steelyblue
Member
Well, besides a 5' barrel slide. Can a commander or officer slide fit a full length frame?
What size slide can fit a govt 1911 frame?
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steelyblue
Member
Wow, I must have asked a stupid question...lol
I ask because I don't like the shortened frames on the shorter barrel models, and I would like to see how a smaller slide would perform in a full size frame. I just don't want to screw up the frame in the process!
I ask because I don't like the shortened frames on the shorter barrel models, and I would like to see how a smaller slide would perform in a full size frame. I just don't want to screw up the frame in the process!
A "Commander" is by definition a shortened slide on a full size "government" frame. The "Officer" is a shorter barrel and a shorter frame. The "CCO" is a commander slide on an officer frame.
So, yes, a commander slide fits a full size frame.
So, yes, a commander slide fits a full size frame.
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Zach S
Member
Someone here picked up a gun in a bag for a good deal, it was a colt officer's model minus the frame, and it was built up on a government frame.
Jim Watson
Member
The question comes up about once a week.
The Government frame has longer slide rails and a more forward placement of the recoil abutment. Put a Commander or OACP slide on one and the already shorter than G.M. slide travel will be reduced another .10" or so. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't. If you have the pieces on hand, it will not damage anything to try.
Non-Colt guns have different specs and I don't know what you might get into.
The Government frame has longer slide rails and a more forward placement of the recoil abutment. Put a Commander or OACP slide on one and the already shorter than G.M. slide travel will be reduced another .10" or so. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't. If you have the pieces on hand, it will not damage anything to try.
Non-Colt guns have different specs and I don't know what you might get into.
steelyblue:
No, but you may get some questionable answers.
It took John Browning 10 years to develop what became the 1911 pistol, but some folks think you can take a Government Model, cut 1 1/2 to 2 inches off the front end, and you're good to go.
Not really so...
When you shorten the slide you also shorten the recoil spring tunnel - the space under the barrel where the recoil spring assembly goes. When Colt first developed the L.W. Commander model they didn't simply put a slide that was 3/4 inces shorter on a G.M. frame. They modified the frame behind the dust cover to make the recoil spring tunnel longer. This worked pretty good, but if you keep going backwards you'll run into additional problems that I won't bother to go into right now.
Bottom line is if you go back further (which I don't advise) you need to build the gun on a Commander, rather then Government Model frame.
If you are so inclined, you can shorten the butt on a Government Model frame, and keep the 5 inch slide. I'm not sure why anyone would, but if that floats their boat, so be it.
Let someone else try to out do Browning, but don't bet they'll make it.
No, but you may get some questionable answers.
It took John Browning 10 years to develop what became the 1911 pistol, but some folks think you can take a Government Model, cut 1 1/2 to 2 inches off the front end, and you're good to go.
Not really so...
When you shorten the slide you also shorten the recoil spring tunnel - the space under the barrel where the recoil spring assembly goes. When Colt first developed the L.W. Commander model they didn't simply put a slide that was 3/4 inces shorter on a G.M. frame. They modified the frame behind the dust cover to make the recoil spring tunnel longer. This worked pretty good, but if you keep going backwards you'll run into additional problems that I won't bother to go into right now.
Bottom line is if you go back further (which I don't advise) you need to build the gun on a Commander, rather then Government Model frame.
If you are so inclined, you can shorten the butt on a Government Model frame, and keep the 5 inch slide. I'm not sure why anyone would, but if that floats their boat, so be it.
Let someone else try to out do Browning, but don't bet they'll make it.
Zach S
Member
Hm, never know the commander frame was different than the government. Other than the grip and dust cover length, is it the same as the officers?
It makes sense, the grip is the hard part to conceal, and reliability isn't comprimised with a shorter slide. You also keep the longer sight radius.
But it looks weirder than a 3.5" upper on a 5" frame. But as you said, if that floats their boat, so be it.
Someone here has done that too. Not the bobtail, but they chopped a government frame's grip down to officer's specs, and retained the 5" slide.
