Browning 1911-22 Compact Threaded Barrel

[xxxx]

I got a question that I couldn't answer and it seems no one else could either, so I bring it to CalGuns:

I have a friend who is lucky enough to live in a free state and he owns a few guns that are fitted with suppressors (aftermarket barrels) and wants to get a .22LR, he is turned off by the cheap materials used in the Walther P22 and guns made by the same company (I can't remember the name he said, he did his research) so he wants to pick up a Browning 1911-22 Compact. I never heard of it or seen it until I looked it up, it is almost an exact copy of the 1911A1 only 85% of the size of a 1911. He of course wants to run it suppressed, so to the question...

Can he order the compact model and then order the full sized barrel, have it cut down and threaded? I don't think he can due to the fact that the barrel seems to be flared on the end, and me living in CA, I know very little about threaded barrels or custom threading.

Is it possible to get a threaded barrel (whatever the normal threads are for a .22 suppressor) on this pretty unique "1911"? If so where should I tell him to go?

P.S. I already tried talking him out of it into something more practical that is meant for what he wants to do. He has what I like to call, "free state problems."

[jfifer]

If its flared its most likely an officer sized 1911, with a bull barrel. Measure the barrel- if its 3.5" order an extended threaded bull barrel from jarvis.

[xxxx]

If its flared its most likely an officer sized 1911, with a bull barrel. Measure the barrel- if its 3.5" order an extended threaded bull barrel from jarvis.

It is 85% of the size of a 1911. I mean that in every aspect (I was just as surprised as you are):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCbCJheAiyA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MawECxA4aGQ

I do not think they are CA approved.

[Canucky]

The compact is even smaller (85%) than the regular browning. Yes they are approved list. He might have to change out the sights, would buy one if they came with large ones.

[xxxx]

The compact is even smaller (85%) than the regular browning. Yes they are approved list. He might have to change out the sights, would buy one if they came with large ones.

Personally I don't care for the notion of a scaled down 1911, I like my 22/45 just fine ($250). I don't think he will be able to change out the sights since he would have to presumably find sights that are 85% the size (like mini sights, another pitfall of this firearm) - but the real question (that no one he has talked to has been able to answer) is is it possible for him to thread the barrel?

[Canucky]

Try posting this question on Rimefire Central, Browning sub forum? With the number of different buckmark models produced I doubt Browning will ever offer a threaded model. (1911)

[xxxx]

Try posting this question on Rimefire Central, Browning sub forum? With the number of different buckmark models produced I doubt Browning will ever offer a threaded model. (1911)

It sounds like you did not understand the question posed. The question if the design of the barrel and barrel brushing of said firearm lends itself to the barrel being threaded. It has nothing to do with Browning, rimfires, or the possibility that Browning or any aftermarket company will produce a threaded barrel for said firearm.

[Canucky]

XXXX I understand your question. You asked about browning rimfire pistol been able to be threaded for a suppressor. Hopefully someone will chime in and answer your question.

[jfifer]

Damn xxxx dont be rude man we are trying to help! Obviously, the gun is unique, and a forum specific to your gun seems better than a gun general forum.

[xxxx]

Damn xxxx dont be rude man we are trying to help! Obviously, the gun is unique, and a forum specific to your gun seems better than a gun general forum.

I didn't mean to come off as rude, it is not my gun, nor have I ever seen said gun in person or handled the Browning 1911-22, furthermore I have no experience with threading barrels and I am a bit of a novice when it comes to 1911s. However this gun is more similar to a 1911 than any rimfire that I know of. Thus the design of the gun (1911) is the design in question. After researching all the information for my friend this is all I have came up with:

http://www.silencertalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=85862

[44fred]

XXXX
I'm thinking the only way you can thread a barrel for a suppressor is if you have the room to do it. I know you are asking about the flared barrel issue. I believe that is simple to overcome if the barrel is made long enough.
I wonder if you could get the compact version and fit the longer barrel version to the gun. If you could, threading the barrel would be pretty straight forward.

[redcliff]

Although the Browning 1911-22 does not use the normal tilting barrel locking action of a 1911 it appears the front of the barrel still centers by means of the barrel bushing and a belled (not bull) barrel. The bell to bushing interface is listed as a lubrication point, therefore contact is made there between the bushing and barrel.

Since it apparently needs the bell to precisely center the barrel, the longer barrel installed in a compact would seem unlikely to center properly as it would be missing the bell not only in the appropriate location, but altogether as the bell would need to be machined off to facilitate threading.

Combined with the total lack of internet postings showing a silenced Browning 1911-22 it appears that your friend may end up waiting for a threaded barrel to be developed by a third party if he goes with the Browning 1911-22.

It does look like a fun pistol though, perhaps they'll bring out an updated version that features better sights and beavertail grip safety in the future.

Personally if I wanted a suppressed .22 pistol I'd look at some of the older High Standards with quick change fixed barrels, or the Ruger MK series.

[44fred]

Redcliff
Thanks for that. I know you know your 1911's.

[redcliff]

Redcliff
Thanks for that. I know you know your 1911's.

Thanks for the kind words 44fred, but I'll be the first to admit to knowing very little about the Browning 1911-22 other than doing a review of what I can find on the internet and watching Browning's video series on it.

It's entirely possible that you may be able to take a standard Browning 1911-22 and barrel, thread the barrel and create an adapter with a bell that matches the inside diameter of the bushing in the proper location and extends the barrel and features threads which allows a suppressor to thread onto the adapter. But I don't see anyone offering one just yet.

If the OP's out of state friend selected a Sig Sauer full size 1911-22, or GSG 1911 it would be simple as they have models with integral threaded barrels and adapters are made by Gemtech for $45.00 to extend the barrel and convert them to 1/2x28 threads.

[xxxx]

Thanks so much redcliff, that's exactly what I thought and I relaid the same information. I bet you it could be done using the way you mentioned previously, but I am willing to bet it would cost just as much if not more than the price of the actual pistol. Does anyone know of a gun smith I could recommend he contact?

He lives in a free state and there is a Ruger 22/45 with high sights and a factory threaded barrel meant for suppressors but he wants the Browning 1911-22 and I believe it does have a beaver tail safety (it's a copy of the 1911A1).

After I watched the videos, I thought to myself, "85% the width of a 1911..." if it had all proper 1911 safeties (cock and lock, beaver tail) it would make a great lightweight gun to Mexican carry at the beach or something like that. That's the only appeal I could see.