Posted: 12/29/2013 1:16:45 PM EDT
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I'm not very conversant with the 1911, and here's my problem. I have a complete .45 Govt frame and parts kit, with .45 cal barrel and recoil spring, but without a slide.
I also have a stripped 9mm govt model slide. Can this 9mm slide be used on the .45 frame? I have attempted to fit the slide to the frame, but the slide is so tight on the frame that I'll either have to stretch it wider, or stone the rails. The .45 barrel is also too wide in the chamber area to fit into the slide so I think there are more differences than slide rails. If the only issue is the slide needs fitting to the frame, I'll buy a 9mm barrel and go from there. But if there's more than that, like the frame needs different parts for the caliber switch, then I'll sell the 9mm slide and wait until i can find a .45 one. Any ideas? |
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The slides are different.You'll also need an ejector and extractor...they may require some fitting /adjustment.The 9 mm barrel will (may) require fitting to the slide.The link and barrel lugs may also require fitting.
It's not so simple as as just changing out the parts....... |
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Thanks for the info.
I'm not worried about fitting parts. I usually hang out in the AR15 and AK forums, and have built AR's from an 80% lower, and assembled three AK's from a flat. But I am unfamiliar with the 1911, and this is one of the best places to start researching exactly what's involved in building one from a kit. I got the .45 frame and parts set in a trade for a retro early type 604 AR. The slide is stripped, so I know I'll have to get 9mm parts for that. My real worry id whether a 9mm slide is a drop in replacement for a .45 slide on a .45 cal receiver. The frame and other parts are from Caspian, if that makes any difference. |
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As others have already stated, the 9mm ejector is different from .45. It is longer and is positioned closer to the center of the frame. A 9mm specific slide stop will also be necessary.
The big issue is the feed ramp. Unramped 9mm barrels don't work very well, if at all, with a .45 feed ramp. The best (but expensive) way to make that work is to have the frame cut for a ramped barrel style, either Wilson / Nowlin or Clark / Para. This cut and the attendant barrel fitting will require the services of an experienced gunsmith. |
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As mentioned above, if you want to make these parts into a 9mm the slide will work however the 45ACP feed-ramp on the frame is not correct. Machining the frame for a ramped 9mm barrel would allow these parts to work as a 9mm.
If you want a 45ACP a new slide is required. Other parts such as slide stop, firing pin stop, ejector, extractor, etc. are also caliber specific. |
| I have a Springfield MilSpec and purchased a complete Springfield 9mm top end kit several years ago. I took it to a good gunsmith as the slide fit was tight. He set it up so all I have to do is change out the ejector and put on the other complete slide. It feeds just fine and makes a versatile firearm. My girlfriend shoots it in pistol matches as a 9mm. |
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You can also alter the ejector to clear both slides in most cases.
I have built a few switch top guns in .45 ACP and .38 Super with ramped barrels. Unless you can do a lot of the work yourself it is simply not worth the money (and yes I have a mill and a lathe). The tooling alone makes it not worth doing it only once (in labor if you make the tooling, in cost if you purchase it). It does have the 'cool' factor to switch from sub-sonic booms to supersonic cracks (along with the smale trigger pull). A full length guide rod in each slide allows everything to stay together. It takes about all of 30 seconds to switch from one to the other. If you have to pay for the work you could pretty much purchase another gun. |
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Quoted:
I have a Springfield MilSpec and purchased a complete Springfield 9mm top end kit several years ago. I took it to a good gunsmith as the slide fit was tight. He set it up so all I have to do is change out the ejector and put on the other complete slide. It feeds just fine and makes a versatile firearm. My girlfriend shoots it in pistol matches as a 9mm. +1. Thank you Roy, Guys don't be silly...I have done several 1911 .45ACP Conversions to 9mm (Frame & Slide Assembly Set-Up's) If you use good quality parts like Wilson Combat and you know how to tune it properly, it can be made to run like a Swiss Watch...I have timed some of those .45 to 9mm 1911 conversions so well (lock-up and dwell time) that they get between 110fps. to 185fps. in extra velocity with the same ammo over other 9mm pistols like Beretta M9 9mm with similar 5" Bbl. lengths. The 1911 in 9mm is pretty sweet and a lot cheaper to shoot with less recoil and more family friendly for newer shooter especially... Good Luck. |