Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 1911 interchangability

Have you ever wondered if the parts of the 1911's made by various manufactures would be interchangeable between brands? In the military, all 1911 parts were mix and match. But the question recently came up that if it was the same about the various civilian manufactures. Has anyone tried this?

Yes I have.
If it’s a true 1911 pattern and with proper fitting, then a true Frankenstein 1911 can be made from parts of existing manufacturers.

Just like Legos....

You DO have be careful with some variations, though, especially those Kimbers with the Schwartz safety, which might present problems with, for example, a Colt Series '80 and it's firing pin block.

If the guns are straight-up GI configuration internally, though, they should mate up okay. No guarantees, of course, they might need some fitting up.

i have found the mainspring housing on Kimber 1911s to be shorter than Colt, Springfield, etc. Installing a one piece magwell/mainspring housing usually requires using the hand mill to shorten up the housing. Otherwise the crappy firing pin block will be in the way when the side is removed/reinstalled because the grip safety can't clear the mainspring housing completely. Kimber chose to use a Colt design they could get for free because Colt's patent had expired. The Series 80 system was still under patent when Kimber brought out the "2" series.

Some of the manufacturers do not heat treat their slides & probly other parts. But, if you are cobbling a hybrid you may not care.

Interesting about the MSH on Kimbers. I swapped the plastic POS out of a pro carry with a Baer steel housing and just put it in no problem. I also have a Wilson steel housing that fit perfectly, but was smooth instead of checkered which I didn’t like. But then again my Kimber doesn’t have a firing pin block, classic 70 series bought in 96. Don’t know when the 2 came out but sounds like Kimber screwed the pooch.

All mine fit..