40 Caliber Commander

The Happy kaboomer · December 22, 2023, 11:53 PM

Anybody anywhere make a 40 cal 1911 Commander......Leave out Novak/Wilson and those other high $$$$ custom makers..........Thanks.

rc · December 23, 2023, 12:47 AM

You could look for a 10mm and buy a 40 barrel but to find a commander in 10mm is going to be difficult. You might be able to convert a 38 super commander that would be much easier to find. Breech face and extractor should be very close but either way you would have to fit a barrel.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_...mm+4.25+chrome

https://www.ebay.com/itm/29583323052...Bk9SR6Der9OSYw

**Aguila Blanca** · December 23, 2023, 01:50 AM

I don't think you can convert a .38 Super to .40. 1911s use three different breech face cuts, one for .45 ACP, one for .40 and 10mm, and one for 9mm and .38 Super.

**44 AMP** · December 23, 2023, 02:38 AM

From what I hear (and in my local area) .40s are a drag on the market.

The blush is off the rose, and ".40 fever" has chilled. According to my local shop, they sell five .45s and ten 9mms for every .40 that goes out the door.

Good luck with your search, if you do find one, you might get it cheap, unless, of course the seller thinks it's a collector's item.

Odd what kind of ideas some folks have...

rc · December 23, 2023, 12:47 PM

Is there any reason you would not consider an older LE trade in Smith and Wesson 4006 in 40 caliber? You can probably get one for $400 or less and then bead blast it and change out the grips to get it looking like new. Would probably run a lot more reliable than a 40 from a 1911.

TRX · December 23, 2023, 02:38 PM

RIA brings some in every now and then.

Do you particularly want a new gun? You should be able to pick up used .40s at a discount now that the cartridge is less popular.

> Super to .40

Some manufacturers used the same breechface for .38/9mm and .40. Later Para Ordnance slides were that way. You had to have the extractor and slide release to match the caliber.

rc · December 23, 2023, 11:49 PM

Case head diameter for 9mm is .394, 38 super .406 and 10mm/40 is .425. So the breech face of a 38super is at most about 2 hundredths smaller than 40 Smith and Wesson and a 9mm is about 1 hundredth smaller than 38 super.

rc · December 24, 2023, 01:05 AM

One other thought about this. The Browning Hi Power in 40 caliber is a very good 40 if you can find one used.

Sarge · December 24, 2023, 10:01 PM

I'd hunt around for a used Para Ordnance.

RickB · December 25, 2023, 09:49 AM

Quote:

I don't think you can convert a .38 Super to .40. 1911s use three different breech face cuts, one for .45 ACP, one for .40 and 10mm, and one for 9mm and .38 Super.

Most manufacturers use(d) the same breechface for Super and .40.
I've thought it a bridge too far to use a .40 breechface for 9mm, but don't know that it hasn't been done.
I don't know that it was ever a regularly cataloged model, but Colt must have made .40 Commanders, as the Double Eagle Commander was available in .40.

**Shane Tuttle** · December 25, 2023, 04:24 PM

.40SW or 10mm?

rc · December 25, 2023, 07:04 PM

Rick, you can make switch barrel 1911s with 38 super, 9mm luger, 9x23 Winchester, 9x23 largo and 22 TCM with barrel and magazine swaps and at most an extractor adjustment. If you are certain makers use 38 super slides to also make 40/10mm guns then 9mm slides will also work. There is no way to fit a 9mm barrel in a 45 slide and make a working gun. 40 super and I think 9x25 Dillon are necked down 45s to use the same slide.

rc · December 25, 2023, 08:07 PM

this Dan Wesson in 38 super would make a slick 40 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1026354228

**Aguila Blanca** · December 26, 2023, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRX

Some manufacturers used the same breechface for .38/9mm and .40. Later Para Ordnance slides were that way. You had to have the extractor and slide release to match the caliber.

Thanks for refreshing my memory.

Caspian uses (or used to, I haven't checked recently) three different breechface cuts. However, now that you mention it I remember that a friend once told me that Para-Ordnance used the same breechface cut for 9mm, .38 Super, and .40 S&W. He has a P18.9, so I asked him to verify by seeing if he could fit a .40 S&W case into his slide, and he said he was able to do so.

Based on that, when Sarco was selling off ParaUSA frames, slides, and barrels I bought an Officers-size frame, 3-1/2" 9mm barrel, and an Officers-size .40 slide and I built a 9mm Officers-size pistol. I've only put a couple of hundred rounds through it but it has been reliable in testing so far.

