Colt .380 1911's information and thoughts...

[TED]

First question, why didn't Colt (or anyone) make a 1911 sized around the 9mm instead of the .380? Why have they still not yet done so? If there is such a thing where can I find one?

The .380 Colt's are all locked breech (as opposed to straight blow back) guns right? This helps reduce recoil relative to straight blow back .380's does it not?


Where can I find information to get educated about the .380 1911's? I would like to have one but I don;t know which one. I just recently learned of the pocketlite versions with aluminum frames. As far as I can tell, the Government model with the aluminum frame is the one I would want.

I know this is somewhat sick but, has anyone ever considered changing one over to 9x18mm Makarov? I'm sure it is easily doable and safe and all that. I think the benefit would be more power and less cost. I think the locked breech would make it the only locked bvreech 9x18mm Makarov pistol in the world. It sure would be nice to find some high impulse 9x18mm Makarov ammo.

TED

[Jim Watson]

Well in early 1911 before adoption of the 1911 by the US Army, Colt was marketing abroad a 9.8mm Colt pistol on a scaled down 1911 action. It would be just about perfect for 9mm, .38 Super, and .40 these days. Why not? Too much trouble to tool up for an all new gun.

The Government 380s are really more like a Star than a Colt 1911, but they are nice little guns, especially the longer barrelled versions with bushing like 1911. Changing one to 9x18 Makarov would take a LOT of work. Makarov is really 9.2mm, .364" instead of .355" so a new barrel would be required. Makarov is the same head diameter as 9mm P, larger than .380; so a new magazine would be required. The magazine well would have to be enlarged to take the new magazine. Phew. Just as well build that scaled to caliber 9mm P.

[Wildpony]

I believe that the .380 Colt that you are referring to is called the Colt Mustang, and they are currently out of production. You can still find a pretty good LLama copy for about $150.oo in some places but Im pretty sure that those are discontinued to.

Jim was right about the converting a .380 to 9x18. And my advice is if you want a 9mm or .40 1911 scaled down, then buy a CAD engineering program, scale down the 1911 blueprints accordingly, acquire your own CNC machine and make your own. Then you can market them and make money of the idea. LOL ..... Oh yeah "HUGE OVERHEAD COSTS" but Id buy one from you:)

Springfield and Kimber make fullsize and compact 1911s that are chambered for 9mm and .40 but they are fullsize frames or have been shortened and chopped in order to be "Compact"

[Wildpony]

I just did a google search and found out that Llama is still making their mini 1911 in 380. It is called the MicroMax. and can be had for under $300. go to www.bersa-llama.com and check out their products.

PS from all I have read Llama makes a good quality pistol at a reasonable price to the consumer.

[TED]

Yes, I am familiar with the Llama Micro-Max. I like them just fine. They are actually closer to being a 1911 than than the Colt .380 on account of having grip safety. However, they do not have a locked breech OR a fixed barrell, they have an unlocked and unfixed barrell. This is fine and works great, however I want a Colt due to the locked barrell.

TED