The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Colt 38 Super-Early Models 1950's Vintage

tipoc · October 28, 2008, 06:49 PM

In Douglas Sheldon's book "Colt's .38 Super The Production History From 1929 to 1971" he gives the dimensions as:

Pre War: .530 This was the original barrel for the .38 Super

Post War: The "heavy" or "fat" barrel as .580 which was the same as the .45. Colt introduced this as a cost saving measure as the same bushings could be used for both calibers.

Thin barrel: .500 This was introduced in 55-56 or so and was done after the introduction of the Commander in .38 Super and 9mm, both of which had the thin .500 barrel since 1948 to reduce weight. Decreasing the size of the GMs .38 Super barrel allowed for the same bushing to be used in both Commanders and GMs. It also reduced the weight of the GM.38 Super by about an ounce.

Sheldon's book has pics of all three and is a useful thing to have.

October 28, 2008, 06:49 PM	#7
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	In Douglas Sheldon's book "Colt's .38 Super The Production History From 1929 to 1971" he gives the dimensions as: Pre War: .530 This was the original barrel for the .38 Super Post War: The "heavy" or "fat" barrel as .580 which was the same as the .45. Colt introduced this as a cost saving measure as the same bushings could be used for both calibers. Thin barrel: .500 This was introduced in 55-56 or so and was done after the introduction of the Commander in .38 Super and 9mm, both of which had the thin .500 barrel since 1948 to reduce weight. Decreasing the size of the GMs .38 Super barrel allowed for the same bushing to be used in both Commanders and GMs. It also reduced the weight of the GM.38 Super by about an ounce. Sheldon's book has pics of all three and is a useful thing to have. Last edited by tipoc; October 30, 2008 at 07:18 PM.