Shortening a full size Colt 1911

[amk]

Dunno grewal , I have no plans of purchasing a 1911 Unless someone has a commander model, the 4.25 or 3 odd inch model.

AMK

[mundaire]

Dunno grewal , I have no plans of purchasing a 1911 Unless someone has a commander model, the 4.25 or 3 odd inch model.

AMK

If parts were available locally, you could save a lot of money and just rejig yours with a shorter barrel & slide - would end up costing you $400-500 or thereabouts in parts... would not be a Commander, but would certainly shorten the OAL... too bad that's not really an option in India!

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[amk]

Can that really be done? Isn't the length of the frame different too, won't the dust cover get in the way?Just with a shorter slide and barrel once can transform it to a commander?

Since parts aren't available locally I'm just thinking aloud

AMK

[mundaire]

Can that really be done? Isn't the length of the frame different too, won't the dust cover get in the way?Just with a shorter slide and barrel once can transform it to a commander?

Since parts aren't available locally I'm just thinking aloud

AMK

Well, it's not conventionally a simple swap but from what I've read up (on the net) an Auto Ordnance "Pitbull" slide (usually) seems to work around the normal pitfalls. Google
1911 pitbull fullsize frame
for more...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[amk]

Can that really be done? Isn't the length of the frame different too, won't the dust cover get in the way?Just with a shorter slide and barrel once can transform it to a commander?

Since parts aren't available locally I'm just thinking aloud

AMK

Well, it's not conventionally a simple swap but from what I've read up (on the net) an Auto Ordnance "Pitbull" slide (usually) seems to work around the normal pitfalls. Google
1911 pitbull fullsize frame
for more...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Wow, seems like it's riddled with problems but some have got it to work. If only we could get the parts here and experiment

AMK

[penpusher]

I have seen a shortened .45 1911 in Patiala.Can be done but not cheaply.

[mundaire]

Wow, seems like it's riddled with problems but some have got it to work. If only we could get the parts here and experiment

AMK

If you go through some of the search results you'll notice that the length of the dust cover is not the problem (except for cosmetics), it's more to do with the length of the rails and the depth of the recoil plug recess (I hope that is right term?)... though some people have also managed to get regular commander slides to work with full size frames (many without any serious modifications to the frame itself). Anyhow you're right, without the parts it's merely an academic discussion for us folks....

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[amk]

Wow, seems like it's riddled with problems but some have got it to work. If only we could get the parts here and experiment

AMK

If you go through some of the search results you'll notice that the length of the dust cover is not the problem (except for cosmetics), it's more to do with the length of the rails and the depth of the recoil plug recess (I hope that is right term?)... though some people have also managed to get regular commander slides to work with full size frames (many without any serious modifications to the frame itself). Anyhow you're right, without the parts it's merely an academic discussion for us folks....

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Lets see if I can do something about this

AMK

[amk]

I have seen a shortened .45 1911 in Patiala.Can be done but not cheaply.

Was it a genuine Commander/Officer or a modified one? If the latter any idea how it was done and the price?

AMK

[The Doc]

I have seen a shortened .45 1911 in Patiala.Can be done but not cheaply.

Very interesting indeed !! Done by Bobby ?

best,

RP.

[marksman]

Well, it can be done .If you get hold of right parts. A short barrel bush or rid the pistol entirely of this bush and get a flared barrel with the length of your choice to fit the ID of the slide, an inverted recoil spring plunger, 22lbs recoil spring, the main spring and the hammer springs to match. Except for the barrel, other parts are not very difficult to obtain but how you get them is your head ache.
Then, catch hold of a good gunsmith in India who has worked on and understands the basics of a 1911 pistol, have him cut the slide to the size,fit the barrel flare snug with the dust cover ID,mill a slot for the dovetail front sight and there you have it. A shortened 1911 pistol.
IMHO,its not worth it and the 1911 looks the smartest in the original configuration. Who so ever has altered this great pistol has hurt the noble soul of Mr.J.M.B.* to no end.
Marksman



* James Moses Browning

[amk]

CUT THE SLIDE!!! And it it doesn't work out weld it back