MidSouth Shooters SupplyInline FabricationRotoMetals2Load Data
Reloading EverythingWidenersTitan ReloadingLee Precision
Repackbox
Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Want To Build A 9 mm 1911

  1. #1
    Boolit Master fourarmed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    1,777

    Want To Build A 9 mm 1911

    Has anyone used the 9mm barrel and slide that Sarco sells for $200? I came into a Caspian frame with a Ciener .22 conversion on it, and I want to make it into a 9mm.

  2. #2
    Moderator


    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Way up in the Cascades
    Posts
    8,086
    I have not, but don't know why it wouldn't work. Like any caliber swap using diverse parts, you can expect to do some tinkering to get everything to work exactly right.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    SE Kentucky
    Posts
    1,309
    Think the 9mm uses a different ejector, not a big deal to change. Check the specs for the conversion kit, fit and function may be an issue if not a 45 ejector.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    2,732
    Also need a different slide for the smaller rim size.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Central VA
    Posts
    5,513
    Unless the Caspian frame was somehow modified for the Ciener conversion, the biggest change you MIGHT have to make is the ejector, which is held to the top of the frame by a cross pin (both visible when the slide is removed. There are some specially marked slide stops from Colt for the 45, the 38 Super, and the 22 conversion, but I've never been able to see any difference in them... regardless, if ordering from Sarco, I would get the complete slide with all internals, the ejector, the slide stop, and of course a couple of 9 mm magazines. It should be a straightforward conversion, assuming the frame is unaltered.

    Froggie
    "It aint easy being green!"

  6. #6
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    40
    You will also need a 9MM slide release. I built one a few years ago using a Fusion frame and slide, and various parts from different makers. It's a sweet shooter and very accurate.

  7. #7
    Banned

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    South Texas
    Posts
    1,419
    It should be against the law!

  8. #8
    Boolit Master fourarmed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    1,777
    Thanks, guys. I don't have the gun yet, so I don't know if there is an ejector on the frame. The Colt conversion unit had its own, and I assume the Ciener does too. The Sarco set comes with a 9mm ejector. Not sure about the slide stop.

    The thing I would really like to know is the quality of the Sarco parts, and what sort of accuracy I could expect from them. I assume it is probably a drop-in unit.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Anchorage, AK
    Posts
    1,113
    You'll need the provided 9mm ejector, a 9mm extractor and generally, the smaller call use a small diameter firing g pin. Depending on the ciener kit or your frame build, you'll also need a 9mm slide stop otherwise the slide will not lock open on the last round.

    9mm's can be a fickle basted to get to run without choking. Good luck.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Lenore, WV
    Posts
    2,840
    The 9mm frame also has a different angle on the feed ramp. Some use the .45 frame but there can be feed problems. You may be ahead just to buy a 9mm.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Butler, MO
    Posts
    9,021
    The one time I built a 9mm top end for a 1911, I used a Springfield Armory slide that a coworker gave me after it had been butchered trying to install a Bomar sight. A GI fixed rear still fit okay so I invested in a SA 9mm barrel and a few 9mm mags then raided the parts bins for the rest.

    I used it mainly on a Colt Delta Elite frame, lots of fun for very little cash outlay. Generic 9mm ball from steel framed 1911 doesn't recoil much more than the proverbial .22.

    Robert

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Central VA
    Posts
    5,513
    Sarco doesn't manufacture their parts... they are surplus and over runs from a variety of sources. This said, the quality can vary tremendously depending on the actual source. NOS parts from the original manufacturer would be great, while rejects from the same source or parts from some one-horse, shade tree operation, not so much. It's a crapshoot, unless they specify the manufacturer.

    Froggie
    "It aint easy being green!"

  13. #13
    Boolit Master fourarmed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    1,777
    I have the frame in hand now, and it is pretty nice, with a lot of premium parts on it. My problem now is, when I went to order the upper end parts, Sarco mentions that they now ship it with a ramped barrel. I am almost 100% certain that this would require milling out a section of the feed ramp, which I most emphatically do not want to do. I have sent them a couple of emails, but they apparently do not spend much time on that, as they have not replied. I tried to fall back on plan B, but Brownells don't sell such a matched set. Now I just have to figure out what plan C is.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master



    skeettx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Amarillo, Texas
    Posts
    4,102
    I have their 6" 9mm Luger NON-Ramped 1911 barrel on my LLama Especial 38 Super.
    I did have to use a 45 ACP Barrel bushing.
    Shoots GREAT

    Get this one and trim it back if you want to

    https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-9mm-barrel-6/

    or use the 5" one

    https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-9mm-barrel-5/

    Mike
    NRA Benefactor 2004 USAF RET 1971-95

  15. #15
    Boolit Master fourarmed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    1,777
    I finally heard from SARCO. They say they will get some standard barrels, which will be an option with the slide and parts, but not just yet.

    I have worked on the receiver. I had to peen the safety lug, as the hammer would fall if the trigger was pulled with the safety engaged. Now it passes all the usual tests. I flattened and stippled the arched MSH and dehorned it in a couple of places. I shot it some with the .22 conversion, and it works fine with high velocity ammo. It is no match pistol, but it may shoot a little better than my Colt conversion unit. It came with some Colt magazines, but they don't work with it.

  16. #16
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    40
    I built my first 1911 from Sarco parts 30 some years ago. Including the frame and slide. I bought a few parts every payday until I had everything I needed. It shot fine.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check