Tell me about 9mm 1911's

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Got one? Like it? Which one? How does it shoot cast? Do you wish it was a 45? I've never owned a 1911, but think I would like the weight and trigger for target work vs a poly wonder. Leaning towards a 9mm for low recoil and free brass, but I have 45 dies and mold as well.

[BigAlofPa.]

Well i have 7 1911's. 22lr .380 45 acp and 10mm. They all shoot cast great. And accuracy is awesome. And there not high end guns i have. Brands i have RIA.ATI Colt and chiappa.

[tazman]

I own a Springfield Armory Range Officer(stainless) in 9mm and it is superbly accurate with both jacketed and cast. It prefers boolits that load with a somewhat longer OAL. Really short RF nose designs sometimes do not feed well.
I use Lyman 356402, Lee 356-120-TC( regular lube groove), and NOE 358-135-RF in mine with no issues. The chamber on this one is tight and boolits need to be sized .357 or they will have issues chambering.
I lube with either tumble lube or White Label 50-50(using my lubrisizer) and have no issues of any kind either accuracy or leading.
Group sizes are equal to what you get from jacketed with these.
I have yet to have a malfunction of any kind with this pistol when using factory new ammunition. If I make a cartridge that isn't quite right, it may choke on it. Usually that is because I used ammunition made for my Beretta which has a much larger chamber and barrel.
I used to own a Taurus 1911 in 9mm and accuracy and function were less than ideal. Failures to eject were common and the accuracy was mediocre at best. I won't recommend that one.
I also have some 1911 pistols in 45ACP from Springfield and SIG. Both of them are also very good.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

My Ruger 1911 9mm is hands down the best shooting pistol I own I would buy it again in a heart beat

[toallmy]

I have just always liked the 1911 45acp , but last year my wife decided she wanted a 1911 in 9mm , and who am I to argue with the boss . She tried out several handguns a friend brought over for her to try , and decided on a Springfield 1911 A1 in 9mm . She thought we should go out dressed the same so I picked a Springfield A1 in 45 acp to match . Truth be told I enjoy shooting her 9 more , now I really can't say why but I just have more fun with her 9mm even when both are sitting on the bench at the same time . It could be I don't mind losing the 9mm brass .
Strangely enough she likes my old 4 inch Colt combat commander in 45acp just as much . All my shooting is done with light loads so it has nothing to do with recoil . The 9 is a lot of fun just pick one that feels good in your hand and try to wear it out . I like adjustable sights .

[psweigle]

Well, I have a rock island 9mm 1911 commander. My wife carries it. It shoots cast just fine. I also have a Coonan classic .357 magnum, it happens to love cast boolits. Surprisingly, the Coonan isnt unpleasant at all to shoot. Amazingly accurate as well. As a side note, I've been wanting to save up for a llama .32 acp mini-1911.

[MTyotehunter]

I had a worked over Springfield, was super fun

[Plate plinker]

I too have a Springfield loaded 1911-A1. With a little tuning on the internals and a new set of frag grips with a magwell, I am happy. I have hit my 7" gong at 110 yards. At 50 yards it is fairly easy. The heft of the 1911 and with a standard 9mm load the gun becomes a pleasure to shoot.

[Greg S]

7 1911s, 1 of which I built in 9mm. If purchasing one, I'd highly recommend a ramped barrel and springfield 9mm mags to prevent nose dives. Ejection and extraction can sometime be problematic with tolerance stacking but can be overcome if problems persist with and oversized ejector and after market extractors. Although recoil is reduced, I prefer a full size (5") standard slide (no lightening cuts to reduce mass) and adjust slide speedmfor reliable cycling with recoil springs.

If I was looking for a reputable manufacturer for a 9mm 1911 who stands behind their product I'd look at SA. They brought alot of inovation to the 9mm in this platform and will make it right if it doesn't run.

[Lloyd Smale]

best shooting 1911 I ever owned was a 9mm sti trojan. It outshot even the two les baers I had at the time and my gold cup match colt. best out of the box trigger on any handgun ive ever bought to boot. Was probably the stupidest gun thing I ever did the day I traded it.

