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38 super

1873 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  glenwolde
I have a Springfield Armory 1911 Range Officer in 9mm and was wondering if anyone here knows if it would take anything else than a .38 super barrel to change over? Recoil Spring? Are the magazines for .38 super different? I know that there are .38 super mags available but was just wondering.
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Since the 38 Super is longer than the 9mm, I don't think the magazines are interchangeable.
Barrel, mags, and recoil spring should be enough.

The extractor should be close enough to function (but might need tuning if you decide to make it permanent) since the rim diameters and thicknesses are close and the ejector should be 'close enough', too.
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barrel, assuming that you are using a non ramped barrel VS a non ramped barrel, or a ramped barrel VS a ramped barrel.
they can come either way.
I would say the recoil spring would be determined a need if you intend to shoot factory ammo? or reload up to the SAMMI pressure of a true 38 Super plus P.
factory ammo will likely work just fine with the same recoil spring.
magazines depends on how long (IE what projectile) that you use, typically 38 Super mags are designed around a 130 grain round nose oal.
the 9 MM magazine in a 1911 is simply a 38 Super magazine with a spacer in it most times.
hope this helps.
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I'd call Springfield and ask them. They are a helpful bunch. Even though they don't do .38 Super anymore I bet they'd know. My Springfield 9mm mags don't have the spacer in the back, I think they would work for .38 Super. I've been thinking about doing this too. Probably want to buy a barrel and a bushing as a pair. Unlikely the installed bushing is going to fit the new barrel very well.

My Springfield Loaded Target has a ramped barrel, I assume the RO does too? I've been thinking about doing it too. Let me know how this works out if you do it.
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Normally, a 9mm magazine in a 1911 just has a spacer in the .38 Super magazine. Other than that, just have the barrel reamed, or rechambered for the .38 Super and it should run. Ramped, or not, the gun should run fine with just the barrel being rechambered for the .38 Super.

Recoil spring change could be determined later as you tune the gun. Same with the extractor, it should not be a problem, but the .38 Super was originally a semi-rimmed case.

9mm and .38 Super (Plus P) run about the same pressures, so that won't be an issue.
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not sure about the new Range Officers?
but mine a 45 has non ramped barrel, a very adequate recoil spring and all and all the weapon is very well built and finished.
its actually my most accurate 1911.
9 MM PSI=35,000
9MM plus P 38,500.
38 super 36, 500 PSI (same PSI whether Plus p or not) they only changed the name not the pressure.
that's of course SAAMI rates, as mentioned factory 38 Super is likely not at the top as the 9 MM is the same generally under the rated pressure, which I am sure you already know.
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not sure about the new Range Officers?
but mine a 45 has non ramped barrel, a very adequate recoil spring and all and all the weapon is very well built and finished.
its actually my most accurate 1911.
9 MM PSI=35,000
9MM plus P 38,500.
38 super 36, 500 PSI
that's of course SAAMI rates, as mentioned factory 38 Super is likely not at the top as the 9 MM is the same generally under the rated pressure, which I am sure you already know.
I think Springfield puts ramped barrels in the all 9mm's but not the .45's. It's really not needed in the .45 anyway.
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Normally, a 9mm magazine in a 1911 just has a spacer in the .38 Super magazine. Other than that, just have the barrel reamed, or rechambered for the .38 Super and it should run. Ramped, or not, the gun should run fine with just the barrel being rechambered for the .38 Super.

Recoil spring change could be determined later as you tune the gun. Same with the extractor, it should not be a problem, but the .38 Super was originally a semi-rimmed case.

9mm and .38 Super (Plus P) run about the same pressures, so that won't be an issue.

I would like to be able to switch back and forth from 9mm and .38 super if I want so I will not ream the factory barrel but I will either buy new .38 super barrel or another 9mm barrel from Springfield and have it reamed. Thanks everyone for your help.
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I think Springfield puts ramped barrels in the all 9mm's but not the .45's. It's really not needed in the .45 anyway.
MY Springfield Armory Micro Compact 1911 in 45 acp has a ramped barrel, the Range Officer as mentioned does not.
don't own a single 1911 in 9 MM so have no idea but from looking they seem to be about half do and half don't from manufacture to manufacture ?
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I would like to be able to switch back and forth from 9mm and .38 super if I want so I will not ream the factory barrel but I will either buy new .38 super barrel or another 9mm barrel from Springfield and have it reamed. Thanks everyone for your help.
.
You could get a replacement 9mm Barrel and have that reamed for 38 super. That would be another option.
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Just curious but why the .38 Super and not the 9x23 Winchester?
Personally, I might consider going to the 7.62x25 before either of those two.
Just curious but why the .38 Super and not the 9x23 Winchester?
Personally, I might consider going to the 7.62x25 before either of those two.

well FOR ME, others may have different opinions but--
the 9 X 23 components (Brass) is much harder and expensive to obtain, additionally the 9 X 23 brass is known to have exceptionally short life span, like many times one firing.
also in that cartridge any thing resembling a carry size weapon would have undesirable muzzle flash and recoil as well as an overly heavy recoil spring.
and of course IF one likes a different caliber then certainly they are out there for sale--Somewhere.
Lots of people don't care for the 38 Auto, super, super Plus p.
but anyway that's why I don't care for the 9 X 23.
Regardless I love my 38 Super. It is a Kimber Pro Carry HD II.

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Regardless I love my 38 Super. It is a Kimber Pro Carry HD II.
Very nice looking pistol
Don't try to ream the 9mm barrel, it won't work. The 9mm is a tapered rd and the 38 super is not, the 9mm base is .007 larger than the 38 super.
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Also you may have to open the breech face on the slide, most of the time you won't but you know Murphy don't you?
What I really want is a .380 1911. But I'm not sure it has enough power to drive a Government slide. Maybe an Officers Model. Yeah I know they have scaled down versions but I'm not looking for that.
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