What are your thoughts on 9mm 1911's

[ddj8052]

Over the Past year I have become a diehard 1911 fan. I really like them much better than other Semi auto designs. So I am going to sell my Beretta 96 ( that never gets shot) to Finance something new. The only negative of shooting my 1911's is the cost of ammo. I really do not want a .22 conversion as I really enjoy shooting centerfire ammo. I will be picking up a dedicated .22 so that I can teach my daughter with, probably a Sig Trailside.



So all this brings me to my question. What do you all think of 9mm 1911's? At $10 per 100rnds v.s. $9 per 50rnds there is a huge diffrence in cost. I would like something in a Comander size or GM size so that it will feel like my other guns. I do not want to spend a ton of money. Preferably around $600 to $700. I will only be using it for range time and plinking. For HD and carry I much prefer some thing with a 4 in front of the caliber . So is this worth it? Or am I better off with something diffrent? I think that Highpowers are the ugliest guns ever, but I shot one the other day and it was very nice feeling. But I still prefer the 1911. Thanks for any help. Juan.

 

[CWatson]

I have been thinking of getting a 9mm 1911 also.Since I want a plain Jane no frills type I was thinking of getting a Colt NRM or a Rock Island in 38 Super and having a 9mm barrel fitted.


CW

 

[farscott]

I like 9x19 1911's. I like them so much I have two, a STI Trojan 5.0 and a custom Colt 9x23 with a 9x19 barrel. They both shoot softly and accurately, and the Trojan serves as a good first pistol for people being introduced to the 1911.

With your quoted numbers of $8.00 savings per 100 rounds, you only need to shoot 10,000 rounds to recoup the cost of an $800 new gun. If you are a high-volume shooter, 9x19 makes a lot of sense for paper punching. You also will get a lot of range time with a pistol that functions exactly like your carry pistol.

There are not many 9x19 1911's in production at this time. The only 9x19 1911 that is in your price range is the Springfield since the Trojan is about $922 and Colt's .38 Super offering requires a new barrel.

I also would get the .22 LR conversion kit for the 1911. The lack of perceived recoil and muzzle blast really allows one to work on technique and diagnose errors. It is also a lot of fun and really cheap shooting since 100 rounds often costs only about $2.00.

 

[Shane333]

I just wish that more manufacturers made 9mm 1911's. I think it's a great idea.

 

[Sactown]

I'll let you know in a coupla weeks. I bought a SA 9mm 1911 to go with my STI Trojan and Kimber. I've fired a friends and really like it. Low, low recoil and well, it's a 1911!!

 

[cerberus]

The 1911 was designed as a 45acp

Why would anyone want to downgrade their 1911? If your going to carry and use a 1911 then it should be a 45acp. All the save money shooting a 9mm will just cause a person to be shooting a downsized gun.

 

[farscott]

While I carry a .45 ACP 1911, I also like to shoot other calibers. I have 1911's in 9x19, 9x23, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. I am just getting started on a 10mm longslide project with an auxillary barrel in .40 S&W. Why all the calibers? Because they are there, and because I can.

As far as downgrading and caliber wars (as if all handguns were not woefully underpowered), the 9x23 delivers full .357 Magnum ballistics (as in 147-grain bullets at 1450 fps) from a five-inch barrel, and the 1911 in this format holds ten rounds. I am considering having a longslide built in 9x23 just to see how much more performance I get from the round. If I do so, it will also have a 9x19 barrel.

 

[MyRoad]

When I asked this question about two years ago - before getting my Trojan 5 9mm - someone replied "would you buy a Corvette with a V6?". I didn't know what he meant at the time, but now I do. It's not just some macho stance, or even an old-time 1911 purist thing... I find that a 9mm 1911 does not feel like a "real" 1911. Every round feels like it didn't have enough powder.

Most people love them, and they do serve the purpose of having familiar controls in a more economical package. But since you asked an open question about thoughts on them, just thought I'd pass along that, well, bottom line, after the first 1,000 rounds, I don't reach for mine very often. If I want to go plinking with a 9, I'd rather take my SIG P225 (or my Beretta Vertec, for that matter) -- not finicky about ammo, just as accurate, and much easier to clean when the day is done. And it feels like it was meant to be a nine. YMMV.

