1911 .45acp v. 9mm

[BarryLee]

Ok, sort of in that situation where I don’t really need anything, but just kind of thinking about my next purchase. One of my first guns was a 1911, but I sold it as the popularity of the high capacity 9mms soared. Recently I’ve picked up a few 1911s and have rekindled that old love affair.

So, what’s next? One consideration has been a nice government model in 9mm for range use. I generally shoot 1911s very well and the 9mm rounds would be cheaper and maybe a little less punishing on my hands. However, a couple of friends have advised against it stating that after shooting .45acp the 9mm wouldn’t be nearly as much fun and I would be very disappointed.

So, any of you 1911 fans out there added one in 9mm to your collection? If so how do you like it? How does it compare to shooting the .45acp? Also, what brands/models did you buy?

[Aguila Blanca]

I've been shooting 1911s since I was in the Army in the late 1960s. A few years ago I picked up a used Colt Combat Commander in 9mm, and it is my favorite 1911. Compared to a .45, the 9mm (even in the slightly shorter Commander length) is like shooting a .22.

Your friends' comments that shooting a 9mm "won't be fun" don't make sense. How can shooting any 1911 not be fun?

[BigJimP]

I'm primarily a 1911 shooter ...and have been for 40 yrs...

I like the 1911 in a .45 acp .../ but as I've gotten into my late 60's ..and some arthritis issues in my hands has gotten worse, I have shifted to 1911's in 9mm.

My primary 1911's are 5" guns for range practice and carry...Wilson Combat CQB 5" in .45 acp was my carry gun for about 15 yrs ..and about 2 yrs ago, I retired it in favor of a Wilson Combat Protector model, 5" all stainless in 9mm . I have had the Protector model Wilson for about 10 yrs, shot it a lot, its currently got about 150,000 rds thru it ..and its a great gun ( has always run 100% -- right out of the box...and today as well). I highly recommend Wilson's 1911's ....I like the full sized models, they fit my hands better...but other buddies have a variety of their 4" and 4.25" and well as 5" guns from Wilson ...all in 9mm, and they are all running great ( and some have them in .45 acp as well ).
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I still have a Kimber Tactical Pro II model, 4" alloy frame in 9mm...not a bad gun, I keep it around for grandkids to shoot ( the younger ones ( 12 - 16 yrs old ) like it ). I could carry it if I want...but I don't.

I also had a les Baer Monolith 5" model in 9mm made...it shot fine, once it got broken in ...but I'll never buy another Baer. I like Ed Browns guns..had a Kobra Carry in .45 acp...nice gun / but I sold it ...and I don't know if he makes any 9mm's now.

Find the gun you like, with the best trigger in it, and the features you want...and these days, if its in your budget, you don't have to wait for a Wilson custom order that can be 2 - 3 yrs..../ on his website, under Shop -- he has a In Stock firearms section ...and there are probably 100 of his 1911's ready to ship tomorrow ...and at least 25% of them are in 9mm...

My Protector model https://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90272&d=1372200117

I've kept the CQB as well https://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=87077&d=1360863612

[ozo]

Spend a little, spend a lot.....just keep buying more 1911's
Doesn't matter which caliber, bbl length, etc. They are like candy.

Although I have some high-end [like a Rowland 460], one fun, everyday, value 1911 is an RIA with low-profile sights, in either 9mm or .45acp (or both)

I have been collecting 1911's for over 60 years......and cannot stop myself.

[RickB]

Not a fan of short cartridges - either 9mm or .40 - in the 1911. The gun was designed around a cartridge 1.25" in length, and it runs best with cartridges of that length.
If cheap is important, then you're sort of stuck with 9, but I'd go .38 Super for a mid-bore.
If recoil is your idea of fun, get the .45.

[T. O'Heir]

There is no "I need one.". There is only "I want one."
Difference is the muzzle blast in like barrel lengths. Only 9mm I have is an Inglis BHP with a 4.7" barrel. Compared to my 5" 1911A1, the muzzle blast is more out of the BHP. Recoil is not an issue either way.
A Commander(there is no Government Model 9mm) in either 9mm or .45 weigh exactly the same and have the same barrel length. Muzzle blast will be a tick more with 9mm due to the higher velocity. However, it'll still be the same thing only different. The muzzle blast isn't enough more to matter.

[damienph]

My 1911s (5) are all .45ACP but I like 9mm and have a few 9mm pistols. I like the idea of a 9mm 1911 and would like to have one.

Don't worry about getting a 1911 in a different than .45ACP chambering, some people have a narrow vision and can't see the value in anything other than what they personally like.

