To refresh memory, I have a circa '70s .38 Super Colt Combat Commander that was a lemon from its beginning. I had to make several mandatory modifications (out of spec slide, battered the locking lugs) and some optional modifications.
The slide was junk so it had to be replaced. However, the gunsmith only had a 9MM slide in commander length (Series 80, but none of the Series 80 firing pin safety parts). So despite being a .38 Super, the slide says "9mm". The barrel was swapped-out at the same time as the slide, but I swapped that with an after market barrel that provided more support of the cartridge head. I fitted a N.M. bushing to the barrel.
I put Pachmayr wrap-around rubber grips on it plus a checkered rubber covered straight mainspring housing to match the grips.
I also put an aftermarket extended magazine release button to accommodate my small hands.
I swapped out the trigger of a long after market target trigger.
I also swapped-out the grip safety for a beaver-tail grip safety despite the fact that I have never been bitten by any slide on any gun...so it was just a matter of cosmetics.
I also had a local smith mill dove tails in the slide and install some Novak White dot sights.
The latest modification is an extended safety. I had previously installed an ambi safety but found that it was of doubtful benefit for a right-handed person...so I took it off.
I would replace the original Colt slide stop, but I cannot find an inexpensive extended one that fits a .38 Super.
So this is the current state of my "FrankenColt" .38 Super Combat Commander.
The slide was junk so it had to be replaced. However, the gunsmith only had a 9MM slide in commander length (Series 80, but none of the Series 80 firing pin safety parts). So despite being a .38 Super, the slide says "9mm". The barrel was swapped-out at the same time as the slide, but I swapped that with an after market barrel that provided more support of the cartridge head. I fitted a N.M. bushing to the barrel.
I put Pachmayr wrap-around rubber grips on it plus a checkered rubber covered straight mainspring housing to match the grips.
I also put an aftermarket extended magazine release button to accommodate my small hands.
I swapped out the trigger of a long after market target trigger.
I also swapped-out the grip safety for a beaver-tail grip safety despite the fact that I have never been bitten by any slide on any gun...so it was just a matter of cosmetics.
I also had a local smith mill dove tails in the slide and install some Novak White dot sights.
The latest modification is an extended safety. I had previously installed an ambi safety but found that it was of doubtful benefit for a right-handed person...so I took it off.
I would replace the original Colt slide stop, but I cannot find an inexpensive extended one that fits a .38 Super.
So this is the current state of my "FrankenColt" .38 Super Combat Commander.