9mm 1911s...

[bragood]

How are these different from a standard 1911? Can you interchange the barrels/magazines? Im thinking of getting a 1911 in 9mm for my long time girlfriend and was curious about them and peoples experiences. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Brandon

 

[ranburr]

A 9mm 1911 and a .45 1911 are two different animals. The top ends are completely different as are the feed ramps and ejectors.

ranburr

 

[bukijin]

For single action in 9mm surely it has to be Browning High Power.

 

[Black Majik]

For single action in 9mm surely it has to be Browning High Power.

Not necessarily. They're different animals, and really apples to oranges. Even with the magazine disconnector removed, it won't compare to a factory 1911 trigger. Furthermore, the 1911 trigger isn't hinged like the BHP, so it has a major advantage over it. Also, the 1911 and Hi-Power handles differently between people. Some prefer the 1911's ergonomics, others prefer the Hi Power. Both can be reliable. The Hi Power's biggest advantage is the magazine capacity being a double stack.

There's quite a bit of difference between the 9mm and .45 1911s. From what I can deduce: slide (needs smaller breachface), ejector, extractor, firing pin, barrel, magazine, and slidestop.

 

[Shipwreck]

9mm 1911s are ramped - so now, it can't really be done. even if you have the frame made for a ramoed barrel (there are ramped barrel 45 1911s...), the ramp fpr the 9mm and 45 will not be the same.

You could not switch back and forth.

 

[gc70]

9mm 1911s are ramped

My 9mm Colt M1991A1 does not have a ramped barrel.

 

[bragood]

What are some base model 9mm 1911s? Im partial to Springfield, do they make one?

 

[weisse52]

Not all 9mm's are ramped. If you want to be able to switch calibers using a 9mm your best bet is .38 Super. In most cases this is just having the new barrel fitted.
Easy to find a .38 Super 1911 and then convert to a 9mm.
I did see a new SA in 9mm at a local gun show. I think STI and Kimber make a 9mm as well

Oh yeah, A COLT IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT ANSWER!

 

[Pat-inCO]

I have an alloy frame 4" Kimber 1911 in 9mm and it is a lot of fun to shoot. I also have steel framed 1911s (also 4") and I find the recoil of the 9mm in the alloy frame to be very close to the .45 in the steel frame (not the same, just quite close). This makes it an excellent choice for practice in that you can shoot almost twice as much for the same ammunition costs.

I have a mix of both Kimber and OEM magazines and have experienced zero, zip, nada - NO magazine failures.

I recommend not even thinking about doing conversions. I did one conversion to .22lr and have not changed it back, since. Spend the money and get one of the Kimbers. You will wish you had done it sooner.

Did I mention they are FUN to shoot?

 

[Slimbo]

colt has made a few in 9mm. i would lean more twords the 38 super tho. ammo is a little more expensive but its a fun round and you can always convert it to 9mm.

 

[sadp40]

i have a 9mm colt

combat commander. its a match made in heaven. heavy enough theres no recoil, light enough to carry. thin thin thin i'll say it again thin so easy to iwb carry.

 

[Dobe]

A 1911 in 9mm is not a bad choice. If it is a range gun you are looking for, then consider a full size Gov. model with adjustable sites. . . great range gun. If you are looking for a thin concealable, then a smaller 1911 in 9mm is good too. 1911's in a 9mm have very little felt recoil. Partly this is because of the weight, but I think also the 1911 just simply manages recoil well due in part to the ergonomics of the handgun.

 

[robctwo]

I bought the Baer PII in 9mm. Dan Wesson, Fusion, SA and Kimber and STI all make full size 9mm 1911s. They are a lot of fun.

 

[Optoman]

I have a STI Escort 9mm 1911 for ccw. (3" barrel, single stack)

High accuracy, absolutely love it.

Other compact 9mm 1911s that I compared it to were the Kimber Ultra CDP II and SA 'EMP'. The STI was right for me...

G/l

 

[HorseSoldier]

Can you interchange the barrels/magazines?

I don't think anyone has answered part two of the question yet. Mags are not interchangable between 45 ACP and 9mm in a 1911. I'm told 38 Super and 9mm mags are interchangable, but you may get misfeeds firing 9mm through 38 Super mags due to the mag being set up for the longer OAL of 38 Super. (May be wrong on that, as I never tried 38 Super mags when I had a Kimber Tac Pro II 9mm.)

More generally, I think the 9mm 1911 is a superb pistol design/variant, even if it ruffles some feathers with 45 cal purists and such. Like others noted, recoil is close to non-existent and match that up with the outstanding 1911 trigger and you've got an extremely fast handling pistol.

 

[fletcher]

I'm told 38 Super and 9mm mags are interchangable

They are. Some use .38 super mags to get 10rd capacity using 9mm.

Im partial to Springfield, do they make one

Yep. Check out the "Loaded" model (that's the one I have - good gun).