Besides .45ACP, I've shot 1911s in .460 Roland and .38 Super. They were both fun to shoot, I cannot imagine that 9mm wouldn't be fun as well.

[zincwarrior]

Here you go. Just don't ever let the wife found out how much you paid. :rolleyes:

https://stiguns.com/guns/dvc-3-gun/

[Rangerrich99]

I jjust recently picked up a Ruger 1911 in 9mm, and it is a lot of fun. A lot more fun than shooting my Glock 19. Out of the box the trigger is actually pretty good, and it's pretty accurate as well. I've put at least 800 rounds through it in just five months and to this point I can't find a good reason to change anything about it.

As for performance, the 9mm seems to be much softer recoiling vs. my .45 auto. And the magazines seem to be a bit more finicky; I really have to make sure that none of the rounds have nosedived during the loading process.

[SIGSHR]

Firing 9MMs out of a steel frame Government Model is like firing 38 WCs out of a N frame S&W. Little experience with the Colts, my Browning HP shoots lead bullets well. The 9MMP has a slightly tapered case, otherwise it's like reloading 45 ACP.

[dajowi]

"The gun was designed around a cartridge 1.25" in length, and it runs best with cartridges of that length."

Unless of course you have a Springfield EMP. :D

[damienph]

I don't know why Colt doesn't offer a 5" in 9mm but there are several others that do. I am pretty sure that there is an SA Range Officer in 9mm in my future.

[RickB]

Colt Competition 9mm. http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Pistols/Colt-Competition-Pistol

[stephen426]

I picked up a Springfield Armory Loaded 1911 about a year ago. It is an all stainless full sized 1911. The gun has been very reliable and is a joy to shoot. I am not afraid of recoil by any means, but the heavier slide and light spring make the gun very easy to shoot well and very easy to shoot quickly. I've used it for a practical shooting on a few occasions and it worked flawlessly.

[JKP]

My Sig Ultra in 9mm has been flawless the first 500 rounds, unlike my Colt 45acp, which needed several hundred rounds through it to cycle the cartridge it was designed for.

[tallball]

I have 1911's in 45, 40, 9, and 380. All of them are reliable. The 9mm is fun and haf the cheapest ammo. Try it, you'll like it. :)

[Aguila Blanca]

I have 1911's in 45, 40, 9, and 380.
Where did you find a 1911 in .380? As far as I know the only company making those is Imbel, in Brazil, and they are not imported into the United States.

Or do you have one of Browning's scaled-down 1911-380s?

[stephen426]

Where did you find a 1911 in .380? As far as I know the only company making those is Imbel, in Brazil, and they are not imported into the United States.

Or do you have one of Browning's scaled-down 1911-380s?

I'm not sure if the Colt Mustangs count as 1911's, but I know those were chambered in .380 acp.

[Lohman446]

I am told the Colt Mustangs (and the Sig P238 and P938) are not actually 1911s because of how they function internally. I carry a P938 often and find it a great compliment to my "actual" 1911s.

[Hawg]

I personally don't care much for 9MM.

[carguychris]

I'm not sure if the Colt Mustangs count as 1911's...No, they count as Star DK's. :)

[zincwarrior]

Also Kimber has a .380 IIRC.

Armscor makes some excellent .380s including this bad boy:
http://armscor.com/firearms/bbr-series/baby-rock-380/

[gc70]

So, any of you 1911 fans out there added one in 9mm to your collection? If so how do you like it? How does it compare to shooting the .45acp? Also, what brands/models did you buy?

9mm 1911s are a lot of fun. They do not have the satisfying big boom of a .45, but the ammo is lighter and cheaper. 9mm is a little frustrating at first; bigger .45 holes appear to group better than smaller 9mm holes. :o

I don't know why Colt doesn't offer a 5" in 9mm but there are several others that do.

How many different kinds of 5" 9mm Colts do you want?
O-1992 blued Series 80 (http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/o1991.pdf)
O-1092 stainless Series 80 (http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/o1091.pdf)
O-1082CCS stainless Competition Pistol (http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/o1082CCS.pdf)
O-1072CCU Combat Unit Pistol (http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/o1072CCU.pdf)
O-1072RG stainless Rail Gun (http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/o1072RG.pdf)

Oh yeah, I prefer Colts!

[SIGSHR]

I would recommend a 1911 in 38 Super. Converting it to 9MM is merely a matter of changing the barrel and magazine.

[stephen426]

The problem is that .38 Super costs a lot more than 9mm. I don't have the time or space to load my own. I buy my ammo in bulk.

[Overkill777]

Check out the Rock Island Armory 1911 that comes with a 9mm barrel and 22 TCM barrel.

