.45 Compensator on 9mm 1911 Commander?

[mtenenhaus]

years ago i purchased a 40 TPI 1911 style compensator (a real one, not a bushing type).....I've been looking at it for ever wondering if i'd ever find a use for it.

I also have an old 1911 Commander in 9mm that's ready for a new barrel.

I thought i'd send off the compensator to my gunsmith to have it fit onto a new 9mm barrel...rather than waste the parts having them sit in a box forever.

Would a .45 compensator function and perform poorly on a 9mm 1911?

Thank you

[RickD427]

How would your gunsmith attach it without turning your pistol into an illegal assault weapon?

[mtenenhaus]

he told me that if he fixed it on permanently (pin and weld?) keeping the bushing on the barrel then it would meet legal requirements....is that not accurate?

[ojisan]

Gunsmith is correct, legal if permanently attached.
Comp works by venting the trapped gases behind the bullet upwards.
If the bore size in the comp is too large the gases will mostly just follow the bullet out the muzzle with little going upwards.
The weight of the comp alone will help keep the muzzle down but you won't get much gas push.
You really want a .38 / 9mm size comp for best results.

[mtenenhaus]

thank you.....i appreciate the information.

[RickD427]

Gunsmith is correct, legal if permanently attached.
Comp works by venting the trapped gases behind the bullet upwards.
If the bore size in the comp is too large the gases will mostly just follow the bullet out the muzzle with little going upwards.
The weight of the comp alone will help keep the muzzle down but you won't get much gas push.
You really want a .38 / 9mm size comp for best results.

^^^THIS^^^


Ojisan nailed it. Pinning and welding effectively removes the threads and makes for a California legal installation, even though the captive bushing is gonna be a PITA.

Please note that Judge Benitez' ruling of yesterday doesn't change anything at the moment regarding California's Assault Weapon statute.

[mtenenhaus]

i understand, thank you...

[MongooseV8]

Seems kinda backwards to put a comp on a commander. I think I would opt for some tricked out port work instead.

[mtenenhaus]

i find the shorter slide plus compensator balances nicely in my hand...perhaps the slide velocity is a bit different as well (though i've never tested that).

it's interesting but there seems to be a rhythm to how slides cycle.....i work hard at trying to tune the slide weight and velocity to my preference and comfort.

in addition i hope to try out some measures (which are well described) to alter duration prior to barrel tilt as well as well as modify slide weight and spring rates.

it's fun to learn new things......as long as it's safe i don't mind experimenting even if i end up buggering up some things....well at least on this one platform.