Converting 1911 to 45 ACP from either 40 or 9mm, possible in Canada?

Fox

Fox

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
48   0   0
Location
Kemptville
I read that you have to replace the slide assembly, with a barrel, etc, to convert a 1911 from 45 ACP to 9mm or the other way.

Is this even possible in Canada? I have a 9mm on the way, I actually asked the CFO if I was allowed to take the slide and just leave the frame as this is with a friend who really did not care to have it in the house anymore. They told me that most of the time slides are part of the registered component on a pistol, to me it would be the frame, so now I am confused, ha ha.

If I could get a slide and swap it would allow some variation on that one frame, a steel Norinco frame.
 
Not an expert but pretty sure its not possible with 1911's to caliber swap between longer cartridge's (45, .38 super) to shorter(9x19, 40S&W). I believe the frames are different lengths.

As for re-registering as different caliber or frame only. I don't know if thats even possible anymore. As it requires a new certificate to be issued and I do not know if thats something the CFO will be doing as part of the current regulation surrounding C-21.
 
AntiKhaos said:
Not an expert but pretty sure its not possible with 1911's to caliber swap between longer cartridge's (45, .38 super) to shorter(9x19, 40S&W). I believe the frames are different lengths.

As for re-registering as different caliber or frame only. I don't know if thats even possible anymore. As it requires a new certificate to be issued and I do not know if thats something the CFO will be doing as part of the current regulation surrounding C-21.
Click to expand...

I know you can convert with certain parts replaced, but that part about the caliber being on the registration and if the slide is actually the part registered would matter.

There are handguns in multiple cartridges, like the 22LR/22WMR, so that would be fine on the registration but can you actually take that one handgun now and change it?
 
A .45 slide assembly can be installed on the frame from a 9mm Norinco (NP29). Change the ejector as well.
I assume that a .40 slide assembly could be installed as well, assuming the ejector is appropriate.

You asked the CFO? The Chief Firearms Officer for Ontario? The Chief Forearms Office in Orillia? Someone at the CFP call center at 1 800 731 4000 in Miramichi?
Slides are part of the registered component on a pistol?
 
tiriaq said:
A .45 slide assembly can be installed on the frame from a 9mm Norinco (NP29). Change the ejector as well.
I assume that a .40 slide assembly could be installed as well, assuming the ejector is appropriate.

You asked the CFO? The Chief Firearms Officer for Ontario? The Chief Forearms Office in Orillia? Someone at the CFP call center at 1 800 731 4000 in Miramichi?
Slides are part of the registered component on a pistol?
Click to expand...

Well that is exactly it, there was someone in the office who talked to me, what they knew I do not know. They said that some slides are serial numbered therefore they are registered, I did not have a 1911 so I did not know. We had to do an emailed in transfer request, so I will probably not be able to pickup the gun until February.

So essentially it would be the entire slide assembly and magazine? If there is no issue with calibre change?

I know I am just getting information from guys on a shooting forum but at least there is someone to answer and not just a bounced back email or recorded message saying the voice mail is full.
 
AntiKhaos said:
Not an expert but pretty sure its not possible with 1911's to caliber swap between longer cartridge's (45, .38 super) to shorter(9x19, 40S&W). I believe the frames are different lengths.

As for re-registering as different caliber or frame only. I don't know if thats even possible anymore. As it requires a new certificate to be issued and I do not know if thats something the CFO will be doing as part of the current regulation surrounding C-21.
Click to expand...

Nothing to do with the frame. They are all the same.
The slide - breach face, barrel, bushing, ejector, extractor, recoil spring, mags of course are different.
The only practical way is to replace the slide assembly and ejector.

Whatever, the 1911 platform is not a switch caliber. Fitting of barrel lug, link, and slide to frame might be needed when installing components or a slide assembly. Installing same manufacturer parts might help in this regard.
 
Last edited:
AntiKhaos said:
Not an expert but pretty sure its not possible with 1911's to caliber swap between longer cartridge's (45, .38 super) to shorter(9x19, 40S&W). I believe the frames are different lengths.

