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So I got a Colt Commander a while back that someone decided that they wanted a "chrome" slide 2 tone gun. So they proceeded to remove all of the blueing with steel wool

I had the slide milled down to remove the pits which also removed the rollmarks on the slide. Right after I got my "new" slide back I tripped upon a complete Commander slide for basically free that was in pristine condition. My now milled slide is currently being used as a paperweight.

Now to the meat of the question. I was scrolling through the Brownells web page where I stumbled upon the STI 2011 frame kits. I started thinking to myself that this looked like a GREAT idea. However it leads me to ALL sorts of questions about the reality of this project.

1) Can a standard Government frame rails be milled to Commander specs?

2) Can the profile of the dust cover on the 2011 frame be caressed to slim down its profile for holster compatibility?

3) Is the grip frame (the plastic part) solid, so that the trigger guard can be reshaped to the standard rounded profile, again for holster compatibility?

4) what else am I not considering while contemplating this MARVELOUS idea

After a quick Google search, I turned up this photo. However it really doesnt answer any questions as I can fit a Commander slide on a Government frame, but I certianly wouldnt shoot it. My photoshop does closely resemble what I am thinking about doing however.





Thank you for your input.

A Government frame can be modified to accept a Commander slide. However, STI (I think) and SVI (I know) make or will make a frame to Commander specs. So you can get the frame pre-done the way you need and and save money on paying a gunsmith to do it.

2011 guns typically are more difficult to find carry holsters for bu they are made and any custom maker would do it no problem I imagine. Of course, the blocky profile of the dust cover can be re-contoured by a smith if you want to make it easier to get a holster.

Also, as you pointed out, the squared trigger guard is another hindrance to holsters. The plastic frames are fairly rigid in my experience but I am unsure of whether there would be enough strength if the front was contoured as you photo shopped. I would think it is. Many competition shooter mod the hell out of the plastic grip housings so I'm sure someone has rounded the edge before.

So basically, if what you want is a Commander length STI or SVI they have been done before and can likely be ordered that way. As I stated, just getting the frame as a Commander frame and giving the box of stuff to a smith should yield what you want.

Good luck & enjoy.

I called STI who told me that they didn't make a Commander length frame for the 2011, I did not call SV.

What are the differences between the 2 frames? I hear the magazines are different.

Dog, The mags are the same for Commander and Gov't. On a Commander frame (I'm talking Colt specs here, as some of the other makers vary their dimensions a bit); the frame rails are .100 shorter in the front, and the frame dust cover is shorter by .300. I'd bet that the triggerguard can be reprofiled as you like, and if memory serves, I've seen pics of one that was done like that somewhere awhile back. As far as reprofiling the frame dust cover, I don't see why it couldn't be done. Good luck on your project,

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Don Williams
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http://www.ltwguns.com

I think the SV frames are finished a little nicer cosmetically than the STI. I don't remember the entire debacle about how the split went but the people at STI & SVI used to all be together making the 2011 style frames and split for some reason and that's why we have STI & SVI now. SVI IMO has a lot more innovative stuff but frame to frame I think they are even to the point that it would take a good bit of investigation to find differences.

I thought that STI had factory produced Commander sized 2011 pistols but I suppose it is possible that they utilize the same frame and made the changes to the slides to fit them. Looking at SVI's offerings it appears that I may have spoke too soon. Both offer Commander length slides but perhaps they manufacture them to fit their standard Government frames. It would seem wierd to me though, because I have purchased SVI Commander slides and used them on Commander and Officer frames. Perhaps a call to SVI is in order. IMO though, if I were buying a $500 2011 frame I would want the slide to be as kick ass as the frame and would likely buy a new slide, but that's me.

The magazines are the different but interchange between them. I feel that the SVI mag bodies are finished nicer. The steel is almost mirror polished.

There really are no functional differences between the frames. The magazines are slightly different but you will often see one's mags being used in the other's frame with little to no tweaking. Here is what STI says on the subject:
I've seen the squared trigger guard rounded off before. The plastic part of the frame is removable and can be purchased for around $100.

Yes,
A buddy of mine has an STI gun with the trigger-guard modified by Chuck Rogers "to make it look right" according to Chuck.
It looks exactly like your Photo-Shop pic.

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"He who works with his hands is a labourer, he who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist."
(St Francis of Assisi)

Thank you for that clarification!!! Making the frame fit existing holsters is a HUGE plus.