The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Semi-automatic Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old October 8, 2012, 01:24 PM   #1
Fireman179
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 8, 2012
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 106
9mm 1911

Hey guys and gals I need some input on a 1911. I'm looking to purchase a 9mm 1911 for target shooting and general plinking. I know Rock Island makes one, but I really would rather have something above a budget gun. I want your opinions on manufactures and specific models. I would like to stay under 1k but am open to all suggestions.


P.s. I am in no way putting Rock Island down I have their G.I. Model in .45 and love it
Fireman179 is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 01:30 PM   #2
RickB
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 1, 2000
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 8,511
I had a Springfield "loaded" model, for a short time. I think retail is over $1000 (it can be found a bit cheaper than that) and I thought the gun looked it. The fit and finish were very good. It is available as both a fixed- and adjustable-sight model. I had the latter (PI9134LP), which was equipped with the expected Bo-Mar knock-off sight.
RickB is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 01:38 PM   #3
Fireman179
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 8, 2012
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 106
I like the Springfield, but something in the back of my head is telling me that it's not worth the money.
Fireman179 is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 02:03 PM   #4
TMD
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 9, 2011
Posts: 1,293
I have a 9mm Springfield Loaded with the adjustable sights. Although not as accurate as a .45acp it has been trouble free from day one.
TMD is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 02:04 PM   #5
Co Th G
Member
 
Join Date: August 26, 2012
Posts: 25
Dan Wesson PM-9. Approx. $1500. All the bells and whistles you want in a target pistol. No MIM. Fit and finish rival the semi-custom big four.

Another good choice for around $1000 is the STI Trojan. It contains some MIM, but the gun has a great reputation and is very popular with competitive shooters.
Co Th G is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 03:04 PM   #6
pilpens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 24, 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,696
1911 9mm:
1. STI Trojan (approx $1000).
2. Kimber Target Custom II.
3. Springfield Armory Loaded
4. STI Spartan V
=======

I have a Kimber Target and STI Trojan.
Both are accurate.
When I bought my Kimber, I picked it over a Springfield because most springfield 9mm loaded I held at the stores rattled.
I got the STI trojan approx 2 years ago. Slide/Frame fit is slightly tighter than the Kimber. Did not like the feel of the plastic trigger but it is OK. It is currently setup for my GF with thin grips and short trigger. It shoots smoother than the kimber.

Kimber had extraction issues at start (fixed by adding tension on extractor and reshaping the hook - easy DIY).

If Iam to get one now,
1st. Springfield Armory Loaded - provided that slide/frame fit and slide/barrel fit are tight because the grip safety feels better to me than Kimber or STI.
2nd. Kimber.
3rd. STI Spartan V - If fit is good, then it is good --- less expensive than the rest. No ramp use to scare me but friend's pistol seemed OK. He later replaced it with a Dan Wesson 1911 9mm --- PM9? A little too expensive for me.
4th. STI Trojan (approx $1000).

Also, I would buy a STI Trojan unseen but I would not buy the others unseen.
==========
My Kimber now has a Wilson Combat sear, hammer and trigger. The stock firing pin stop broke and have been replaced with EGW.

pilpens
pilpens is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 03:09 PM   #7
10mmAuto
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 13, 2010
Posts: 598
Quote:
I have a 9mm Springfield Loaded with the adjustable sights. Although not as accurate as a .45acp it has been trouble free from day one.
Could be early unlock issues - try a heavier spring. Just a thought.
10mmAuto is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 03:43 PM   #8
BoogieMan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 2012
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,217
I have a Kimber SS Target II in 9mm. Its as smooth as butter and a true tack driver with 124gr ball. Has Kimber made bad guns, no doubt. Has every other manufacturer made bad guns, no doubt. I love mine and would put it against any other gun in its price range and some well above that range.
__________________
Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it.
Milton Freidman
"If you find yourself in a fair fight,,,
Your tactics suck"
- Unknown
BoogieMan is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 04:05 PM   #9
Co Th G
Member
 
Join Date: August 26, 2012
Posts: 25
Do you compete with your Kimber? How many rounds a month do you shoot with it?
Co Th G is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 04:18 PM   #10
g.willikers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 28, 2008
Posts: 10,442
Take a look at the Ruger SR9.
It feels and even shoots much like a 1911, for around $400.
Just a thought.
__________________
Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez:
“Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”
g.willikers is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 04:30 PM   #11
Vespasian
Junior Member
 
Join Date: October 6, 2012
Location: Midwest USA
Posts: 2
For your purposes, why not consider a 1911 in. 22 LR? It will be a lot cheaper to feed. I'd take a look at what Browning offers.

