1911 Commander/Gov't

[ghettofab]

Hello all,

I was wondering about the possibility of fitting a commander slide to a government frame. Question is, does it "fit"? I realize the commander frame has a shorter dust cover, but is that the only difference? Also, rather than fit a new bbl, would it be possible to cut down the original and simply re-crown? Or does a commander bbl have a different twist? Thanks everyone.

 

[Jim Watson]

A real Colt Commander frame has shorter rails and about .10" setback of the recoil abutment, not just a shorter dust cover. Sometimes you can make a Commander slide work on a Government Model frame but the slide travel is shorter than a real Commander and a lot shorter than the Government Model, which is not good for function. I am sure you can find somebody to say it did fine for him, but it isn't certain.

The Government Model barrel has a different contour of the link lug. It should work as well as any if just sawn off for a Commander slide on a Government receiver, but will not be right on a real Commander receiver.

 

[combatantr2]

Many have tried and most have failed.

If your mechanically inclined I believe it will be a good practice format, but I would never depend my life on it. Its a hit or miss project. If youve got the dough just buy a real commander.