When converting a 45 frame to 9MM would it be better to use a ramped barrel? If so, which ramp style is better?

Steve

Well, actually there is no conversion kit that converts a .45 to a 9mm. So I'll move your post to Gunsmithing.

With that said, you can go either way, but if you decide to go to a ramped barrel then your frame will need to be machined and of course a ramped .45 ACP barrel will be needed if you plan to go back and forth between the calibers.

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

If it is a permanent conversion, a ramped barrel might be needed. When I did mine, I used a Colt barrel and fitted it carefully to the frame. It works just fine with several FMJ and HP loads. I recommend trying a quality conventional barrel and quality magazines. I use Metalform mags. If you can't make the conventional barrel work, you can probably sell it online and get most of your money back to invest in the machining and ramped barrel.

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Cocked & Locked since 1911

This project is 90% complete I am trying to solve the feeding issue.

I started with a 1991A1 45ACP frame and added a Caspian 9MM slide, Kart EZ Fit 9x19 non-ramped barrel, Wilson trigger, C&S 4lb hammer/sear kit, EB beavertail GS, Wilson ETM magazine. I am using Winchester white box 115FMJ bullets.

The problem I have is that the shell nose wants to drop down as the slide picks it up and it hits the barrel ramp about halfway but won't raise up and feed in. The first round won't feed with out help but MOST, but not all, of the others will upon firing the gun. Is this a magazine feed lip issue?

The 45 frame ramp is deeper than a frame ramped for 9mm. Sometimes it works ok, but sometimes it doesn't.

LOG

Try a different magazine. I like Metalform. You might also try pushing the mag up while cycling the gun. That might give you a hint about the feed problem. Logman is absolutely correct about the ramp but I think it can be overcome. I built my pistol for FMJ and a couple of holowpoint designs. It won't eat everything and I don't care.

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Cocked & Locked since 1911

I am unfamiliar with the ETM magazines, do they have a spacer in the rear?

Metalform makes two types of 9mm magazines you might try one of each. The "Springfield" ones have a ramp in front, the standard or "Colt" style have the spacer in the back.

That failing, if you are never going back the the 45ACP set up EGW offers a feedramp insert that would probably be more cost effective than the ramped barrel.

Lastly, while "better" depends on the criteria by which it is judged, I believe that the Para/Clark ramp is generally considered to be stronger.

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Robert.
NRA Endowment Life Member.
The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedients, and by parts. - Edmund Burke 1777

To add to DuckRyder's post, I'm using the Colt style Metal form mags. And just to add to the 'confusion', I also had no problems using a Colt .38 Super mag with FMJ rounds.

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Cocked & Locked since 1911

I read somewhere here that the barrel ramp should be mated to the frame ramp. I did that without moving the top of the barrel ramp in which creates a steeper barrel ramp. Since the nose of the bullet hits in the middle of the barrel ramp and I have a steeper ramp, have I made a mistake by doing this.

There was a long discussion of a similar fault at:
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=235082

Oh, by the way, John, Colt made a few 9mm conversion kits; barrel, slide, magazine, and small parts.