Can I put a 5" govt barrel on a 4.2" commander frame ?
- Thread starter Semi12
- Start date
Yes you can. RIA even sold Commanders with a 5" barrel (treatened for silencer,flash suppressor,whatever) from factory. The only thing is,like with most barrels,there might be fitting required to engage the slide.If the barrel fits loose enough to fall in place, expect 3" grouping at best.
CG
CG
The original barrel design for the 1911 was a two piece job with the barrel tube attached to the separate chamber/lugs end. Almost everybody these days (even Norc) use a one piece design so there is typically less extraneous material in front of the lug area. While there is a chance that there could be some metal that would not interfere with gov't frame and yet make contact in commander format, it is in a non critical contact area that can be remedied with basic home tools. There will be of course other tolerances in critical contact areas that one should expect possible fine tuning. For example, I've got a norc 9mm barrel that has a hood that is slightly wider than the corresponding slot in a fusion slide. Generally a drop-in barrel will have minimum contact dimensions and sufficient upward caming to satisfactorily engage the lugs with a stock link (0.278 inches pin to pin): however, this can be tweeked by getting undersized or oversized link as the case may be. Given that the bits slide together, a longer link might work better. If one were to peen the rails, then perhaps a shorter one.
R
R
When I first saw the post, my reaction was that it cannot be done in that the locking lugs are different. So I thought.
I have a 9mm 5" 1911 and also a commander in .38 Super. I just took them apart and tried the 5" 9mm barrel in
the commander slide. It fits & seems to fit well. The locking lugs go into place and the barrel hood is
where it should be. I then put the commander slide with the 5" 9mm barrel on the frame and it also works and
cycles fine. If anything I think it is a slightly better fit. I was concerned about there being enough clearance
for the barrel to break properly on the way back. That also is not an issue.
I realize that this is only a simple test and that each pistol and barrel may be slightly different
but I am inclined to give it a try. Next time I go to the range I will put the 5" 9mm barrel and a 9mm
ejector in and try some live fire.
Interesting.
I have a 9mm 5" 1911 and also a commander in .38 Super. I just took them apart and tried the 5" 9mm barrel in
the commander slide. It fits & seems to fit well. The locking lugs go into place and the barrel hood is
where it should be. I then put the commander slide with the 5" 9mm barrel on the frame and it also works and
cycles fine. If anything I think it is a slightly better fit. I was concerned about there being enough clearance
for the barrel to break properly on the way back. That also is not an issue.
I realize that this is only a simple test and that each pistol and barrel may be slightly different
but I am inclined to give it a try. Next time I go to the range I will put the 5" 9mm barrel and a 9mm
ejector in and try some live fire.
Interesting.
Why would you want to give your 1911 commander a woody? Ever seen a Glock 26 with a restricted barrel? No thanks.
I have my reasons.. New life on an old man let's say
