How much is a RI Gov model in .38 Super worth?

[KeithB]

Dropped in at the local gun shop earlier today and saw a little used Rock Island government (5") model in .38 Super. Blued w/fixed sights. Tag said $379. Haven't kept up with used gun prices in a while. Is this a good price?

 

[RicinYakima]

On street new price from internet shops is about $418.00 plus shipping.

 

[KeithB]

Thanks Ric, I would have to add another $25 for the FFL to do the transfer, but here I'd have to pay 7% sales tax. Doesn't seem like that great of a bargain, think I'll pass on a new gun for a few months.

 

[Ian]

I'm a fan of RIA 1911s. Every one I've shot has been sloppy loose but very accurate and very fun to shoot. It's difficult to describe, but there's a certain "just right" feel to a combat-tolerance 1911. My blue book is at work, but the condition of of used would be the determining factor of price for me. It's unlikely a .38 Super has been shot to death. Price sounds fair to me, especially if it comes with more than one decent-quality magazine, since proper mags are expensive, as is proper brass.

 

[freebullet]

Look at the bore.they put out some doozies. The one I had featured an xxx full choke. it functioned 100% otherwise, but I didn't want a 45acp turkey gun.

They didn't have a replacement bbl, filed off the front sight for me & I accepted the buy back, the gun just isn't worth the cost to rebarrel. I would call them a stand up low end company. Helped a friend throat his and it is awful reasonable shooter.

 

[KeithB]

I have a Colt steel frame series 70 Commander and a series 70 Government model, both in .45 ACP. What would it take to convert either one of those to .38 Super?

 

[fiver]

magazine, barrel, bushing, probably ejector tuning or change, and a new recoil spring for sure, maybe a buffer.

probably be easier to get a whole new upper and magazine.

 

[Missionary]

Probably be cheaper to go with a 9mm conversion and download to 380 specs. Then if you need a serious power upgrade just change the recoil spring.

 

[KeithB]

Not trying to download, trying to improve on 9mm ballistics.

 

[fiver]

the super certainly does that.
it is another one of those rounds i have always wondered why it wasn't more popular.

 

[quicksylver]

the super certainly does that.
it is another one of those rounds i have always wondered why it wasn't more popular.

probably because of the cost of ammo and the two case option in regards to cases... semi rimed and rimless which also involves mags...
I have a Colt Government model ( blue) in 9mm that I had two Briley barrels and bushings installed, one 9mm the other Super...fortunately it came with about a dozen mags in 9mm and super...surprisingly the best feeding mag I got was one meant for the 10mm...

I don't shoot it much as I like the recoil impulse from a 45ACP better...

The Super is a nice round..come to think of it I haven't really done an accuracy comparison between the 9 and Super...guess I'll have to fix that..

 

[Ian]

If you do "fix that", might I suggest 50 yards minimum distance? 100 would be better. Sometimes we don't see the real differences in handguns up close. My .38 Super doesn't know it isn't a rifle.

 

[quicksylver]

If you do "fix that", might I suggest 50 yards minimum distance? 100 would be better. Sometimes we don't see the real differences in handguns up close. My .38 Super doesn't know it isn't a rifle.

Ian if I do that I will have to put the grip panel on that has a base for a scope or red dot ...100 yds with a Super sounds like fun..!!!

Cast bullets I suppose..