A 7/8 scaled 1911 platform?

[ddc]

I was skimming through one of the latest issues of one of the gun-rags that I keep subscribing to for some strange reason when I saw a reference to a "7/8 sized" 1911. I don't recall if it was an advertisement or if it was in the "new products on the market" section. Of course now I can't find it so maybe I was dreaming or hallucinating .... but that would be the topic for a whole 'nother thread now wouldn't it… so knock it off!…

Anyway the gist of it was that they (I think it was Springfield) are offering a 1911 scaled down a bit to fit the .45 GAP cartridge.

Now maybe the .45 GAP will someday be the second coming and all that but what really started my mind a spinning was the comment that was made alluding to the fact that soon to follow would be 9mm and 40s&w chamberings in that same, 7/8 sized package.

Now, maybe the 40s&w will someday be the second coming an all that but what really, really, started my mind a spinning was the idea that there could be a 1911 platform that was built around the 9mm cartridge (ok, and 40s&w) dimensions.

Sure, 9mm in a 1911 frame is not unheard of, but there is a bit of wasted space there and for years I've been dreaming about an alternative to the Browning Hipower in a purpose-built single action 9mm 1911 platform. Don't get me wrong, I love my HiPowers, but I also love 1911 triggers and therefore this seems like a great pairing.

So maybe, just maybe, the time has come. Maybe that .45 GAP is good for something afterall….

 

[Majic]

Sounds like the old Star PD.

 

[FireStar_M40]

Actually..

It sounds more like the FireStar line from Star.

FireStar_M40

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

It is in the Feb 2005 Guns Magazine. I saw the same thing it is from Springfield Armory, I think it will definately be on the keep an eye out for it list to see how it fits my wifes hand, probably in the 9mm caliber.

 

[DrDremel]

I'd buy one in a heartbeat if it really is a 1911 clone of good quality. A little smaller than a .45 in 9mm or .40 and slimmer to boot. Sounds like a carry piece dream gun. Sometimes a 1911 is too big to hide in some clothes. With identical manual of arms it would be a no-training substitute.

 

[Jim Watson]

Colt did it.

In 1911-1912 they built prototype guns of Government Model design but of about 7/8 scale, weighing 34 ounces, and chambered for 9.8mm Colt Auto. They never went into mass production as a result of getting the US Army 1911 contract which gave them plenty of business; and renewing their deal with FN to divide up the world market for Browning design pistols. Later they assembled left over parts into a final gun for the BOD to reconsider, but with a .38 ACP barrel because all the 9.8 ammo ever made had been shot up.

It would be a perfectly proportioned gun for 9mm, .38 Super, and .40.

Look for a June 1988 American Rifleman for details and pictures.

 

[halvey]

Maybe that .45 GAP is good for something afterall….

Nah.

 

[Tim L]

sounds close to what STI offers in the LS/BLS series, 9mm and 40s+w only.

Tim

 

[nemesis]

I saw a reference to a "7/8 sized" 1911.

Possibly an STI, great little gun.

 

[DMK]

Guns Magazine refers to a 7/8 size 45GAP Springfield Officers. (Page 26, Q&A, 02/05 issue).

So what's the point of a 45GAP 1911? Is it just to give you 45ACP like performance in a smaller gun?

 

[Iggy]

Can you say CCO??

 

[Dienekes]

9.8 mm Colt

Just what I was thinking. There are photos of it in the various collector's references. Too bad it never went anywhere as it would fit smaller handed people beautifully, I would suspect. Some company could do worse than to resurrect it in a modern caliber. I think .357 SIG would be a bit much for it, but who knows? .40 should work...

 

[GEM]

The 1672 ?

I guess that's a good number for a gun model.

If it is in 45 GAP, it will be rather ironic. Springfield may get the GAP into its normal sized XD polymers and a small 1911 ish gun.

Glock is stuck with the honker slide that only the zealot loves.

If other companies make small GAP guns, it will like the 40 SW - the Sigma crashed and burned and the G22/23/27 was a great success. Ain't life strange?

 

[bigjim]

Been thinkin on this.

Imagine if there was a Santa Claus...

All steel 7/8 size 1911 in 9mm Nato high polish blue flats with mat rounds.
7/8 size Hienie Sights...... Would look real fine on the shelf next to a P7M8.
Gawd....... what a dream. I am thinking something with classic lines not all melted to death. Maybe French borders with snakeskin front strap and main spring houseing. 7/8 size BCP ignition set. Black linen micarta thin grips /w blasted finish.

 

[albanian]

Star made several 9mm 1911ish approximatly 7/8 scale pistols. The Star B, Super B, BKM, and BM come to mind. The BMs that I have are very accurate.

I would actually buy a 7/8 scale 1911 in 9mm! I love the 9mm and I love the 1911 platform. It would be nice if they could make some of the parts interchange with the full sized 1911 so you could get parts.

 

[voilsb]

All right ... so 7/8 scale would be a good size for a .40 S&W 1911 ... would it be possible to make a reliable and durable 7/8 scale 1911 chambered in 10mm?

 

[GEM]

It would be if you shortened the 10mm round and ....

ARRRGGGHHH!

 

[voilsb]

Okay. I'm not too knowledgeable with the 10mm cartridge. I know it's the same caliber as the .40, but don't know about case size, thickness, length, etc. So I figured I'd ask.

 

[ddc]

Brian,
For 10mm you need a frame that can take a .45acp. It is too long to fit into a purpose built 9mm platform.
One of the rationale's for the 40s&w is that you get the 10mm bullet in a 9mm length cartridge.
ddc.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Between the introduction of the small-frame .357 and .45 Vaqueros, and now the 7/8 1911, these are good times for the small-handed among us.

If someone can just convince Kahr that the Mustang .380 no longer threatens their market, we can have a 1911 for Goldilocks and all Three Bears...

Whenever anybody gets a lead as to how much parts compatibility will exist between the 1911 and the... 1912(?), it'd be great to hear that.

I swear, I get more and more excited to see the SHOT Show Reports every year... -MV

 

[voilsb]

Brian,
For 10mm you need a frame that can take a .45acp. It is too long to fit into a purpose built 9mm platform.
One of the rationale's for the 40s&w is that you get the 10mm bullet in a 9mm length cartridge.
ddc.

Thanks for the info. So what about .357 Sig? I understand it's a 9mm bullet in a .40 S&W case, right?

Nonetheless, it sounds cool, and for that reason, I want one

 

[ddc]

I am not that knowledgable about the .357 sig but my understanding is that it although it would seem that you could take a 40s&w case and neck it down to 9mm and end up with a .357 sig case that is actually not the way they do it.

I'm sure that somebody with more knowledge than me will be along shortly to set us straight.