HERA 1911 Carbine Kit
HERA ARMS, makers of the Glock Carbine Kit, have turned their sights on the M1911 pistol. The Colt Pistol Extension (CPE) turns any mil-sepc 1911 into a .45 carbine.
Installation is simple. All that is involved is removing the grip panels and attaching the CPE in their place.
A stock adapter is available which allows AR-15 stocks to be attached.
In the United States this kit could be legally installed on any 1911 without violating BAFTE rules, as long as no stock or foregrip is attached. As soon as a stock or a foregrip is added, the gun must be registered with the BATFE.
I do not know of any US distributors, but I am sure this will be picked up by US importers soon.
UPDATE: Video of it being used. Thanks to Gutao for the link.
UPDATE: Sven just told me that the 1911 used with the kit needs to be mil-spec. The DWJ magazine reported problems with non-mil-spec sights interfering with the kit.
[ Many thanks to Sven (Defense and Freedom) for emailing me the the info. ]
I think Spikes Tactical is a distributor for them.
http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=112&products_id=292
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwxaAwu2Jp4 – Video of the carbine being shot (very cool tough)
i forgot to ask,can one of those high-capacity double-stack 1911′s used on this carbine?
I wish there was a way to make a long barrel carbine version of this for the 1911 or the glock, I know the barrel mechanics preclude that in the current form though :0(
I’ve seen a freak 16″ barrel for the 1911, does one like this exist for the Glock? If so, I *think* this would make it a legal carbine out of the box.
Spike carries the Glock kit, and I would assume the 1911 at some point soon.
However,price of host gun + $500 + $200 for the SBR tax stamp, you aren’t getting a longer barrel, attaching a silencer ‘may’ still work but it looks less likely, clearing a fte/ftf/stovepipe looks difficult at best, and your weapon is not immediately available as a pistol any more (screws for 1911, pins for the Glock). Sorry but I’ll pass.
I think the looks of the glock kit are pretty nice. However, I could not justify the price compared to a dedicated pdw like the B&T MP9/TP9 or if price is less of an issue, the MP5k.
Now, release a glock kit that gives me a non-tilting lockup with a longer barrel that only uses the glock lower so I can swap back to pistol with relative ease and I’m all in.
Very cool, but I’d want to have both a stock and foregrip, and I doubt I can afford the trouble of it.
Does this provide a more stable platform with a better sight picture and radius, or does this also have a longer barrel in it and add some velocity?
For the low, low cost of 500 dollars you can now convert your Colt into a Nintendo lightgun peripheral. Yay.
Gutao, thanks for the link.
[...] Instant gun review [...]
Yeah, there are negatives, but I still want one.
Please explain why this exists.
Interesting, but not something I’d consider buying.
Raph84, check out the Mech-Tech carbine: http://www.mechtechsys.com/ – click on the CCU button on the left.
RJG, see Impulse Gun Barrels (Austria) for 16″ Glock barrels: http://www.impulsegunbarrels.com/onlinekatalog-nov03/eng-08-karabinersystem.htm – I have no idea if they’re actually available in the US, and remember that the carbine needs to have a 16″ barrel *and* a total length greater than 26″.
“In the United States this kit could be legally installed on any 1911 without violating BAFTE rules, as long as no stock or foregrip is attached.” Be wary of constructive intent. I’m not a lawyer, but here’s what I understand. (Please correct me if I’m wrong). If the BATFE can “prove” that you intended to construct a SBR, then it is legally the same as if you actually built it. “Proof” includes having all of the parts with no other legal purpose. Examples: You only have a 1911, HERA kit, M4 buttstock, and no other guns. You could be convicted of constructive intent. Another example: You have a 1911, HERA kit, M4 buttstock, and a (semi-auto) M4. You would have a legal defense because you could argue that the M4 buttstock is for the M4 and that you had absolutely no intent to combine the buttstock with the 1911/HERA. A silencer/suppressor example: you could be convicted for having tools, supplies, and instructions on building a silencer. If you consider how simple basic silencers are, it could be unwise to own any kind of silencer instructions if you also own any kind of tools.
Side note: why would anyone want to use this without a buttstock or foregrip? It would avoid the SBR tax/registration, but you would merely create an unweildy handgun with a lot of rails. I don’t think this kit comes with any kind of extended barrel. I suspect a longer barrel would be visible from the muzzle end of the carbine.
Reminds me of an imperial blaster from Star Wars
Greetings from Texas,
OK, dumb question time here. Could this not be used if the 1911 had a 16 inch barrel installed? Both the barrel and a shoulder stock are sold by Sportsman Guide. Will this unit not accept a 1911 with the long barrel?
I know I’m probably missing something major. Give the country boy a hand here somebody.
Alright, just reread Cymond’s post and we seem to be on the same page. I understand the “intent” monster under the bed. That’s why I don’t have a 10.5 inch barrel for my simi thompson until I get the SBR paperwork approved. I guess my question still stands.
This thing looks way cool. More than a Star Wars Blaster. This looks like something Mal or Jayne would have on SERENITY.
Arthur, I guess it could be used with a 16″ barrel.
looks very much like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsu4j0OTEl0
Fab defense carbine kit for glock and sig pro (?)
I predict success for this unit since it has the minimum required number of tacticool rails for 2009.
What is it good for other than looking taticool? Is there any added function here?
Kurgen99, it is a .45 carbine. Easier to aim.
@Steve / Arthur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCUB5QN1OYU
at 1.04 there is a 16″ version. There is also the possibility to cover that barrel with a extended front tube. So that should be 100% legal. I think i saw 16″ barrels for around 70$ in the US. Its also in the gallery: http://www.hera-arms.de/cpe.php
For anyone interested in the Hera-Arm Colt Pistol Extension (CPE) and the Glock Carbine Conversion (GCC), LAN World, Inc. is distributing them. Check out http://www.LANWorldInc.com for details!!
How do you clean the pistol with the CPE? Do you have to remove the gun from the stock, or does the top of the unit open up somehow? I see that as a major drawback if you have to dissamble the thing every time you need to clean the gun. Sooner or later those grip extensions are going to crack, or the screw threads are going to get stripped.