[PMan]

I have one of the new stainless Colt XSE .45 Government Models, which has now become my new primary duty gun for LE patrol.

I also have a .45 Series 80 blue Colt Commander slide, barrel, bushing etc in my parts bag.
What would a pistolsmith have to do to fit this Cmdr slide so I could also use it on the Government frame? [I read somewhere that, other than the normal frame-to-slide-to-barrel fitting etc, the length of the recoil spring tunnel on the Commander slide would have to be shortened back to about one inch overall to permit proper recoil cycling etc.]

I would really appreciate comments from those of you who have actually done this type mod, or have had it done by a gunsmith.
[I put this question up on another forum recently and only got vague/general responses from folks who had NO direct experience with this type of modification.]

 

[JoeMc]

The tunnel has to be cut back and so do the rails. I forget the exactmeasurement, but if you call George Smith at EGW he can tell you. I took a Caspian Commander slide I had and fit it to a GM frame and it worked without a hitch, it even went to slide lock. I just did it to try out the top end until I got a officer frame to mate it to. I saw the exact measurements on the forum somewhere. If you do a search I'm sure you'll find it.

 

[BBBBill]

I have seen them work with no mods. In fact, I've done it myself. You might get that lucky. HOWEVER, the proper way is to machine the recoil spring guide abuttment and rails on the frame back to Commander length. That would not preclude using the full length slide & barrel. You would have to change the contour of the standing lug on the bottom of the 5" barrel to Commander configuration for that to work. The dust cover of the frame could be left as is to allow both slides to work with no gap. With the CDR slide, the dust cover would overhang the relief cut causing a slight cosmetic discrepancy only.
There are many other ways to skin this cat. it just depends on what your ultimate goal is. Care to expand on your idea?

 

[PMan]

I had a series 70 Govt with extra fitted Comdr slide a number of years ago [84-85], when doing federal security/anti-terrorist work in Latin America. I used the 5" Govt setup for heavy "field duty" and put on the shorter Comdr slide for work in a business suit or when doing surveillances etc in old clothes.

That Series 70 setup had no cutting on the GM frame----only modifications were to the Cmdr slide. Gunsmith who did it has long since left the business.

 

[Dave Sample]

I know the boys on the Forum love these "switch tops" but the answer to me would be to have a commander lower end show up in your parts bag too. Like it has been said, it might work like it is. Some do. It is a Gypsy Curse to be serious about carry guns and I regret it.Lots of luck in what ever you do.

 

[PMan]

Dave: Thanx, but, as with many large departments, I have to stick with one primary carry gun, can't be changing serial numbers without mucho red tape, requals, forms etc. This is probably not anyone else's problem on this forum and it still beats the now standard approach of having the dept just issue you the one caliber, make & model that THEY want you to carry.

Anyhow, thats why I need to stay with just one serial number/frame. The two-top system worked just fine for me when I had a 5 inch
and a 4 1/4" top for a series 70 Colt govt frame when serving in South America in the 80s. BOTH versions got plenty of real use.

My main problem now [other than saving the money] will be to find the best 1911 smith for the job on that Commander slide.

 

[EJR]

This may seem like a silly question, but with 3/4" difference between and Government model and a Commander, is that significant? The only experience I have with 1911's are the full size models. And I live in NJ so CCW? Forget it!
Just curious.

Ed

 

[PMan]

Yes, the 3/4" shorter slide makes a good bit of difference when sitting in cars etc with an IWB holster. My sincere condolences on your state of residence.

 

[Dave Sample]

Pman. Read your reply and am sorry I wasn't much help.On my last job, my boss taught me how to be brief when writing reports and I think I stiil have a problem from the " on the job" days. I carry a 1954 Colt LW commander now but carried a govt. model for meny years on and off duty. I have heard about the stupidy of some departments and am lucky that I always had great bosses. I think that it can be done, but I would not try it. Maybe one of Great Ones here on the forum can help you. I think with a Colt Commander slide and some careful checking, it could be done. No shock buff or guide rod for sure. Good luck to you!

 

[John Caradimas]

It can be done, period. Even an Officer's slide can be fitted on a Gov. frame without alterations on the slide, except the normal slide/barrel/frame fitting.

You might notice that the slide would not fully lock back, but trim a little your recoil spring and everything will be in order.

Of, I forgot to say, all parts were Colt.

Kind regards

 

[PMan]

Thanx to all.
I NEVER intended to try the mod myself. I am very conservative about who works on any weapon I carry/use for official duty, and I ain't one of the people who even vaguely qualify as a gunsmith, especially a gunsmith for duty weapons.
All I was wondering was what needed to be done by a competent pistolsmith in order to use my Colt Commander slide and barrel on my current Colt Govt XSE frame.
I can see we still have a somewhat divergent series of opinions as to whether ANYTHING has to be done with slide mods.
I already knew that any mods to the frame for this project were NOT required in any event, since I had this set up in the 80s and the Govt sized frame was box stock. Also, the Commander slide locked back after last shot using a normal recoil spring.
Go figure.

 

[Dave Sample]

Pman: I think that we are not giving you the right kind of answer here. Nothing has to be done to either the top end( Commander) or the lower end except to have an extended ejector installed. These parts will either work or not. The lower end you have is different than a commander lower end. The barrel lugs (lower) are cut different than the barrel lugs on your government barrel. The commander has a shorter lock time and the slide travels much faster than the other one so it needs to have a longer ejector to get the old case out before the new cartridge starts to feed. The dust cover is longer on the government model but that should not be a problem. The commander top end would be complete with a commander barrel, bushing, and recoil spring. No cutting of coils needed or wanted. I feel the ejector will work with either top end and the only way to find out is to try them with about 500 rounds through the gun with the commander slide on it. The two lower ends are different,but that is not to say what you want to do won't work. The Action Works or Rogers Precision can make sure this will work and should not cost much. Hope this helps.Needless to say, do the test with duty ammo.

 

[PMan]

Many Thanx!! When/if I get the setup running, I'll try to come back on here with a test report.