1911 Commander frame Vs Government frame

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Youzawhale

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Hi all.

I am researching this online and am getting mixed information.

What are the main differences between a 1911 commander frame and a 1911 government frame, if any?

Some sources state they are identical and all parts interchangeable.
Other sources/videos/pictures show differences, for example a different length dust cover, different length recoil shoulder, or different length rails.

Who's right? The questions stems from me trying to understand how easy or difficult it would be to convert a government model to a commander.

Any and all info is greatly appreciated. Appologies if this has been covered already.
Thanks.

Youza.
 
thump_rrr said:
Commander and Government models are both built on a full sized frame.
Officer model is a shorter frame
Click to expand...

Yeah, but can you swap the slide and upper bits from one to another? Like swapping AR uppers?

Interesting question OP. Seems obvious but I’ve not heard it done. 1911s are finicky and even name brand parts can require fitting to function well. So my guess is a theoretical yes but expect to work at it first?
 
You can swap slides, but you need the whole top end. The barrels are 3/4" shorter. Different bushing, spring, etc. Only the firing pin, spring, and stop are the same.
 
So in theory they are supposed to be the same frame...however if i for example compare the ruger1911 commander to their ruger1911 government, the commander clearly and undeniably has a shorter dust cover. So if I was to take that ruger commander slide and install it on the ruger government frame, the dust cover would visually protrude further out in relation to the slide.

This is just one example, i can find countless pictures of commander 1911s that have a shorter dust cover. In fact i have yet to find one that doesnt.

So what gives? Should i simply conclude that they are the exact same frame, but that manufacturers cut the dust cover shorter for when its destined to be a commander frame? And that I would need to do the same if I converted a gov model to a commander model?

Youza.
 
I have 2 Commanders, one in 10mm and another in 45acp. They have 4inch barrels. The barrels and slides are shorter than a full Government 5inch slide and barrel. 1 inch is a huge difference - yes they are 12-6s.

You need the whole top end to go on either frame: Goverment and Commander. Officer is a completely smaller frame.
 
Commander on top, Gov't on the bottom
Slide and barrel: different
Frame: same? looks very similar, but if you measure it on your screen the dust cover appears approx 1/4" shorter on the commander.

su3upy4a.jpg
 
Tom E Gun said:
Commander on top, Gov't on the bottom
Slide and barrel: different
Frame: same? looks very similar, but if you measure it on your screen the dust cover appears approx 1/4" shorter on the commander.

su3upy4a.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for that pic. I had indeed compared rhe frame length in photoshop, and youre right.

Are these yours? Are you able to check the length difference of the rails for each, and check if there is a difference between the recoil shoulders?

Thanks again

Youza.
 
Sorry, I don't own both, I just found the picture on line. I only have the SR1911 Gov't model. I'm pretty sure you can use either frame on either slide from a functional point of view. However the dust cover will either be too short (leaving a gap) or too long.
 
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