Tom
Vespasian is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 04:32 PM   #12
pilpens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 24, 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,696
My 9mm Custom Target II shoot as wells as my 45 Custom II. It is shot more than all my centerfire handguns combined but probably not as much as a real man shoots.
In any case, I like and enjoy my beautiful Kimber.
pilpens is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 06:09 PM   #13
BillyBeards
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 22, 2011
Location: Rockland County NY
Posts: 128
Love my Kimber

I bought a a Kimber Pro Carry II in 9mm in July and I love it. The pistol is very accurate to the point were it surprises me.
I did have extraction issues but was worked out with more tension. I've put hundreds of rounds through without issue since.
I shoot almost every week but sometimes more than once in IDPA style events.

Before I bought the Kimber I looked at the Springfield Loaded which also felt nice but I was really looking for a commander sized pistol. I was also very close to buying the STI but without holding one I couldn't go through with it even though they are priced very attractively.
BillyBeards is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 06:35 PM   #14
BigJimP
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 23, 2005
Posts: 13,195
I have 3 1911's in 9mm....and a 1911 in a 9mm makes a great gun !

1. Wilson Combat 5", Protector model ( about a $3K gun) and its one of the finest guns in my safe.../ they make a number of other models, most of them are available in 9mm ...CQB 5" is a little cheaper than the Protector model...
This Wilson - is the primary gun I practice with / my reloads run 100% in it ...the only issue I've ever had with it ( its over 40,000 rds now at 6 yrs old ) is I broke an extractor recently ...and Wilson took care of it 100% as a warranty item. I do replace springs about every 5,000 rds ...but that's no big deal.


2. Kimber Tactical Pro II model, alloy frame, 4" ...I did a complete trigger job on it ( it wasn't very good out of the factory ) ...but its a very nice gun today../ replaced everthing with Wilson parts....gun runs very well now. I think they sell new for around $ 1,000...not sure.../ mine is about 10 yrs old now.

3. a Les Baer Monolith 5" gun ( about $ 2,500 ) and its a decent gun now...fit and finish on it is not great / Baer's blued flats on a gun are very soft. Bought it new - its about 9 yrs old now.

You can buy lots of guns in 9mm - way cheaper / but not better than a good 1911 in 9mm, in my view.

Springfield - is also making a pretty nice gun in 9mm...
BigJimP is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 08:35 PM   #15
erob3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 9, 2010
Location: East Tn. for 56 years
Posts: 540
Smith & Wesson Pro Series. The current model made comes with a rail, if you don't like that look for a good used one from the first series. Beautiful pistol and very accurate. The trigger is great right out of the box. Good luck.
__________________
If something is worth doing well, it is worth failing at to get there.
erob3 is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 08:40 PM   #16
pgpipefitter
Junior Member
 
Join Date: October 2, 2012
Posts: 13
Colt 9mm

Colt made a 9mm I once had one they must have not been good sellers as you don t see them often.
pgpipefitter is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 08:48 PM   #17
TennJed
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 26, 2010
Posts: 1,536
I know you were looking at something other than RIA, but does anyone here have any expierence with the new RIA 9mm/22 TCM? 2 different calibers and 18 rounds of 9mm in a 1911 platform. I am assuming it is wider, but does anyone have any first hand expeirence?
__________________
Find out just how tall I am
By jumping in the middle of a river
TennJed is offline  
Old October 8, 2012, 10:26 PM   #18
SVO
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2009
Location: Texas Gulf Coast
Posts: 728
Yep, sure do. The TCM frame is wider, due to it's double stack magazine.
SVO is offline  
Old October 9, 2012, 12:08 AM   #19
warningshot
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 7, 2009
Posts: 995
I own two 9mm 1911s.

If you can't spring for a $1,ooo+ unaltered 9mm Colt 1911 I'd pass.

1911s deserve to be in 45acp, and if not...then it better be perfect, otherwise you might not be too happy.

