I have a Fusion 1911 in 10mm with the standard five inch barrel.

I am thinking about making it more concealable by buying a shorter barrel and slide (I am having the dickens of a time finding a shorter slide for the 10mm).

Would I need any other parts other than sights to complete this, and where can I source the parts (I have looked at Brownell's and Midway so far without any luck for the slide).

Thank you,
Dave

Depends how well fitted your slide is to your frame. Your tolerances will likely be too tight to take a random slide, so you'd have to get a complete Commander slide (4.25 is the shortest you can go with a GI guide rod) and have it fitted to your gun.

It's not as easy as a Glock or a Sig. You'd be better off buying another gun with the money you'll be spending.

As far as I know, there is no 10mm 1911 made with a barrel shorter than 5 inches. If you know of one, then contact the maker for their parts.

But 1911s aren't the same as modern pistols. They may not work by just swapping top ends even if it's the same caliber. Tolerances are more critical for reliability. It could get really expensive chasing parts to make everything work if you don't know what you're doing. That's why custom gunsmiths can charge so much for their 1911s.

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:
Depends how well fitted your slide is to your frame. Your tolerances will likely be too tight to take a random slide, so you'd have to get a complete Commander slide (4.25 is the shortest you can go with a GI guide rod) and have it fitted to your gun.

It's not as easy as a Glock or a Sig. You'd be better off buying another gun with the money you'll be spending.

I second this. depending on the brand and quality of the gun. quality work comes at a price (in some cases it's totally worth paying).

You should be able to get a Commander slide from Fusion Firearms.
About 10 years ago I had them build me a Commander 1911 with three barrels fitted for 10mm, .357 Sig and .40 S&W.

Depending how short you go you might need to cut the dustcover as well.

Buy a second gun, or sell/trade your current for what you want. There are a few options out there for Commander sized 10mm 1911's. Dan Wesson for the upper end of factory gun, Tisas for the lower end. I see this Tisas on several vendor sites for around $740 Tisas Yukon 10mm

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Perry:
Buy a second gun, or sell/trade your current for what you want. There are a few options out there for Commander sized 10mm 1911's. Dan Wesson for the upper end of factory gun, Tisas for the lower end. I see this Tisas on several vendor sites for around $740 Tisas Yukon 10mm

This is the correct answer. If you want a Commander length 10mm 1911 - buy one. Sell your current pistol if needed to fund the purchase, but 1911’s really don’t lend themselves to easily swapping a slide.

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Perry:
Buy a second gun, or sell/trade your current for what you want. There are a few options out there for Commander sized 10mm 1911's. Dan Wesson for the upper end of factory gun, Tisas for the lower end. I see this Tisas on several vendor sites for around $740 Tisas Yukon 10mm

Buying a second firearm isn't an option as Oregon is screwing around with background checks, and not following the law thanks to the federal court in Oregon stating Measure 114 is "Constitutional" based on 2A, and the Oregon State Circuit Court stating the measure violates Oregon's Constitution. The Circuit Court placed a permanent injunction against the measure... the State doesn't care and is doing what they want spending our tax dollars to sue We The People.

I can buy parts and pieces all day if I can find them as many vendors (Midway, etc...) refuse to sell certain parts (especially magazines) to Oregon residents.

So my option would be to buy the parts/pieces I need and take them to a gunsmith if need be so I can have another configuration for my 1911.

Even law enforcement officers are getting jammed up and placed on a "delay" to pick up firearms paid for, and this delay can be hours, days, or even years as there is no specified time, and many dealers in Oregon are scared to follow the law and release a firearm after a three day wait should a delay hit the buyer.

The problem is, a Commander slide is not a direct replacement on a Government frame. It is not just the cosmetics of the dust cover, the Commander's rails are shorter and the recoil abutment - VIS - is farther back and even so the slide travel is shorter. Put the Commander slide on a Government frame and the slide travel is shorter still.

It HAS been done, a Les Baer Comanche operates that way, but it is a maybe it will, maybe it won't type of thing.

The other approach is to shorten a Government slide. This cuts into spring space and a flat wire recoil spring is needed. This has been done, too; a Cabot "full cycle" is a factory version.

What complications 10mm vs .45 introduces, I cannot say.

The receiver could be remachined to correct Commander dimensions but that might be a one-way change, I have not heard of one being flip flopped between 4.25 and 5 inches.

But if you want to push ahead, Fusion will configure a 10mm 4.25" slide for you to try. One like I would want costs $362 and another $189 for a barrel, plus a $9 link and $20 bushing and at least $90 for sights.

Gunsmith fitting would likely be required, as said, this is not a P365 to be promiscuously swapping parts around on. Maybe Fusion would put it together for you.

In my several decades carrying a M1911 I find barrel length makes no difference in concealing a M1911. ISWB holster conceals a Government Model just fine. But I've convinced myself I can get a Commander clear of the holster and pointed at the target faster than a Government Model.

I never had any success trying to put a Commander-length slide on a Government-length frame even from the same manufacturer. Too many subtle differences. Same for a Centurion slide on a M9.

Bobtail alloy frame -- which your Fusion may already have is probably the best you can do.

If you do it keep us informed.

-- Chuck

The full size 1911 frame and the Commander size frame are not the same. You should not run a Commander size slide on a full size frame.

It would be less hassle to just pick up a Glock 29. Ammo commonality and might turn out to be cheaper, too.

Try contacting Fusion customer support and explain your predicament.

They may be able to help you and have a slide and barrel fitted (or made so you can have them fitted by a local gunsmith).