Inquiry: Custom .45 ACP Conversion Project for Springfield Echelon
Dear Armory Life Team and forum members,
I am reaching out to you as a dedicated Springfield Echelon owner and a fan of your high-end custom work. While I am aware that there is currently no factory conversion kit available, I am interested in commissioning a professional, one-off custom build to convert my Springfield Echelon from 9mm to .45 ACP.
The Echelon’s ergonomics are superior for my needs compared to the XD-M series, which is why I am determined to pursue this conversion despite the significant technical challenges involved (and financial too of course).
I am particularly interested in knowing if your shop would be willing to take on a project of this scale, specifically addressing the following (or any challange of the following):
- Grip Module: I understand the 9mm grip module is physically too short for .45 ACP magazines. Would it be feasible to adapt or CNC-machine a custom aluminum grip module (similar to the Sharps Bros modules) to accommodate .45 ACP mags?
- COG (Central Operating Group): Can the steel chassis of the COG be modified or replaced with a custom-milled version to handle the longer OAL of the .45 ACP cartridge and its cycling requirements?
- Slide & Barrel: I am looking for a custom-fitted match grade barrel and the necessary slide modifications (breach face and extractor adjustments) to ensure reliable cycling and safety.
I really understand that this would be a complex, "ground-up" engineering project with significant costs and a long lead time. I am prepared to discuss a budget that reflects the expert R&D and CNC work required for such a unique build.
Could you please let me know if this is something your team would consider investigating? If not, do you have any recommendations for a master gunsmith in the US who specializes in extreme Springfield platform modifications?
Thank you for your time and for the incredible work you do for the firearms community!
Best regards,
Sigma748
(A fellow shooter and Echelon owner from Hungary)