colt 1911 forum

Rockhopper46038 · 12-03-2013, 05:54 PM

Well I went and did it. I acquired a 70's era Colt Combat Commander in 9mm for the express purpose of having it converted into 9x23 for every day carry.

So, what are my current choices for someone to do the work?

I understand neither Heinie nor BCP is accepting work anymore. I love what I see at Jim Garthwaite's websight, but I haven't received a reply to the inquiry I sent to him. I've had very good work done by Wilson on other 1911s, but from reading this forum I have come to understand that it would best to have this conversion done by someone with a lot of knowledge of the cartridge, and Wilson doesn't offer a 9x23 variant such that I can tell.

I think I'm going to try to call Mr. Garthwaite on the phone in case email isn't his preferred method of communication, but in the opinion of the forum, who else might I want to contact?

Ideally, This would be a complete build, preserving only the frame, slide and such small parts as may be considered of very high quality from the donor pistol (I'd guess the slide stop, the hammer and maybe the ejector), but I'm not against replacing them all if it makes sense for the pistol. I'd like to preserve the ability to run the pistol with the original 9mm barrel, but the primary, highest purpose of this gun would be to replace my current .45ACP 1911 carry with a 10+1 capacity alternative.

Who is the "go to" 9x23 1911 'smith today?

E

JohnnyT · 12-04-2013, 12:00 AM

Why have it rebuilt from the frame up? Is it badly worn?

Unless you're just hankerin' for a custom pistol, it seems to be a lot of expense for somethin' that can be handled with a finishing reamer, or...at most...a new barrel and bushing if you want to be able to quick-change back to the OEM caliber for cheap practice.

Just curious...

On the gunsmith question...Dane Burns has the "Long Nines" hard-wired into his DNA. I don't know if he still does any work, though.

Brian D. · 12-04-2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyT

On the gunsmith question...Dane Burns has the "Long Nines" hard-wired into his DNA. I don't know if he still does any work, though.

Johnny, Mr. Burns posted a "retirement from gunwork" message on here maybe early this year. Various health issues.

Rockhopper46038 · 12-04-2013, 04:51 PM

JohnnyT, I suppose that would be the most prudent course of action and I may go after this with a newly fitted barrel and bushing first (and springs) just to see how well she might work; but the stock sights are just horrible, and the ejection port is going to need to be opened up, so I suspect I'm going to want to get it into someone's hands sooner or later.

JohnnyT · 12-05-2013, 03:08 AM

The sights are pretty straightforward if you want something like the Novak Lo-Mount.

The Commander port is pretty open as it is. There's not a lot more wiggle room to be had. Better to tweak the extractor and ejector to fling the brass where you want it to go.

Brian...I musta missed that post from Dane. I hate to hear that. Maybe he could recommend somebody for the work that Rockhopper seeks.

cohee · 12-15-2013, 06:12 PM

Here is the link to a local smith who has made a name for himself in 'gun dancing' circles.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Calho...56544361110430

Contact Tim to see if he has time to do your conversion.

12-03-2013, 05:54 PM	#1
Rockhopper46038 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 4	Colt Combat Commander 9x23 Conversion Options/Opinions Well I went and did it. I acquired a 70's era Colt Combat Commander in 9mm for the express purpose of having it converted into 9x23 for every day carry. So, what are my current choices for someone to do the work? I understand neither Heinie nor BCP is accepting work anymore. I love what I see at Jim Garthwaite's websight, but I haven't received a reply to the inquiry I sent to him. I've had very good work done by Wilson on other 1911s, but from reading this forum I have come to understand that it would best to have this conversion done by someone with a lot of knowledge of the cartridge, and Wilson doesn't offer a 9x23 variant such that I can tell. I think I'm going to try to call Mr. Garthwaite on the phone in case email isn't his preferred method of communication, but in the opinion of the forum, who else might I want to contact? Ideally, This would be a complete build, preserving only the frame, slide and such small parts as may be considered of very high quality from the donor pistol (I'd guess the slide stop, the hammer and maybe the ejector), but I'm not against replacing them all if it makes sense for the pistol. I'd like to preserve the ability to run the pistol with the original 9mm barrel, but the primary, highest purpose of this gun would be to replace my current .45ACP 1911 carry with a 10+1 capacity alternative. Who is the "go to" 9x23 1911 'smith today? E

12-04-2013, 12:00 AM	#2
JohnnyT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 724	Why have it rebuilt from the frame up? Is it badly worn? Unless you're just hankerin' for a custom pistol, it seems to be a lot of expense for somethin' that can be handled with a finishing reamer, or...at most...a new barrel and bushing if you want to be able to quick-change back to the OEM caliber for cheap practice. Just curious... On the gunsmith question...Dane Burns has the "Long Nines" hard-wired into his DNA. I don't know if he still does any work, though. Last edited by JohnnyT; 12-04-2013 at 12:03 AM.

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12-04-2013, 04:51 PM	#4
Rockhopper46038 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 4	JohnnyT, I suppose that would be the most prudent course of action and I may go after this with a newly fitted barrel and bushing first (and springs) just to see how well she might work; but the stock sights are just horrible, and the ejection port is going to need to be opened up, so I suspect I'm going to want to get it into someone's hands sooner or later.

12-05-2013, 03:08 AM	#5
JohnnyT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 724	The sights are pretty straightforward if you want something like the Novak Lo-Mount. The Commander port is pretty open as it is. There's not a lot more wiggle room to be had. Better to tweak the extractor and ejector to fling the brass where you want it to go. Brian...I musta missed that post from Dane. I hate to hear that. Maybe he could recommend somebody for the work that Rockhopper seeks.

12-15-2013, 06:12 PM	#6
cohee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mid TN Posts: 346	Here is the link to a local smith who has made a name for himself in 'gun dancing' circles. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Calho...56544361110430 Contact Tim to see if he has time to do your conversion.