Help: 1911 in 9x23

[rfwobbly]

Want to get my first 1911 and I've decided on chambering it in 9x23. (I know, I know!! )

Anyway, since they're no longer made I thought I'd buy a nice Springfield, Colt or Kimber in 9mm with a spare barrel and have one of the chambers enlarged. I found a new Springfield Target II LP for that looks like a reasonable starting point. What are the pit-falls of such a plan? Is the typical 9x19 ejection port going to work with the longer 9x23 cases? Are the slide travels shorter on a 9x19 than a standard 1911? What other trouble could one reasonably expect?

 

[ReloaderFred]

It would be much easier to use a .38 Super platform, since both cases are 23mm long to start with. You would use the same magazines, etc. The ejection port would be correct, as well as the majority of the rest of the parts.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rfwobbly]

I thought about that angle, and looked very seriously in that direction, but the 38 Super rim size is larger, and therefore the receiver and ejector are going to be slightly off.

 

[HZOX221]

Why 9x23?

Go with a 38 Super, the only difference really is the size of the rim, that can be solved by a changing the extractor. You can get the chamber reamed for 9x23

 

[Steve in Allentown]

I have a Springfield 9mm in which I had a 9x23 barrel fitted. As was already mentioned factory .38 Super is much more common than 9x23 although you can still buy Winchester factory 9x23 softpoints and Silvertips plus Corbon makes a couple of different 9x23 loadings.

For me the 9x23 is a handloaders dream. I can load it way down to get powder puff loads or I can load it to factory spec with screaming hot loads. The Winchester case is basically a cut down .223 rifle case with a very thick web which is what allows it to safely launch 125 bullets up to 1500fps.

9x23 functions perfectly in a 1911. It has noticeably less recoil than a .45 ACP and considerably more muzzle blast. Since, in its factory loadings, it is a step beyond the .357 Magnum its muzzle blast is to be expected.

As to your specific questions, the ejection port on the Government Model Springfield requires no modification and slide travel is the same no matter the chambering. The only thing that's different is the 9mm magazine which is blocked for the shorter round. 9x23 uses .38 Super mags. You may have to fiddle with the 9mm extractor a bit to fit it to the 9x23 but that should be it.

You may want to call the acknowledged guru of 9x23 conversions, Dane Burns to get the real story.

 

[rfwobbly]

Steve -
Thanks for all the info. I had already read all the Burns web site information on 9x23 and that was sort of the driver. I've already collected all the known reloading information on 9x23 and thoroughly familiar with 38 Super and 38 Super Comp. So at this point I really feel a lot more comfortable with the cartridge and it's variations than I do the 1911 gun !

I thought the 1911 would be the easier part of this deal, but due to the need for conversion, all my questions now focus there.

All the best!

 

[WC145]

My .38 Super runs fine with 9x23 - no mods needed.

You can always just buy a Colt already chambered for 9x23, there's at least one on Gunbroker ight now.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Your best way to go is any quality 1911 in .38 Super, and get a 9x23 barrel fitted (might even end up being more accurate than the .38S), and a slightly stronger spring. If the extra cost of the 9x23 barrel bothers you, you could always sell the .38 super barrel to offset the money. I'd keep it to run .38 Super loads when I felt like it.

 

[rfwobbly]

You can always just buy a Colt already chambered for 9x23, there's at least one on Gunbroker right now.

Thanks, I'm already talking to him.

Your best way to go is any quality 1911 in .38 Super, and get a 9x23 barrel fitted (might even end up being more accurate than the .38S), and a slightly stronger spring.

I had thought about that, but all I save is the cost of 1 mag. I still have to buy a barrel and have it fitted. And then I have to wonder if the extractor is going to work. I'd much rather have the 9x19 / 9x23 combo.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

It might be outside your budget, but SVI makes 1911s chambered for 9x23.

 

[surjimmy]

Talk to Chuck Warner I think it's CWarner on here. If Im not mistaken he built the first one. Here is his phone number 505-917-7922

 

[David E]

The 9x23 muzzle blast isn't anywhere near the blast of a .357

I have two. Won a Colt at one of the Single Stack Classics and traded for a Springfield.

The 9x23 Winchester is, perhaps, the greatest caliber ever to be totally and completely mis-marketed.

 

[atblis]

Is the typical 9x19 ejection port going to work with the longer 9x23 cases? Are the slide travels shorter on a 9x19 than a standard 1911? What other trouble could one reasonably expect?

I didn't see this answered. To me it would make more sense to have the 9x19/9x23 Win. combo. than 9x23 Win./38 SA

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

In the 1911 pistol, the ejection ports are all the same size. A 9x19 is going to blow the slide all the way back, just not as hard as the 9x23. Remember, they will probably have their own "assigned" recoil springs. You are going to have to have a stronger spring for the 9x23 to prevent damage or excessive wear. A recoil spring "shok-buff" is also a good idea, as long as it doesn't mess with function.