California Approved 1911 in 9mm ??!!

[Dudemeister]

Lately I've been thinking about getting a 1911 added to my collection, but I want a 9mm, not a .45 ACP. I already have 3 9mm guns, I have loads of 9mm ammo, so I don't want to start with yet another caliber.

Every time I looked for a 9mm 1911 at my local shops, I just can't seem to find any, so tonight, I looked at the California DOJ roster.

Would you believe there is only 1 (count it: ONE !) gun on the list, the Springfield 1911 EMP Compact 9mm. There are about 5 or 6 .38 supers, a bunch or .22LR, and a boat load of .45, but only one 9mm!!

What the hell is going on here? Is it that the manufacturers are not submitting the guns because of lack of interest, or are they inherently "unsafe" and unlikely to pass the tests? What's going on?

Looks like if I want to get a 1911, I'll have to get a .45... but I want a 9mm.

 

[firesky101]

When most manufacturers can sell more than they can make already, they have no reason to submit how ever many guns California requires for testing and pay the extortion fees. Now for a solution to your problem... Many FFL's now do off roster handguns with the single shot exemptions. You typically have to pay a premium and a deposit for the required parts, but you get the gun you want.

 

[ljnowell]

Cant you just buy a 38 super 1911 and a 9mm barrel and "make your own" or is that illegal in Cali<edit>fornia too?

 

[LiveLife]

You could buy the 1911 .38 Super models approved for California but you still have to buy the barrel/magazine and may need to work with the extractor. You are looking to spend around $500-$600 + cost of barrel/magazine and gunsmith fees.

I would suggest using the Single Shot Exemption process and get "any" 1911 9mm of your choice ... end cost may be similar and you end up with the pistol of your choice that will work reliably.

My recommendations would be STI 9mm in Spartan (~$600 made in Philippines) or Trojan (~$1000 made in USA)

 

[smalls]

Single shot exemption?

 

[railroader]

Kimber is also on the roster. Here's info on single shot exemption to get off roster pistols. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=383692

 

[LiveLife]

Single shot exemption?

Single Shot Exemption (SSE) is a process used to purchase new pistols not listed on the California DOJ approved roster which requires the gun manufacturers to submit each listed pistol model to be drop tested and meet magazine safety/loaded chamber indicator requirements.

For AR rifles, an addition of a bullet button to the magazine release permits legal sale in California. In fact, S&W has bullet button factory installed on their "CA compliant" M&P15 models - http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_772660_-1_772659_757784_image

 

[Walkalong]

There are about 5 or 6 .38 supers,

As already suggested, one way out is to buy a .38 Super and install a 9MM barrel, and (especially if you reload) you might just fall in love with the Super as well.

 

[Esoxchaser]

Springfield EMP is an excellent choice. It shoots like it is a full sized gun.

 

[Walkalong]

The EMP is a great gun, but do keep in mind that the grip is shorter and it has thin grips, so the grip feel is definitely different. They do shoot great.

 

[Oldnoob]

Lately I've been thinking about getting a 1911 added to my collection, but I want a 9mm, not a .45 ACP. I already have 3 9mm guns, I have loads of 9mm ammo, so I don't want to start with yet another caliber.

Every time I looked for a 9mm 1911 at my local shops, I just can't seem to find any, so tonight, I looked at the California DOJ roster.

Would you believe there is only 1 (count it: ONE !) gun on the list, the Springfield 1911 EMP Compact 9mm. There are about 5 or 6 .38 supers, a bunch or .22LR, and a boat load of .45, but only one 9mm!!

What the hell is going on here? Is it that the manufacturers are not submitting the guns because of lack of interest, or are they inherently "unsafe" and unlikely to pass the tests? What's going on?

Looks like if I want to get a 1911, I'll have to get a .45... but I want a 9mm.

AFAI Kimber Stainless Target 9mm and Springfield Loaded 9mm are still on the roster.

Also SSE it getting more and more popular. Therefore at lease in private market you should see more floating around. Good luck.

 

[Quiet]

AFAI Kimber Stainless Target 9mm and Springfield Loaded 9mm are still on the roster.

Yep, they are still on the roster.


All the 1911 style pistols currently on the CA DOJ Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale...

