Not quite a 45 ACP, here is the real deal
If I were to go with a revolver, I'd probably rather get a .44 Special. Very similar ballistics, no need for moon clips.
Posted on 08/14/2013 11:33:53 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
...I will be getting my FFL soon.
Thanks again, I certainly appreciate it. I will make sure to look quite closely at the conversion kits I was previously interested in to see if I missed that. Honestly, though, for target practice since 9mil ammo is cheaper than .45, even a single-shot, manual eject and slide-release would work. Just need to keep the shooting skills / accuracy up is why I was considering the conversion. I would just change it back to .45 after the target practice when I was finished.
No difficulty at all. In the case of the pistols you mention only the frame is a regulated component. Barrels, slides and any part other than the frame can be shipped straight to you with no license. Just FYI conversion barrels and slides for the models you mention may or may not be available. Someone else mentioned Brownells, that would be a good place to start.
Go to gunbroker.com and there is a way to search for a person who does FL transfers near you. Call them up, some will get you any gun you want for 10-15% over wholesale.
Hmmm. About the barrel(s)... the Officer’s Model I acquired is all stainless steel, but I was under the impression that was the only major difference between it and similarly-framed and -sized versions. Too, I think the barrel is 4 1/2” if I recall correctly, so I need to look further into that it seems. Another good tip. Thanks.
Thank you! Great tip, and I will do that tonight straight off. I hope so, as so far all I have been able to acquire so far in this matter is a series of raging headaches, lol.
“...if you are cool enough under pressure and are a good shot. .357 MAGNUM w/2in barrel.”
Bingo. I have an 8-rd S&W revolver 357 mag. Love it!
I don’t know the exact length of the Officers Model but it is shorter than 4 and a half inches. Then there is the general officers model which was made specially for generals and I think it was even shorter than the officers model.
Despite what people are telling you, there is no interchangeability between the .45 auto and 9mm M1911.
Any Kimber 1911. Precision CNC manufacture. Kimber was the first to commercially manufacture them after the original patent ran out. These things seem to aim themselves. They have a really natural feel in the hand. The 1911 proved itself from the turn of the 20th century Philippine Huk insurrection to the middle east. They were developed by John Browning to knock down Huk rebels high on the indigenous drugs that a hardball 30.06 would not drop.
A used entry level Kimber Classic II will cost about $750- 800. A ten round magazine + 1 in the chamber is a good combo.
Gunbroker is a good bet.
“I say 1911 all the way. Not a modern, double-stack, plasticized “1911-oid” but the classic single-stack. Colt still sells them, and so does Springfield and a bunch of others”
Well, I’m an old school 1911 guy too. Been packing one since 1965 when I entered employment in the Big Green Machine. But, the 1911 is not for everyone. As with any machine, it requires practice to develop muscle memory so to use it reliably ans safely in a crisis situation. And, being that it is single action it is more complex than the double/single or double/double. So, if the creator of this thread is a novice shooter and is interested primarily in a reliable personal defense handgun, suggest a medium frame double action 357 (but shoot 38spl rounds). I own several hand guns of which four are of the 1911 type; old Springfield, Kimber Gold Match, LH Randall Service Model (flat top with adjustable sights), LH Curtis Lemay. Although the Randall’s have collectible value I decided several years ago to use them as shooters. So, had some mod’s done; had ejection ports relieved and feeder ramps polished and tapered some. After having these mods done they became reliable shooters. Actually, these mods should be done to any service model that is not a custom gun such as a Kimber, Wilson, etc. another tip and I suspect this will generate some disagreement; generally 1911’s don’t like exotic ammo. So, I shoot only ball in mine as the first and only objective should be to put a bullet on ones adversary. With the 45 acp, if this is accomplished the type of round is irrelevant. Anyway, guess I’m through, my two bits :)
As far as interchangeability, there was a kit being offered at one time that I was looking at that was adverse-tised as converting the Colt Officer's Model Stainless to shoot 9mm, not to make it identical to a 9mil M1911. Still, much to research and clarify. Maybe the barrel is actually 3 1/2", now that I think about it. Been some time since I looked at the owner's manual...
If you want a 9mm, save your effort and get a Glock.
While the 1911 is probably the most ergonomically perfect handgun ever conceived, its size and weight are not its only drawbacks for concealed carry.
Magazine capacity is only marginally better than a revolver. Its single action trigger, and frame mounted safety, put it firmly in the “expert shooter” category so far as concealed carry applications are concerned.
In the world of the CCW pedestrian, there are many more logical choices.
1911's are the standards I rely on.
Not quite a 45 ACP, here is the real deal
If I were to go with a revolver, I'd probably rather get a .44 Special. Very similar ballistics, no need for moon clips.
You wouldn’t happen to know how difficult it would be to get replacement barrels shipped to a non-ffl holder, would you? I need to get some replacement barrels for a Colt Officer’s, and Star PD, plus I was looking at some conversion kits to change to 9mm or 22LR for practice shooting and could not find much information about it.
Barrels can be freely shipped.
Good luck on the Star. I know of a few sources for Star parts, but not many.
It will shock you how small it is but it is not unpleasant to shoot. Very easily concealed.
Yes, they have a trigger kit for almost all Springfield XD’s. Check out their website:
http://shop.powderriverprecision.net/
I haven’t bought a P220 yet. Right now I have a S&W 4506 I feel the same way about. I pick up the P226, P6, P232S or CZ82 I can keep a tight circle as a pattern with occasional flier. I pick up the SW4506 and I’m all over the paper...
If you say so. But it is hard to beat for IWB. Because it is thin. It was my first gun and for years it was my only CCW piece. carrying a double stack inside your beltline is pretty bulky and all the extra ammo makes the weight difference negligible.
A lot of first time carriers are hesitant to carry with one in the pipe. If you look at carry forums there is always a fresh thread about it. A manual safety can help get someone over that hurtle.
Sure there are lots of other good choices but I would not call any of them ‘more logical’ than any other. Every thing about carry is subjective. For some a heavier thinner gun is preferable to a thicker lighter one. It was for me and it still is. Don’t get on some holier than that high horse about what is ‘more logical’ or what requires an ‘expert shooter’. The weighted priorities you use to decide are your own. No one should ever listen to absolutist advice on handguns. There are lots on every forum calling out, ‘only get a glock’ or ‘noobies always should start on revolvers’ and other cliche dubious advice.a
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