is a 1911 comm. frame the same as a gov. frame?

J S Machine · April 14, 2009, 07:34 AM

I want to know if I can interchange parts.I know that the officer's size is different all together, but it seems that the commander and the government size guns frames are the same. As far as I can tell the frame is the same but the barrel, guide rod, recoil spring, and slide are different. Am I correct?

freakshow10mm · April 14, 2009, 07:35 AM

Yes but the recoil area where the recoil rod sits is cut back a little in the commander frame. Everything else is the same.

Hunter Customs · April 14, 2009, 07:59 AM

The frame rail length, seat for the recoil shield of the spring guide and the length of the dust cover are different.
The barrel, barrel bushing, spring guide & plug, slide, and recoil spring are different.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Scorch · April 14, 2009, 12:16 PM

The Commander (Colt trademarked name) frame is different from the Government Model (Colt trademarked name also). The dust cover (front of the frame) is shorter, and the rails are shorter. This is done so the flutes at the front of the slide could be made longer for eye appeal and still have the same visual lines as the Government Model. The slide and barrel are different also (2 locking lugs vs 3 on the Government). That's Colts. Other makers have made shorter 1911s by just cutting down the 1911 slide. It makes the slide flutes look chopped off and the frame look too long.

April 14, 2009, 07:34 AM	#1
J S Machine Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Location: Central AL Posts: 33	is a 1911 comm. frame the same as a gov. frame? I want to know if I can interchange parts.I know that the officer's size is different all together, but it seems that the commander and the government size guns frames are the same. As far as I can tell the frame is the same but the barrel, guide rod, recoil spring, and slide are different. Am I correct?

April 14, 2009, 12:16 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	The Commander (Colt trademarked name) frame is different from the Government Model (Colt trademarked name also). The dust cover (front of the frame) is shorter, and the rails are shorter. This is done so the flutes at the front of the slide could be made longer for eye appeal and still have the same visual lines as the Government Model. The slide and barrel are different also (2 locking lugs vs 3 on the Government). That's Colts. Other makers have made shorter 1911s by just cutting down the 1911 slide. It makes the slide flutes look chopped off and the frame look too long. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 14, 2009, 07:35 AM	#2
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	Yes but the recoil area where the recoil rod sits is cut back a little in the commander frame. Everything else is the same.

April 14, 2009, 07:59 AM	#3
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	The frame rail length, seat for the recoil shield of the spring guide and the length of the dust cover are different. The barrel, barrel bushing, spring guide & plug, slide, and recoil spring are different. Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com