Kimber
Stainless Target 9mm II / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" 9mm 10/14/2012

Para USA
PX189SL / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" 9mm 10/28/2012
PX189SN / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" 9mm 10/28/2012
PX189SR / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" 9mm 10/28/2012
WHX129RL / Steel, Alloy Pistol 3" 9mm 9/20/2013
WHX129RN / Steel, Alloy Pistol 3" 9mm 9/20/2013
WHX129RR / Steel, Alloy Pistol 3" 9mm 9/20/2013
CWX79R / Steel, Alloy Pistol 3" 9mm 1/31/2013
CWX79RL / Steel, Alloy Pistol 3" 9mm 1/31/2013
CWX79RN / Steel, Alloy Pistol 3" 9mm 1/31/2013

Springfield Armory
PX9130L (ambi safety) / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" 9mm 12/31/2013
PX9130L / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" 9mm 12/31/2013

 

[aHFo3]

I live in Oregon, but I have inlaws in CA that we visit regularly. I visited their LGS and found several Rock Island 1911's. I didn't look closely to see if any were 9mm's.

I love my STI Ranger II in 9mm.

 

[Dudemeister]

...and the search comes to an end.

I called every dealer around the area, and none of them had any CA legal 9mm, except the EMP. Not only that, but they all told me that getting them would be nearly impossible due to the scarcity.

Basically, if I'm willing to prepay for the gun, then wait indefinitely, they'll do it, but otherwise no.

I also checked with Valkyrie Arms which is a shop in the SF Bay Area which specializes in OFF-Roster gun mods, and I'm looking at about $300-450 for the modifications, on top of the cost of the gun, DROS, etc. So that's just not worth it.

So after much internal deliberation, I decided to bite the bullet and go for a .45ACP. I looked at Rock Island, Kahr, Springfield, Smith, Kimber and Sig. The one that simply felt "right" in my hand was the Sig 1911, plus it had the smoothest lightest trigger of any of them. So I took the plunge, got the Stainless model, total cost, out-the-door, $1100.

Now the 10 day wait begins. Time to invest in some reloading components for it, dies, brass and bullets.

 

[LiveLife]

Congrats on the railed Sig 1911. BTW, all the 5" 1911 models are stainless steel frame/slide regardless of the finish.

I love happy endings.

BTW, Sig 1911s have match barrels with tighter chamber and very quick start of rifling (almost no leade). I need to load Missouri 200 gr SWC bullets to 1.245" OAL or shorter. Any longer and the shoulders will hit the start of rifling and won't allow the rounds to fully chamber.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8336242#post8336242

 

[Dudemeister]

BTW, Sig 1911s have match barrels with tighter chamber and very quick start of rifling (almost no leade). I need to load Missouri 200 gr SWC bullets to 1.245" OAL or shorter. Any longer and the shoulders will hit the start of rifling and won't allow the rounds to fully chamber.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8336242#post8336242

So you're shooting lead in these barrels? Any issues?

I have a whole bunch of .452 lead bullets that I use for my .45LC. Some are 255gr. molly coated round nose from Bear Creek, the others are 250gr. round nose as well as SWC form Missouri Bullet. You I should be able to use those for the .45ACP? That would be very convenient indeed.

 

[LiveLife]

No problem shooting lead loads out of my Sig 1911 TacPac.

I am shooting MBC 200 gr SWC 18 BHN IDP #1 and 12 BHN Bullseye #1 with 5.0 gr W231/HP-38 and 4.0 gr Promo loaded to 1.245" OAL with no issues.

 

[mljdeckard]

When buying a gun in California, you have to look at the capacity, whether it was made before or after 199.......if it's on the list that.............if it's pink....

I'm glad I don't live in California.

 

[Oldnoob]

...and the search comes to an end.

I called every dealer around the area, and none of them had any CA legal 9mm, except the EMP. Not only that, but they all told me that getting them would be nearly impossible due to the scarcity.

Basically, if I'm willing to prepay for the gun, then wait indefinitely, they'll do it, but otherwise no.

I also checked with Valkyrie Arms which is a shop in the SF Bay Area which specializes in OFF-Roster gun mods, and I'm looking at about $300-450 for the modifications, on top of the cost of the gun, DROS, etc. So that's just not worth it.

So after much internal deliberation, I decided to bite the bullet and go for a .45ACP. I looked at Rock Island, Kahr, Springfield, Smith, Kimber and Sig. The one that simply felt "right" in my hand was the Sig 1911, plus it had the smoothest lightest trigger of any of them. So I took the plunge, got the Stainless model, total cost, out-the-door, $1100.

Now the 10 day wait begins. Time to invest in some reloading components for it, dies, brass and bullets.

Congrats. I had decide long and hard and make a similar call as you. My XO is very well made and I'm very happy to spend only half of what I would of spend on a TRP.


I like my guns to be black.

 

[Dudemeister]

When buying a gun in California, you have to look at the capacity, whether it was made before or after 199.......if it's on the list that.............if it's pink....

I'm glad I don't live in California.

... Yeah I hear you... and yet, everytime I look outside my window and see that Golden Gate Bridge, I know why I pay the exorbitant prices for everything from rent to gas, and why I'm willing to put up with the silly gun control rules.