Anyone out there using the 9x23?

[bradvanhorn]

I've been reading a little (just enough to be ignorant) about the 9x23 in the 1911 and was wondering if anyone here had any comments on that combo. I was thinking about getting a Kimber Custom II 9mm, and then getting some other barrels to go in it (.38 Super and/or 9x23). The 9x23 sounds interesting, but it's near absence from most store shelves makes it a risky investment (or a reloaders dream).

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Hardly a reloader's dream

Never an investment, it's a clear expense.

At the moment I have 2M new and expensive Winchester cases which seem to be a seasonal run item, a full 3 die set of expensive RCBS 9X23 with carbide dies and 2 additional RCBS carbide sizing dies to go in assorted tool heads with the balance filled with cheaper dies so I can use my stocks of rare and discontinued and no longer imported powders to establish that my expensively fitted barrels will wither like the flamecut and abraded .357 Maximum in a revolver. That is especially if I load anything lighter than 115 grains such as my preferred 90 grain ground squirrel load.

Then too

The additional taper in the internal case designs limit reloading bullet weights and designs on the heavier bullets (130 and above)...

Somebody said a Lyman 356402 cast in zinc die casting metal would make a nice penetrator but I'd never contaminate my lead pots with zinc so I'll never know.

Perhaps the only place a 9x23 would make logical sense is in a revolver like the 940 - but not the 940 which is probably a mistake to rechamber for 9x23 pressures but otherwise a great idea.

I'd say the 9x23 is not a need item but a want item as the saying goes. A reloader's dream is whitebox from Walmart that costs less and does more than any thing I can load.

I'm exceedingly pleased with mine

 

[cratz2]

I used to have a real hankerin for a 9x23.

If I were to have a custom built 1911, it would be a 9x23 with an Officer-sized grip and an Commander-sized slide.

I've shot several... all but one was a pure race gun. For a general user not wanting/needing to make major, or having the best penetrating .355" bullet, I don't see many real advantages over a standard 9x19, esp if budget is a concern at all.

 

[bradvanhorn]

Your budget point on the 9x19 vs 9x23 is definitely on my mind. That's why I was interested in getting the Kimber 9mm, and then fitting a 9x23 barrel. I was thinking I could shoot about 90% 9x19 and about 10% 9x23, which would save some cash on range ammo over 9x23 alone. Then I could compete or carry with 9x23, a much more potent load than 9x19.

I had the same basic thought about the Kimber 10mm. Get the Custom II 10mm, and fit it with a .40S&W barrel. Shoot the less expensive .40S&W most of the time, and use the higher powered 10mm when the testosterone level rises

Just something new to think about I guess.