1911 in 9mm what to get?

[TH3180]

I am thinking about a new pistol. I will probably be buying something in the next few months. A little history on me. I started shooting March of this year. I started off with a few .22lr pistols. I bought a G17 in May and I am now reloading 9mm. When I go to the range I bring a box or two of 9mm and a few hundred .22lr. I don't have a big shooting budget that's why I shoot a lot more .22lr then 9mm.

I figure I already have a polymer gun that I like. I have a revolver .22lr and .22lr auto loaders. I am interested in the 1911 platform. One thing I have to keep in mind is I have a strict shooting budget. I really don't want to buy a gun I can't afford to shoot when ever I want to shoot it.

I am looking for opinions on a 1911 in 9mm. Let me hear everything pros, cons, which ones to look into and which I should stay away from. This is all still new to me so any help you folks can give would be great. I have done some searches on google for 9mm 1911s and I am having trouble. My searches bring me to manufactures web sites and then I have to go through every gun to see what calibers it comes in. I'm sure once I get some answers I will have many more questions, but I need a starting point.

Thanks
Tim

 

[Jim Watson]

RIA (Rock Island Armory, trade name for Armscor of the Philippines) has a good reputation. One of our guys was trying his new one out after the IDPA match yesterday and it was running reliably.
The STI Spartan is an Armscor gun with some US parts and is a step up.

In general you will be happiest if you settle for nine shots. My Colt 1991A1 9mm will function well with the various 10 round magazines, but my Springfield is not reliable with any of them. It does best with the 9 shot Springfield Front Ramp design made by Metalform. It seems ok with Metalform 9 shot rounded follower .38 Super magazines, too.

 

[Messenger Guard]

I think you will disappointed if you get a 1911 not chambered for 45ACP. I understand the allure of cheap ammo though. I've reloaded for years so it's not as much of an issue. Cons of a 9mm would be resale. Like I stated and others will chime in, the 1911 was made to be a 45ACP hence desirability of that platform in 9mm will be less. Other than that it should upgrade in all areas like a 45 ACP gun.

 

[TH3180]

I should add. I am not looking to CCW this pistol. Just target and plinking.

 

[rellascout]

The S&W Pro series is a nice gun. I owned one for about 3 months. It was nice but it was not the same as a 1911 in 45. I think that difference between the cost of 9mm and 45 ACP does not justify the difference in the overall feel of the gun. The 9mm simply did not feel right in my hand. The weight was all wrong and I simply did not enjoy shooting it as much as my other guns chambered in 9mm for example the BHP. So I sold it and bought more 45 ACP. LOL

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I have 3 9mm 1911's, 2 full size and one commander. They all shoot and feel different, not in a bad way, just a different way. Though I could say the same for my .45 1911's as well.

I'd recommend you try out a few if at all possible, before laying down the cash. There are always used pistols that come along for a good price... if you are in no hurry. Figure to spend 400 to 800 to get into just about all the production shop guns, new and/or used.

 

[Quack]

what's your price range?

<$500 - RIA 9mm Tactical or GI
$600-$700 - STI Spartan (Armscor built with STI internals)
$800-$900 - Springfield 9mm Loaded
$1000-$1100 - STI Trojan, STI Ranger II, Springfield EMP

here's my 9mm 1911's

Springfield 9mm Loaded


Dan Wesson Guardian


Springfield EMP

 

[wally]

My wife loves my RIA Tactical 9mm. Its heavy enough she learned to overcome her flinch, and now she shoots up all my ammo so I need to bring a different gun for me to shoot

While I prefer the 1911 in .45, there is a lot to be said for the low cost of 9mm ammo and the fact that at our club its hard to go home with less brass than you shot when picking up 9mm cases, pretty hard to find them all with .45ACP.

 

[TH3180]

what's your price range?

<$500 - RIA 9mm Tactical or GI
$600-$700 - STI Spartan (Armscor built with STI internals)
$800-$900 - Springfield 9mm Loaded
$1000-$1100 - STI Trojan, STI Ranger II, Springfield EMP

here's my 9mm 1911's

Springfield 9mm Loaded


Dan Wesson Guardian


Springfield EMP

I really don't have a price range at this point. I want to see what is out there and then if I have to wait a little while to save up some more money that is what I will do.
A lot of it has to do with how much over time I work and with the way winter has gone so far, I am working 15 to 25 hours of ot each week.

 

[Quack]

you can always get a .22 conversion for the 1911 as well. since you are new to shooting, this will allow you to get more trigger time on it.

 

[Logan5]

I see a lot of 9mm 1911 pattern guns at IDPA matches; they seem to be a hot gun for ESP division. For a while I was shooting a Colt 9mm Commander myself, and I've had the opportunity to shoot a bunch of other ones.

I was really impressed with the S&W Pro series, which is just a very nice gun. Kimber makes two flavors which are both quite nice, the Aegis, which is more carry oriented, and a couple of guns in the Match series (Gold Match, Team Match II, etc.) which have more of a conventional setup. The Springfield Loaded seems to be popular too, although I haven't shot one personally.

One thing you should consider is that you probably aren't going to be happy at the range if you get something with the little bitty military style sights, like some RIA's or my Colt, for that matter. Changing out the sights is a great way to spend $200 on a $400 gun and end up with a $300 gun.

 

[rightside]

Get a good one what ever you get, or you will need to sell it and up grade as your experience increases.

A STI Trojan, is a good value and is a solid keeper, for the beginner or experienced shooter.

