Diffences between 45acp & 40s&w 1911s?

[JACKSMYDOG]

I'm new to 1911 style guns. I own Norc sport in .45ACP which works very well, not one problem in the first 400 or so factory rounds (American Eagle). Well one problem actually, I scratched the frame when putting the cross pin back in D'oh!. I know, I know 'rookie mistake'. I watched Hickock45 field strip a few times, and still managed to scratch it. Oh well, but I guess that's part of why I bought a $350 Norc before a $1500 COLT.

I also have a Kimber conversion kit for 1911s. After the 'break-in' period and some finishing work on the slide, it works beautifully. The first 500 rounds, not so much. Constantly out of battery, on my Norc and my friends Kimber.

I am now interested in a 40cal 1911, and I am curious if they are designed around the 1911 'mil specs'. More specifically are they just a different magazine/slide/barrel like the difference between a Glock 17 & 22? Or are the differences more substantial? Would my Kimber 1911 kit work on a 40cal 1911?

 

[BCRider]

It should work. But you may need to do the same tweaks that you did to get the Kimber kit to work with the Norc.

The only differences in a .40S&W 1911 SHOULD be the mags slide and barrel like you say. But those things are enough different from a simple blowback .22 top end kit that it's worth buying the new gun IMO. The need to fit the barrel to the slide and front bushing and the need to fit the link to the frame all points to a new gun rather than a new top end. But then it sounds to me like you want a whole other gun instead of a third top end only.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Absolutely looking at a complete gun in 40s&w, not just to use with the Kimber kit. Maybe a 9mm 1911 too, I am an addict

 

[Ganderite]

The 1911 in 9mm is quite a different gun to shoot,compared to the 45. It is heavier with a milder load,so the recoil experience is reduced.

For CQB I now shoot a Norc 1911 9mm with a mild load. It is like shooting an air pistol. Very good for rapid fire.