Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this SOUGHT-AFTER semi-automatic kit gun today for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt .38 Special Kit Gun 1911!
The Colt “Kit” Gun concept allowed Colt to deliver a target-grade pistol with all parts finished but left unassembled and without sights, reducing final assembly and test costs that would otherwise be passed to the buyer. By shipping the pistol in this state, Colt provided a precision platform that owners or gunsmiths could complete and tune to individual preferences while saving on the factory’s final labor. In total, approximately 450 of the “.38 Special Kit” pistols were produced, making them a distinctly rare and sought-after niche among collectors and target shooters.
The owner states that this example remains New Old Stock, never being assembled, and we see no evidence to indicate otherwise.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: .38 Special Kit Gun “Mid Range”
Serial: 00222-H
Date of Manufacture: 1964-1970
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: No Sights
Stock/Grips: Original Synthetic Checkered grips w/ Colt Emblems
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt .38 Special “Kit” 1911 refers to an unusual, competition-oriented branch of Colt’s 1911 work from the 1960s: rather than a standard .45 ACP Government pistol, these were 1911-pattern pistols converted or built to shoot .38 Special wadcutter loads for mid-range/bullseye-style competition. Colt and a few prominent pistolsmiths produced small runs and “kit” versions that left certain final fitments to the gunsmith or end user so the pistol could be finished and tuned for precision target use. These examples are rare and were often associated with specialty builders and dealers of the era. They came about because bullseye competition in the post-war decades still favored low-recoil, wadcutter .38 Special loads for the slow-fire and timed stages; shooters wanted a 1911-type handgun that could match a revolver’s wadcutter accuracy while offering faster rapid-fire strings. Gunsmiths such as Jim Clark (and small concerns like Gil Hebard’s outfits) experimented with and produced tight-fit .38 conversions and mid-range National Match variants; Colt also responded with limited factory and kit offerings so serious competitors could have a semi-automatic centerfire pistol tailored to wadcutter ammo and match rules. Technically these pistols are different from a straight .45 1911: barrels are chambered and throat-cut for .38 wadcutters, feed ramps and magazines are modified or specially made, and the guns are usually worked to very tight tolerances to get the best accuracy out of low-pressure loads. Many of the surviving examples show gunsmith work—polished chambers and throats, tuned extractors, and mags that are either bespoke or from small makers. Because some were sold as “kits,” frames, slides, and parts sets were delivered unassembled or unfinished so the customer or smith could do the final fitting, sighting, and bedding for match use. For collectors and shooters today the Colt .38 Kit 1911 is a niche rarity: original magazines and parts can be hard to find, correct wadcutter loads and careful setup are required for best accuracy, and examples in original, unaltered condition are prized. If you own—or are looking at—one of these pistols, check serial ranges and markings (they are often in narrow production blocks), confirm magazine compatibility, and inspect the gunsmithing work and bore. When cared for properly they are superb target guns and interesting historical pieces that bridge revolver-era competition and semi-automatic target shooting.
Contents:
Model: .38 Special Kit Gun “Mid Range”
Serial: 00222-H
Date of Manufacture: 1964-1970
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: No Sights
Stock/Grips: Original Synthetic Checkered grips w/ Colt Emblems
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt .38 Special “Kit” 1911 refers to an unusual, competition-oriented branch of Colt’s 1911 work from the 1960s: rather than a standard .45 ACP Government pistol, these were 1911-pattern pistols converted or built to shoot .38 Special wadcutter loads for mid-range/bullseye-style competition. Colt and a few prominent pistolsmiths produced small runs and “kit” versions that left certain final fitments to the gunsmith or end user so the pistol could be finished and tuned for precision target use. These examples are rare and were often associated with specialty builders and dealers of the era. They came about because bullseye competition in the post-war decades still favored low-recoil, wadcutter .38 Special loads for the slow-fire and timed stages; shooters wanted a 1911-type handgun that could match a revolver’s wadcutter accuracy while offering faster rapid-fire strings. Gunsmiths such as Jim Clark (and small concerns like Gil Hebard’s outfits) experimented with and produced tight-fit .38 conversions and mid-range National Match variants; Colt also responded with limited factory and kit offerings so serious competitors could have a semi-automatic centerfire pistol tailored to wadcutter ammo and match rules. Technically these pistols are different from a straight .45 1911: barrels are chambered and throat-cut for .38 wadcutters, feed ramps and magazines are modified or specially made, and the guns are usually worked to very tight tolerances to get the best accuracy out of low-pressure loads. Many of the surviving examples show gunsmith work—polished chambers and throats, tuned extractors, and mags that are either bespoke or from small makers. Because some were sold as “kits,” frames, slides, and parts sets were delivered unassembled or unfinished so the customer or smith could do the final fitting, sighting, and bedding for match use. For collectors and shooters today the Colt .38 Kit 1911 is a niche rarity: original magazines and parts can be hard to find, correct wadcutter loads and careful setup are required for best accuracy, and examples in original, unaltered condition are prized. If you own—or are looking at—one of these pistols, check serial ranges and markings (they are often in narrow production blocks), confirm magazine compatibility, and inspect the gunsmithing work and bore. When cared for properly they are superb target guns and interesting historical pieces that bridge revolver-era competition and semi-automatic target shooting.
Contents:
The owner states that this example remains New Old Stock, never being assembled, and we see no evidence to indicate otherwise. Additionally, this example will ship with the Factory-Original Colt box, a magazine, and all the Factory-Original Colt parts you see pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
