Long Slide .45 ACP questions

Rainbow Demon · February 10, 2013, 04:06 PM

Does anyone here have experiance with the long slide .45 ACP on 1911 style frames?

If so are the long slide models reliable?
What increase in velocity if any could be expected?

Which manufacturers should I look at first?

Any long slides built on the aftermarket frames that accomodate 14 round double row magazines?

**Aguila Blanca** · February 10, 2013, 04:56 PM

Para USA no longer sells their "gunsmith" frame kits, but they do sell a complete 6" longslide pistol on the P14.45 double stack frame:

http://www.americanrifleman.org/arti...imited-review/

Slopemeno · February 10, 2013, 09:13 PM

I helped my Dad finish one he had been working on. It ended up around 6.5" barrel length.

The difference in velocity is very minor. The only real plus is the extra distance between the sights. They handle great, but cycle slower than a 5" gun.

RickB · February 11, 2013, 03:12 AM

I shot a longslide .45 in USPSA competion for about ten years. I don't know how many rounds, but tens of thousands. I never had any functional issues that had anything to do with barrel length. A new barrel caused some problems, but once the fit was corrected, it went back to running like a top.
The extra weight out front would reduce muzzle flip a bit, and I could reduce my 5" load a tenth of a grain for the same velocity. Maybe 20fps difference with a 200gr bullet and the same load.
I don't know if Springfield still sells their longslide, but it's never been easy to find. I think they even made a Tropy Match longslide at one time, and that would be a good one to have, if you can find one.
STI might make a 6" high-cap, but you'd have to check their catalog for the model.

Rainbow Demon · February 12, 2013, 01:23 AM

Thanks for the replies, good information.
I'd been thinking along the lines of a seven inch barrel, but I've only found six inch versions listed.
I'd been interested in the concept after seeing a prototype pistol carbine version of the 1911 presented as an alternative to the M1 Carbine.
That pistol had a long slide but also had several inches of barrel extending past the muzzle. It had a high capacity single row magazine and a plank stock similar to that of the artillery luger that afixed to an altered main spring housing.

Sometime after that I saw an old TV program where Robert Culp carried a matched pair of long slide Colts. His were the earlier 1902 .38 autos. Not sure if a factory ordered set or customized pistols. The 1902 could be ordered with a six inch barrel, that may have been the standard.
I've seen a 1902 at a gunshow, I may keep an eye out for one in shooter grade condition.

PS
Revolver like balance and long sight radius are the features I like about the long slide pistols.

OJ · February 12, 2013, 12:51 PM

Finding one might be a problem but, I couldn't resist this AMT years ago when that company was best known for poor QC - I lucked out - under $400 - nearly as reliable as my Colts - if you can believe that -

chuckscap · May 25, 2013, 11:40 PM

My Springfield Long Slide and absolutely awesome pistol.

kcub · May 26, 2013, 07:24 PM

I just bought a Clark longslide 45 and it shoots wonderfully accurate and reliable. highly recommend.

February 10, 2013, 04:06 PM	#1
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	Long Slide .45 ACP questions Does anyone here have experiance with the long slide .45 ACP on 1911 style frames? If so are the long slide models reliable? What increase in velocity if any could be expected? Which manufacturers should I look at first? Any long slides built on the aftermarket frames that accomodate 14 round double row magazines?

February 10, 2013, 04:56 PM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,051	Para USA no longer sells their "gunsmith" frame kits, but they do sell a complete 6" longslide pistol on the P14.45 double stack frame: http://www.americanrifleman.org/arti...imited-review/

February 10, 2013, 09:13 PM	#3
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	I helped my Dad finish one he had been working on. It ended up around 6.5" barrel length. The difference in velocity is very minor. The only real plus is the extra distance between the sights. They handle great, but cycle slower than a 5" gun.

February 11, 2013, 03:12 AM	#4
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,559	I shot a longslide .45 in USPSA competion for about ten years. I don't know how many rounds, but tens of thousands. I never had any functional issues that had anything to do with barrel length. A new barrel caused some problems, but once the fit was corrected, it went back to running like a top. The extra weight out front would reduce muzzle flip a bit, and I could reduce my 5" load a tenth of a grain for the same velocity. Maybe 20fps difference with a 200gr bullet and the same load. I don't know if Springfield still sells their longslide, but it's never been easy to find. I think they even made a Tropy Match longslide at one time, and that would be a good one to have, if you can find one. STI might make a 6" high-cap, but you'd have to check their catalog for the model.

February 12, 2013, 01:23 AM	#5
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	Thanks for the replies, good information. I'd been thinking along the lines of a seven inch barrel, but I've only found six inch versions listed. I'd been interested in the concept after seeing a prototype pistol carbine version of the 1911 presented as an alternative to the M1 Carbine. That pistol had a long slide but also had several inches of barrel extending past the muzzle. It had a high capacity single row magazine and a plank stock similar to that of the artillery luger that afixed to an altered main spring housing. Sometime after that I saw an old TV program where Robert Culp carried a matched pair of long slide Colts. His were the earlier 1902 .38 autos. Not sure if a factory ordered set or customized pistols. The 1902 could be ordered with a six inch barrel, that may have been the standard. I've seen a 1902 at a gunshow, I may keep an eye out for one in shooter grade condition. PS Revolver like balance and long sight radius are the features I like about the long slide pistols.

February 12, 2013, 12:51 PM	#6
OJ Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 1998 Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, USA Posts: 1,570	Finding one might be a problem but, I couldn't resist this AMT years ago when that company was best known for poor QC - I lucked out - under $400 - nearly as reliable as my Colts - if you can believe that -

May 25, 2013, 11:40 PM	#7
chuckscap Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2007 Posts: 250	My Springfield Long Slide and absolutely awesome pistol.

May 26, 2013, 07:24 PM	#8
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,335	I just bought a Clark longslide 45 and it shoots wonderfully accurate and reliable. highly recommend.