Battle of the Single-Stack 9mm 1911s

[wooderson]

The joy of a 1911 without the agonies of $13/50 practice ammo (if you lack the room to reload)

the entries:

Kimber Tactical Pro II
cons: relatively expensive, complaints about Kimber finishes, aluminum frame (I prefer steel), 4" rather than full commander length, some dislike MIM
pros: checkering, I've liked the out-of-the-box triggers of the Kimbers I've shot, looks good, no front serrations, stock Meprolights

(also available: Kimber Pro Carry II, similar but fewer features)

STI Trojan 5.0 & Ranger II

cons: long wait for production, fiberglass trigger, front serrations (Trojan), strange sight options (Ranger II), giant rollmark on slide
pros: less expensive than the Kimber, made in my home state, purchase from Brazos Custom allows easy performance enhancement job, no front cocking serrations (Ranger II), excellent reputation

Springfield Loaded 9mm

cons: front serrations, no 'extra' features (checkering, etc.), internal lock MSH, made in Brazil
pros: stainless!, relatively inexpensive in this group
neither pro-nor-con: probably the best platform for gunsmith work (sights, trigger) if desired

Used Colt 9mm
cons: most expensive option to start in addition to whatever 'smithing makes it comparable in performance, not so great sights, possibly difficult to come by depending on the market
pros: best platform for 'smithing, can shoot it as it is until 'smithing money is saved up, classy, true 'Commander' if desired

I ignored the $2000+ Nighthawks, Wilson Combats, etc. - they aren't really an option right now.

Have I missed comparable options in 9mm? Anything I've mis-stated or gotten wrong?

 

[D-Man]

I picked up a Colt MKIV Series 80 in 9MM for $650 a few months ago (or maybe it was $600.....can't even recall the exact price right now). It had adjustable LDA (or PDA?) sites added to it, but the slide was not altered to get them in.

You should be able to find one of these, and maybe even a Series 70 model for anywhere between $600 - $900. I've thought about getting a matching Commander, but those prices seem to be even higher.

Mine did come with 2 Colt 9mm mags, and they have worked OK. I picked up a couple of the Springfield MegGar made mags, as people say they work the best.

Edited to add a picture:

 

[conan]

Pro= The Ranger 2 comes with a Bull Barrel!
Nothing finer than a 1911 bull barreled niner.

 

[wooderson]

Thanks D-Man, I thought they were worse than that - the one currently up on Gunbroker has a BIN of $1350.

 

[D-Man]

^ Wooderson - I did just check and see I did pay $600 (+ another $25 shipping) for the gun....so all total it cost me $650. Think I was pretty lucky, and was a 'right place, right time' deal for the both of us.

The sale came through a forum, so if you are interested you may want to post a WTB ad and see what people may have. I think a lot of people on Gunbroker are smoking stuff for the prices they want to charge.

For a NIB model, I was leaning towards the Springfield, as it was $100 cheaper than the Kimber would of been (and if I recall the Kimber only came with one mag).

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I don't see the appeal of those guns. I see the price of a nice Kimber, SA, STI, etc., the low capacity of a single stack and the semi-anemic 9mm. They do have the nice ergonomics of a 1911 and are probably slim (slimmer than the same gun in .45 though?)
I should look on the bright side and see the form of a 1911, low recoil of a 9mm, and fit and finish of a high dollar gun I suppose but it's hard

 

[browningguy]

They make great pistols for IDPA ESP class.

 

[Joe D]

I saw a CST Kimber yesterday for $899. That would be the gun for me. IMO the SA is not in the same class. The STI will need some ramp work to feed 100%.

 

[D-Man]

DoubleTapDrew - If you are a fan of the 1911 in .45, then you would (or should) definitely be a fan of the 1911 in 9mm. You get the same gun feel, and shoot a cheaper round with less recoil. These guns are more for range and competition fun, not for home-defense use (at least for me).

In size comparison, the 9mm and .45 1911 are exactly the same, though my S&W 1911 .45 seems a little heavier than my Colt 1911 9mm. This may just be a difference due to how S&W and Colt make theirs, and have nothing to do with the caliber it is chambered in.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have a 1951 Colt Commander in 9mm is a great way to practice at a lower price.

 

[RNB65]

Unless you already know where to find one, a new Kimber will probably be hard to get. Kimber always shows them on their website, but they only make a batch of 9mm 1911's on a rare and infrequent basis and they usually sell out quickly. The last time I e-mailed them asking about the 9mm's, the were unable to even provide me with an estimate of when the next batch will be made.

 

[DogBonz]

STI

I think that they are butt ugly, but they SHOOT. I think that they are one of the best bargins in 1911's. The only reason that I don't have one is, as I said... I dont like their looks.