 

[xr1200]

STI trojan 9mm hands down, you can get them for $999, with adjustable sights , brazos customs guns is the place to get them.

Next is the kimber target 2 9mm.

Or if your on a low budget then get a STI spartan in 9mm with adjustable sights for around $650.

I just got my trojan 9mm in last month and it shoots great, the only thing I didn't like about it was the cheap plastic trigger shoe they give you and the plastic hammer spring housing, I ended up changing the trigger to wilson alloy and steel trigger, dropped right in and was nice and tight. Then I added a ed brown magwell housing and hammer spring housing.

 

[rfwobbly]

Different thinking....

Mr 3180 -
I read what you said, but IMHO it sounds as if you have conflicting wants/needs. As a result, I don't think you'll be too happy with the gun you end up with. Let me explain....

• You are correct. If you want inexpensive centerfire handgun ammo, then 9x19 Luger is the way to go.
• The 1911 is a fabulous platform for several calibers. Unfortunately 9x19 is not one of those. The 1911 does best with rounds that are about the same length as the 45ACP, such as 10mm, 38 Super, 9x21, 9x23Win, etc. But this ammo not nearly as cheap as 9x19, and you won't find it 'on sale' at WalMart.
• Most people buy a 1911 in 45ACP, so the best deals on 1911 are always going to be in 45ACP. It's a sales volume thing. And you can get great 1911's in 45ACP from companies like Rock Island Armory (RIA) starting as low as $400.
• You can also get a RIA in 38 Super for ~$420, but it's a basic model without target sights. Store bought 38 Super ammo is more expensive than 9x19 Luger. Reloading the 38 Super is about the same price as 9x19, the biggest cost difference being the brass.
• By the time you get a 1911 in 9mm, you're up to about $700. You can go $900 on a Springfield, $1000 on a S&W, or $1200 on a Dan Wesson. The point is you're way over budget.... if I read you correctly.


Therefore....
IF you want to stay with 9x19, then I would guide you to look at a Browning High Power (another John Browning gun), or a CZ SP-01. Both were designed for 9x19 and have the safety of an exposed hammer. Either can be had for $450-$600 range.

IF you want to stay with the 1911, I would guide you to another caliber like 38 Super. It's less expensive to shoot than 45ACP and the gun is still in the rock bottom pricing range. It's also a much flatter shooting round than 45ACP and the mags hold more ammo. And usually uses all the same reloading components as 9x19. Click Here


I hope this stirs up some creative thinking on your part.
All the best.

 

[GCBurner]

If you want a full size John M. Browning designed 9mm automatic, you might look at the Browning Hi-Power instead of the Model 1911. It's a better design for a 9mm, since that's what it was originally made for.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

The Hi Power is a great gun. If money is an issue than you can get the FM90 Hi Power.

 

[wally]

By the time you get a 1911 in 9mm, you're up to about $700. You can go $900 on a Springfield, $1000 on a S&W, or $1200 on a Dan Wesson. The point is you're way over budget.... if I read you correctly.

Nope!

I got my RIA Tactical 9mm from Centerfire Systems for $420 + shipping and transfer fee, something like $450 total. The Tactical model has all the creature comforts -- ambi safety, beavertail, and Novak's sights.

The 9mm mags for the 1911 have a spacer built in to address the length issue. Sure you can buy any other 9mm pistol insterad, and your choices are plentiful at the price of the RIA 9mm 1911, but none of them have what makes the 1911 so special -- its trigger!

 

[xr1200]

The only thing a hi power has over a 1911 9mm is 4 extra bullets. The trigger on the hi power and accuracy will never compare to a 1911 9mm.

Read steve camps review of the browning hp and comparing it to the 1911, he speaks the truth.

 

[rellascout]

The only thing a hi power has over a 1911 9mm is 4 extra bullets. The trigger on the hi power and accuracy will never compare to a 1911 9mm.

Read steve camps review of the browning hp and comparing it to the 1911, he speaks the truth.

For some the ergos on the BHP will be a better fit than the 1911. This makes it the trigger "better" for that shooter. The main advantage of the 1911 trigger over the BHP is the reset which as Camp points out only really applies to fast shooting like double taps where trained 1911 shooter will short stroke a BHP trigger before it resets causing the gun not to fire.

I would also argue that from a mechanical rest a stock BHP will equal the accuracy of a RIA 1911 in 9mm. The 1911 may have more potential due to the variety of parts available for 1911s which are designed to eak out that last bit of precision but we are taking differences which can only be demonstrated in a mechanical rest or by the worlds best shooters in idea conditions.

 

[rfwobbly]

I got my RIA Tactical 9mm from Centerfire Systems for $420 + shipping and transfer fee, something like $450 total. The Tactical model has all the creature comforts -- ambi safety, beavertail, and Novak's sights.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the update.

 

[wally]

You were correct until the RIA 9mm 1911 came out. I never could justify $700+ for a pistol who's only reason for getting was to shoot cheaper ammo. Was a pleasant bonus that my wife loves shooting it.

 

[Shipwreck]

I really don't have a price range at this point. I want to see what is out there and then if I have to wait a little while to save up some more money that is what I will do.

Ok, then you want this

 

[Quack]

or this...

 

[Shipwreck]

Is that yours?

 

[Quack]

nah, it's Cochese's on GlockTalk.
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1287882

i do want to order a Custom Carry in 9mm though. might do that if i make some changes to my gun lineup