Colt .38 Super "Project" Smith needed

1154 Views 35 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Master Gunworks, 4 mo ago

dnuggett

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Some time back I bought a 1988 Colt in .38 Super. Clearly it's had custom work. Cool gun, but.... I can't stand how loose the slide to frame fit is. It's not Colt loose, it's beyond that. I have a great set of smiths that I know of and can work with, but the each one is very deep in work. I really don't want to sit in a queue for a long time on this one.

The work I want done is:

Tighten slide to frame fit to a tight and consistent tolerance.
Likely refit barrel or at the least refit barrel link and new slide stop
Trigger work
Depending on what's done for tightening the slide to frame a refinish may be in order. I'd kinda like to keep the old school vibe the nickel has.

Given that I don't want to wait 6mo+ to get the work done, but also don't want a bubba working on it, do y'all have anyone you'd suggest? Thanks!

Air gun Trigger Wood Rectangle Gun barrel

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gnappi

· #2 · 4 mo ago

It sounds like you're on the right path.

A friend of mine had a Colt with a really loose fit slide, his plan was to squeeze it in a ginormous vise until he was satisfied with the fit. The slide rails cracked before he achieved his goal. Whatever you do, don't take his path!

Reactions: 2

azguy1911

· #3 · 4 mo ago

dnuggett said:
Given that I don't want to wait 6mo+ to get the work done, but also don't want a bubba working on it, do y'all have anyone you'd suggest? Thanks!

Isn't this an oxymoron like metal wood 🤔

Any smith worth his "vice" will be more than 6 months.

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dnuggett

Discussion Starter · #4 · 4 mo ago

azguy1911 said:
Isn't this an oxymoron like metal wood 🤔

No. There may be an up and comer. There may be a guy about to re-open his books. I’ve met one or 2 like that in the past.

Looking for options.

Whiten

· #5 · 4 mo ago

Maybe send it in for Acc-U-Rail to tighten up the slide/frame fit.

Acc-U-Rail by Doug Jones

Achieve the ultimate in accuracy by ensuring the tightest slide-to-frame fit available. Acc-U-Railed guns won't shoot loose like those tightened by peening or squeezing.

www.acc-u-rail.com

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Jim w.

· #6 · 4 mo ago

Beat me to it. Accurail is a mechanical solution, probably not real time consuming and should not require refinishing.

Jim Milks, dba Innovative Custom Guns, will weld up and machine the rails but that will likely get you into a refinish.

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Dangerous Brian

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Texas49?

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dnuggett

Discussion Starter · #8 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

Jim w. said:
Beat me to it. Accurail is a mechanical solution, probably not real time consuming and should not require refinishing.

Jim Milks, dba Innovative Custom Guns, will weld up and machine the rails but that will likely get you into a refinish.

I've actually sent Milks an email and left a voicemail. Nothin back.

dnuggett

Discussion Starter · #9 · 4 mo ago

Dangerous Brian said:
Texas49?

I've asked him too. He told me he's only doing full builds.

BattlebornNV

· #10 · 4 mo ago

Ask Kirk @gvf1206 if he can squeeze you in. I’m not saying he can but worth a shot.

Reactions: 1

dnuggett

Discussion Starter · #11 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

@BattlebornNV

Thank you. Just had a great convo with Kirk. I have little doubt he's "worth his vice" and he's less than 6 months to get me in.

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cundiff5535

· #12 · 4 mo ago

@Mark Graff

I don’t know what his wait time is, but this is the man I would call….

The again, what do I know. 🤣😂

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dnuggett

Discussion Starter · #13 · 4 mo ago

@cundiff5535

Thanks. PM sent.

To those who gave the ideas, I appreciate the options fellas. Helpful and exactly what I was hoping for.

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BattlebornNV

· #14 · 4 mo ago

cundiff5535 said:
@Mark Graff

I don’t know what his wait time is, but this is the man I would call….

The again, what do I know. 🤣😂

Mark is great but I think he’s 18 months plus out.

dnuggett

Discussion Starter · #15 · 4 mo ago

BattlebornNV said:
Mark is great but I think he’s 18 months plus out.

If so, no worries. Kirk is a good option.

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BattlebornNV

· #16 · 4 mo ago

dnuggett said:
If so, no worries. Kirk is a good option.

Check with Mark too because I don’t want to speak for him. I just know the last he quoted was that timeframe for a full build.

Reactions: 1

Bourbon&Bullets

· #17 · 4 mo ago

Agree with Bobby, great choice but he was at just under 2 years when I got on his list.
Battle is right, Kirk is a great guy and looking forward to my builds with him. Maybe @Master Gunworks

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Mark Graff

· #18 · 4 mo ago

I’d recommend acc-u-rails to preserve the original work and finish. Then evaluate barrel fit and any other needs. Sadly my waiting list isn’t as short as it was, I’m around 24 months these days.

Reactions: 5

TheCollector

· #19 · 4 mo ago

dnuggett said:
@BattlebornNV

Thank you. Just had a great convo with Kirk. I have little doubt he's "worth his vice" and he's less than 6 months to get me in.

Kirk ( @gvf1206 ) is one of those kind of guys I just love talking to. Knowledgeable (from many years of experience) willing to share that knowledge and experience. As well as very open to ideas. I won't say NEW ideas because most have been thought of and recycled from before.

Reactions: 4

Dwe

· #20 · 4 mo ago

IMHO …Have the frame rails welded.
Two folks come to mind..
@Integrity Arms, and @Karl Beining.

Reactions: 2

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