 

[lycanthrope]

STI.

Hard chrome it later..........

 

[farscott]

Of those listed, the Trojan 5.0 is a good deal, especially if you buy it though the group buy that Correia is doing. I would really take a long look at some of the other STI guns because the prices on the group buy are REALLY good. On his first STI group buy, I picked up a 9x19 TargetMaster for not much more than my local dealer charged me for a hard chromed Trojan 5.0. The TargetMaster is so good that I sold my Trojan, and the sale price of the Trojan covered a good chunk of what I paid for the TargetMaster.





I also have 9x19 1911s from Colt and Les Baer. The STI is a screaming good deal for the money.

 

[Correia]

farscott, I had a real hard time shipping you that Targetmaster. That thing was awesome. (first Targetmaster that I had had come through the shop).

Yeah, if you're interested in an STI, shoot me a PM with which specific model you want, and I'll send you a quote. You would need to order by the end of February, but price wise, it will smoke anything else.

 

[farscott]

Really glad I got in on the group buy. The TargetMaster is one sweet machine.

Yeah, the TargetMaster is a shooter. Here is my first 25 yard group with it on an indoor range. The flyers are me. It is a lot easier to shoot this one outdoors in better light. I now have fifty yard groups that look like that.

 

[lindermant]

I love 9mm 1911's, and my vote is for Colt

They're not that hard to find, you just have to keep on top of the online auctions... here's one at a very reasonable price: http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifieds/none/_976808508.aspx

 

[cghammo]

Recently picked up a used Colt Combat Commander 9MM at Gander Mountain for $440.00. It is about 95% and doesn't have an idiot mark!

 

[Golddog]

If you're not wedded to the 1911, you can get a fine single action 9 mm a lot cheaper by trying a CZ 75 B SA (or the DA version and use it cocked and locked). Even the factory SA pull is pretty nice, and the right gunsmith can get to break about as sweetly as a top 1911. While the CZ's are a bit wider than single stack 1911's, their ergonomics are excellent and they may be more reliable than the 9 in a 1911. Shop around, and you can get them well under $500, maybe below $400. They're the best buy in quality handguns.

 

[wooderson]

The STI is sounding more and more like a winner (probably the Ranger II) but I'll probably miss the FBMG buy, as this purchase is dependent on my getting a cleanup job that's all profit for me (aside from time and gas).

Won't even know if I get it until next week, etc.. Thanks, though.

To answer a couple of questions -

I should look on the bright side and see the form of a 1911, low recoil of a 9mm, and fit and finish of a high dollar gun I suppose but it's hard

Ammo cost (no space for a reloading setup currently), easy recoil and form are big ones. The high dollar finish isn't so much an attraction in itself, but you're kind of limited to that in production 9mm for now. And once you're looking at a Springfield Loaded, you might as well look a couple of hundred further up the ladder...

you can get a fine single action 9 mm a lot cheaper by trying a CZ 75 B SA (or the DA version and use it cocked and locked)

My first firearm was a 75B (regular DA/SA), and I now have a SP-01 that follows me to the range every time, along with a 9mm SIG. Having one set of cleaning supplies and ammo for my most-used 'range guns' and gear bag is nice.

 

[wooderson]

A question - if you went with a Ranger, there appear to be two good sight options available:

1. Black rear, red fiber optic front.
2. Two-dot, Heinie-like front and rear tritium

Anyone have a preference or recommendation out of those two (use: indoor range 75%, outdoor range 25% and possibly IDPA)? I don't have much experience with anything but your standard three-dot.

 

[Correia]

wooderson, if you miss the buy, that's cool. The group buys have been such a hit I do and STI one about once a quarter.

I've used both. If the gun was going to get serious use, I would go with the 2 dot night sights, but as a game/fun gun, I like the fiber optic front sight. It really picks up quick in daylight.

 

[Ala Dan]

Off the mark a bit, but I would opt for a nice LNIB Smith & Wesson model
39-2 9m/m~!

 

[Wags]

I like my Colt 1911 9mm Combat Commander just fine. Range or carry, it works everytime when needed. Why all the negatives about a 1911 9mm? My thougts are a little heavier than normal for only a 9 shot 9mm, but the 2nd shot is very quick and on the mark due to lessor recoil to manage. Sure, it's not the original purist 45ACP, but the 9mm is more desirable and will bring a higher premium when selling. And you bet ya I like 1911 45ACP's!

Novak Colt 1911 9mm with a few mods

 

[Dr.Rob]

That STI looks way too clunky for a 9mm, and the styling makes it not very 1911ish. Good shooter though. Is it a hi-cap?