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I could be wrong but I think the frames are the same and the ejectors can be removed and replaced with a different caliber ejector.

Just a heads up, mechanical aptitude and patience are a must when building or modifying a 1911. Most parts will definitely require fitting. It is all a great part of the hobby though.
 
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.40 S&W 1911's I'm told are less finicky when the cartridge is loaded 'long'. People would buy 10mm magazines and reload with a longer OAL. The government (FS) frame pistol I had shot fine with factory loads.
 
-You need at least a 9mm/38 super slide. as the breechface of a 45 would not work.
-9mm/38 super ejectors and extractors would work
-If you were to use a ramped barrel any frame would work, as the feedramp would be replaced on the frame. If not, a 9mm/38super frame is recommended as the angle of the feedramp is different on a 45 (some people will say it works, but how reliable?)

Why not get a SAM Omega 6 in 40sw? and upgrade it? there are a few for sale on the EE.

as for feeding issues, if you get quality mags you should have no problem, but a longer bullet will definitely help.
 
Ejector has to be changed but that is not a difficult job. There are 40 calibre specific magazines (mine are Mec-Gar) but I found that most 45 cal mags will also feed 40 S&W cartridges reliably. I bought a 40 S&W SAM 1911 when Wolverine was selling them crazy cheap a couple of years ago. It works fine but I don't use it that much. I also have several 45 1911s including a Gold Cup and a Kimber Stainless Target II which are both very accurate but to be honest my favourite 1911 is my Kimber Stainless Target II in 9mm. It's very accurate and utterly reliable, at least with the 9mm round nose handloads I use. In a full season of PPC Service I had one FTF.
 
You'd be far better off to buy a .40 and customize it to suit.

You can also start with a 9mm and remove a bit of material from the breach face as a starting point. (I did that with my 9mm 1911 and have 2 fitted barrels. I can switch between 9 and 40 by swapping out barrels, recoil springs, extractors, and bushings.)

But there can be challenges getting .40 to feed in a 1911... Why do you want one?
 
I built a .40 cal 1911(or had it built by Clarence at Bumblebee Machine Tool), using a norinco 45 cal frame, with an STI .40 cal slide(bought from freedom ventures).

I use Tripp Research .40 Mags and they work very well except they typically do not lock the slide back on the final round.
 
hatman1793 said:
Build a 1911A1 in 45acp. The recoil impulse for 40 S&W is pretty close to 45acp, so 40 has only one advantage: more rounds.
My advice, skip the build and buy the superior CZ Shadow2. It is the total 9mm competition pistol right out of the box.
Click to expand...

Except a shadow 2 is not single action. So no it's not superior.
 
.40 fan here ...g22 was my go-to pistol in .40... and I'm now runnng 2 1911 in .40 as well....they like this caliber...
 
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