So I think the ability to do a barrel swap depends on who made the slide. I can't fit a .40 S&W case into my Colt 9mm Combat Commander slide.

rc · December 26, 2023, 12:06 PM

While this one didn't run right, the Kimber Pro Carry might be a commander sized option for 40 cal in the 1911. My 38 super Pro Carry HD with steel frame is a nice gun that runs much more reliably than this guys jamomatic in 40. I think he needed a chamber polish and not just a feed ramp polish to get it running right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8BwIP5JkRY

Ruger45LC · December 28, 2023, 12:54 PM

I can't think of one, you'd probably have to try and find a 10mm and they get a .40 barrel for it. I just bought a .40 Dan Wesson SSC, it's a full size tho.

Lurch37 · December 28, 2023, 09:19 PM

I ran across a Tisas Yukon today at the LGS. It is a 10mm Commander Size Bobtail 1911. You could maybe fit a 40 SW commander barrel.

https://tisasusa.com/tisas-1911-yukon-carry-c10/

rc · December 28, 2023, 09:37 PM

Oh, that would work! Now to figure out if it's a ramped barrel gun and if it's a Nowlan/Wilson (square ramp tip) or Para (round ramp tip) cut frame???

rock185 · December 28, 2023, 10:39 PM

THK, FWIW, I have owned Kimbers in 9mm, 10mm and 38 Super. All used the same .40/10MM breech face. I haven't looked into breech face dimensions from other manufacturers..

Lurch37 · December 29, 2023, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Oh, that would work! Now to figure out if it's a ramped barrel gun and if it's a Nowlan/Wilson (square ramp tip) or Para (round ramp tip) cut frame???

I dug around a little more on that link and under additional info found this:

Frame: Forged Carbon Steel, Full-Size w/ Ed Brown Bobtail 25LPI Checkering
Slide: Forged Carbon Steel, Commander Length
Caliber: 10MM Auto
Barrel: 4.25" Forged & Machined Barrel w/ Button Rifling, Clark/Para Ramp
Internals: Colt® 70 Series
Sights: U-Notch Rear, Fiber Optic Front
Grips: Black/Grey G10 Sunburst Texture
Finish: Black Slide/Grey Frame Cerakote
Weight: 2lb 4oz

rc · December 30, 2023, 01:28 AM

That's surprising. Kimber and Sig use Wilson/Nowlan cut. The good news is there are a lot of spare Remington/Para parts on ebay including barrels.

gnappi · January 13, 2024, 02:19 PM

RIA made the "TAC II" Springfiels nade the EMP4 in .40.

Unfortunately "Bambi Secret Agent" got the nod for 9mm and the rest of the world went that way too so Commanders in 40 are rare. :-)

The Happy kaboomer · January 17, 2024, 10:35 PM

Guys. I've on a S&W 4006 since 1989. And a Sig 229 in 40 for almost as long......Just really wanted a Commander 1911 in 40. look like the only way is to build one.

rc · January 18, 2024, 01:19 AM

Well if a used Hi Power won't scratch that itch you have to figure out if you want a traditional 1911 build with 4.25 inch standard contour barrel in one of the available flavors or you can buy a Kimber or Springfield 4 inch gun and get a bull barrel to convert a 38 super or 9mm to 40 cal.

December 22, 2023, 11:53 PM	#1
The Happy kaboomer Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 230	40 Caliber Commander Anybody anywhere make a 40 cal 1911 Commander......Leave out Novak/Wilson and those other high $$$$ custom makers..........Thanks.

December 23, 2023, 01:50 AM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,479	I don't think you can convert a .38 Super to .40. 1911s use three different breech face cuts, one for .45 ACP, one for .40 and 10mm, and one for 9mm and .38 Super. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

December 23, 2023, 02:38 AM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,871	From what I hear (and in my local area) .40s are a drag on the market. The blush is off the rose, and ".40 fever" has chilled. According to my local shop, they sell five .45s and ten 9mms for every .40 that goes out the door. Good luck with your search, if you do find one, you might get it cheap, unless, of course the seller thinks it's a collector's item. Odd what kind of ideas some folks have... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 24, 2023, 10:01 PM	#9
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	I'd hunt around for a used Para Ordnance. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

December 25, 2023, 04:24 PM	#11
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	.40SW or 10mm? __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

December 23, 2023, 12:47 AM	#2
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	You could look for a 10mm and buy a 40 barrel but to find a commander in 10mm is going to be difficult. You might be able to convert a 38 super commander that would be much easier to find. Breech face and extractor should be very close but either way you would have to fit a barrel. https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_...mm+4.25+chrome https://www.ebay.com/itm/29583323052...Bk9SR6Der9OSYw

December 23, 2023, 12:47 PM	#5
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	Is there any reason you would not consider an older LE trade in Smith and Wesson 4006 in 40 caliber? You can probably get one for $400 or less and then bead blast it and change out the grips to get it looking like new. Would probably run a lot more reliable than a 40 from a 1911.

