Springfield frames & slides

[Bushwack44]

Is the frame (and possibly the slide, excluding the sights) the same in a 9MM Springfield Loaded as in a 45ACP Loaded? I know the mags and barrels are different, but the exterior dimensions appear identical for both caliber pistols. Anyone own both?

[Fatcat]

For sure the slides are different in the breach face dimensions. If the frames have ramps for standard barrels, they are different.

If the frames have been milled for ramped barrels, could be the same (search for wilson-nowlin vs. para ordanance ramp cut pix)

[hambam105]

Competent gunsmiths have been altering 1911 Springfield 45 slides to shoot 9mm ( Don't forget .38 Super) for twenty-five plus years that I know of.

Once you know where to look on the slide you can see the exterior alterations.

I started with a used & complete SA factory 9mm for a Match Pistol. It sure makes everything convenient having the pistol's caliber noted on the slide from the factory.
However, just because the slide is appropriately marked doesn't make the bullets go any faster.

[Robert1234]

Competent gunsmiths have been altering 1911 Springfield 45 slides to shoot 9mm ( Don't forget .38 Super) for twenty-five plus years that I know of.

Once you know where to look on the slide you can see the exterior alterations.

I started with a used & complete SA factory 9mm for a Match Pistol. It sure makes everything convenient having the pistol's caliber noted on the slide from the factory.
However, just because the slide is appropriately marked doesn't make the bullets go any faster.

What exterior alterations are you referring to? Cause the only difference on the slides besides the markings are the breech-face dimensions. You could weld and re-machine a .45 slide to work with 9mm but you'd likely spend more than the cost of a new slide.

Springfield 9mm frames are cut for Wilson/Nolin ramps, .45 are not.

Extractor and ejector are also different.

[Nirrad]

The exterior is the same:

[Robert1234]

9mm, .40 S&W & .45ACP





The 9 is a Springfield, .40 is an old Kimber I converted (new STI slide, Kart barrel/bushing) and he .45 is an old Les Baer Hardball gun that I added the grip safety and hammer to.