Infinity Firearms .38 Super Open Gun: Competition Design and Features

The infinity firearms 38 super open gun occupies a distinctive place within the world of custom competition pistols. Built around the established 1911/2011-style platform and configured for Open Division competition, this type of pistol brings together precision manufacturing, specialized competition features, and extensive customization.

Infinity Firearms, operated by Strayer-Voigt, is a custom firearm manufacturer based in Gordon, Texas. The company describes its pistols as custom-built products and maintains a range of components and accessories associated with competition-oriented configurations.

A .38 Super Open pistol is fundamentally different from a conventional service-oriented handgun in its intended competition configuration. Open competition emphasizes specialized equipment and allows configurations that can incorporate optical sights and compensators. As a result, an Open gun typically has a visually distinctive appearance compared with a conventional iron-sighted pistol.

The .38 Super Connection

The .38 Super cartridge has a long association with competitive shooting, particularly in competition pistols designed around high-performance Open Division configurations. Infinity has historically offered custom configurations in different calibers, allowing individual pistols to be specified according to the intended application and customer’s selected configuration.

The .38 Super designation can also be encountered alongside .38 Super Comp in competition contexts. These are related but distinct ammunition designations, so the specific chambering and ammunition requirements of an individual firearm should always be confirmed from the manufacturer’s documentation and the markings on the firearm.

That distinction is important because ammunition should never be selected simply on the basis of a similar cartridge name. Infinity’s published information emphasizes using ammunition appropriate to the firearm’s specified caliber.

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Open Division Configuration

The defining characteristic of an Open gun is its competition-oriented configuration.

Rather than relying exclusively on conventional iron sights, an Open pistol can be configured around a slide-mounted or frame-mounted optical sighting system. Infinity’s current parts catalog includes dedicated optic mounts and competition sight components, reflecting the company’s involvement in this type of specialized configuration.

A compensator is another recognizable feature. Infinity’s catalog currently lists a thread-on compensator as well as barrels and compensator-related components.

These features contribute to the characteristic appearance of an Open competition pistol. The optic provides a modern sighting interface, while the compensator gives the barrel assembly a substantially different appearance from that of a conventional handgun.

Importantly, these components should be understood within their intended competition context. They are not simply cosmetic additions. Their selection, installation, and compatibility involve firearm-specific considerations and should be handled by qualified professionals where required.

Custom-Built Philosophy

One of the most notable aspects of Infinity Firearms is its custom-building approach. The company states that it has been custom building pistols since 1994.

Customization is particularly significant in competition firearms because competitors can have different preferences concerning ergonomics, controls, sighting systems, finishes, and other configuration details.

Infinity’s current catalog demonstrates the breadth of components associated with its platform. These include grips, safeties, hammers, sights, optic mounts, recoil-system components, trigger components, barrels, compensators, and other parts.

This component ecosystem illustrates how a custom competition pistol can be configured as an integrated system rather than treated as a generic handgun with a few aftermarket additions.

Competition-Oriented Ergonomics

Ergonomics are an important consideration in any competition pistol. Controls need to be accessible, the grip needs to provide a consistent interface with the shooter’s hands, and the overall configuration needs to suit the intended discipline.

Infinity’s catalog includes multiple grip-related components and different control configurations. For example, its current offerings include several ambidextrous and single-sided thumb-safety options, as well as different grip designs.

The availability of these components reflects the highly individualized nature of competition firearms.

However, individual configuration should not be confused with universal suitability. A feature that works well for one competitor may not be appropriate for another. Professional fitting and adherence to applicable competition rules remain important considerations.

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Optics and Sight Systems

Modern Open Division pistols are commonly associated with electronic optical sights. An optic provides a different sighting interface from traditional front-and-rear iron sights and has become a defining visual characteristic of many contemporary Open guns.

Infinity’s current catalog includes an Infinity Hex Mount and several competition-oriented rear-sight options.

The company’s catalog also identifies an illuminated competition rear sight.

These offerings show the range of sighting equipment associated with the platform, although the exact sighting configuration of a particular .38 Super Open pistol depends on the individual build.

Compensator Configuration

A compensator is another prominent feature associated with Open competition pistols.

Infinity currently lists a thread-on compensator in its catalog and maintains a dedicated category for Infinity barrels and compensators.

From a descriptive standpoint, the compensator gives an Open gun a distinctive profile. The barrel assembly extends into a larger muzzle device rather than ending in the relatively simple muzzle configuration found on many conventional pistols.

Because compensators are part of the firearm’s operating system, however, their compatibility and installation should be treated as technical firearm work rather than a casual accessory change.