 

[TODD3465]

May as well just get a .22lr conversion kit if you want to save money in practice.

 

[Outrigger]

Someone wiser than I once said....1911= 45ACP repeat after me...say this 20 times before going to bed and log in to THR in the morning.

 

[FW]

At $10 per 100rnds v.s. $9 per 50rnds there is a huge diffrence in cost.

If you want a 9mm, great, get one. If you are doing it just to save money on ammo, start handloading if you don't already. 45 is easy to reload, and will cost quite a bit less than buying factory 9mm. Plus, it is possible to adjust loads to actually produce less recoil than factory 9mm. If you load with cast lead, it is much cheaper.

 

[Dave Sample]

A full size 1911 platform is a poor choice because of it's size and weight. I built a few and could never get to like them. I like the BIG Bang of a 45 ACP.

 

[wally]

I wanted a 9mm 1911 for cheaper shooting.

Wasn't willing to pay $700+ for a "real" 1911 in 9mm so I got a surplus Star BM. Scratched the itch very well at $140 + shipping&FFL.

Liked it so much I jumped on another as a spare when I saw one at a gun show for $158 out the door.

An ~$400 "milspec" in 9mm I'd likely find very hard to resist.

--wally.

 

[Avery Goodschott]

I like the 9mm...no, I REALLY like the 9mm.

I have owned a number of 1911s from Charles Daly to SA to Kimber and now hold a SW1911, a SW1911Sc, and Kimber CDP PRO in .45...all great guns.

I also have a Kimber Stainless Target II and a Tactical PRO in 9mm.

The Target 9mm is my uttermost favorite. A smooth shooting pistol that will blow the center out of 1" red dots at 25 feet...off hand.

Oh, and I also have a Kahr MK9, a SIG 226 and 226ST in 9, and a P239.

9mm is good enough for anything I need to do.

 

[ACP230]

I ran across a 9mm Colt Combat Commander.
I like Commanders and liked the 9mm version, so I bought it.
Cheap ammo is a side benefit. Just liking the gun was enough reason to buy it IMO.

 

[45R]

I would love to have a 9mm Sig GSR!!!!!

 

[Rival]

1911 = .45ACP
9x19mm = BHP

 

[BigG]

If ammo cost is the consideration, why not get a 22 LR kit or a dedicated pistol like a Colt ACE? Much cheaper than 9mm and you still have a pistol that can be switched to 45 again. YMMV

 

[45auto]

I don't own one yet, But I will.

Low recoil, cheap factory ammo in a 1911 format would be fun for plinking, a break from the 45 wouldn't hurt once in a while.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

I'll cast another vote for the Star BM. I love mine!

 

[Billmanweh]

I have a Kimber 1911 9mm that's had some custom work like front strap checkering, etc.

EASILY my favorite pistol now. Fantastic design, cheap ammo, soft shooting.

 

[boots]

hey guys...

he wants a 1911 in 9mm, stop telling him that 1911 was made for .45, becasue that is obvious. if you don't know any 1911 platforms for 9mm, just don't post.

 

[Detachment Charlie]

One more time:
Star BM

If JMB was to design a 1911 in 9mm, this is the size and shape (if not internals) he would have cranked out.
And, at under $175, what part of this don't you understand?

 

[niemand]

9x19 M1911 Grand Idea. Utter raft "Surplus" 9x19 ammunition extant, with Berdan-Priming, no need the Brass to recover. (Does anyone else enjoy as much as I hours of "Brass Recovery"?).

All time once spent loading obviated, Kept "Concrete Mixers" for "Brass-Cleaners", imagine hours spent loading better on Range Shooting!

"Surplus" has other advantage; With odd "Misfire" at unknown intervals, "Jam-Clearing" is now "To Practise Built-In".

 

[jed]

I am posting to say that I do not know of any 9 mm 1911s that would be new in your price range.

Shooting 9 mm ammo is indeed a good source of economy.

Good luck in your search. From what I can tell some of the models suggested are quite expensive if bought new. You could also post in Classifieds a wanted to buy add and let the gun find you.