Colt 38 special auto?? Hello??!!

tacticalman69

January 23, 2003 13:11

I have a colt 1911 style auto which is chambered for 38 special (NOT 38 SUPER). No one I know has heard of such a gun and people say they do not beleive it, Even when it is there in thier hand. Even then no one seems to be able to find out any info. I have heard it all from it cant be a colt cause a 38 special will not fit through the grip to the effect that it is a Smith for the sheer reason they made such a beast at one time. If you want specifics I can give them, Says Colt govt modelon frame, on slide big engraving "38 SPECIAL"
Any info would be great.

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  queeksdraw

  January 23, 2003 13:31

  How does it eject spent cases? Maybe the Judge will weigh in on this.
  
  You'v gota kill it to grill it

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  p3skyking

  January 23, 2003 13:36

  I believe you, I think, if memory serves correct it is called a Colt Mid-Range. Not many people know about them hence the widespread ignorance about it. Only a few of the dedicated Colt books mention them. Made in the 30's or 50's (That I can't remember!). Not a comercial success, but a nice find for a Colt man.

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  kingjoey

  January 23, 2003 14:05

  Yep, its a Colt Midrange. It was a blowback operated 1911 that fired 38 special target loads. It was built to take advantage of the accuracy or the 38 special but utilize an autoloading pistol. I'll take a look in my old reference catalog when I get home tonight and hopefully will have some additional info tomorrow.

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  v35

  January 23, 2003 14:14

  I believe it was made in the late 50s or early 60s to give target shooters an edge over revolvers in timed and rapid fire.
  I also believe magazine capacity was limited to five rounds.

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  wm69

  January 23, 2003 14:25

  Colt .38 Midranges were for designed for the wadcutter ammo and were target pistols made in the 60's and early 70's (think highest serial # I've seen is @ 8xxx). They are RARE and are made for target (wadcutter) ammo so don't shoot any +p etc through it. It should be worth quite a bit (one in the gunlist this month for
  $1950, kinda high but probably will go for a little less than that). Also know as colt national match mk III.

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  Barrocky

  January 23, 2003 14:43

  Colt MKlll National Match aka .38 Mid Range wadcutter,manufactured 1961-1974.These look just like a .45 NM except for caliber,the serial number will have a MR suffix,rear sight should be an Accro or Elliason depending on the vintage. These will bring a small premium over the same gun in .45 cal,the magazines are expensive.

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  Barrocky

  January 23, 2003 15:03

  Should have read the original post better. It's not a MKIII,they don't say "Government Model" on them and they are marked .38 Mid Range on the slide in small letters.What other markings are on the gun?

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  hunter7737

  January 23, 2003 17:12

  I may be wrong, but i think Colt made 38 Special Kit guns in the 60s.

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  ked-mar

  January 23, 2003 19:29

  The reason is a .38 special round nose bullet won't fit is because, the magazine will only take wad cutter rounds, seated flush with the end of case. Wad cutter's are flat on the end, so they cut a clean hole in the paper target. I have a brand new barrel still in plastic wrap, if you need another one in .38 Special.
  K.J.S.

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  Xracer

  January 24, 2003 04:44

  From the "2003 Standard Catalog of Firearms":
  
  "Gold Cup MKIII National Match - This pistol is identical to the Gold Cup .45 except that it is chambered for the .38 Mid-Range Wad Cutter round. It was manufactured from 1961 until 1974.
  
  Exec. = $1050
  V.G. = $875
  Good = $600
  Fair = $450
  Poor = $350"

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