Competition Heritage

The .38 Super Open configuration is best understood in the context of practical shooting competition. Open Division equipment tends to look considerably different from ordinary defensive or service pistols because the division permits specialized equipment intended for competitive use.

The result is a category of firearm where customization is unusually prominent.

Competition pistols may feature specialized grips, enlarged or modified controls, optical sights, compensators, and other equipment selected according to the applicable rules and the individual shooter’s requirements.

Infinity’s catalog reflects this competition-oriented ecosystem. Its offerings include competition rear sights, optic mounts, compensators, recoil components, grips, safeties, and trigger-related components.

Manufacturing and Attention to Detail

A custom firearm is generally defined not only by the basic platform but also by how the individual components are fitted and configured.

Infinity’s current website describes the company as a custom builder, and its product catalog contains numerous individually specified components.

For a competition pistol, this approach allows the finished firearm to be specified around a particular configuration rather than relying entirely on a mass-produced standard model.

The resulting firearm can therefore differ considerably from another pistol produced by the same manufacturer. Two Infinity pistols may share the same general platform while differing in sighting system, grip configuration, controls, finish, barrel arrangement, and other specifications.

Consequently, the exact specifications of an individual Infinity .38 Super Open gun should be verified from its documentation rather than inferred solely from photographs or the model description.

Appearance of an Open Gun

The visual appearance of an Open competition pistol is one of its most recognizable characteristics.

An optical sight may sit prominently above the frame or slide area. A compensator can extend the muzzle profile. Competition-oriented controls and grips may also give the firearm a more specialized appearance.

Together, these features create a pistol that looks purpose-built for competition rather than general-purpose use.

The appearance can also vary significantly between individual builds. Infinity’s emphasis on custom configuration means that finish, grip style, sight arrangement, and other details can be specified differently.

This makes photographs useful for identifying a particular build, but photographs alone should not be treated as definitive evidence of specifications.

The Importance of Correct Identification

When researching an Infinity .38 Super Open pistol, terminology should be handled carefully.

“.38 Super” and “.38 Super Comp” may appear in competition discussions, but the precise chambering of a firearm should always be confirmed through the firearm’s markings and official documentation.

Similarly, an “Open gun” describes a competition configuration or division rather than a single universal model specification.

This distinction matters because Infinity pistols are custom-built. The exact configuration can vary substantially from one firearm to another.

A reliable description should therefore distinguish between features associated with the broader Open Division category and features confirmed on a particular firearm.

Legal and Safety Considerations

Firearms are regulated products, and the applicable requirements vary according to jurisdiction. Infinity’s current policies state that its firearms are transferred through licensed FFL dealers in the United States. Its terms also contain jurisdiction-specific restrictions concerning certain magazines.

International regulations can be substantially different. Importation, ownership, transportation, storage, and use may each be governed by separate laws.

For that reason, anyone researching or handling an Infinity .38 Super Open pistol should consult applicable local laws and qualified firearms professionals.

Safe handling is equally important. The firearm should be treated as loaded until its condition has been personally verified through appropriate safe procedures, and manufacturer documentation should be followed for the particular firearm.

A Specialized Competition Platform

The Infinity .38 Super Open gun represents a specialized approach to competition pistol design. Rather than being defined by a single feature, it is characterized by the combination of a custom-built platform and competition-oriented components.

The .38 Super chambering connects the platform with a long-standing competition tradition. Meanwhile, the Open configuration introduces features such as optical sighting systems and compensators.

Infinity’s current catalog reinforces this specialization by offering dedicated competition components, including optic mounts, compensators, competition sights, grips, safeties, and other platform-specific parts.

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For researchers, collectors, and competition-shooting enthusiasts, understanding these individual elements provides a clearer picture of why Open pistols look and function differently from conventional handgun configurations.

The Infinity Firearms .38 Super Open gun is best viewed as a highly specialized competition firearm built around the customization philosophy associated with Infinity Firearms.

Its identity comes from several factors: the .38 Super competition tradition, the Open Division configuration, optical sighting systems, compensator-equipped barrel configurations, and the broad range of customization available through Infinity’s platform.

Infinity identifies itself as a custom builder established in 1994, and its current catalog continues to reflect that emphasis through a broad selection of firearm-specific components and competition-oriented equipment.

Because individual Infinity pistols can be configured differently, the specifications of a particular .38 Super Open gun should always be confirmed from the manufacturer’s documentation and the firearm itself.

Ultimately, the platform illustrates the specialized nature of modern competition pistols: a combination of a proven handgun architecture, purpose-specific equipment, individualized configuration, and a strong emphasis on competition-oriented design.