It makes sense, the grip is the hard part to conceal, and reliability isn't comprimised with a shorter slide. You also keep the longer sight radius.
But it looks weirder than a 3.5" upper on a 5" frame. But as you said, if that floats their boat, so be it.
Dustinthewind
Member
Numrich sells a kit consisting of a complete commander size slide to mate to a full size 1911 frame makeing what they call the "Pit Bull". I believe Auto ordnance made this same combo under the same name.
If you are so inclined, you can shorten the butt on a Government Model frame, and keep the 5 inch slide. I'm not sure why anyone would, but if that floats their boat, so be it.
Old Fuff, I have considered it! Actually I would like to have a long slide on with the shortened grip of the Officers frame.
If you are so inclined, you can shorten the butt on a Government Model frame, and keep the 5 inch slide. I'm not sure why anyone would, but if that floats their boat, so be it.
Old Fuff, I have considered it! Actually I would like to have a long slide on with the shortened grip of the Officers frame.
steelyblue
Member
I just wanted to know if I could put a have a custom commander slide fitted to a govt frame. It wasn't because of anything other than sheer curiosity. Maby even a four inch slide. I wanted to know if it was plausible, but every time I get an idea in my head to build a gun, I end up buying one instead.
I got the idea from someone who started a thread on building his first 1911 a couple of days ago. I have held a govt, commander, and officer model side by side and they are different size frames. I know that the longer slides will leave a gap if mounted on a smaller frame. I just wanted to know, that's all, for learning's sake.
I got the idea from someone who started a thread on building his first 1911 a couple of days ago. I have held a govt, commander, and officer model side by side and they are different size frames. I know that the longer slides will leave a gap if mounted on a smaller frame. I just wanted to know, that's all, for learning's sake.
Tom Fury
Member
As above:
Colt Commander and Officers' model slides/frames are interchangeable.
As above, Govt model frame rails and dust cover are longer; I have had Para frame kit cut back to accomodate P-13/Commander slide by shortening both and replacing ejector.
Note that GM ejector generally requires replacement as differs in width from OM and Comm. and will not pass slot (Too wide).
GM barrels require mod (to lugs, I believe) to be used in Comm slide.
Now for the bit I don't understand; Colt used to (Looong time ago) market a collectors item; A SS (The one I saw was) Gold cup that came with an OM slide that was interchangeable. Dust cover not altered, and I assume it had the Comm. ejector. I don't know what they did about the frame rails, assume they were shorter; I also assume it worked.
Para tells me P10 and P12 slides are not interchangeable; I don't know about similar ultra short things; apparently no problem with Colt (Defender and Defender plus and New Agent). Perhaps Para was chicken about liability issues...
Smith and Wesson 4506 will accept 4566 and 4516 slides (see 4596); 4516 will accept 4566 slide (or 1066). They won't tell you that either; Well known WV gunsmith very familiar with S&W product told me...("Hell, can't see why not...").
Cheers, TF
Colt Commander and Officers' model slides/frames are interchangeable.
As above, Govt model frame rails and dust cover are longer; I have had Para frame kit cut back to accomodate P-13/Commander slide by shortening both and replacing ejector.
Note that GM ejector generally requires replacement as differs in width from OM and Comm. and will not pass slot (Too wide).
GM barrels require mod (to lugs, I believe) to be used in Comm slide.
Now for the bit I don't understand; Colt used to (Looong time ago) market a collectors item; A SS (The one I saw was) Gold cup that came with an OM slide that was interchangeable. Dust cover not altered, and I assume it had the Comm. ejector. I don't know what they did about the frame rails, assume they were shorter; I also assume it worked.
Para tells me P10 and P12 slides are not interchangeable; I don't know about similar ultra short things; apparently no problem with Colt (Defender and Defender plus and New Agent). Perhaps Para was chicken about liability issues...
Smith and Wesson 4506 will accept 4566 and 4516 slides (see 4596); 4516 will accept 4566 slide (or 1066). They won't tell you that either; Well known WV gunsmith very familiar with S&W product told me...("Hell, can't see why not...").
Cheers, TF
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