Shooting a 9mm 1911 is like driving a 1979 Trans Am with a 4 cylinder gas saver engine. As long as its parked with the hood closed you're okay.
warningshot is offline  
Old October 9, 2012, 12:19 AM   #20
10mmAuto
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 13, 2010
Posts: 598
Quote:
1911s deserve to be in 45acp, and if not...then it better be perfect, otherwise you might not be too happy.

Shooting a 9mm 1911 is like driving a 1979 Trans Am with a 4 cylinder gas saver engine. As long as its parked with the hood closed you're okay.
For people who don't have a bizarre reverence for everything military, 1911s are a fine platform for all the calibers it chambers (9mm/.38 super/.45/.40/10mm Auto/.45 Super/.460 Rowland) and not just .45ACP.
10mmAuto is offline  
Old October 9, 2012, 06:03 AM   #21
patron1974
Member
 
Join Date: September 19, 2012
Posts: 32
I have the Springfield Armory Loaded 9mm 1911 and is a great gun. I just love the 1911 model so i have the .45 ,9mm, .22. Currently looking for a Colt .38 Super and a .40 cal. I paid $945 OTD for my Springfield and that was a good while back..maybe 7 years ago. Dont know how much they go for right now.
patron1974 is offline  
Old October 9, 2012, 06:11 AM   #22
silvermane_1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 6, 2011
Location: Burien,WA
Posts: 897
what no one suggested the $2,999(base price) nighthawk ladyhawk?
__________________
Rugers:SR1911 CMD,MK 3 .22lr 6",Sec. Six '76 liberty .357 4",SRH .480 Ruger 7.5",Mini-14 188 5.56/.233 18.5", Marlins: 795 .22lr 16.5",30aw 30-30 20",Mossberg:Mav. 88 Tact. 12 ga, 18.5",ATR 100 .270 Win. 22",S&W:SW9VE
9mm 4",Springfield:XD .357sig 4", AKs:CAI PSL-54C, WASR 10/63, WW74,SLR-106c
silvermane_1 is offline  
Old October 9, 2012, 10:50 AM   #23
USMCGrunt
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 27, 2000
Location: Somewhere in 14T NT
Posts: 730
While not a true 1911 design, have you looked at the Star pistols? I was looking for a 9mm single action with a single stack magazine and steel frame for my son when he's old enough to move beyond his SR22 so I wanted to go with a single stack magazine for a smaller grip and a single action for a reduced trigger length and pull rather than a DA trigger like a Sig P6 for smaller hands and a steel frame to soak up the recoil and a Star BM fit the bill nicely. I have been "testing" it for him (can't give him a dud ya know ) and it has been completely reliable with FMJ ammo although I haven't tried much along the lines of hollow point ammo but once I get my reloading press set up again that I can make some cheaper HP ammo, I will be checking this as well. Accuracy hasn't been bad either so I can say so far, I have no problems with it as a trainer.
Of course, there are some problems here in that Star is now out of business so finding spare parts may be an issue. Also, these pistols are known to have firing pins that break from dry-firing so the answer here is to avoid dry-fire without using a snap-cap. Numrich aslo has firing pins for this pistol so this is something that is not a bad idea to buy a couple ahead of time as well. All-in-all, I think this is a nice little pistol especially when you look at a sub-$300 price tag. I want to say I picked this one up off Gunbroker for $244 so while it's not a true 1911, I still think it's a VERY good pistol for the money!



USMCGrunt is offline  
Old October 9, 2012, 11:32 AM   #24
RickB
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 1, 2000
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 8,511
Saving money with a rimfire is a risky proposition. The last time we had an election, rimfire ammo prices rose higher than what I was paying to handload .45 ACP. If you are stuck with factory ammo, rimfire might be a good idea, but you will save, many times over, investing in handloading equipment. Now would be a very good time to do so!
Those old Stars are fun guns. I had a couple of PDs, and I see a half-dozen different 9mm Stars offered for cheap in Shotgun News. Jeff Cooper thought very highly of the BKS "Starlight", so I've always wanted one of those.
RickB is offline  
Old October 9, 2012, 11:35 AM   #25
k511
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 1, 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 461
+1 for the springfield loaded, i paid over 1k for mine though.... another to look at is the colt defender, got mine for around 900 i believe
k511 is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.10291 seconds with 10 queries