For those of you well versed in 1911 gunsmithery can you explain to me why a 1911 conversion

kit/upper to 9mm or other calibers is not possible with a simple slide swap like for 22lr?

 

I see the 9mm barrels as well as other calibers. Slide and dimensions seem to be the same. Mags

seem to be the same dimensions.

 

So what is the major proponent that stops this from happening?

 

If I could convert my Kimber to 9mm it would just about be the Be All End All handgun for me.

the ejector would be one, 9mm m,38 super are the same..

The ejector would be too far from the case rim, the feed ramp might need to be different, etc.

You can, just pop out the ejector and put in the proper one. Put on the new upper

 

.22 conversions have their ejector built in.

 

SV makes a replacable breechface so you can use the same slide

You can, just pop out the ejector and put in the proper one. Put on the new upper

 

.22 conversions have their ejector built in.

 

SV makes a replacable breechface so you can use the same slide

 

Keep talkin' 2Alpha. Up until this point I've only been told it's a pipe dream.

Though replacing an ejector is not exactly a simple swap.

Also because some calibers use ramped barrels and some dont do it would be impossible, also I know for a fact Ed brown uses 9mm firing pins.

I just buy multiples of each caliber. Solves the problem and makes shooting a different caliber much easier

Keep talkin' 2Alpha. Up until this point I've only been told it's a pipe dream.

Though replacing an ejector is not exactly a simple swap.

 

Replacing an ejector takes 30 sec. take off the slide, drive out the pin, pull out the old ejector, push in the new ejector, put the pin in.

 

The barrel ramp issue is easily solve by having all the barrels with the same ramp.

 

You are not going to swap firing pin between the slides, so 9mm/45 pins makes no difference. even if you did, you can use a 9mm pin in a 45, I believe caspian slides are on drilled for 9 even with a 45 breech

 

 

The issues isn't that it can't be done, the issue is cost. By the time you have two slides / barrels fitted to a frame, 2 set of sights all the little parts, you are up around the cost of 2 guns.

 

My buddy just picked up a 2011 with a 9mm and 40 top end, very sweet set up. 40 for L10, 9mm for steel

Yeah I figure cost to do all that is a bit much. Would be a fun project though. I don't know much beyond a general field strip though so it's definitely above my pay grade as they say.

 

Looks like I gotta be another multiple 1911 guy. Anyways I heard it's an unwritten rule that you're not allowed to own just one, haha.

there are 7.62x25 conversion out there for 9mm 1911's

Its probably a supply vs demand thing. Little demand = no supply. Most would go to the 22lr because its the cheapest to shoot. If they where happy with a 9mm they would purchase that calibre form the get go.

Just my uneducated guess

Ken

Yeah I figure cost to do all that is a bit much. Would be a fun project though. I don't know much beyond a general field strip though so it's definitely above my pay grade as they say.

 

Looks like I gotta be another multiple 1911 guy. Anyways I heard it's an unwritten rule that you're not allowed to own just one, haha.

 

You are allowed to own as many as you want. Its just after the first one you want more.

I went with a Delta Elite (10mm), then got a 40s&w barrel (drop-in but needed a smith to get link right and needed right mag to feed properly), finally got 22lr slide conversion. So now have 1911 that shoots 10mm, 40sw, and 22lr. Pricey but cheaper than 3 guns and did not have to waste purchase permits.