Does anyone know what would be involved in building a Colt Mark IV Series 80 .38 Super as apposed to the standard 1911. Is it just the barrel and bushing that are different?
The biggest difference is the slide.
To match the smaller head diameter of the .38 Super case, the slide has a smaller breech face cut than a .45 ACP slide does and the hole for the extractor is slightly closer to the centerline of the slide. The nose of the firing pin is also smaller in diameter and the ejector cut in the slide bottom is different as the Super ejector stands up slightly taller to catch the smaller case diameter.
Other than the slide, only differences are the barrel, bushing, extractor, firing pin, ejector, and, of course, the magazine.
Just in case this helps you out:
http://www.gunparts.citymax.com/catalog/item/233099/662667.htm
You would still need a magazine and an ejector. And TDW's upper assembly is "Series 70" (traditional 1911), not series 80 as you asked about. So if you were determined to stay with Series 80, you'd either have to do your own modification of the upper to Series 80, or remove the 2 Series 80 parts from the frame, and put one of those spacers in so the frame would operate as a Series 70.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Aren't all the 38 Super barrels ramped? Seems like that was the cure for "superface".
Not all 38 Super barrels are ramped.
The upper assembly from TDW (my link further up in this thread) uses a conventional 1911 lugged barrel and barrel link (you can see the barrel link in the picture, too).
This build begs a ? damon,
Will you be using std or hot ammo. If using a std barrel, do not borrow ammo from your IPSC buddies.
BTW the barrel tab is slightly different than a 45 barrel. Most slide mfrs cut the breech face for 38 Super/9mm. You can ream a Super chamber to 9x23, but not the other way.
My friend 38Super got it right re: ammo:
Use an non-ramped (AKA NON-SUPPORTED) barrel and you will be restricted to MILD ammo that is LESS powerful than some forms of 9mm Luger.
However, if you build it correctly and use a RAMPED, SUPPORTED barrel, then .38 Super is a very powerful round that easily competes with .357 Sig as far as ballistics. The barrel support makes all the difference.
The loads CBR and I refer to are often referred to as butter knife or compressed load. Fill case to overflow, smooth with butterknife, center bullet and seat. Not recommended for the faint of heart or inexperienced.
A ramped barrel will take some frame cutting to install, but will give you a wider variety of loads to work with. However, if the barrel is fitted with lots of lockup, even std Super Auto loads may not cycle a 16 lb spring and you will have to tune your springs for function. Similar to chosing springs for a race track, just enough spring to not bottom out. Keep asking questions, we're not from the govt but we're here to help.
Good point - I will add one more to think about:
For those who are afraid of cutting the frame for a ramped barrel (really not that difficult) there is an answer:
The 9x23mm Winchester.
It is the same length as a .38 Super and uses the same diameter bullet -which for .38 is actually .355" and rarely .356" unless its an antique Colt.
The case head is same diameter as a 9mm Luger.
The original cases were made from shortened .223 brass - i.e. brass made to withstand 60,000 PSI.
Why such strong/thick brass? The 9x23 is specifically made to hold up in an unsupported chamber like the 1911.
Another plus for some folks is that 9x23 is factory loaded to this day (midway, natchez, etc) and its hot from the factory - much much hotter than .38 Super factory loads.