.45 Colt Commander

[Bt Doctur]

Can a Colt full size 1911 barrel be cut down to fit the Commander

[jericho89]

It is easy to cut down a barrel with a lathe, As long as the barrel works full size it can be done.

[kendog4570]

Shorten the OAL, crown, and also cut bushing relief at front barrel lug area. Depending on the barrel, there may or may not be enough material at the new length to get a good bushing fit.

[Sailormilan2]

Shorten the OAL, crown, and also cut bushing relief at front barrel lug area. Depending on the barrel, there may or may not be enough material at the new length to get a good bushing fit.

Agreed. I have done several(3 actually) FS to Commander barrel conversions. What will probably be required is a new bushing, since the end of the barrel normally has a slight enlargement, and that will be removed. About the first 3/8" to 1/2" of the barrel is slightly larger in diameter than the rest of the barrel, to allow room for the barrel to tilt in the bushing due during slide movement.
Since the end of the barrel is to be cut off, one will need a new bushing that has a slightly smaller inner diameter. A so called "National Match" bushing works great for this. Then, from approx 1/2" behind the muzzle to the front of the chamber, the barrel needs to be reduced in diameter slightly.
As was stated, with a lathe, it is easy to do. All that is needed is enough reduction so the barrel and the bushing don't bind at full tilt.
I've just done my 3rd Rock Island FS barrel, so that it will work in a Commander length slide to go on my son's Colt 1911A1 Commander 45acp.