9 mm to .45

[tbone176]

I recently purchased a Caspian. It has commander sized frame with an officer's size slide on top. It has a 3.5 in bushingless barrel. Is it possible to convert this to .45 with a barrel, recoil spring and new extractor? Any info that anyone could share would be greatly appreciated.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Caspian makes frames and slides. I don't think they make complete pistols. Is yours a full pistol, or are you starting from a set of parts?

You can indeed convert it to 45, but it's going to take some work.

Bob

[ClarkEMyers]

Is it possible to convert this to .45 with a barrel, recoil spring and new extractor?

Likely take more than just a barrel, recoil spring and extractor

Can't speak for your pistol but in many cases the breech face is specific to the cartridge rim diameter (1911 is a controlled feed design and the cartridge slides up the breech face and under the extractor - folks report some success going one step between .45 and 40 or .40 and 9mm but reports of success going 2 steps are few) and the ejector often varies - among other things the 9x19 is shorter than the .900 nominal (23mm) of the .45 Auto case which leads to all sorts of timing issues. Timing issues are much more common with a short slide as well.

[pa_guns]

Hi

If it's a full built up pistol, you would have better luck converting it to a Super 38. If you are looking at 45 it's probably cheaper to sell the 9 and buy a 45. There are a lot of people out there looking for 9mm 1911's and none of what's on the market is low cost.

Bob

[tbone176]

It is a complete pistol. Thanks for the input. I looks like I just need to save some more and get an officers model of some type or a Colt New Agent. Thanks again for the info.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Hmmm, Colt New Agent

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n68/pa_guns/agent_left.jpg

Nice pistol.

Bob

[tbone176]

Yeah....thats what I'm talking about! I thought those were blued, in this photo it looks parkerized to me. Is it just the lighting?

[pa_guns]

Hi

It's blued. Most of the pistol is "matte" finish.

Bob

[John]

It's not possible to convert a 9mm to a .45ACP without a whole new top end. In other words a complete slide, with all its internals. And then when you have bought everything, you may find that the frame does not cooperate in making this a working alternative. Like for example, you may find that the gap between the frame's ramp top end and the barrel's ramp lower end is not there, or worst than the barrel ramp protrudes in the mag well.

[tbone176]

Thanks John for the info. I guess I will just enjoy what I've got. It seems to shoot low and to the right with 115 gr. ammo. I think that I need to try some heaver ammo with such a short barrel. I was hoping to improve short barrel performance by switching to a heaver caliber.

[Hawkmoon]

You can get 9mm ammo in 124 grain and 147 grain.

[pa_guns]

Hi

I would first find a brand of ammo set up for short barrel pistols and see how it shoots. If you reload, find a formula set up for short barrels.

Unless it's got trench sights like the Colt, you may be able to adjust them to bring the point of impact closer to the point of aim.

Bob

[tbone176]

shower 004 Actually, it does have trench sights! Thanks to all for the info

[pa_guns]

shower 004 Actually, it does have trench sights! Thanks to all for the info

Hi

We need the front end of the IMG tag to make the picture show up correctly.

Bob

[John]

shower 004 Actually, it does have trench sights! Thanks to all for the info
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