[blood_donor]

Hi,

Suppose I would like to convert one of my 1911's from a full length to a 4" ("Commander") length gun.

1) Does anyone sell the whole top end for a reasonable price?
2) Should I order one from the OEM, or should I have my local smith build one from a slide and parts?
2) Who do you recommend?

[HSMITH]

Well, the frames are a little different but you can run both top ends on the same frame.

To be done right it needs to be fitted, and to do that you need a real pistolsmith to do the work.

Cost for the slide with sights and a finish will be around $300, add $250 for a decent barrel fitted and another $100 for small parts and you will have a fitted, reliable and accurate Commander top end.

Makes more sense to find a good Commander and have a pair of guns.

[Magnumite]

Commander frames are different than the fullsize frames. The frame rails are cut back some in the front. The Commander barrel and bushing are different as are the spring and spring guide rod. I worked with a conversion like this I picked up years ago.

By the time you buy all the top end parts for your conversion, you could buy a Colt 1991 Commander for just a little bit more.