December 23, 2023, 02:38 PM	#6
TRX Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2008 Location: central Arkansas Posts: 400	RIA brings some in every now and then. Do you particularly want a new gun? You should be able to pick up used .40s at a discount now that the cartridge is less popular. > Super to .40 Some manufacturers used the same breechface for .38/9mm and .40. Later Para Ordnance slides were that way. You had to have the extractor and slide release to match the caliber.

December 23, 2023, 11:49 PM	#7
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	Case head diameter for 9mm is .394, 38 super .406 and 10mm/40 is .425. So the breech face of a 38super is at most about 2 hundredths smaller than 40 Smith and Wesson and a 9mm is about 1 hundredth smaller than 38 super.

December 24, 2023, 01:05 AM	#8
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	One other thought about this. The Browning Hi Power in 40 caliber is a very good 40 if you can find one used.

December 25, 2023, 07:04 PM	#12
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	Rick, you can make switch barrel 1911s with 38 super, 9mm luger, 9x23 Winchester, 9x23 largo and 22 TCM with barrel and magazine swaps and at most an extractor adjustment. If you are certain makers use 38 super slides to also make 40/10mm guns then 9mm slides will also work. There is no way to fit a 9mm barrel in a 45 slide and make a working gun. 40 super and I think 9x25 Dillon are necked down 45s to use the same slide.

December 25, 2023, 08:07 PM	#13
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	this Dan Wesson in 38 super would make a slick 40 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1026354228

December 26, 2023, 12:06 PM	#15
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	Kimber Pro Carry Option?? While this one didn't run right, the Kimber Pro Carry might be a commander sized option for 40 cal in the 1911. My 38 super Pro Carry HD with steel frame is a nice gun that runs much more reliably than this guys jamomatic in 40. I think he needed a chamber polish and not just a feed ramp polish to get it running right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8BwIP5JkRY

December 28, 2023, 12:54 PM	#16
Ruger45LC Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 768	I can't think of one, you'd probably have to try and find a 10mm and they get a .40 barrel for it. I just bought a .40 Dan Wesson SSC, it's a full size tho.

December 28, 2023, 09:19 PM	#17
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	I ran across a Tisas Yukon today at the LGS. It is a 10mm Commander Size Bobtail 1911. You could maybe fit a 40 SW commander barrel. https://tisasusa.com/tisas-1911-yukon-carry-c10/ __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

December 28, 2023, 09:37 PM	#18
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	Oh, that would work! Now to figure out if it's a ramped barrel gun and if it's a Nowlan/Wilson (square ramp tip) or Para (round ramp tip) cut frame???

December 28, 2023, 10:39 PM	#19
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	THK, FWIW, I have owned Kimbers in 9mm, 10mm and 38 Super. All used the same .40/10MM breech face. I haven't looked into breech face dimensions from other manufacturers.. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

December 30, 2023, 01:28 AM	#21
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	That's surprising. Kimber and Sig use Wilson/Nowlan cut. The good news is there are a lot of spare Remington/Para parts on ebay including barrels.

January 13, 2024, 02:19 PM	#22
gnappi Member Join Date: June 26, 2005 Posts: 65	RIA made the "TAC II" Springfiels nade the EMP4 in .40. Unfortunately "Bambi Secret Agent" got the nod for 9mm and the rest of the world went that way too so Commanders in 40 are rare. :-)

January 17, 2024, 10:35 PM	#23
The Happy kaboomer Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 230	Guys. I've on a S&W 4006 since 1989. And a Sig 229 in 40 for almost as long......Just really wanted a Commander 1911 in 40. look like the only way is to build one.

January 18, 2024, 01:19 AM	#24
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,770	Well if a used Hi Power won't scratch that itch you have to figure out if you want a traditional 1911 build with 4.25 inch standard contour barrel in one of the available flavors or you can buy a Kimber or Springfield 4 inch gun and get a bull barrel to convert a 38 super or 9mm to 40 cal.