Help! Commander slide on Officer's frame

[dh515]

My latest project has hit a huge snag. Using a Springfield stainless ultra compact frame, I'm trying to put together a 10mm using a Commander length slide. I have all the parts, however the STI slide I have leaves a 1/2" gap between the frame and end of the frame. Is there a way to resolve this and still use the Springfield frame? Does anybody make a Commander length slide with an extended dust cover? Thanks in advance..

Dave

 

[1911Tuner]

re: Help!

Howdy dh, and welcome to The High Road. You asked:

Is there a way to resolve this and still use the Springfield frame? Does anybody make a Commander length slide with an extended dust cover? Thanks in advance.

'Fraid not. The dust cover needs to be longer, not the plug tunnel. If the
slide was extended, it would hit the guide rod head before there was enough slide travel. You'll need a frame with an Officer's Model/Ultra Compact grip length and a Commander length dust cover.

Somebody may know of such a beast on the aftermarket, but you may wind up going with a Caspian frame with a custom dust cover. Essex
makes such a frame, but it's an investment casting, and as far as I know,
in .45 caliber only. One frame might work with a 10mm top-end...the next
one might not.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[dh515]

Thanks for the quick reply. I was afraid of that. Guess I should have done my homework a little better before I bought this Springfield! I've seen the Essex frame in Brownells and although I have a .45 with one of their frames and slide, I've had bad luck with their parts in other calibers and don't feel good about rolling the dice again. Would it be feasible to cut down a full size or Commander length frame to compact dimensions?

 

[1911Tuner]

Cut!

The question:

Would it be feasible to cut down a full size or Commander length frame to compact dimensions?

Possible, but expensive. That's a question for the custom smiths. Try
Ted Yost (Yost-Bonitz Custom Guns) or Chuck Rogers (RogersPrecision)
Those two are always up for a challenge. You might be better off to
contact Caspian Arms and ask if they'll cut a custom frame for your project.
If there's any way that it can be done, they aims ta please. All it takes is
bucks.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[Lane Mullins]

Caspian makes that exact frame. I have done several in that configuration. Another option is to buy a Colt CCW or other 1911 already in that configuration, but that would take the fun out of it.

 

[1911Tuner]

Caspian

Aha!

Call Caspian and get this project on the bench! Many thanks, Lane...and
welcome to The High Road.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[dh515]

Thanks Gentlemen,

I'll give them a call.

Dave

 

[Dave Sample]

Chuck Rogers is the best bet for this type of 1911. Most smith really like this backward approach to a 1911 carry gun that is short in the grip and long on the slide. www.rogersprecision.com I like the officers slide on a commander lower end, myself, because it makes more sense to me. It is also a piece of cake to get existing parts for assembly.

 

[Big Daddy]

A standard Officer frame can accept a Commander slide without a gap and withut modification. A Colt spec Commander frame can also accept an Officer slide. The Springfields must not be to Colt Spec.

Call Caspian, a frame is only $155 and you'll still have the Springfield frame for another project. You'll end up having to do a little more work but you will also get a better fit gun if you know how to do the work well.