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1911 .45acp convert into .38 super?
- Thread starter wil19
- Start date
- Messages
- 138
Im an not a gunsmith nor a pro so correct me if im wrong and take this with a grain of salt. do your own research and due diligence
technically you can, but its more work then just a barrel and slide swap. your better off just getting a 38 full size and just get the commander slide and barrel.
9mm <-> .38 super (slide, barrel, and mags, some cases ejector)
40sw <-> 10mm (slide, barrel, and mags, some cases ejector)
45acp --> to anything else you need everything (slide,firing pin and firing pin stop, slide stop, recoil spring, mags, barrel, ejector, extractor...) you get the point.
i have done a .38super to 9mm RIA conversion, just slide and barrel. needed a little work and works great.
technically you can, but its more work then just a barrel and slide swap. your better off just getting a 38 full size and just get the commander slide and barrel.
9mm <-> .38 super (slide, barrel, and mags, some cases ejector)
40sw <-> 10mm (slide, barrel, and mags, some cases ejector)
45acp --> to anything else you need everything (slide,firing pin and firing pin stop, slide stop, recoil spring, mags, barrel, ejector, extractor...) you get the point.
i have done a .38super to 9mm RIA conversion, just slide and barrel. needed a little work and works great.
- Messages
- 548
no
To change from 45 ACP to 38 super you need a new caliber specific barrel, slide & ejector. All of those should be fit by a gunsmith.
To change from 45 ACP to 38 super you need a new caliber specific barrel, slide & ejector. All of those should be fit by a gunsmith.
BiteMe2016
Member
- Messages
- 26
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- 2
One of the main problems is the most 45acp barrels are non ramped. This means the frame is also not cut for a ramped barrel. A ramped barrel will not physically fit in a frame not cut for it. Most 9mm barrels are ramped. I'm sure you could find a non ramped 9mm barrel, but it will be alot more work than just a barrel and mag swap.
As mentioned above, easiest route is start with a RIA chambered in 38 super. Then convert that to 9mm with barrel and mags. If you want to go from GI length to Commander length then you would also need a slide swap, which may or may not require fitting to frame.
Or just find a 1911 in the length and caliber you want and get it
As mentioned above, easiest route is start with a RIA chambered in 38 super. Then convert that to 9mm with barrel and mags. If you want to go from GI length to Commander length then you would also need a slide swap, which may or may not require fitting to frame.
Or just find a 1911 in the length and caliber you want and get it
- Messages
- 1,262
1911 platforms stabilize the barrel at the rear lugs and with a bushing, collet or flanged barrel at the muzzle. You would need a new barrel fitted to the lugs and large enough to fill the muzzle slide opening. But then, the breech face and ejector aren’t sized properly. So, that’s not gonna happen.
You would need a complete “upper” of slide, barrel, extractor, firing pin, bushing/collet, etc. The frame (bottom half) would need a fitted ejector and .38 Super magazines. Add sights to the new slide.
Everything would need to be fitted, and to convert the frame back to .45, you’d have to swap extractors.
You would need a complete “upper” of slide, barrel, extractor, firing pin, bushing/collet, etc. The frame (bottom half) would need a fitted ejector and .38 Super magazines. Add sights to the new slide.
Everything would need to be fitted, and to convert the frame back to .45, you’d have to swap extractors.
NASAcollector
Member
- Messages
- 50
Call RIA, talk to their factory techs and ask them. I guarantee you they've played with everything and made their own stuff. If anyone can do the conversion for the lowest cost and maintain reliability.
Walmart_AR15
Active member
- Messages
- 84
The frame is the same except for the ejector. Ramp barrel will only fit frames with the specific ramp cut (there are two types).
To go from 45 ACP to any smaller caliber will require the entire slide assembly swapped plus the ejector on the frame. Then of course the correct magazine. The new slide, barrel will need to be fitted to the frame. If you buy a 38 super (or 9mm) full size to convert, it will already have the correct ejector. Also depends on which company slide you buy, it may only fit bull barrel (not cut for bushing). You can use a 9mm commander slide for 38 super.
It is typically cheaper to buy the exact gun you want other than try to custom build one. However, in CA due to the roster, your only option is to custom build one using a rostered gun. Unless you know how to properly fit a 1911, it is a simple task for the 1911 gun smith (not just any gun smith) to build it for you. It is pretty straight forward to fit a new slide assembly.
For me, I would shop for a 38 super full size. Then shop for a compatible stripped commander 9mm slide (from the same company), magazine, spring and op rod. Move/fit all the full size slide parts to the new 9mm slide. Test function the new gun with the longer original barrel. Once everything function correctly, just chop off the excess barrel in front of the gun. Save having a gunsmith to build it for you.
To go from 45 ACP to any smaller caliber will require the entire slide assembly swapped plus the ejector on the frame. Then of course the correct magazine. The new slide, barrel will need to be fitted to the frame. If you buy a 38 super (or 9mm) full size to convert, it will already have the correct ejector. Also depends on which company slide you buy, it may only fit bull barrel (not cut for bushing). You can use a 9mm commander slide for 38 super.
It is typically cheaper to buy the exact gun you want other than try to custom build one. However, in CA due to the roster, your only option is to custom build one using a rostered gun. Unless you know how to properly fit a 1911, it is a simple task for the 1911 gun smith (not just any gun smith) to build it for you. It is pretty straight forward to fit a new slide assembly.
For me, I would shop for a 38 super full size. Then shop for a compatible stripped commander 9mm slide (from the same company), magazine, spring and op rod. Move/fit all the full size slide parts to the new 9mm slide. Test function the new gun with the longer original barrel. Once everything function correctly, just chop off the excess barrel in front of the gun. Save having a gunsmith to build it for you.
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- 1,145
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It can be done, but will likely cost more than purchasing an off-roster 38 super as you will need a complete new top and as well as cutting the frame for a ramped barrel.
If you go the route of customizing a 45 into a 38 super and have a good 1911 gunsmith do all the fitting, you will end up with a better shooting gun than if you bought a factory 38 super.