Which 1911 in 9mm?

[Northslope Nimrod]

I want a Colt, but apparently they don't make them anymore. So, assuming I can't find a used one that meets my fancy, which new production 1911 9mm would you recommend and why?

1. Kimber
2. Springfield
3. RIA
4. Para
5. Taurus (does anyone have any exprience with the 9mm version?)
6. Smith & Wesson (If they make one....I can't find one on their site)
7. Other

(Don't recommend STI....they are too much $$$)

 

[TN-popo]

I've got a Kimber Target 9mm. It is extremely accurate.

The only thing I don't like about it is that Kimber uses a .40 breechface for their 9mms. This has never caused a problem and I've never had a malfunction...it just aggravates me.

 

[rcellis]

As far as I know, Taurus hasn't released their 1911 in 9mm yet. Their traditional 1911 in .45 is getting reasonably good reviews. Every gun shop I've visited which has had one, has sold it within a few days.

 

[HorseSoldier]

My Kimber Tac Pro II in 9mm has been a very good shooter. I don't have any firsthand experience with the other manufacturer's 9mm's on your list, though, so it's a bit hard to make a recomendation of one over the others and such.

 

[BozemanMT]

I've got an STI in 9mm
pretty sweet
I think I paid like $800
that's not that much more than the rest.
out of the rest, I'd go Kimber.

 

[CAnnoneer]

6. Smith & Wesson (If they make one....I can't find one on their site)

S&W offer model 952 which at least externally looks very similar to a 1911. Then again, it may be a Browning on steroids. I heard nice stuff about these sweeties, but at over $1000 they are less than easily affordable.

It would be nice to hear from somebody who has a Springfield or Para.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

STI TROJAN!!!!

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got three S&W Performance Ctr. 9's
1. 5906PC (4"bbl, similar but a lot different than stock 5906; extreamly accurate). Used for "Duty" auto matches. Gun was originally built for DPA shooting, but most are now used by NRA PPC competition. Took 3rd place at 1998 NRA Nationals with this gun. First place also taken w/20 digit lower ser.# gun (mine is 2-digit ser.#; ie: DPA-00xx).

2. PPC-9 5"; Essentially a .356TSW in 9mm, all stainless w/Aristocrat adj.rear sight. "Most-Extreamly" accurate, like how accurate is the ammo! has shot near moa groups at 50yds. with select ammo). Factory target machine rest shot by S&W is 0.486" @ 25yds w/ Federal 9B (115gr "Classic")This is a 3-digit gun iePC-01xx.

3. PPC-9 6"; Long slide version of 5". Weighs over 50oz. Requires a near +P 9mm to function reliably. Slightly less accurate than 5" gun. Still easily holds X-ring at 50yds. (Machine rest factory target is 0.748" five shot with unknown ammo.) Ser.# PPC-07xx.

They are Uniquely Smith and Wesson. Based loosely on the Mod.59, have 14rd double stack magazines.

Mechanics are essentially 9mm High Power design; taken to Nth-degree.

Ultimate in Target 9mms. Supreamly reliable w/good ammo. (again, how good is the ammo?!)

Most All of the NRA PPC semi-auto records are now held by the S&W Perf. CTR 9mm's.

The 952-2 is essentially a "Civilian" version of the PPC-9, but has a "Bomar" type sight.

All are hand built, hand fitted from exclusive CNC machinings.

Current retail is $1,275.00 with aluminum case and 3 mags. Must be bought on L.E. letter head. (#2 and #3. #1 was a limited run and no longer avaible as far as I know.)

S&W looses money on these, but are intended to "seed" the market for L.E. procurements.

I had 3 1911's in 9mm, and a Colt Gold Cup in .45 before succombing to the S&W's (I like to WIN).
The 1911's were Springfield's. One was a factory Stainless that I bought to "work" over. After a Nowlin bbl, Bomar sights, and hand fitting, it shot WORSE than before with original bbl. I let the "Big Name" Gunsmithing have it back! They sent me a Springfield "Kit" which I had Robert Jones of Jackson, MS build. It was very accurate for first 5,000rds, but fell off rapidly after that. I sold it to capitalize the first PPC-9
I had a Factory Springfield 1911 in .38Super that was decently accurate. I sold it to purchase the 5906PC. Haven't looked back.

Had a second 1911 Springfield Stainless "loaded" 9mm I won in a match. Sold it to capitalize the 6" PPC-9. It would shoot "Basket Ball" sized groups with my match ammo at 25yds. I pity the poor "marksman" class shooter who bought it. (Told him it didn't shoot to my "requirement" so I didn't decieve him !!!)

If I were going to get a 1911 in 9mm, it would be either a Kimber, or STI.
Get the Metal Form Magazines. They are the only reliable ones I had.