1911-A1 SLIDE AND CALIBER SWITCH

I am currently helping with a large inventory of items left behind by a wonderful old man who had been an avid shooter, fisherman, explorer and conservationist his entire life. He had been doing well until claimed by the <edited> virus at age 88.

Within his collection is a full frame Springfield Armory 1911A1 G. I. Series pistol ...only the curious thing, it is chambered for 9mm Luger and not .45 The old man who had a serious wood working hobby, built a beautiful hard case for this piece, which he often took to the range. The case holds an additional slide, barrel, bushing, recoil springs and magazines -- for the .45ACP caliber, which he had also used on this frame.

To complicate matters, there is an additional barrel, with bushing, for 38 Super.

I was told the old man would shoot both 9mm and 45 from the same gun just by popping off the slide with the parts above, and on rare occasions also shoot 38 Super.

Am I understanding, and being told, correctly? His grandson said he had an instruction sheet explaining the switch, but we've found nothing. We are in the process of applying labels, cards and descriptions to his personal collection, which is quite the effort.

Thanks for any information on the switch. We are very familiar with slide removal and stripping during cleaning, but not with changing calibers.

JTQ said:

There is nothing in the OP's post that says if the barrels are ramped.


However, if this is the case, that would answer the question.

Click to expand...

Yup, sorry about that detail -- all three barrels are ramped and fitted to this frame.

There is no doubt that the work was done by a professional, and late yesterday we found paperwork on a 45 barrel wrapping that listed a gunsmith called Big Bore Custom in nearby Phoenix. We got all excited and drove down only to be told by a mall management company rep that Big Bore have been out of biz for years. We plan on shooting this pistol over the weekend.

I plan on doing some research in to ramped barrels now ...all new to me.

bannockburn said:

I recall an article in Guns and Ammo many years ago where the author made a 5 in 1 Colt 1911. Started with a Colt Government in .38 Super, added a .22 LR conversion kit and a 9mm. barrel assembly. He then found that a Colt Commander slide and barrel assembly in .45 ACP would fit on the Government frame. Last cartridge would be the 38/45 Clerke.

I have always started with a .38 Super Colt Combat Commander or a Commander Model and added a 9mm. barrel assembly with 9mm. magazines. Works perfectly and saves on ammo costs.
View attachment 1021106

Click to expand...

Great looking Colt -- I always liked the original profile over the so-called "enhanced" version.

It's always a shame to lose anyone from our community, and that he had such taste in firearms tells me that he woulda been a good one to know.

Like was mentioned above, stipulate that the whole rig stays together, since that's how it was intended.

And post pictures of the thing for cryin' out loud![/QUOTE]

I've been sending this link around so that friends can share my mirth at this new reality. And new reality has hit me hard. I never intended or wanted to be an appraiser but for months I have been helping to conduct inventories of firearms (among other hardware) once owned by country gentlemen in our village.

I plan to take numerous photos and will post what's allowed when the owners give permission. Many items I have found amazing, requiring dedicated research, so I am always thankful for the advice and knowledge so freely shared here..

This rig will stay as one in the case the old man constructed from a huge mesquite tree that went down in his yard a few decades ago.