Kimber Ultra .45 or 9mm?

[minirunner]

Im going to get a Kimber 1911 here soon. I am going to get the 3" barrel Ultra model. I am undecided between the .45 or the 9mm. This is going to be a carry and HD gun. I know the 3" is short for HD but it is easier to shoot than the .38 snubby I have now. I want to know which is a better round for the size and barrel length of the gun in question. The two models I am bouncing between are the Eclipse Ultra ll .45 or the Ultra Aegis ll 9mm. The 9mm has a one round advantage, so not really a big difference in capacity. But the 9mm is cheaper and more widely available. I have also read that the .45 is more affected by the shorter barrel than the 9mm. But have also heard that the .45 is better because even though it is slower, if it doesn't expand, it is still a larger wound channel. Also I have read that the 9mm is more reliable in a 3" 1911 platform. I am not an expert and know that you cannot believe everything you hear. So I am looking for advice from people who have experience with 3" barrel guns and what their opinions are. And no I am not considering another gun ie, Glock, Sig, or Springfield. Thanks!

 

[JDGray]

I had exellent reliability out of my UCII, never a jam in 2500 rounds. Had an early slide lock issue that Kimber fixed, but no feed or extraction issues. I'd go 45 in that platform, but feel comfortable carrying a 9mm, as I now carry a Kahr CW9

 

[CZ223]

I own two Ultras

both in 45 and they have been great with all kinds of factory ammo. Both ball and JHP's feed very well. I also have a Rock Island and a Sprinfield Ultra Compact in 45 that also work very well. I think the whole thing about the compacts not working as well as the larger models is something that has been largely worked out. I do think that springs need to be changed more often. I would stick with the 45.

 

[CDW4ME]

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry II.
I just can't see 9mm in a 1911 platform; 9mm seems more suited for Glock or Kahr, IMO.

1911 was originally 45 acp. Using a smaller than 5'' barrel introduces potential reliability issues, which are adressed by dual recoil springs. I stick with 230 gr. ammunition since that is the standard. Now if we go to a 9mm 115 / 124 gr. much less momentum is available to cycle the slide, moving even further from the original design (just sharing my thinking).

Magazines: Can you get aftermarket magazines in 9mm? This could be important if the factory supplied magazine doesn't work.

My Ultra Carry II would not work with the factory supplied Kimber magazine, I bought Tripp magazines and solved the problem. I'm not the only person to have trouble with the factory supplied magazine.

I like my Ultra Carry II, purchasing different magazines to get it working 100% was irritating, but now (after 200-300 trouble free rounds) it gets carried.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have the Ultra Carry SS TLE/LG II model in 45. It is the perfect size for CC. Weighing in at only 25 oz, 28 oz fully loaded. It has been flawless right out of the box. The factory mag has been flawless as well as the Wilson Combat. I have shot 230gr RN down to 185gr HP without any problems. They say there is a 400 round breakin period but mine has yet to malfunction. I did use 230gr RN for the first 150 rounds before dropping back to 200gh FN. Now shooting 185gr.

My carry ammo right now is CorBon and will be testing the Hornady Critical defense soon.

 

[esteban]

get the 45

I am a 9mm person, but with one round difference I'd shoot twice and hit what I am shooting at. If one round bothers you carry a spare.

 

[Walkalong]

Get the Kimber in .45, or the EMP in 9MM.

 

[GDW]

I have not owned the Ultra, but have owned a Kimber Compact and it was completely reliable. I now own a Colt New Agent and it has never jammed and I use it for IDPA, re-loads that have been re-loaded many times. I imagine the Ultra to be very similar. I honesly have no problems shooting the 45 in a 1911 sub-compact. To me the 45 is just a big, comfortable round. More of a ku-thump. In fact, to me it is much more comfortable than a .40 - which seems to have a sharp, snappy recoil. But that's just me.

 

[nearmiss]

For 1911s I like to stick with .45, there are a lot of good 9mms out there that were designed around that cartridge, and I have a couple of those too. My UCII hasn't given me any trouble with both factory and aftermarket mags, and with round nose and HP bullets. I thought the butt was a little too sharp so I rounded it off. Great shooter, surprisingly light recoil and very accurate for a short barrel.

 

[gofastman]

my thoughts:
-Its damn hard to argue with the effectiveness of the .45 if you have at least 4" of barrel

-Like you said, the 9mm is cheaper, and with modern hollow points it packs a hell of a punch (relatively speaking)

-the .45 has really nice recoil characteristics

-Id get the 9mm