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PostPosted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:30 pm 
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I am trying to gather ideas for a new project on a GM lightweight Springfield loaded I recently acquired. I am looking for pics of cut down government slides to commander length on Government frames. With or without the dustcover cut back and with or without a bushing. Thanks in advance.

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:24 pm 
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Wow, nobody has a chopped government?

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:24 am 
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Well, there's a problem with enough room for the recoil spring. The Commander slide is shortened about 3/4" which means the available room for the recoil spring to pack into in full recoil is 3/4" shorter-- that's a lot, like almost 18 coils. So on the as-designed Commander, they make up for it somewhat by moving the rear part of the slide's recoil spring tunnel back. They recoup maybe 5/16 here-- I don't have one in front of me to measure. Now, that surface having been moved back shortens the slide's stroke unacceptably, so they make up for that somewhat, I say somewhat, by machining back the frame's cut upon which the slide bottoms out in recoil. The end result is still a shorter stroke and a shorter spring, but it works.

You probably knew some or all of this...... anyway, the bottom line is that I guess the general consensus is that it might not work so well and for that reason most people don't try it. I'd say it should work as well as a Commander IF you cut the frame back and use a reverse recoil spring plug with a thick flange to make the gun think it is a Commander slide.


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:17 am 
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Quote:
Well, there's a problem with enough room for the recoil spring. The Commander slide is shortened about 3/4" which means the available room for the recoil spring to pack into in full recoil is 3/4" shorter-- that's a lot, like almost 18 coils. So on the as-designed Commander, they make up for it somewhat by moving the rear part of the slide's recoil spring tunnel back. They recoup maybe 5/16 here-- I don't have one in front of me to measure. Now, that surface having been moved back shortens the slide's stroke unacceptably, so they make up for that somewhat, I say somewhat, by machining back the frame's cut upon which the slide bottoms out in recoil. The end result is still a shorter stroke and a shorter spring, but it works.

You probably knew some or all of this...... anyway, the bottom line is that I guess the general consensus is that it might not work so well and for that reason most people don't try it. I'd say it should work as well as a Commander IF you cut the frame back and use a reverse recoil spring plug with a thick flange to make the gun think it is a Commander slide.
That was basically the plan Ned. I was going to use a bull or cone barrel with a reverse plug without a hole and a standard guide rod. I swear I have seen chopped commanders on here before but I could not find one in a search however.

I would have to cut the frame back if I used a commander slide anyway so I thought I would just chop the slide and go bushingless. This would hopefully give me a somewhat unique look.

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:18 am 
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BTW: correct me if I am wrong but doesnt Bob Marvel do a lot of these?

Edit: From Bob Marvel's page:
Quote:
The reason for the cut down government model is that the length of cycle distance is increased by at least .200” over the “true” commander cycle distance. This allows for a more reliable pistol. A standard guide rod and solid reverse plug are used so that, in the event of a stuck round in the chamber, you can more easily clear a round. Whereas an extended recoil guide rod interferes with a method of extracting a live round. This system also allows for a much faster and tool-less take down.

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:31 am 
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All good points above and I agree. Some have had success with this in the past w/o modding the frame or using a special recoil spring plug. Caspian used to offer a chopped Cov't slide just for that purpose. It is about 1/2" shorter than stock, so not quite as short as a Commander. I have one of those slides in my safe back home. I haven't done it myself as I've had too many other projects and Uncle Sam has owned me full time for the last 5 years, so my "play time" is severely limited.


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:02 am 
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I knew I would have to mod the frame, I just wanted to save the slide and get an idea of how it looks. Maybe I will just sell the top end and buy a commander slide...

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:51 am 
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Here you go.

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... php?t=2742

by Tim Brian


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:04 am 
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I knew I saw one on here. Thank you.

Anyone else got any?

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:05 am 
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Here is a 4 1/2" gun.
http://www.pistoldynamics.com/Prod_Pro_1.html


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PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:45 pm 
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Location: Ohio
Quote:
Well, there's a problem with enough room for the recoil spring. The Commander slide is shortened about 3/4" which means the available room for the recoil spring to pack into in full recoil is 3/4" shorter-- that's a lot, like almost 18 coils. So on the as-designed Commander, they make up for it somewhat by moving the rear part of the slide's recoil spring tunnel back. They recoup maybe 5/16 here-- I don't have one in front of me to measure. Now, that surface having been moved back shortens the slide's stroke unacceptably, so they make up for that somewhat, I say somewhat, by machining back the frame's cut upon which the slide bottoms out in recoil. The end result is still a shorter stroke and a shorter spring, but it works.

You probably knew some or all of this...... anyway, the bottom line is that I guess the general consensus is that it might not work so well and for that reason most people don't try it. I'd say it should work as well as a Commander IF you cut the frame back and use a reverse recoil spring plug with a thick flange to make the gun think it is a Commander slide.

I must have my stupid hat on. Ned are you saying the slides recoil spring tunnel is shorter or longer than a government model? I am assuming shorter.

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PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:58 am 
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What about all the comp guns that have 4.5" slides and run great?

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