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For anyone researching the platform, the most useful approach is to distinguish documented specifications from general characteristics of Open Division firearms. That distinction provides a more accurate understanding of what an individual Infinity .38 Super Open pistol actually represents.

Understanding the Custom-Build Approach

Another important aspect of an Infinity .38 Super Open pistol is the distinction between a standardized production handgun and a custom competition firearm. With a conventional production model, buyers generally select from a predetermined list of configurations. A custom pistol, by contrast, can incorporate a broader range of choices depending on the manufacturer’s available options and the intended application.

This distinction helps explain why photographs and specifications can differ considerably between Infinity pistols that share the same general competition category. One example may have a particular optic arrangement, grip treatment, finish, or control configuration, while another may use different components.

Furthermore, custom manufacturing places greater emphasis on the relationship between individual components. The frame, slide, barrel, sighting system, controls, and grip are not viewed entirely as independent elements. Instead, they form part of a complete configuration.

That approach is particularly relevant in competitive shooting, where equipment is often selected according to the rules of a specific division and the preferences of an individual competitor.

Researching a Specific Infinity Pistol

When researching a particular Infinity .38 Super Open gun, documentation is especially valuable. Model names alone may not provide every detail because custom firearms can contain individually selected components.

A careful description should therefore identify information that can be verified, such as the manufacturer’s name, caliber marking, model or configuration designation, sighting arrangement, and other documented characteristics.

Photographs can provide useful visual information, but they should be treated as supporting evidence rather than a complete specification sheet. For example, an image may clearly show an optic or compensator while providing no reliable information about internal components or exact chamber specifications.

Likewise, terminology found in advertisements or discussion forums may not always correspond precisely to the manufacturer’s current terminology. Official documentation remains the better reference when identifying a particular configuration.

Place Within Modern Competition Shooting

Open competition pistols represent one of the more specialized categories within practical shooting. Their appearance reflects the equipment rules and competitive environment associated with the division.

The result is a firearm category that can look quite different from pistols intended for military, law-enforcement, concealed-carry, or recreational applications.

The Infinity platform fits within this specialized environment through its emphasis on customization and competition-oriented components. Its combination of an established handgun architecture with modern optical and compensator configurations illustrates how competition equipment has developed over time.

At the same time, the underlying platform retains recognizable characteristics associated with the broader 1911/2011 family. This combination of familiar architecture and specialized configuration is part of what gives Infinity competition pistols their distinctive identity.

Documentation Matters

Because a custom firearm may differ from another firearm produced by the same manufacturer, documentation should always take priority over assumptions.

The manufacturer’s information can help establish what components were offered, while records associated with a particular firearm can provide more specific information about its configuration.

This is especially important when researching older or discontinued builds. Components, terminology, and available configurations can change over time, so information from a current catalog should not automatically be presented as the specification of an older firearm.

Consequently, historical research benefits from comparing dated manufacturer material with documentation associated with the individual pistol.

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Conclusion

The Infinity .38 Super Open gun represents a specialized intersection of custom firearm manufacturing and practical shooting competition. Its distinctive appearance comes from the combination of an established handgun platform with Open Division-oriented equipment and individualized configuration.

The .38 Super designation connects the platform with a longstanding competition tradition, while optical sights and compensator-equipped configurations distinguish the Open format from more conventional handgun designs.

Most importantly, Infinity’s custom-building philosophy means that individual pistols can differ considerably. Therefore, accurate identification requires attention to the specific firearm rather than relying solely on the general description of an Infinity Open gun.

For historical research, competition context, or general firearm documentation, these distinctions provide a useful framework for understanding the platform without confusing a general category with the specifications of an individual firearm.

Customization and Individual Identity

One of the defining characteristics of an Infinity competition pistol is the opportunity for individual configuration. Rather than treating every firearm as an identical product, the custom-build philosophy allows different examples to have their own combination of components and visual details.

This can make each pistol particularly interesting from a collecting and documentation perspective. Differences in finishes, grips, sights, controls, and other externally visible components can help distinguish one build from another. However, appearance alone does not establish the complete technical specification of a firearm.

For this reason, collectors and researchers should document the information associated with a particular pistol carefully. Manufacturer records, original paperwork, markings, and dated product information can provide valuable context.

Moreover, the competition environment helps explain why such customization exists. Open Division equipment is highly specialized, and competitors may select configurations according to applicable rules and personal preferences.

Ultimately, the Infinity .38 Super Open platform demonstrates how competition firearms can evolve beyond standardized configurations. Its identity is shaped not only by the underlying handgun design, but also by the combination of customization, competition heritage, and the individual specifications associated with each particular build.