Got a new barrel for my 1911... ;-)

[AJMD429]

I don't shoot my Rock Island double-stack much; I got it just 'because' - I like my Para Ordnance P-14 so much I wanted a 'spare' in similar configuration. The Rock Island is a VERY well made gun, but is all-steel, and much heavier, and given the P-14's utter reliability and lighter aluminum grip frame, it makes a better carry gun.

Then I came across mention of the MechTech Glock/1911 Carbine kit in a thread on this forum... Then I explored their website, and found out that the MechTech 'CCU' is essentially a new 'upper' that replaces your barrel and slide. Hmmm.........

Then I got a paycheck (first in quite awhile)...

So....I went to http://www.mechtechsys.com/faqs.php#c0 and decided what to order, then gave them a call on Thursday....the following Tuesday I got a package in the mail...


Package Arrives


What's in the Box...?


Just take out the magazine and remove your slide and barrel...


Position your frame in the rear of the 'upper'...


...and slide it forward, then install the slide lever like normal...

(the safety still works just like normal, by the way)


It is NOW ready to fire...!!!

(It honestly takes less than a minute to remove your slide/barrel and install the 'upper'...)


...but you can order with their wire collapsible stock, or an 'AR' adapter, and put whatever sights you want on it...

The little part sitting on top of the serial number is a 'ParaBlock', which enables use with 1911's that have barrels with integral ramps like the Para Ordnance; turns out my Rock Island is a virtually identical double-stack to the Para P-14, but has a 'normal' 1911 frame with the ramp on the frame not the barrel. Thus I didn't need the ParaBlock for the Rock Island. May come in handy if I decide to use my P-12 frame on it, though...



This is the normal 14-round magazine in place.


The 15-round magazine BARELY protrudes from the grip frame, and the 20-rounder is pretty compact vs. most 'stick' magazines.


The completed 45 ACP Carbine...

I will put irons on it most likely, but just wanted to put an optic on it for a quick range-test....



Fourteen shots at 50 yards (off a rest) with mixed-brands of factory ball ammo. Not bad...!

[Streetstar]

That is too cool --- i may have to get one for my Glock 20 when my 10mm Sig comes in next month --- otherwise that Glock may start gathering a lot of dust -

[wolfdog]

They are pretty cool, the ones I have messed with have all been accurate, and dependable.

[Old Ironsights]

A decade or two ago, you could get a single shot upper like that that would take a .308...

[horsesoldier03]

NICE!!!
Of course by the end of the tread, someone is going to tell you it should be in 9MM

[harry]

NICE!!!
Of course by the end of the tread, someone is going to tell you it should be in 9MM

Well if they do they can buy one because they make them in 9mm,10mm,45 acp and 460 Rowland

[sore shoulder]

NICE!!!
Of course by the end of the tread, someone is going to tell you it should be in 9MM

There's a lot better ways to shot 9mm from a carbine. Not that you gain anything by doing it.

[AJMD429]

NICE!!! Of course by the end of the tread, someone is going to tell you it should be in 9MM

There's a lot better ways to shot 9mm from a carbine. Not that you gain anything by doing it.

Yeah. It seems like any argument for 'less than' a 45 ACP (or 10mm) from a pistol kind of evaporates when it comes to a (more controllable) carbine, as long as the magazines have decent capacity. My 20-rounders seem to work perfectly in the P-14, and even the factory 14 and 15 round ones hold about half a pound of lead...

[CowboyTutt]

Doc, that is really nifty! I've always wondered what the performance of a 10mm would be in a carbine. With a slow burning powder like #9 it might pick up some velocity over a pistol. -Tutt

[octagon]

Andy, I too have wondered about a 10mm carbine. Might be motorcycle compatible

[Panzercat]

Oh! Double stack! You have redeemed yourself!
The price point keeps me away, but not too dang bad.

[CowboyTutt]

From "Octo"

Andy, I too have wondered about a 10mm carbine. Might be motorcycle compatible

Well it certainly would be, that is for sure! When hiking or camping in black bear country I have always carried my 10mm 1911 with some Double Tap ammo in it in a strong side holster. But when in "Grizzly country" I carry the 460 "snubbie". -Tutt

[sore shoulder]

NICE!!! Of course by the end of the tread, someone is going to tell you it should be in 9MM

There's a lot better ways to shot 9mm from a carbine. Not that you gain anything by doing it.

Yeah. It seems like any argument for 'less than' a 45 ACP (or 10mm) from a pistol kind of evaporates when it comes to a (more controllable) carbine, as long as the magazines have decent capacity. My 20-rounders seem to work perfectly in the P-14, and even the factory 14 and 15 round ones hold about half a pound of lead...

There is literally nothing to gain performance wise shootng 9mm from a carbine. There is more control and accuracy, but if I'm going bigger in a weapon, I'm going bigger cartridge wise.

[CowboyTutt]

Frank, it might also be the same for the 10mm but having never seen any chronograph results with the 10mm in a carbine, I just don't know. That is why I recommended using #9, or for that matter #7 or Power Pistol as anyone of them might offer the best results with the 10mm data I have from software predictions. I agree with your summation on the 9mm though.

