Colt .45 to a .40

[Bullfighter]

Looking for information on converting a Colt series 80 .45 to a .40. The pistol I have is nickel plated and I am about to have it stripped and customize but am considering changing the caliber. Less recoil is the main reason, but curious as to how much work or what type of work will need to be done to accomplish this. Also will it cause unnecessary FTF & FTE difficulties, pistol to be mainly used on target and small game hunting but it will get carried as well for defense.

Thanks

[John]

Less recoil? Try the EGW firing pin stop, instead of getting into changing calibers. Easier solution, cheaper and amazingly effective.

[1911Tuner]

Due to differences in some dimensions and angles, these kinds of conversions are generally more trouble then they're worth. They can usually be made to work..usually...but by the time they've finally been flogged into submission, all
confidence in the gun is lost. If recoil is the motivating factor, understand that some of the .40 caliber ammo has a pretty sharp kick to it, and you'll gain very little in comfort.

Try John's suggestion and take up reloading so you can tailor the ammo to suit you. The .45 ACP cartridge is a very easy round to load, and 1911 pistols are generally pretty forgiving as to velocities and recoil impulse...and given the wide range of recoil spring ratings available, easy to tune for function with any reasonable ammo....from Romp'em and Stomp'em stuff to
powderpuffs that wouldn't upset Auntie Roo.

[Bullfighter]

Thanks guys, I love using this site to test the waters. Never know what you will find out. Like the EGW firing pin stop, would have never thought that that thing would have played such a significant role in recoil reduction. I just read the other strings about it.
I do reload and haven't taken the edge off to much from original standard loads, will stickto the .45 and try the pin stop before stripping the gun down. Any other items of suggestions, one piece guide rods, barrel linkage etc... you hear bits and pieces about one thing or another that help reduce recoil and improve accuracy.
again thanks

[wichaka]

Stick with a standard main spring of 23# when using the EGW firing pin stop.

The best bang for the buck to help accuracy, is a good fitting barrel bushing. I like mine to have a clearance of .001" from the barrel to the bushing, and another .001" from the bushing to the slide.
Again look at EGW for these, George there can make you a custom bushing with your measurements for around 20 bucks + shipping.

As for guide rods.......well they dont improve accuracy any, mostly just for looks. But I like my springs to ride on something, so there's no movement from the spring laterally..........but there aint much room in there to move anyway.

[Bullfighter]

Again thanks for the info, and well, now that I'm asking questions I would like to ask for makers of shorter triggers that you would suggest. I was blessed with short, stubby fingers and the stock trigger is a bit long for me.
Next question, I live in Denver and I know a number of gunsmiths in the area, curious if someone might throw out a name and reputition that I'm not aware of.

[BigO]

I don't know how close this is to Denver but here is who I called about the situation with Firestorms when Bersa went out of business . One of the smiths came to the phone and spent a good 30 minutes or so answereing questions and just shooting the breeze with me , I can't remember his name but he said he is a member of the Guild , if so he should know what he is doing on top of being a realy nice guy .

Colorado Gunworks
2631 W. Vine Drive
Ft. Collins, CO 80521
Tel - 970-482-4867

http://www.coloradogunworks.com

Here is a link to the American Pistolsmiths Guild if you want to check up on someone .

http://www.americanpistol.com/

O and Bullfighter if you want a 40 S&W 1911 , gunbroker had/has a Full sized Armscor HICap on it that is brand new you might want to look at . The 40 is a nice Caliber but I don't think the recoil is less than a 45 acp realy as a matter of fact it seems to be more with some loads because it is a much faster whippy kind of recoil where the 45 seems like a big push .

[pingwax]

If recoil is the motivating factor, understand that some of the .40 caliber ammo has a pretty sharp kick to it, and you'll gain very little in comfort.

I've only shot a .40 pistol a few times, but I found it much less pleasant to shoot. The best way I can explain it is that when shooting a .45, it feels like the gun is giving your hand a hard push, while the .40 slaps your hands. The .40 might recoil less, but the recoil is less comfortable.

I don't know anything about anything, but if you are already planning to do a lot of work and want to end up with a lower recoil gun, maybe a compensator might be worth looking in to? It seems like just the extra weight on the front of the gun would go a long way towards reducing felt recoil.

[wichaka]

For short triggers, look thru Brownells catalog........also check out Dave berryhills web site, he's got some new triggers that look to be good.