Question on 1911 caliber conversion
- Thread starter Shadow167
- Start date
There have been slight differences in the cut of the feed ramp on some frames, but the simple answer to your question is yes, any 1911 frame can accept any caliber upper.
The mags are specific to each caliber. While it's possible to load 9mm into a .38 super mag, and .40S&W into a 10mm mag, the shorter OAL in the longer mag can cause feeding issues.
The major issue with simply swapping top ends, outside of fitting the slide to the frame, is the ejector. On one multi caliber Norinco, I had the .45 slide milled to accept the .38 supe ejector, and had two slides and three barrels. I believe Gunnar thins the .45 ejector for the same effect with no slide milling.
The mags are specific to each caliber. While it's possible to load 9mm into a .38 super mag, and .40S&W into a 10mm mag, the shorter OAL in the longer mag can cause feeding issues.
The major issue with simply swapping top ends, outside of fitting the slide to the frame, is the ejector. On one multi caliber Norinco, I had the .45 slide milled to accept the .38 supe ejector, and had two slides and three barrels. I believe Gunnar thins the .45 ejector for the same effect with no slide milling.
Gunner is the guy to talk to about this (7x61 on the board). I am hopefully going to start this project soon enough (have to have three frames prepped first) but this goal is in sight. I started a few other threads on this very topic awhile back, not sure if they got lost in the changeover... ?
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Anyone know if any mods are required (other than a second barrel and possibly some lighter recoil springs) to go from 10mm to 40 S&W? I know Colt once supplied a .40 barrel with Delta Elites, but I haven't got a second barrel for mine... I'm just keeping my options open in terms of ammo availability.
Grizz Axxemann said:
For the most part, it should be a straight barrel swap. However, there are a few compromises.
Many 10mm use an old fashioned unsupported barrel, vs the newer and slightly better ramped barrels. As 40 tends to run a bit hotter (in chamber pressure), a ramped barrel is a good idea. Running an unsupported barrel is OK, but your brass life will suffer, and if you reload you'll have to be a bit more conservative.
As the 10mm is a longer case, most guns have the ejector length set for the longer case. It will still likely work fine with the 40, but there is still a compromise compared to an ejector adjusted for the shorter case.
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Well, I don't reload yet, but I do collect my brass for if/when I get a reloader, or cross paths with someone who's willing to do the work for me, in exchange for some form of compensation for their wasted time.