Regards,

-Tutt

[Paladin]

Great info and post. I had a full auto M-16 with a 10mm upper but it was too hot for a blowback action and would split cases with my normal carry ammo (Norma Loading from a ammo company).

[1894c]

darn that is so cooool, sorry about my language, but that is really cooooool... :)

[stretch]

They make 'em in 10mm?!?



-Stretch

[sore shoulder]

Frank, it might also be the same for the 10mm but having never seen any chronograph results with the 10mm in a carbine, I just don't know. That is why I recommended using #9, or for that matter #7 or Power Pistol as anyone of them might offer the best results with the 10mm data I have from software predictions. I agree with your summation on the 9mm though.

Regards,


-Tutt

Based on case capacity, the significant gains in a 6" barreled 10mm pistol, and the significant gains i found loading for .357 in a Marlin carbine, the significant gains I found loading 10mm overall, I am fairly certain there is a significant gain to be had from a 10mm carbine. The 9mm is severely limited by case capacity in this instance.

[Blaine]

I'm not much for Tactical pelosi, but that is just very, very nice....accuracy is impressive for a throw-together kit like that.

[TedH]

I like that, a lot!

[AJMD429]

I'm not much for Tactical pelosi, but that is just very, very nice....accuracy is impressive for a throw-together kit like that.

What's interesting is HOW FAST it is to assemble - literally pop the slide off and replace it with the 'upper'.
I'd estimate it takes about one minute, maybe less (I'll have to time it).

THAT opens up the possibility of it as a 'car gun' type accessory for those who want the extra reach of a 'long gun' in case there is a social breakdown and they are 'trapped in the city' or have a 30 mile walk home. You could have IT in a vehicle anywhere (or nearly so), since it is NOT A FIREARM. Assuming you're legal for CCW where you go, you could either just keep your handgun as-is and deal with whatever bad stuff is going on, or within seconds (maybe a minute), transition to a long-gun and have the extra velocity and accuracy (and perhaps 'intimidation' factor).

Hopefully, none of us will ever be in the big city and stranded during riots or whatever, but should that happen, the MechTech could be part of a solution to get home safely, without having to inventory and deal with the red tape of another 'firearm'.

[TedH]

I'm thinking I may just buy a double stack frame, build my own "lower" add one of those kits, and just leave it assembed.

[Blaine]

I'm thinking I may just buy a double stack frame, build my own "lower" add one of those kits, and just leave it assembed.

I have a birthday coming up...

[TedH]

Sure Blaine! I guess my Birthday gift from you is still in the mail? Only a day late......

[AJMD429]

Frank, it might also be the same for the 10mm but having never seen any chronograph results with the 10mm in a carbine, I just don't know. That is why I recommended using #9, or for that matter #7 or Power Pistol as anyone of them might offer the best results with the 10mm data I have from software predictions. I agree with your summation on the 9mm though.

Here's some more on that - there has been a ballistics test of the 10mm MechTech unit by Shootingthebull410 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiOLTN_320c.

As far as the 9mm, see this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY4iFl82WiA

Here's a general review I don't know if I posted before or not - http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/1 ... ech-c-c-u/.

[SteveR]

Good to know they are approved by the ATF, I was worried about the classification.
I bet one in 460 Rowlands would be a stomp-er.

Steve

[AJMD429]

Another interesting review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYMCQyUVkMg. This one shows the innards and it looks well designed (haven't had mine that far apart yet).

[CowboyTutt]

Doc, thanks for the links. I was shocked at how well the 10mm gained out of a carbine. Wow! Sure would make a dandy cartridge in a lever gun it would seem. Hmmmm. -Tutt

[AJMD429]

Went out today and just fast-fired two 20-rounders at the 24" 15-yard gong. No failures to feed (mixed ammo), but one of the rounds shot off one of the wires it hangs from, so couldn't count hits after that.

[CowboyTutt]

but one of the rounds shot off one of the wires it hangs from, so couldn't count hits after that.

My best friend once made an unrepeatable shot into one of the arms of my chronograph with his BFR in 454 Casull. I still rag him about that to this day...

Regards my friend,

-Tutt

[AJMD429]

I just found a Hickock45 review of the MechTech using a Glock 'lower'...

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwC4M_V ... r_embedded

[AJMD429]

Just came across this 10mm review....sorry if it is a repeat, but I don't think I saw it before.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/0 ... -test/amp/

[minish]

Ballistics by the inch shows a 200-300 fps gain for 9mm in a carbine length barrel in a few real world guns.

[3leggedturtle]

Nice, can't imagine having that much fun. 16" 9mm Contender barrel chronoed 1330-1380 fps with R-P and S-B 115gr bullets in factory loads. My 18" 45auto Contender barrel averages 1050fps with Lee 255gr bullet with HS7 and am better than a full grain under max. Tho factory W-W 230gr only picked 50fps.

[Old Ironsights]

I can't use a MechTech upper...

They don't fit on an Officer's size lower.

[3leggedturtle]

A decade or two ago, you could get a single shot upper like that that would take a .308...

I'dlike the one that turns the 1911 into a 10-12" single shot pistol in 223.