Converting a 1911?

[Lupinus]

This springs off from something in another thread that got me thinking and so as not to turn it off topic decided to make a post for it specifically.

How would you go about converting a standard 1911 in 45 acp into 10MM?

New springs? Mags? Barrel? Chamber? Just what new parts are going to be needed in order to swap out 45ACP for 10MM? As an aside I know next to nothing about 10MM other then it is stronger then 45ACP. Size and such in relation to 45 I don't really know just what can be used for both and what needs changing.

Also does anyone know of a kit that is made for such a conversion? I've looked on brownells and midway and the only kits they seem to have are for .22LR conversions and no 10MM ones (though they did have some for the mags but I'm guessing more needs to be done then just mag change/modification)

 

[AndyC]

Kill the heretic! Burnnnnn...

Er... *cough*

Don't butcher the .45 - just buy a 10mm 1911 to keep it company - best of both worlds, don't ya know...

 

[Lupinus]

suuuure I coould do that

but then I couldn't give the die hard guys in the gun shop a heart attack when talking about it

Basically I want my first handgun (well, first bought anyway) to be a 1911 but since I'm also wanting to get out for some small game hunting next year I want a side arm that can take care of things that get interested in me that a .22 is likly to jsut tick them off more. And while the .45acp could probably handle most things if a black bear happens to decide I look tasty I'm thinking a 10mm would be a bit better to have then a 45acp. Just a thought....course if I can save enough between now and the time I turn 21 in october it could just give me an excuse to buy more then one handgun for my birthday present to myself

 

[Whirlwind06]

Checkout this thread. Might give you an idea on what it would take.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=10611&highlight=10mm

 

[yam476]

Para P16-40 to 10mm

What about the Para P16-40; Would this be a feasible conversion to the mighty 10mm? I understand I only need another barrel chamber in 10mm. Am I understand correctly?

 

[Daniel T]

I don't know why you'd bother "converting" a .45 1911 into a 10mm. It'd be much, much easier to start with a .40 1911 and then only have to change out the barrel, recoil springs, and magazines.

Which is what I did.

Started with a Colt Mark IV Series 80 in .40 and got a Colt 10mm barrel, a Wolf 22lb. recoil spring, a standard-sized guide rod, and some new mags from Mec-gar and I was good to go. Long term durability is unknown, but I don't shoot it enough to worry about it.

...

yam476, you would probably need new recoil springs (the .40 usually uses a 19lb. spring, and 10mm requires 22-23lb springs) and magazines too.

 

[Mad Bodhi]

.45 Super seems like it would be simpler.http://www.realguns.com/archives/020.htm

 

[Lennyjoe]

Check out this thread on 10MMtalk.com for more info.

http://www.10mmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=4515

 

[Seraph]

After you buy a 1911 in .40, and buy a 10mm barrel, and have the barrel fitted, you will have spent enough to buy a Colt Delta Elite and a few mags.

 

[yam476]

Thanks

Thank you very much Lennyjoe

 

[SouthpawShootr]

What about the Para P16-40; Would this be a feasible conversion to the mighty 10mm? I understand I only need another barrel chamber in 10mm. Am I understand correctly?

Over at www.1911forum.com, there's a smith who does this conversion regularly. His preferred method it to ream out the chamber on the original .40 barrel. However, several have done a do it yourself for this conversion and have reported that it went well. That 'smith (for some reason, I can't remember his name) is pretty forthcoming with info. Basically, if you barrel swap, you'll need a new recoil spring and barrel. To make it last you have to make sure the timing is correct for the new barrel, so the action doesn't unlock too soon (bad for durability) or too late (bad for reliability). A local shop has a P16-40 in the case and I'm getting the itch to give this conversion a try.

 

[Lupinus]

I'm thinking I might just save up a bit more and get the 1911 I want and something else for a woods gun, either a wheel gun in 357 or something in 10mm that was made that way to begin with.

 

[Lennyjoe]

and something else for a woods gun, either a wheel gun in 357 or something in 10mm that was made that way to begin with.

That's exactly why I purchased a G20.

 

[Lupinus]

I....dislike glocks....now and XD in 10mm and we might be talking