parts gun" - essex frame, Colt 9mm slide, .38 super barrel & bushing. Don't know how much other tinkering or parts interchange there was but can find out if anyone wants. My father built it. Shoots like a dream. DCR