.45 ----> .40 conversion for 1911?

[twin oaks]

Just left the local dealer and had a look at a Kimber in .40. Compared it to a .45, and there seem to be only a few differences:
Barrel
Magazine
Extractor head
Extended ejector

Is there a way to easily/ readily convert from one caliber to the other?

[Bullauge]

My guess is that all you'd need is a barrel, bushing, ejector, extractor and magazine. I don't know if there is one ejector that will work between the two calibers if you want to switch between the two. Perhaps one of the 1911 masters will chime in with some input.

[OD*]

You'd need a slide too, rim diameter is a lot smaller on the .40 S&W.

http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd45acp.jpg

http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd40smithandwesson.jpg

[Bullauge]

Yeah, I wasn't sure about the slide because I thought that maybe a barrel bushing would take care of the size difference. I'm building a .38 Super and I know I need a caliber-specific slide. Wasn't sure about the .40 though.

[OD*]

I thought that maybe a barrel bushing would take care of the size difference.
It would on the muzzle end, not on the breach face though. ;)

[twin oaks]

okie.
I just wondered if it was pos. The Kimber seemed to have the same barrel, just a different bore.
Seems like I just need to order a spare upper in .40, and a few mags as well. Just like any other conversion kit.
C'est la vie.

[Lazarus]

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to take a perfectly good .45 and make it into a .40 S&W? (Well, since this is a Kimber we're talking about, maybe I can't say "perfectly good".) My personal view of the .40 is that it works, but was born as a compromise round when L.E. realized that 9mm didn't quite cut it.
The 1911, in my view, is not a mult-caliber platform, tho we all know it has been used for everything from .22 up through .50 caliber ammo.

Now, if multi-caliber is what really gives you a thrill, Sig has always boasted that their classic pistols can be easily outfitted for 9mm, .40 S&W AND .357 Sig. by simply swapping barrels and magazines. What could be fairer than that?

-Lazarus

[twin oaks]

Personally I agree with you- .45 is the better caliber.
But, my wife ( commonly refered to by me as 'yes, ma'am') has this silly notion that she shoots (tupperware) .40's better. She wants power in the shot, but says that she can't control the 1911. She has 'small' hands.SO . . . . .I figured an Ultra or Officer's model with the slim grips would be fine, with maybe a little extra relief cut under the trigger guard.
So, I was just curious if a conversion was feasible as I don't want to shell out nearly a grand for a Kimber. I was thinking I could find a nice little RIA officer's and Mod. it. Oops. Maybe I can still get her to go for a Browning Hi Power <shrug>. Anything but a . . .. don't make me say it . . . .G***K :scared:

[koreamarine]

Just went to STI's site... Just getting a slide and barrel for this project = $$$$$$$

[twin oaks]

Hence my query. Tryin' to find a cheap way to go . . .
Might be a wasted effort . .she shot and likes the m+p by smith. just no accounting for taste.

[MarkD]

Hence my query. Tryin' to find a cheap way to go . . .
Might be a wasted effort . .she shot and likes the m+p by smith. just no accounting for taste.

Agreed, but at least you'll have her outgunned if necessay. :) :) :)

[twin oaks]

Out gunned? I don't think so . . . higher mag capacity, and several of my friends have suddenly had to go check on something else after she steps to the line. I'm tellin' ya, my gal can SHOOT. She's a lot country and learned to wait for doubles, and shoot snipe around 12 years old. Out shoot her? not likely. Better that 50% of the time, she has her limit and still has unfired shells. I introduced her to handguns and opened up a VERY LARGE can of something.
And yes, she fishes too. Yes she has a sister, but she's taken. No, I can't tell you where to find one like her. :D

[old timer]

The easy way is get a .400 CorBon barrel and drop it in. 155 gr bullet at 1000f/s gives excellent accuracy and very easy recoil. It can be loaded up but becomes very unpleasant to shoot.

[Bud White]

Yes you could go with a 400 corbon but really no a lot of point in it its a very picky round from my reloading exp ..

Best way to go buy a 10mm 1911 get a 40 barrel then she can shoot the 40 and you the 10.. My Wife can handle the grips frame of a single stack 10 she has small hands also

[N. Creel]

Firing pin hole is also different size between the two in addition to breech face diameter.

[twin oaks]

Interesting idea Bud, might have to look into that. Still, she doesn't like shooting the 1911 :scared: which I just don't understand. So, it's gonna be the S&W m&p compact for her, chambered in .40. I'll just have to get another set of loading dies, and spend more time in my ever diminishing work shop- I say ever diminishing b/c she's taken half of the shop for her tack room, and half of the storage area ( used to be 10x24 :() for a horse stall. Oh well, when I get done building 'our' sunroom/guest room, I'll just have to build onto my half of the shop :) THEN I'll have a place to reload in peace and I'll look into that 10mm hybrid. Until, then, the 'honey-do (NOW)' list awaits me.

[SW1911PD]

But, my wife ( commonly refered to by me as 'yes, ma'am') has this silly notion that she shoots (tupperware) .40's better. She wants power in the shot, but says that she can't control the 1911.

My wife hates shooting my G22, says that my 1911 is MUCH more controllable and much pleasanter to shoot. This is also my opinion, and I don't know anyone who prefers .40 - with its sharp kick - to a 1911 .45ACP with its more gentle power build-up and much nicer trigger. Still, there's no arguing with the customer.

However, my wife finds a standard 1911 rather heavy, so my scandium framed 1911PD is more acceptable than a steel frame.

[twin oaks]

I know it's weird- she liked a G23, with hogue overmold grips that the instructor loaned her, and after firing the MP compact, likes it better. Maybe it's all a perception thing, and there's no way I can change that easily. Then again, it's not REALLY a bad thing, as now I get my 1911 all to myself, and the next one too, and the next one, and . . .
See, there's a bright side to this - no sharing the Colt.:D