Want to turn my 1911 commander into a 5" govt.

Soundtrackzz · March 16, 2009, 11:27 PM

Hey guys. I am about to get a new very nice 1911 commander for a trade i am doing. I already have a fairly nice commander and i dont really want 2. I am considering putting a new upper assembly on my commander and turning it into a goverment. do you think this will pose any problems? other than slide length what are the main differences between a commander and a goverment?

Thanks

Scorch · March 17, 2009, 12:35 AM

If it is a Colt Combat Commander, the front of the frame is shorter than a Government Model. Don't know about other makes.

HiBC · March 17, 2009, 05:35 AM

I have forgotten all the reasons,but I know it is not as simple as it might seem to bob a full 1911 into a commander.There are other differences.I think they will still be trouble going in reverse.
Really,the most practical ,economical way to go is trade.A nice Colt Commander won't have any trouble finding a trade for a 5" 1911 .Both are desirable,and the 5" is more common.

garryc · March 17, 2009, 10:27 AM

The dust cover/ forward extension on the front of the frame is too short. To extend it would require cutting one off another like frame and tig welding it to the comander frame. Doable but expensive. Then it would have to be refinished. If the frame is aluminum you will always be able to see the joint, no way around that. Better to just get a full size and save the hassle.

I did make a long slide once, 7" barrel, that was a nice gun. Got paid $700 bucks in 1983 dollars for that.

dahermit · March 17, 2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

...If the frame is aluminum...

Colt Commander = Aluminum alloy frame, steel slide.
Colt Combat Commander = All steel.

garryc · March 17, 2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Colt Commander = Aluminum alloy frame, steel slide.
Colt Combat Commander = All steel.

I am very aware of that. Many people call them commanders simply because of the slide length.

RickB · March 17, 2009, 11:56 PM

The seat for the guide rod is 1/10" closer to the slide stop pin in a Commander frame than in a Government Model. A GM barrel will strike the guide rod head as it rises into battery, in a Commander frame. And, I suspect the recoil spring will stack tight and damage the bushing and/or spring plug. The best way to convert a Commander into a GM is to sell the former and buy the latter.

dahermit · March 18, 2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

The best way to convert a Commander into a GM is to sell the former and buy the latter.

Agreed. There is no good reason to resort to gun butchery of this sort.

Soundtrackzz · March 19, 2009, 11:14 AM

ok then that is what i will do

March 16, 2009, 11:27 PM	#1
Soundtrackzz Member Join Date: August 28, 2008 Posts: 26	Want to turn my 1911 commander into a 5" govt. Hey guys. I am about to get a new very nice 1911 commander for a trade i am doing. I already have a fairly nice commander and i dont really want 2. I am considering putting a new upper assembly on my commander and turning it into a goverment. do you think this will pose any problems? other than slide length what are the main differences between a commander and a goverment? Thanks

March 17, 2009, 12:35 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,113	If it is a Colt Combat Commander, the front of the frame is shorter than a Government Model. Don't know about other makes. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services Taylor Machine

March 17, 2009, 05:35 AM	#3
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 3,057	I have forgotten all the reasons,but I know it is not as simple as it might seem to bob a full 1911 into a commander.There are other differences.I think they will still be trouble going in reverse. Really,the most practical ,economical way to go is trade.A nice Colt Commander won't have any trouble finding a trade for a 5" 1911 .Both are desirable,and the 5" is more common.

March 17, 2009, 10:27 AM	#4
garryc Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2005 Posts: 2,279	The dust cover/ forward extension on the front of the frame is too short. To extend it would require cutting one off another like frame and tig welding it to the comander frame. Doable but expensive. Then it would have to be refinished. If the frame is aluminum you will always be able to see the joint, no way around that. Better to just get a full size and save the hassle. I did make a long slide once, 7" barrel, that was a nice gun. Got paid $700 bucks in 1983 dollars for that.

March 17, 2009, 11:56 PM	#7
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 4,840	The seat for the guide rod is 1/10" closer to the slide stop pin in a Commander frame than in a Government Model. A GM barrel will strike the guide rod head as it rises into battery, in a Commander frame. And, I suspect the recoil spring will stack tight and damage the bushing and/or spring plug. The best way to convert a Commander into a GM is to sell the former and buy the latter.

March 19, 2009, 11:14 AM	#9
Soundtrackzz Member Join Date: August 28, 2008 Posts: 26	ok then that is what i will do