ltwguns.com

Not sure if this is the correct spot to post this query, but since most of the real 'gurus' hang out here, I will try:

Just acquired a pristine Colt Gold Cup National Match 38 Special Mid Range (the third model, the "Mark III.".) Clawson's book shows pictures of the original cartridge the Army Marksmanship Unit developed for the first AMUs, trying the 38 Special Wadcutter intended for use in a revolver and then cutting down the rim and adding an extractor grove before a dedicated cartridge was designed and loaded by a few mfgs. (The book shows a side by side picture of all three cartridges, with the only difference the rim, or lack thereof in what was eventually a rimless cartridge, but the same overall length in all three.)

Clawson said the orignal rimmed cartridge caused 'feeding problems' in the Colt. I shoot standard 38 WCs (rimmed) in my S&W Model 52-2 and in my Hammerli P240 with no feed issues whatsoever. SInce I like to shot what I own, and there is no source I am aware of that has either fully loaded "38 Special WC rimless" or "AMU" cartridges or even brass, my question is will the same 38 WCs I am shooting in my Smith and my Hammerli function in the Colt? First, any safety issues? Next, assuming there are no safety or function issues, how bad are the feeding issues?

Any assistance will be appreciated. Dave

Dave, I think you'll be able to use standard 38 Spl, brass loaded with flush crimped wadcutters in your NM gun. Biggest problem with these as I recall was the lack of magazines. Clark Custom used to make them from re-worked Delta Elite mags, and probably still does. The guns I've seen and worked on were, for the most part, conversions, and shot well (soft and accurate). Good luck,

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

I have both versions of the Colt Gold Cup MR. They work fine with flush seated bullets and problem truly is the magazines. The Clark and original Colt magazines will probably work fine, the ones made by Triple K don't work and then you're stuck with them.
I find that by having an assortment of recoil springs I can tune the gun for accuracy. The rings in the chamber of the Mk3 were to delay opening a bit to improve accuracy, so be certain there is no lube present on the chamber surface prior to firing.
They're great guns, I enjoy both of mine.

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Lynnie, NRA Life Member

I use standard 38 special brass with flush seated wadcutters in a Giles conversion. On my reloads I duplicated the roll crimp found on factory Federal WC loads.

Even the factory 38 mags can give some feeding problems.(Mine did) I sent mine to Clark and they now work 100%.

One thing about shooting that .38.......it will let you know how well you "follow through" after you break the shot.

Thanks for the replies. I managed to find a pair of supposedly-new, factory original Colt mags (the later version) and those are on the way to me. I understand Clark does indeed make mags for this gun, but was rather surprised to see the price, $75 per mag as contrasted to less than half that for supposed factory originals.

Is there really that much of a functional advantage to the Clark? I don't mind spending money for a really better product, but see no point in doing so if there is no appreciable difference.

It appears that you have tried both. May I have your comments? Dave

Dave, Both types worked well for me, but it has been some time ago, and my shooting was limited. If you can find the factory originals for less, I'd be inclined to go for those.

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

You found 38MR mags for less than $75????
Wow.........I'd love to find them at that price.
I hope they are 38 special mags and not 38 Super mags.

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Lynnie, NRA Life Member

Joni,
http://www.ammoclip.com will sometimes have them in stock. Last time I looked for an acquaintance they were listed at $44.00 each.

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Regards,
Will M.

Member: NRA (Life) - ORPA (Life) - GSSF (Life) - OFCC (Annual) - Buckeye Firearms Association (Annual)

Thanks, I'll check them out.

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Lynnie, NRA Life Member

I have both the Colt MR and the Colt/Clark converted gun in .38Spl. The original Colt MR magazines of mine seem to have stronger spring in them than the Clark magazines and sometime will not function well in the Clark.