9mm 1911s: Why?

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Why am I intrigued by 9mm 1911s? I know The Colonel would absolutely not approve of them, but still with .45 ACP ammunition at a record high, the less expensive 9mm is interesting, additionally, as I get older milder recoil is appealing.

Who makes a classically styled, Government sided, non tacti-cool all-steel 9x19mm Para 1911 that is also reliable and not a piece of junk?

-J.C.F.
 
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Suggest you look at the Springfield EMP in either the 3" or 4" version. I have both and prefer the feel, extra barrel and extra capacity of the 4".
I don't own any full-size 1911s in 9mm, but I like the 1911 platform reduced in size for the smaller cartridge. I gather that was what Springfield was trying to do.
 
I guess it depends on what exactly you mean by “classically styled.” Rock Island offers a GI-type 9mm. I have a Colt O1992 from a few years ago (and should have bought the O4610 they did at the same time too) - those are discontinued now, but they were plain-Jane models. Colt has several other offerings and that’s the first place I’d look.
 
I like 1911's.

I have them chambered in 45 ACP, 40 S&W, 357 SIG, 38 Super, 38/45 Clerke, 9x19, and 22RF.

There are several other cartridges I have not dabble with in a 1911 platform. Maybe some day (9x23, 10mm, 400 Corbon to name a few).

I have no issues with the 9x19 1911's.

But, 45 ACP would be my choice for defense.
 
Fun guns to shoot. Even my wife likes shooting them instead of the 45's

Have 3 of them .
A RIA CCO that's run perfect since day one.
A Dan Wesson Vigil commander size that's always shot perfect.
A RIA FS that I bought used, ( my first 9mm 1911 that runs great.
Have another that got a barrel swapped out to 38 Super.
 
Why am I intrigued by 9mm 1911s? I know The Colonel would absolutely not approve of them...
I dunno, this was offered by the pro shop while he still ran the place:
gsp1.jpg
GSP1 in 9mm. Friend owned it, another much lighter acquaintance — mentioned in the Col's books a couple times — owns that particular gun now (well, last I checked). I have shot it a number of times. Very, very nice guns. I can draw other firearms analogies, I think the Super or Parabellum are actually more in the sweet spot for the dwell time of the swinging link system, shoot awfully nicely.

For new, the Dan Wessons are pretty legit apparently. Know a few with nice guns, sometimes sent out for further work, based on their current production models. Classic base pistol, and more affordable than a lot of others anymore.
 
I have always preferred the size and weight of the Colt Commander in .38 Super/9mm. when it comes to 9mm. 1911s. I don't know why; I just do.
I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that the Colt Commander was originally offered in 9x19mm for an Air Force contract...competing with the S&W M-39
 
I have two 9mm 1911’s, both were bought within the past six months; a Springfield Ronin 4.25” and a Kimber Ultra Carry II 3”. Ive owned some .45 ACP and a .45 Super 1911 for decades, but I never joined the 1911/9mm party until recently.

The Ronin is not all that expensive for a well made, smooth-shooting and accurate pistol. I agree with Bannockburn when he posted the Commander-size 1911 just seems to fit the 9mm cartridge perfectly. I did put in a Cylinder and Slide hammer-sear-spring kit and brought the trigger pull down from the factory 5.75 to 4.5 lbs. Recoil with every load I’ve shot is negligible and the gun stays on target with ease.

55F3E94D-6742-459F-9C72-090192163FF4.jpeg C28890FB-82AF-4342-844A-534E09928C02.jpeg 178AF6A8-A627-4A8D-9FC3-E4E5DA024A4A.jpeg 40E86411-3118-46A0-B1F7-693CB5BE32C8.jpeg 9084C44B-E106-4F2E-926D-41426DEEA252.jpeg
This target is ten shots at ten yards two hand standing with WWB 124 gr fmj, so far the best I’ve shot with this gun. :thumbup:

The Kimber is a chunky handful that also doesn’t beat me up when I’m shooting it. It’s a great option for the 1911 fan who wants a controllable and very concealable sidearm that you can stake your life on.

