The Colt 1911 Government Classic in .38 Super is a single-action semi-automatic pistol with a 5-inch barrel in a bright stainless steel finish. It holds 9 rounds and has rosewood checkered wood grips with fixed sights. The frame and slide are both bright polished stainless steel. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Colt 
• Model: 1911 Government 
• Caliber: .38 Super 
• Action: Semi Auto 
• Capacity: 9 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 5 inches 
• Color/Finish: Bright Stainless 
   

Detailed Features 

• 5-inch bright stainless steel barrel 
• Polished stainless frame and slide 
• Rosewood checkered wood grips 
• Fixed sights 
• 9-round capacity

Owners of the stainless .38 Super Government tend to pair it with the finish for practical reasons: bright stainless holds up better over time than blued steel and is easier to clean after range sessions. The .38 Super chambering keeps interest from competition shooters and those who want the cartridge's ballistics in a classic frame.

The rosewood grips draw compliments on appearance, though some owners swap them for rubber or G10 panels when using the pistol for competition where a more aggressive texture is preferred. The single-action trigger is consistently cited as a highlight, with most owners reporting a clean break that suits target work.

The stainless 1911 Government in .38 Super occupies a niche between a plain production pistol and a custom shop piece. A recurring comment is that it is well-made but that reloading or buying in bulk is necessary to offset the higher per-round cost compared to 9mm or .45 ACP.