9mm for cheap plinking, 22 TCM for fun. It's a high velocity round with some good muzzle blast but very little recoil.

[damienph]

GC70... in post #6 T. O'Heir said "A Commander(there is no Government Model 9mm) in either 9mm or .45 weigh exactly the same and have the same barrel length. Muzzle blast will be a tick more with 9mm due to the higher velocity."

I took that to mean that Colt didn't make a 9mm 5" (Government sized) pistol and I was just commenting that I didn't know why Colt didn't make one.

[Aguila Blanca]

I'm not sure if the Colt Mustangs count as 1911's, but I know those were chambered in .380 acp.
The Mustang still is chambered in .380 ACP, and it is not a 1911.

[Aguila Blanca]

Also Kimber has a .380 IIRC.

Armscor makes some excellent .380s including this bad boy:
http://armscor.com/firearms/bbr-series/baby-rock-380/
The Kimber Micro 380 is a clone of the Colt Mustang, which (as has been noted) is in turn a clone of a Spanish Star.

The Baby Rock is also not a 1911. It's a clone of a Spanish Llama (as far as I can determine).

[Catchabullet]

I have shot a few different 9mm 1911's and even a couple 2011s. I carry a Colt Commander with a lot of custom work chambered in .45 and will definitely be getting a 2011 in 9mm for competition shooting.. . Not entirely what you asked but...the point is... a 9mm 1911/2011 is a freaking tack driver that you can run hard and accurately if you're used to the platform.

[tallball]

I think my Colt Government 380 counts as a 1911. If not, I'm sure someone will correct me.

[Aguila Blanca]

I think my Colt Government 380 counts as a 1911. If not, I'm sure someone will correct me.
No, it doesn't count as a 1911 -- because it's not a 1911. Mechanically, the Government 380 is the same as the Mustang. No barrel link, different fire control parts. Not a single part interchanges with a 1911 (or, as in the Browning "1911-380," is a scaled-down 1911 part).

[KyJim]

I have more 1911s than I like to admit, mostly in .45 acp, a couple in 9mm, and a 10mm. For defensive purposes, I would definitely go with .45 acp. With standard pressure loads (and no reason to use +P ammo), the recoil is not bad in an all-steel gun.

All that said, if I were only wanting to use it for range work, I would probably get a 9mm. One hundred percent reliability is not an issue in a range toy, thought you obviously don't want a gun that routinely malfunctions. The only issue I have had is from one gun where I was riding the safety with my strong-side thumb (as is done by many with defensive pistols). A slight adjustment in my hold took care of the issue.

As to brands, Colt has several five-inch barreled 1911s in 9mm. They are not "Government" models but many people refer to all five-inch barreled 1911s as "Goverment." The STI Trojan is an excellent pistol that comes in 9mm. The Pointman Nine PM-9 is another fine 1911 in 9mm My 10mm is a Pointman.

[gc70]

As to brands, Colt has several five-inch barreled 1911s in 9mm. They are not "Government" models but many people refer to all five-inch barreled 1911s as "Goverment."

Yet the model O-1992 (http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/o1991.pdf) and O-1092 (http://www.colt.com/Portals/0/Specs/2016/o1091.pdf) 5" 9mm Colts wear the "Government Model (https://www.gunsamerica.com/948656704/Colt-1991-Government-Series-80-1911-5-Blued-9mm-O1992.htm)" rollmark.

[KyJim]

Yet the model O-1992 and O-1092 5" 9mm Colts wear the "Government Model" rollmark.Good to know. Hadn't looked that close. Colt has done things like this before, bringing back the name "Series 70" which is different than the original Series 70 and now bringing back the "Cobra" revolver that is also different than the original. Marketing. :rolleyes:

[rodfac]

I would recommend a 1911 in 38 Super. Converting it to 9MM is merely a matter of changing the barrel and magazine. Actually in the two Commanders I own (Colt and Ruger), the .38 Super mags work just fine with 9mm as well. Rod

[tallball]

"No, it doesn't count as a 1911 -- because it's not a 1911. Mechanically, the Government 380 is the same as the Mustang. No barrel link, different fire control parts."


You are absolutely correct. For some reason I misremembered it as having a barrel link. It kind of looks and feels like a 1911, but that doesn't make it one. :)

[rt11002003]

I started shooting 1911's around 1945. Didn't care for them. Fired a few while in service, USAF. Move to 2014: LGS owner said I might like a Springfield Range Officer in 9mm. He was correct. Caused me to buy several STI's. During the past couple of years I also bought several .45ACP 1911's. Discovered nerve damage in both hands. The only .45ACP pistols remaining are a Shield and a STI Edge. I guess one can say the Edge is "close" to being a 1911.