There is a 1911 chambered in 38 Special? I only knew of the 38 Super.
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Just saw this resurrected thread.
Long since this thread was originally posted I picked up a 1961 example of a Colt National Match chambered for the .38 Special Mid Range. It's not a choice for serious self defense, but was strictly a target pistol offering in its day. It only accepts .38 Special ammunition prepared with mild powder charges and full wadcutter bullets seated flush with cartridge case mouth. It's quite accurate for the purpose. The magazine has a five round capacity. In its day it was in competition with the Smith & Wesson Model 52 which also was a special target pistol intended for bulls eye (now NRA Precision Pistol) competition. Most feel the Model 52 is the better pistol between the two. Colt shipped these National Match .38 Special Mid range pistols from 1960 to 1974.
This example was very much rode hard and put up wet which is how it came to roost here for less cash outlay. I would not have been able to afford one in fine condition for learning about the model and playing with it. Whoever had this pistol cared not for its fine factory finish and even apparently clamped it in a vise at some point. It exhibits much wear internally as if it's had the livin' hooey shot out of it. None the less it remains so very accurate with its intended ammunition that it makes anyone look like a proficient accuracy wiz. As could be expected, recoil is nil. It feeds the rimmed .38 Special ammunition with flush seated wadcutters so reliably that observing it function is as boring as watching a clothes dryer in operation. Loading the magazine is a chore. It's spring is surprisingly heavy and the design of the magazine's mouth is both sharp and pokey. The spring is so stiff that the magazine assists are of no help. It takes two men and a boy to load it all while taking care not to injury oneself.
It's still fun to play with.
Long since this thread was originally posted I picked up a 1961 example of a Colt National Match chambered for the .38 Special Mid Range. It's not a choice for serious self defense, but was strictly a target pistol offering in its day. It only accepts .38 Special ammunition prepared with mild powder charges and full wadcutter bullets seated flush with cartridge case mouth. It's quite accurate for the purpose. The magazine has a five round capacity. In its day it was in competition with the Smith & Wesson Model 52 which also was a special target pistol intended for bulls eye (now NRA Precision Pistol) competition. Most feel the Model 52 is the better pistol between the two. Colt shipped these National Match .38 Special Mid range pistols from 1960 to 1974.
This example was very much rode hard and put up wet which is how it came to roost here for less cash outlay. I would not have been able to afford one in fine condition for learning about the model and playing with it. Whoever had this pistol cared not for its fine factory finish and even apparently clamped it in a vise at some point. It exhibits much wear internally as if it's had the livin' hooey shot out of it. None the less it remains so very accurate with its intended ammunition that it makes anyone look like a proficient accuracy wiz. As could be expected, recoil is nil. It feeds the rimmed .38 Special ammunition with flush seated wadcutters so reliably that observing it function is as boring as watching a clothes dryer in operation. Loading the magazine is a chore. It's spring is surprisingly heavy and the design of the magazine's mouth is both sharp and pokey. The spring is so stiff that the magazine assists are of no help. It takes two men and a boy to load it all while taking care not to injury oneself.
It's still fun to play with.
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