Noob question on 1911

[piman]

Guys & gals,

I'm smitten by the SW1911 pro series subcompact (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766210_-1_757895_757775_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y). My questions are as follows,

1. Is this an officers frame? In other words where would I look when it's time to accessorize it?

2. Is the platform so modular that I can buy a 4.25 slide & barrel for the frame later if I chose to?

3. Anyone with this gun who can give a range report? Better yet give me a chance to shoot? I'm in the North Shore but can travel for this.

Thanks!

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[M1911]

I'm smitten by the SW1911 pro series subcompact (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57895_757775_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y). My questions are as follows,

1. Is this an officers frame?

It appears to be.

In other words where would I look when it's time to accessorize it?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking. S&W 1911s typically have a non-standard grip safety (that is part of the Swartz-style firing pin safety), a non-standard slide with an external extractor, and non-standard slide cuts for their Novak sights.

2. Is the platform so modular that I can buy a 4.25 slide & barrel for the frame later if I chose to?

Almost nothing on a 1911 is plug and play. The slide and barrel would have to be fitted to the frame by a gunsmith.

 

[piman]

Interesting. Are you saying that if I bought a JAC or AA 22lr conversion kit, I would need to take it to a gunsmith? I honestly thought the ES model was just a barrel and slide over the sub compact frame.

I assume the grips and mags are standard given a frame, right? Or does this firing pin safety cause grips to not fit as well?

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[lsbbigdog]

S&W sub compact it pretty much like a colt officers model. Different mainspring housing and smaller grip panels than a commander or full size 1911. Pretty much everything thing else on the frame is the same. Best bet email or called Manufactuer on the 22lr conversion kit.

 

[M1911]

Interesting. Are you saying that if I bought a JAC or AA 22lr conversion kit, I would need to take it to a gunsmith?

Can't help you on .22lr conversion kits. I have no experience with them.

I honestly thought the ES model was just a barrel and slide over the sub compact frame.

You can't take a barrel from one 1911 and drop it into the slide of a different 1911. They are hand fit. The barrel link may also need to be replaced to ensure that the barrel locks up tightly in the slide. So you can't necessarily take the top end from one 1911 and drop it on the frame of another.

Also, I don't know if their officer's model frame is exactly the same as that used for their compact model -- the dust cover length might be different between the two.

I assume the grips and mags are standard given a frame, right?

Grips and magazines are standard, though magazines vary in quality. Some folks have better results with one magazine manufacturer over another.

Or does this firing pin safety cause grips to not fit as well?

The firing pin safety on the S&W works off the grip safety, not the grips panels. Any standard officers grip panels should fit that gun.

 

[Dog]

The S&W is a Officer frame. Any parts that are marked for a Officer frame will fit.
Yes you could get a 4.25 inch barrel and make it a CCO. I have done it for years.
If you get a gun with a ramped barrel the only .22 LR conversion I know if that works is the Marvel kits. Which luckily are one of the best.

The dust cover of a Officer sized gun is the same as a gun made as a CCO. A Officer frame is a Officer frame.