Converting 1911 from 45 to 9mm

[HPJeep]

I am wondering if you can convert a 1911 from 45acp to 9mm? If so would you need the 9mm mag, extractor, recoil spring and other bits? Or is a new slide required?

 

[brutus51]

I'm wondering why you would want to?

 

[JTQ]

If it is a traditional 1911, with the ramp on the frame, you'd need to adjust the frame ramp for 9mm. Hey, anything is possible. I don't know you or your skills, but I couldn't do it, and I wouldn't want to spend the money to have it done. I'd just buy a 9mm 1911, it would be less expensive.

 

[Slamfire]

I have a Kimber 1911 in 9mm.



This pistol cannot be converted to a 45 ACP as the frame is cut for a long 9mm feed ramp. And, I don't think it is possible to convert a 45 ACP to 9mm without a lot of milling and a change to the breech face.

 

[JTQ]

...and other bits?

Barrel, ejector, slide

 

[herrwalther]

I have looked into converting as well. After plenty of research the determination is it is cheaper to buy/build another 1911 than to setup a 45 to 9mm conversion. Some conversions work easily like 45ACP to 400 Corbon. Or 45 to 10mm. 45 to 9mm is not one of them.

 

[AlexanderA]

I've done it the other way -- converting an RIA from 9mm to .45 ACP. The frame is nearly identical. In my case, I only had to do a tiny bit of grinding/polishing on the feed ramp. (In the opposite conversion, you wouldn't even have to do that.)

The barrel, magazine, and the whole slide would have to be replaced. Also the ejector, which is pinned to the frame.

This was possible because I had all the required parts in my spares box. Otherwise, it wouldn't be economical.

 

[Kevin Keith]

You would need a new slide because breechface is different. The only things you might not have to change: mainspring housing, grip safety, hammer...probably cheaper to just buy a new 1911 9mm. If you want a double duty gun check out the .22 conversion kits.

 

[CNobbe]

Just buy a 9mm 1911...there's tons of them out there now.

 

[Walkalong]

Just buy a 9mm 1911...there's tons of them out there now.

Yep, not really practical to convert a .45 1911 to 9MM. 9MM 1911s are quite fun though, so I'd say add one to the collection.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm wondering why you would want to?

Because they are cheaper to shoot, with less recoil, and are a lot of fun.

 

[Rodfac]

I've had two .45 Commanders over the years that I fitted out in 9mm & .38 Super. I used Colt Series 70 slides and barrels, and both functioned and shot well.

I did replace the .45 recoil springs and fitted them out with 9mm ejectors. BTW, .38 Super mags will feed both .38's and 9mm's but not the reverse.

I've since found that a single slide would have worked just as well...9mm or 38 Super. From a practical standpoint, if you're doing both calibers (9 & 38), adjustable sights would be a help. In my case, out to 15 yds, there's no POI difference between them with 124 gr ammunition. The only thing that's not standard is that in my case I sometimes don't get slide lock back after the last shot. The guns were a Colt Combat Commander Series 70 & a Ruger CMD, both in .45 ACP.

Here's the Ruger with the Colt .38 Super slide/bbl. mounted up. Regards, Rod

 

[UncleEd]

I'm wondering why you would want to?

Because the 9mm Luger is oh so totally superior to the .45ACP.

 

[HPJeep]

Thanks for the input guys. I already have 3 1911s but wanted an aluminum framed 9mm commander with the bobbed)rounded heel. However, all new ones are in 45 or they're semicustom and too expensive. May have to get the Ruger 9mm commander with standard style heel and have a Smith bob it for me. Any idea of average cost to do that?

 

[JTQ]

Thanks for the input guys. I already have 3 1911s but wanted an aluminum framed 9mm commander with the bobbed)rounded heel. However, all new ones are in 45 or they're semicustom and too expensive.

I don't know what your price cutoff is, but here is S&W's 1911, available with a "bob'd" grip, lightweight frame, and in 9mm.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/1911-1

 

[bannockburn]

Rodfac

I have always converted my Colt .38 Supers to 9mm. All that's needed is a 9mm. barrel assembly and 9mm. magazines. Everything else works just fine with either cartridge and both shoot pretty much to POA with the fixed sights.

 

[bannockburn]

HP Jeep

I remember a number of years ago I read an article in Guns and Ammo magazine where the author made a "5 in 1" Colt 1911. He started with a Colt Government in .38 Super, then added a 9mm. barrel, a .38/45 barrel, along with a .22LR conversion kit. For the fifth cartridge he found that the slide of a Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP would work on the .38 Super frame.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Best way to convert a 1911 .45 to baby 9mm.. is to buy a 1911 Baby 9mm

 

[JTQ]

HP Jeep

I remember a number of years ago I read an article in Guns and Ammo magazine where the author made a "5 in 1" Colt 1911.

I can't recall exactly what he used, but it gets a lot easier if you use a ramped barrel, which brings the proper angle with it for each caliber.