I have a Colt 1911 series 80 in .38 Super but would like to know how expensive and difficult would it be to swap it over to one of the more readily available calibers?

Is the slide completely different? Besides the barrel is there more? Can a .40 & .45 use the same slide? Nate

I always felt the 1911 was better suited for the ACP or super longer case. To go 45 should be barrel bushing probably recoil spring and magazines.

Sorry I was having a brain fart. As richj says more involved than I was thinking.

A 45 and 40/10mm slide is required. I have done it but I started with a 1911 in 45acp. the breach face is sized to the case.

9mm = 9mm slide, barrel, ejector
38super = 9mm slide, 38 barrel, ejector
45= 45 slide, barrel, ejector, slide release
10mm= 10mm slide, barrel, ejector, slide rel.
40=10mm slide, 40 barrel, ejector, slide rel.

A mag is required for each caliber, you may only need 2 slide releases, the ejector for the 10 may work with the 40, and recoil springs .

I have a Para built to do the 40 S&W and 45 ACP swap. I use two top ends built with Nowlin ramped barrels, Briley spherical bushings, and appropriate Baer slides. Each slide has it's own guide rod and appropriate spring.

To change calibers, you change the ejector and swap to the desired slide, and insert a right magazine for that caliber.

I have used the pistol for IPSC Limited in 40 S&W and in 45 ACP as a carry gun.

Super could be done the same way. It's slide has a narrower face than that for the 40 S&W.

With a Para frame and magazines, the same slide stop (release) can be used for all calibers.

Thanks, I hadn't thought about the slide release at all.

Where should I start shopping? I'd like to swap calibers for less than the cost of a different pistol.