M9 vs 1911

[cacoltguy]

Also, magazine capacity isn't the be all and end all in a fire-fight or else our troops would all be equipped with a 500 round capacity, drum fed 22 lr. The main reason the U.S. military has switched to smaller calibers for everything over the years, is that 50-75% of soldiers and Marines can't hit what they aim at to save their life. (This is my observation from 6 years of service in the infantry) Secondly, the average troop in the field is an even worse shot with a pistol considering he is lucky if he shoots two magazines out of it in a year. (That's assuming he is one of the small number who are even issued a sidearm.) Thus, the priority goes in favor of being able to carry/shoot more rounds over lethality. Man stopping bullets don't mean a thing if they never make contact with a man.

 

[barnetmill]

I voted 1911 because I own one and I am most familiar with it. If I had no experience with either it would be the M9 due its magazine capacity and lighter recoil. The cost and weight of the ammo is another consideration and so favors the 9mm round.

 

[jbm0207]

M9.

- Lighter
- Almost 2 X the capacity
- Reliability. This will understandably be subjective. However I never saw an M9 jam in the military and I have never seen a 100% 1911.
- Manual of arms. Subjective as well. I beleive the M9 with DA/SA, decocker, and safety, is easier for the masses than the 1911.

 

[Onmilo]

Between the two, the 1911A1 is the better combat handgun but the Sig P226 is better than either of these and the Glock 19 is an even better combat handgun than the Sig,,,

 

[LawScholar]

Based oin a lot of experience you obviously lack there Seany boy.
And a LOT of hands on experience with all the weapons I listed.

I'd still say it is opinion. The 19, 226, and 92 are equally reliable, equally tough guns. None is objectively better than the others.

 

[miles1]

Is this a poll based on reliability or nostalga?

Reliability= beretta

Nostalga=1911

Caliber isnt really part of the debate as both guns could be chambered for 9,40 or 45.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Is this a poll based on reliability or nostalga?

Reliability= beretta

Nostalga=1911

Caliber isnt really part of the debate as both guns could be chambered for 9,40 or 45.

I have never seen or heard of an M9 chambered for .40 S&W or .45 ACP...please, enlighten us.

 

[SK2344]

OK, when you say which is the best Combat Handgun and only give me these two choices then I will give you a restricted answer which is the .45 1911 based on a combat scenario. In Combat, at least when I was in Combat, we carried a riffle as our main firearm and the Pistol as a backup, so as a backup I would have to pick the .45. Having said this, my choice would be the Glock 21 with at least 6 Hi Cap Magazines. No doubt in my mind!

 

[Shipwreck]

I have never seen or heard of an M9 chambered for .40 S&W or .45 ACP...please, enlighten us.

Not an "M" series per se (military) - but there is a Beretta 92... A 40 cal version.

No 45 version of the M9/92/96 series, however

 

[allaroundhunter]

Not an "M" series per se (military) - but there is a Beretta 92... A 40 cal version.

No 45 version of the M9/92/96 series, however

I understand that the 96 is he .40S&W version, but it has never been a combat weapon. (And therefore is not an M9)

 

[chieftain]

my choice would be the Glock 21 with at least 6 Hi Cap Magazines

If you are in my outfit, carrying that many pistol magazines, my first question is why bother with a rifle? If the Glock 21, which is outside the scope of this discussion, or off track, I would only allow my troops to carry one magazine. For that much weight you could carry two additional rifle magazines. Some folks pass on the handgun entirely in combat. My experince is that stuff happens, and a second weapon can come in mighty handy.

When we were issued the Mattey Mattels XM16E1's, when the firefight would begin, anywhere from 25 to 40 percent of the rifles would not fire after the first shot. (and no the powder was not the only issue) I would often toss my handgun to some poor SOB trying to get his rifle back into action. My M14 would continue to chug, or bang away.

But going into combat with the latest and lightest fullly automatic single shot rifle is I think today the kids call an extreme sport.

When I carried a 1911, I carried two additional magazines in a standard mag pouch. When I carried a 38spl I carried 24 additional rounds, loose.

ALL handguns are secondary in the military while in the bush.

Today with the choices the OP has given us I would choose the 1911, but then I have extensive combat experience with it. I would not be upset if I had to take a Beretta though.

Go figure.

Fred

 

[ORHunter79]

Both might, well probably will jam. I was a marksmanship instructor in the Marines. I've seen plenty of M9 jam (usually broken locking block.)

I like the 1911, but cheap ones will probably jam more.

A hassle free gun is a Glock. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

 

[miles1]

I understand that the 96 is he .40S&W version, but it has never been a combat weapon. (And therefore is not an M9)

I see you double checked your response.Yes,there isnt a M9 designated in 40 cal;but it wouldnt taker much effort to give it a military designation on the slide and call it M(whatever).I was also in error for saying it was in chambered in 45acp,my mistake.

 

[Onmilo]

M96 has never been a combat weapon?!?
I think DEA and Border Patrol will differ on that.
Beretta is more reliable than a 1911A1?!?
Not according to soldiers issued Checkmate magazines.

Iraq Police and Military also use the G19 Glock with good results and have quite a bit of "combat experience" with this gun also.

Oh and Sean,
Killing people with a handgun doesn't make me feel better.
It is what it is.

 

[allaroundhunter]

The "M96" does not exist. It has never been a military weapon as the M9 and 1911 are. Combat and a quick exchange of a few rounds at drug runners are two completely different things.

 

[jahwarrior]

a katana.

 

[Walking Dead]

I think uncle Sam already answered this question.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I think uncle Sam already answered this question

And he's rolling over in his grave at the fact that his choice was replaced by the M9

 

[Sam1911]

This thread was started three years ago. Since then, neither has been proven superior and nothing has changed. Let it REST.