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Neither of these are steel framed. I’m sure there are some all-steel 9mm’s out there, but these alloy-framed guns feel right without being overly heavy. I also haven’t gone to a 5“ model in 9mm…yet…but I’m pretty sure one will cross my threshold at some point in the near future. ;)

5C8AA1A7-7081-450E-A5DA-C21D794AF955.jpeg

I’ll suggest to go ahead and give one a try. I think you’ll be surprised how much fun they are to shoot once you do. ;)

Stay safe.
 
Almost all of my 9mm 1911/2011 pistols I bought or built for gun games, only one I carry much is my VIP.

Lots of folks make them, might be good to put a price range in play to narrow the field.l
 
Not looking for a lightweight commander sized gun, but a full Government sized steel frame. Would only be used at the range.
For currently made? Kimber is of course the "gold standard". They get a lot of grief on the net but, its not really that they make problems. They just make one hell of a lot of guns. So of course the few problems that get by people tend to make noise about.
For "budget" RIA. The 1911's they make have come a LONG way with modern manufacturing. These guys now turn out some damn nice 1911's that really give a LOT for what you pay. Their "base model" standard GM in 9mm is what used to be something you paid a lot of extra for.
 
Why am I intrigued by 9mm 1911s? I know The Colonel would absolutely not approve of them,
. Please correct me if I am wrong, my mind is not what it used to be. Wasn't the original design for the 1911 suppose to be a 9mm than change to the 45 acp? Any way all my 1911's are Springfield, that is what I gravitate too, and they have a beauty full size 1911 in 9mm called the emissary. They have a lot more but I like this one.
https://www.springfield-armory.com/...-emissary-handguns/1911-emissary-9mm-handgun/
 
I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that the Colt Commander was originally offered in 9x19mm for an Air Force contract...competing with the S&W M-39
The Marine Corps bought a few, 500-1000 or so if memory serves.

One of my stupidist turn-downs was a USMC contract 9mm Commander the guy was asking $900 for about 10 years ago. I must have hit my head and been out of my mind to walk away from that one........:eek::(
 
I've got a Ruger CMD 9mm lightweight, low recoil, easy to conceal, good carry choice especially if under a 10 round limit.
 
I've had way more 9mm 1911s than .45s over the years and never had one that was problematic. I'd go for a Springfield or a Colt Competition. The Competition is the most basic 9mm 1911 they offer.

19119colt.jpg
 

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A 1911 in anything except 45 ACP, or perhaps 38 super- seems "unseemly" to me, but to each his own.

I used to feel that way until I shot one. Same goes for a number of dyed in the wool .45 Col Cooper “1911 guys” who shot mine.

I mean 1911s in 9mm have only been around for 70 or so years, so it’s not like a be phenomenon:)

But as you say, to each their own.

For the OP I think the 9mm shines in the 1911 in the shorter barrel and lightweight frames. I’ve never cared for the .45 1911 in the light frames and the 9mm is perfect for that. With a full size steel range gun I don’t think you enjoy the same advantages, but they are still fun. My dad has a CQB in 9mm and it’s a joy to shoot, but so was my Valkyrie CCO and it carried fantastic as well.

Finding a steel 9mm is a bit more challenging and I’ll admit I haven’t paid a lot of attention to the current 1911 market much in a few years so I can’t help as much there, sorry
 
Bill Wilson says he shoots 9mm a lot more than .45. Most of Wilson Combat's 1911's are available in both.

Ammo cost and availability has something to do with the popularity, as does ease of shooting and larger magazine capacity.

Modern powder and bullets have moved 9mm from what many once thought marginal to adequate for self defence.
 
I have always preferred the size and weight of the Colt Commander in .38 Super/9mm. when it comes to 9mm. 1911s. I don't know why; I just do.
A 1911 in anything except 45 ACP, or perhaps 38 super- seems "unseemly" to me, but to each his own.
The Commander was chambered in 9mm before it was chambered in .45. It was Colt's entry in a 1949 military trial. The military wanted a new sidearm for officers. (apparently it considered officers to be too delicate to lug around the extra weight, or handle the recoil of a 1911A1.) The Govt specified 9mm, a maximum length, height, and weight. By using an aluminum frame and shortening the barrel and slide by 3/4" from the standard 1911 it met all of the requirements but the military didn't adopt any of the entrants. ( S&W Model 39 and Browning Hi-Power variants by Inglis and FN.)
 
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