9mm conversion

Bad Lieutenant

Bad Lieutenant

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There's all kinds of kits out there to convert 1911s from .45ACP to .22LR. (new slide, mag etc.) Does anyone know of a kit that will convert a 1911 from .45ACP to 9mm?

I tried hunting around a little, but everywhere guys are talking about permanent conversions, and usually get recommendations to just a new 9mm.

Thanks
 
The 1911A1 single stack frame is the same for .45 and for 9mm.
What will be different is the ejector and the mags.
If you have a frame set up for .45ACP then the ejector has to be changed to a 9mm one.
Then a 9mm top end goes on just as per normal. Use 9mm mags are you have a 9mm 1911A1.
 
Distributors are usually not interested in selling partial guns, or even sometimes parts like barrels or slides, as they consider and tell you that it would "kill" the business (I asked Norinco and SAM distributors).
An established juicy market and shortage of centerfire ammo made a big difference for the 22 kits. Maybe with the .40 and .357 to 9 conversion trend for polymer someone will make the jump (In the U.S. I would look at e-sarcoinc or just ask a store).

The Springfield company from the 80's used to bag their factory second parts as conversions. I had one, which worked fine on .45 frames with the .45 ejector; the poorly cut barrel took a beating though... The other way around would be a problem as 9 and .40 frames usually have a narrow feeding ramp.
Slide stops are reportedly different, mines didn't cause any trouble I remember.
A friend of mine went a different way and ordered all necessary parts from Colt, who used to have parts list and pricing, like Auto-Ordnance and I think Springfield.
 
Plenty of kits for .45 to .22

SIG has the X-change for .40/.357/9mm on their 22X's.

Apparently EAA and Tanfoglio have kits.

One wold think there would be a kit out there for 1911's, (with say a whole upper, slide, barrel, spring, etc., and a mag) that one could simply add to their .45 1911 to convert it to 9mm. (and back again)

No tooling, machining or gunsmithing. Just a simple add on kit, (like the .22 kits.)
 
Never heard of kits.
Start collecting the necessary parts.
As far as parts availability goes, it is easier to change a 9mm 1911 into a .45 - parts are easier to find.
 
colinjw said:
The 1911A1 single stack frame is the same for .45 and for 9mm.
What will be different is the ejector and the mags.
If you have a frame set up for .45ACP then the ejector has to be changed to a 9mm one.
Then a 9mm top end goes on just as per normal. Use 9mm mags are you have a 9mm 1911A1.
Click to expand...

Feed ramp on non supported barrels are cut at different angles, only way thit will work if you use a supported ramped barrel. Thst would require cutting the frame.
 
Exactly right, and the slide stop will need to be changed out usually.
colinjw said:
The 1911A1 single stack frame is the same for .45 and for 9mm.
What will be different is the ejector and the mags.
If you have a frame set up for .45ACP then the ejector has to be changed to a 9mm one.
Then a 9mm top end goes on just as per normal. Use 9mm mags are you have a 9mm 1911A1.
Click to expand...
 
I'm surprised there isn't an x-change type kit out there, like the .22 kits, which are so plentiful, for with 1911 that might want to shoot some 9mm, without buying (and registering) a new gun.

Anyway, thanks for replies so far guys...
 
no exchange kit out there cause every 1911 frame is different. 22lr don't matter because the feed ramp is on the barrel. I for one know that the SIG 1911 frame has a pretty aggressive feed ramp on the frame that it will chamber an empty case.
 
If a person has already a 1911 9mm top-end.
All a .38 Super conversion requires is a .38 Super barrel and suitable recoil spring.
I use .38 Super magazines for both .38 Super and 9mm.
I have many 1911 pistols. I fail to detect any appreciable difference between 9mm and.45 1911 frames, as far as feed ramps are concerned.
I have converted 9mm to .45, as well as the other way around.
All fit and function correctly.

2 cents Eh!

maxman1 said:
Given the availability of 9mm 1911s, I'd be more interested in .38 Super conversion kits.
Click to expand...
 
Halger280HVMag said:
If a person has already a 1911 9mm top-end.
All a .38 Super conversion requires is a .38 Super barrel and suitable recoil spring.
I use .38 Super magazines for both .38 Super and 9mm.
I have many 1911 pistols. I fail to detect any appreciable difference between 9mm and.45 1911 frames, as far as feed ramps are concerned.
I have converted 9mm to .45, as well as the other way around.
All fit and function correctly.

2 cents Eh!
Click to expand...




On the left 9mm/38 super on right is 45acp
Even the 10mm is different
 
Halger280HVMag said:
If a person has already a 1911 9mm top-end.
All a .38 Super conversion requires is a .38 Super barrel and suitable recoil spring.
I use .38 Super magazines for both .38 Super and 9mm.
I have many 1911 pistols. I fail to detect any appreciable difference between 9mm and.45 1911 frames, as far as feed ramps are concerned.
I have converted 9mm to .45, as well as the other way around.
All fit and function correctly.

2 cents Eh!
Click to expand...


Last year I took a .45ACP 1911a1 ( Norinco ) and took the top end off. I also took off
the .45 ejector and replaced it with a .38 Super ejector.
Step 1 . I put on a .38 Super top end and used .38 Super mags. Took it to the range
and it fed, fired and extracted .38 supers with no problems at all.
Step 2. I put on a 9mm top end , leaving the .38 Super ejector and also the .38 Super mags.
Took it to the range and it fed, fired and extracted 9mms without any problems.

Any difference in the feed ramp did NOT affect performance in any of the 3 calibers.
 
Please note that I wrote "appreciable differences".
In all cases for me. the conversion worked fine regardless of minor differences.
YMMV.

I noticed that the frame on the left appears to be of a rougher finish than the frame on the right,
Also, the portion of trigger bow visible appears to be bit lop-sided.
I suspect that they function just the same.


madcow said:


On the left 9mm/38 super on right is 45acp
Even the 10mm is different
Click to expand...
 
That is also my experience.
colinjw said:
Last year I took a .45ACP 1911a1 ( Norinco ) and took the top end off. I also took off
the .45 ejector and replaced it with a .38 Super ejector.
Step 1 . I put on a .38 Super top end and used .38 Super mags. Took it to the range
and it fed, fired and extracted .38 supers with no problems at all.
Step 2. I put on a 9mm top end , leaving the .38 Super ejector and also the .38 Super mags.
Took it to the range and it fed, fired and extracted 9mms without any problems.

Any difference in the feed ramp did NOT affect performance in any of the 3 calibers.
Click to expand...
 
Please note that I wrote "appreciable differences".
In all cases for me. the conversion worked fine regardless of minor differences.
YMMV.

I noticed that the frame on the left appears to be of a rougher finish than the frame on the right,
Also, the portion of trigger bow visible appears to be bit lop-sided.
As well the dust cover is noticeably thinner on the left frame.
I suspect that they function just the same.


madcow said:


On the left 9mm/38 super on right is 45acp
Even the 10mm is different
Click to expand...
 
Angle of trigger bow is just from the picture. the frame thickness is due to one on the right being a railed frame

Bridges of the frames are a notable difference in thickness

Both are colt stainless frames :)
 
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