marklbucla
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For standard single stack 1911 sizes: Government, Commander, Defender, etc, is it just a matter of shorter barrels and grips that differentiates them, or do the other dimensions change as well? Grip or slide widths for example?
1911 Sizes- Just shorter barrels and grips?
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marklbucla
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so is the only difference a chopped barrel and grip?
not quite,
scaled down, not chopped. The internal frame cuts or millings are different. On the comander, the frame is cut deeper .10" to accomidate the shorter slide. I cannot confirm the other, as i do not know for sure. sorry. Also, most of the guns that use less than a 4"bbl, use a bushing less barrel (but not all).
You see, lots of different people make them, and each company may do things slightly differently. i know that might not be much help, but for the most part, it is true.
scaled down, not chopped. The internal frame cuts or millings are different. On the comander, the frame is cut deeper .10" to accomidate the shorter slide. I cannot confirm the other, as i do not know for sure. sorry. Also, most of the guns that use less than a 4"bbl, use a bushing less barrel (but not all).
You see, lots of different people make them, and each company may do things slightly differently. i know that might not be much help, but for the most part, it is true.
:banghead:Lone_Gunman
Member
Mark, I think what you are asking is if the short barrelled, short framed 1911s are thinner. The answer to that question is no. They are the same thickness through the slide and grip as the full size models.
They are basically chopped down versions with the frame altered appropriately to fit the shorter slide and barrel.
They are basically chopped down versions with the frame altered appropriately to fit the shorter slide and barrel.
Also, the Colt Defender (3") has a completely different (double spring) recoil spring system. It has a Bull Barrel so no bushing is used.
I've seen stock 1911s in 5", 4 1/4", 4", 3 1/2" and 3". I'm not bringing up the few long slides (6" barrels) that are out there. Other differences exist between manufacturers, like a sub 5" Kimber needs a paper clip or other small wire to field strip properly.
Generally speaking, grip panels may be swapped provided the frame size is the same. 5", 4 1/4" and 4" barrels use the same frame while 3 1/2 and 3 " use a frame of thier own with a shorter grip.
To make things more confusing, a commander slide can be fitted to an officer frame.
AKA Colt CCO.
I do believe the overall thicknesses, if any different, is negligible.
I've seen stock 1911s in 5", 4 1/4", 4", 3 1/2" and 3". I'm not bringing up the few long slides (6" barrels) that are out there. Other differences exist between manufacturers, like a sub 5" Kimber needs a paper clip or other small wire to field strip properly.
Generally speaking, grip panels may be swapped provided the frame size is the same. 5", 4 1/4" and 4" barrels use the same frame while 3 1/2 and 3 " use a frame of thier own with a shorter grip.
To make things more confusing, a commander slide can be fitted to an officer frame.
AKA Colt CCO.I do believe the overall thicknesses, if any different, is negligible.
Jim Watson
Member
Agree with Lone Gunman the width of all single stack 1911 derivatives is about the same. They are just shortened in butt and barrel in the smaller guns. There are mechanical differences as the makers tried to compensate for shorter slide travel and reduced spring space, so you cannot just swap upper and lower assemblies promiscuously. Some will work, some won't.
The Springfield ESP is shorter front-to-back in the butt because it is based on the dedicated frame they brought out for .45 GAP. Now chambered in 9mm which is selling a lot better than the GAPs.
The STI LS guns are smaller in some dimensions but they share fewer real 1911 parts than other makes.
The Springfield ESP is shorter front-to-back in the butt because it is based on the dedicated frame they brought out for .45 GAP. Now chambered in 9mm which is selling a lot better than the GAPs.
The STI LS guns are smaller in some dimensions but they share fewer real 1911 parts than other makes.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
And to add to the mix, you have the concealed carry officers model with the officers frame and commander slide/barrel. It is a nice hybrid with the shorter grip that is easier to conceal.
YEP
Are you confused you yet? Your answer to your question is basically right. Shorter grips which require shorter grip panels and shorter slides with necessary adjustments for shorter barrels, but widths are the same. You won't find more than a few 1000ths difference there.
Are you confused you yet? Your answer to your question is basically right. Shorter grips which require shorter grip panels and shorter slides with necessary adjustments for shorter barrels, but widths are the same. You won't find more than a few 1000ths difference there.
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