Extended dust cover, 1911

I see some 1911s have a dust cover that extends to the end of the slide. (See pic.) Does this increase the accuracy potential or is it just aesthetic?

Maybe an extended dust cover provides longer rails to contact the slide and improve accuracy that way?

It merely adds some weight. Some also add an accessory rail. The added weight, may or may not make it more shooter friendly for the shooter.

Also please be aware that extended dust covers are not permitted for CMP Service Pistol. AFAIK.

radjag wrote:Also please be aware that extended dust covers are not permitted for CMP Service Pistol. AFAIK.

Thanks for bringing that up. I emailed the CMP about it last week and they said yes it will be allowed. It will be added to the list of approved modifications in the next CMP rule book update.

-Trevor

hengehold wrote:
Maybe an extended dust cover provides longer rails to contact the slide and improve accuracy that way?

Slide to frame contact is the same. Biggest benefit is the ability to mount things to the gun such as an RDS (as in the photo) or a scatt/mantis. It is a bit heavier, but not too much.

Edit: For those who like numbers, I have two lowers for conversions, one with the extended dustcover, the other a standard frame

Full length dust cover/tac rail:1lb 5.4oz
Standard:1lb 3.2oz

Darn it! I also communicated a few times with CMP in 2019. I had two very, very nice STI Range Master 1911's that I hoped to use for CMP Service Pistol. OK, they also had bull barrels which would have had to be machined down to meet the CMP rules, but when I was told that the extended shrouds were not OK I decided to sell them on.

Two lucky Forum members got them at very favourable prices!

hengehold wrote:I see some 1911s have a dust cover that extends to the end of the slide. (See pic.) Does this increase the accuracy potential or is it just aesthetic?

Maybe an extended dust cover provides longer rails to contact the slide and improve accuracy that way?

IMO, the only increase in accuracy potential is the added ability to balance the gun the way you personally like.  From a straight mechanical standpoint it does absolutely nothing.

Can anyone speak to the usefulness and effectiveness of the recoil dampening devices such as the one in the pic, or the use of a clamp-on weight to minimize effects of recoil?

Recoil Dampening system changes the feel of the shot impulse. The addition of clamp weight changes the balance of the gun. Obviously the recoil damping system adds weight to the gun so it does both. Pardini's and AW-93's have similar systems from the factory.

Who makes these recoil dampening devices? I would like to try one out.

I make the RDS’s and that happens to be my 1911 that KC built for the expressed purpose most have stated above.  The extra weight for balance and the RDS to mitigate recoil. 
With all that being said, what would you like to know?

Also, as you can see with the extended dust cover, you can move the RDS muzzle to trigger to make the feel to your liking

Danehogle wrote:I make the RDS’s and that happens to be my 1911 that KC built for the expressed purpose most have stated above.  The extra weight for balance and the RDS to mitigate recoil. 
With all that being said, what would you like to know?

Hi Dane,
I am interested in getting one of the recoil dampening devices. Can you tell me about pricing and availability? Are there different models or one size fits all? Feel free to send me a PM if you would prefer.
Thanks,
-Trevor

The standard housing RDS are $275. Some say that’s kinda steep but with $150 in tungsten weights alone, well it is what it is. 
The housings are either Cerakote or anodized. What ever you want. The Cerakote ones in the pictures are laser etched, and does cost more. I ship USPS flat rate box. The standard unit is pictured below 

Dane, do you want to bring up the glue on rail you did before?

I would but there is an alternative now. 

So is the housing aluminum?

Yes.

Dane, do the weights move around inside?

Yes... the system works of the Mass Damper concept
So this is a reactive dampening system.

I added mine to keep the crap off the lens for as long as I can. Some powders are dirty, but accurate.
Recoil dampening an added bonus?