1911 in 9mm and compatibility

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Light Infantry

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Question on the 1911:

If i buy a 1911 (a Norinco) in 9 mm, can I simply swap out the top ends (and mags of course) and go back and forth betwen 9 mm and 45? Other than some possible final fitting and adjustments? I also assume that swapping parts between Norcs and say Springfields or Colts shouldn't be a problem either.


What if a want to swap just the barrels? Is that possible, or are there other things that need to be taken into consideration?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

LI
 
The Wizard said:
I only have experience with a Colt Mk IV Series 70 9 mm. The ejector on this pistol is different than that on a pistol set up for .45ACP. I also think the slide stop may be slightly different.
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So are those swappable items?
 
The ejector must be changed when changing from 45 to 9mm top ends.
Sprinfield Armory at one time sold the conversion kit to do this, complete slide, ejector and magazine. I don't believe that the slide stop is changed but functionality may not be complete depending upon the followers in the 9mm mags. The 9mm ejector may need fitting to your frame due to variations in hole depths and exact location of it's retaining pin. Once all fitted up it's a quick switch back and forth, take top end off, push ejector retaining pin out, pull out ejector and then do the reverse order with alternative top end components.
 
however, the COMMANDER version in 45 has the ejector in the right place and so does the 38 super- if memory serves- that's why the 3/4/5 guns in one use the commander frames- 9mm, 38 super and 45 all on one frame- for that matter, once you get the 9mm thing done, you can do the 40/357 sig thing too- the 4th version was a thing called a 38/45 clerke and the fifth is of course the 22 lr - all done by swapping slides, barrels, and mags- however, the article doesn't mention swapping the various mainsprings for the varying recoil levels, so i'm a little suspect there
 
Light Infantry said:
Question on the 1911:

If i buy a 1911 (a Norinco) in 9 mm, can I simply swap out the top ends (and mags of course) and go back and forth betwen 9 mm and 45? Other than some possible final fitting and adjustments? I also assume that swapping parts between Norcs and say Springfields or Colts shouldn't be a problem either.


What if a want to swap just the barrels? Is that possible, or are there other things that need to be taken into consideration?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

LI
Click to expand...

You can't just swap barrels, the breech face is different between the two calibers. If it was .40 and 9mm you might get away with it with some feeding/extracting issues with the 9mm side of the pair. The frame will be fine to go back and forth between 9 and 45 if you swap uppers (slides and barrels) but you need to change the ejector mounted in the frame as well, and this probably isn't a great idea to do on a regular basis as the holes will inevitably loosen up and get sloppy.
 
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