Why A Longslide 1911?

[mmattockx]

Just passing time at work and I thought I would ask this. A number of years ago AMT and others made longslide 1911's (someone probably still does). What was the point and supposed advantages of the longer slide? I can see a better sight radius and less muzzle flip, is there any other reason? Did they function 100% like a standard 1911 or did the long slide cause issues?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[t-star]

as far as i know that's it- the 45 is designed to fully burn it's powder load in 5 inches of barrel- think it was superceded by the compensator

 

[colinjw]

Back in the 50's, Jim Clark was a champion Bullseye shooter and had an interest in gunsmithing. He came up with a 1911 that reliable shot .38 Specials for target shooting and next built longslide 1911's . He bought for a very small amount hundreds of surplus slides , cut them & welded in a new section to make a longslide. As you pointed out the longer sight radius is a big feature.
He went on to found Clark's custom guns that is now run by his son.

Now IMO it is more of a custom feature than anything. I rather like them but they are not cheap.

 

[scuitto]

I like them too, so I decided I'd take a shot at building my own. Here it is:

 

[NAA]

Longslides....

I recently had one that had been built up back in the day off an original 1914 mfg Colt commercial government model [yes, what a shame....]. Shot well & was accurate enough but just not my cup of tea, so to speak. Sold it on the EE.

NAA.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I recently had one that had been built up back in the day off an original 1914 mfg Colt commercial government model [yes, what a shame....]. Shot well & was accurate enough but just not my cup of tea, so to speak. Sold it on the EE.

NAA.

Nice!! A number of years back there was a Bullseye shooter of note, possibly close by to where you are, that shot a Clark long slide. Quinto Mar. I believe he was a cabnet maker and as a sideline he used to pistol boxes. Quinton changed over to the Walther GSP but a shooting buddy of his in Naniamo, who collected variations of the Colt 1911 was also a fan of the long slide for competition and he shot very well with it..

 

[colinjw]

To Scuitto :

That is one of the nicest Norinco's I have seen. Very nice job.

 

[scuitto]

To Scuitto :

That is one of the nicest Norinco's I have seen. Very nice job.

Thanks, I enjoyed building it.

 

[Canuck44]

I thought Springfield still makes them. Leatham won one of the major events with one not that long ago.

Take Care

Bob

 

[ian_in_vic]

STI still makes a longslide bullseye/PPC pistol. I believe it's available in 9 or 45

 

[NAA]

To Scuitto :

That is one of the nicest Norinco's I have seen. Very nice job.

The slide is not Norc, no?

NAA.

 

[Brutus]

I once had an AMT Longslide and once you got over the cool look, it would mysteriously toss the odd shot. Other times it would appear to be a great tight-grouping paperpuncher at the range.
Then reliability became somewhat iffy. A Colt 1911 it was not. Would stovepipe sometimes with reloads and factory ammunition, with several different magazines??
The last straw: Started 'eating' barrel bushings, so I got rid of it.
Internet rumours abounded, that the company in California had some QA issues with the slide.
(out of spec front ends, it was said)
And those who had the 5 inch barrelled AMTs, had no such problems, so they said.

 

[Nine]

I shot a guys long slide 1911 at the range once. I was SHOCKED at the long range accuracy. I was shooting 2L bottles at 100M. That's OK with me.

 

[SCDL]

The AMT "Hardballer" was so named because it only fed hot FMJ rounds reliably, or so I was told.

It also makes an appearance in the first terminator movie.

 

[scuitto]

The slide is not Norc, no?

NAA.

all parts are fusion arms, just the frame is a norc.

 

[NAA]

all parts are fusion arms, just the frame is a norc.

Looks like you did an exceptional job on your longslide build.

NAA.

 

[lister]

I once had an AMT Longslide and once you got over the cool look, it would mysteriously toss the odd shot. Other times it would appear to be a great tight-grouping paperpuncher at the range.
Then reliability became somewhat iffy. A Colt 1911 it was not. Would stovepipe sometimes with reloads and factory ammunition, with several different magazines??
The last straw: Started 'eating' barrel bushings, so I got rid of it.
Internet rumours abounded, that the company in California had some QA issues with the slide.
(out of spec front ends, it was said)
And those who had the 5 inch barrelled AMTs, had no such problems, so they said.

I ran across an AMT Hardballer in Thunder Bay a few years ago for 600$, really good shape, but had no money. After reading the above I'm kind of glad now! Wanted it bad at the time though.

 

[Brutus]

I ran across an AMT Hardballer in Thunder Bay a few years ago for 600$, really good shape, but had no money. After reading the above I'm kind of glad now! Wanted it bad at the time though.

Yeah I had the same sickness too Lister, then reality set in.

I notice that there are a few companies (Springfield for one) that make 6 inch longslides, but as far as I know, no-one makes a full production 7 inch longslide, on the 1911 frame.

I wonder if that is a coincedence?

 

[Camp Cook]

Only reason I would ever go for a 1911 long slide is if it was chambered in 10mm.

 

[BC Mike]

I like them too, so I decided I'd take a shot at building my own. Here it is:

I haven't seen an extended length slide release like that before. Would it fit a 5" 1911 or did you have to do any special fitting? Would be good for quick change but I wonder if it interferes with the safety at all in the heat of the moment?

Mike