Government frame and Commander frame differences

[ntxyankee]

What are the differences between a Government Frame and a Commander frame? Is it possible to convert a Government frame to a Commander frame?
Would this type of conversion weaken the frame?

How can this conversion be done?

Are there any 'smiths that will do this?

ntxyankee

[John]

It depends on what you want to do. The Commander frame slide rails are shorter than the ones on the Government, by .06" The area where the guide rod flange rests is also cut further back, by the same distance. Of course, the dust cover is also shorter, but I have no idea by how much.

Now, if what you want to do is to install a Commander slide on a Government frame, you can do it without any alterations to the frame, as long as you use an extended ejector. Typically, it should work fine.

The dust cover can be cut without any problems to the strength of the frame.

[Ericthenorse]

I believe that if you try to put the commander slide on the government frame, you would have problems because of the previously mentioned machining differences... You would not get enough movement to cycle before the slide hits.

[John]

Trust me there is plenty of free travel for proper operation of the slide. .06" is about 1.5 mm. Very minimal. If you are using an extended ejector (long) you will not have a problem. In the very improbably case, if you do have problems, you can use a thin flange on your guide rod and get half that distance back, but you shouldn't have any issues.

One caveat: I am talking about Colt slides on Colt frames, I can't guarantee this on anything else.

[clughog]

I just bought a Government frame through my gunsmith (Ken Crawley of Crawley Custom) and he "converted" it for me at no additional charge. In fact, the Government size frame is all he buys from Caspian and then he modified it if his customers want a Commander length. This is the first one he's cut down for me, so I'll see how I do with the project!

[Ericthenorse]

Don't the commanders use a different profile on the ejector also???

[Bud White]

just extended on the ejector same as is coming in most government models now

[Iron bottom]

Don't know anything about other manufactures frames, but Les Baer told me that the only difference in his commander size frame and others is the length of the dust cover. I have tried a Comolinni guide rod with the front and rear buffer and had no problems.