As for re-registering as different caliber or frame only. I don't know if thats even possible anymore. As it requires a new certificate to be issued and I do not know if thats something the CFO will be doing as part of the current regulation surrounding C-21.
Click to expand...

It may be that issue of a new registration certificate is no longer possible. The handgun freeze on transfers is accomplished by non-issue of registration certificates.

Conversion of a 1911 frame from one caliber to another requires no alteration to the frame. It is essentially a drop-in kit. It is readily reversible. 1911s are routinely set up for calibers from .22LR through .45.

As far as 1911 type frames are concerned, the same frame is used for all calibers. Cartridge length is addressed by use of an appropriate magazine. 1911/9mm magazines have an insert along the back to adapt for the shorter 9mm round.
 
tiriaq said:
It may be that issue of a new registration certificate is no longer possible. The handgun freeze on transfers is accomplished by non-issue of registration certificates.

Conversion of a 1911 frame from one caliber to another requires no alteration to the frame. It is essentially a drop-in kit. It is readily reversible. 1911s are routinely set up for calibers from .22LR through .45.

As far as 1911 type frames are concerned, the same frame is used for all calibers. Cartridge length is addressed by use of an appropriate magazine. 1911/9mm magazines have an insert along the back to adapt for the shorter 9mm round.
Click to expand...

Ya, feed lips and such on the mags depending. I have some 9mm 1911 mags that work fine in 40 S&W and I know people who use 45 ACP mags in 40, so converting from the 40 may be easier.

The big thing is going to be that registration certificate thing, I will have to do some digging.

Yes, I have some 45 ACP dies already, with a 1911 in the cabinet I had to figure out options.
 
I do not know if reporting a caliber change with an amendment to the registration is possible or practical now. Don't know if now is the time to ask. I suspect that the system will be somewhat chaotic for a while.
I do know that conversion kits for a variety of pistols have been available for years. Don't own one myself, but I have seen .22 conversion kits used on Glocks. I very much doubt if these kits were added to the registrations - or deleted from the registrations if sold.
 
tiriaq said:
I do not know if reporting a caliber change with an amendment to the registration is possible or practical now. Don't know if now is the time to ask. I suspect that the system will be somewhat chaotic for a while.
I do know that conversion kits for a variety of pistols have been available for years. Don't own one myself, but I have seen .22 conversion kits used on Glocks. I very much doubt if these kits were added to the registrations - or deleted from the registrations if sold.
Click to expand...

Oh I would not be calling in now, ha ha, probably wait until Feb when the 9mm finally gets approved, at least that is the estimate from the guy maintaining the CGN table.
 
In the meantime, you could source the parts you are going to need. Given that it may not be possible to acquire a new handgun, having caliber options might not be a bad thing.

One of the recent auctions had a number of the custom 1911s from the estate of the late Roger Kotanko. These were all .40S&W. I am assuming that he had set them up in that caliber, so .40S&W would be an option.
 
Fox said:
Bingo, ha ha

Looks like a 45 slide assembly as the springs are part of that, then maybe a different ejector.

Ideally I would want to convert back and forth.
Click to expand...

The top end swap is just field stripping. The ejector is pinned in place, but no big deal to change. I cannot tell you if a 9mm ejector will function with a .45 slide.
 
tiriaq said:
The top end swap is just field stripping. The ejector is pinned in place, but no big deal to change. I cannot tell you if a 9mm ejector will function with a .45 slide.
Click to expand...

Ya, it may, it may not, that is really a simple change out though if it does not.
 
it is possible, the barrel is easy but you need to machine the slide to accommodate the larger diameter brass by the extractor, reworked a 9mm to 45acp several years ago
 
laurencen said:
it is possible, the barrel is easy but you need to machine the slide to accommodate the larger diameter brass by the extractor, reworked a 9mm to 45acp several years ago
Click to expand...

The idea would be not to alter anything existing and be able to go back to 9mm if and when I want to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom