Posted: 10/2/2006 10:46:12 AM EDT
| Ok I am looking into getting a 1911 for my wife. I have one in 45 ACP and she likes it, unfortunately due to a wrist injury she can't fire it to much. Now she like the 1911 style and everything about it just she can't shoot as much as she wants to. So where can I get a 1911 in 9MM and is there a conversion that I can by to make it into 45 ACP if her wrist gets better? This is the first time I have looked into getting this and thought that I could use a little knowledge. I asked her about the 22LR conversions and she said that she would rather have something a little bigger. Please any information that you can give me will be most helpful. Thank you for you time. |
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You can convert it but last thread (convert a .45 to 9mm) showed that for the most part you are better off buying the .45 and deciding whether to keep or sell the 9. Travolta had a 1911 in Pulp fiction, but Jackson didn't... it was actually a Star 9mm which looks very similar. You will probably want to stick to the big 1911 brands for parts etc (Springfield, Para, etc). Also... don't get her a compact unless she has the opportunity to fire it. There are many firms making a real compact 1911 package in 9mm, but now you have a cartridge that has (somewhat) snappy recoil in a package that certainly has snappy recoil... not good for her wrist at all. ETA: while it's not a 1911, you might want to consider a Browning Hi Power, John Moses Browning's successor to his venerable 1911. It has similar ergonomics (different trigger), and the FN model can be had for substantially less than a good 1911 So if her condition improves you have a nice range toy you didn't break the bank for like you will in a good 9mm 1911. They are also similarly sized (BHP is thicker due to a staggered mag, which gives 13+1 capacity) . |
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If you cant do a lot of GS work your self. The ammount of parts required to change over a 45 to 9mm or 9mm to 45. You would be better off getting a new pistol. I know Kimber makes a 9mm. Springfield may as well. Dont buy 38 super mags for the 9mm they are a real pain to get to work with 10 rounds. Mine will only function with ae 115. so far CCI blazer, rem, and Winchester all nose dive. Now the 9mm Kimber mag I have feeds everything. |
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STI, Kimber, Colt, and Springfield have all made 9mm 1911s. I think all but Colt still do. I would suggest either Kimber or STI. The Springfield 9mms are apparently consistently inaccurate from the factory. You can still find the Star 9mms from time to time for around $250. They are great guns for the money, but share almost no parts with the 1911 platform. They are also slimmer than 1911s, meaning most holsters will be a loose fit. |
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The ramp section of the frame is different on 45 and the 9mm/38 super guns so you can't just fit a new barrel with a new slide. You could have a frame machined for a ramped barrel if you have a 45 frame you want to convert to a 9mm. The slides are different because of the extractor location too, hell there is even a difference between a 38 super and a 9mm slide though a 38super slide can be made to work as a 9mm with a different extractor. If you want to build a gun that can change calibers I'd suggest looking at buying a SV slide with the interchangeable breech faces and a frame machined for ramped barrels. With that side you can convert calibers by replacing the breech face, extractor, recoil spring, mag and barrel. You could have barrels fitted in 9mm, 9x23, 9x21, 38 super, 40 S&W, 10mm, 45 ACP, etc... The on down side is that the .45's are not as reliable with the ramped barrels. If you want a factory 9mm gun, Springfield, STI and SV all make full size 9mm 1911 and Kimber chambers the pro-carry II in 9mm (I think it's a 4" barrel with a commander style frame). |
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Springfield Enhanced Micro Pistol Don't know anything about it, but I was on Springfield's site for parts and saw the ad. Like was said before, look at the Star BM. Only downside is that parts might be tough to find if something breaks. Otherwise, it's slim and very easily concealed. Goes bang every time you pull the trigger. Pretty darn accurate too. |
Yes... I am eagerly awaiting this pistol. I want a 1911-style carry pistol with more punch than the tiny Colt Mustang/Pony series. |