[smkummer]

I have only fired a full size 1911 in 9mm once or twice and remember it being a sweet ( low recoil) shooter. I absolutely love my new to me star 9mm BM which I believe is so appropriate sized for 9mm. It feeds the Lee TL356-125RN just fine and shoots wonderfully to the sights. $189 shipped from center fire systems right now.

[Cougar Hunter]

Stainless Colt 9mm Competition Model

234371

[wrench]

I've had a Springfield Range Officer in 9mm since they came out. Fantastic, accurate, reliable. I have 1911s in .45acp as well, but the 9mm is just plain fun to shoot.

[Groo]

Groo here
I got a "couple".
Got them for cheep ammo,but they make nice carry guns.[I carry +P+]
Really like the EMP 4 as they feed very well. [feel, sound smooth]

[mozeppa]

8 here as well ....like them all.

[MrHarmless]

They're a no for me. I don't hate them. There's nothing wrong with them I guess. Something about my brain just does not like it.

[tazman]

They're a no for me. I don't hate them. There's nothing wrong with them I guess. Something about my brain just does not like it.

That's too bad. You are missing a lot of fun.

[oldhenry]

I have a Ruger Officer Model in 9mm (my 1st.9mm). Excellent sights & trigger out of the box. I like their integral (not staked) plunger tube and titanium firing pin which allows original design trigger parts. An unexpected bonus is the factory throated chamber. Never a failure to operate with the 2 boxes of factory rounds. Some teething problems with reloads, but forum members helped me overcome them. After arriving @ the correct OAL & learning not to use S&B brass, it runs without issues with 3 different cast boolet designs.

I also have a Ruger 1911 in .45 ACP (full size) & would hate to part with either.

Lately I find myself shooting the 9mm more: a strange confession for a guy that spent most of my adult life bad-mouthing the 9.

Henry

[Lloyd Smale]

I used to think the same but after a season of shooting ppc with mine and kicking but I came back the next year to see about every top shooter in our league using 9mm 1911s. Now if you talking self defense a 1911 in 9 doesn't make sense even to me. If im going to carry a big heavy 1911 its going to be in 45. But something like the Kimber or springfield mini 1911s in 9 might just cover that too.
They're a no for me. I don't hate them. There's nothing wrong with them I guess. Something about my brain just does not like it.

[Sig556r]

Got several 1911s in both .45ACP (Springfield M1A1, STI Spartan V, Sig TacOps) & 9mm (Para Pro-Custom, STI Spartan 9 with .38Super barrel by Eddie Jimenea).
The 9s are mainly for ESP IDPA matches including the STI V for CDP class.
The Sig is mainly for self defense (with flashlight) & the Springfield for plinking.
The 45s eat PC'd CBs from 155gr to 230gr while the 9s from 120s to 160s.

[Texas by God]

The nicest one I have owned in 9mm was almost a 1911 by Star. A tack driving beautiful pistol that was NIB when I got it.
No grip safe, internal extractor, you have to remove the magazine and it has an interrupter.

https://i.imgur.com/ah24i2J.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eTieyEy.jpgThat's the one right there. Perfect scale for 9mm. They are shooters deluxe! The shorter BM is a "star" too!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[phonejack]

I have a Kimber Gold Match. When I take it to the range I always leave smiling

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Thanks! Keep it coming! Thinking about a 5" RIA GI model in 9mm to dip my toe in the 1911 world...

[Bookworm]

I keep searching ffor a decent Star B, at a reasonable price. When I find one, I have no money. When I have money, I can't find one....

[Texas by God]

I keep searching ffor a decent Star B, at a reasonable price. When I find one, I have no money. When I have money, I can't find one....You are not alone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Tackleberry41]

I ran some 9mm thru my 1911 before I reamed the barrel to 357 sig, very easy shooting for sure. Maybe buy another 9mm barrel for it someday. It was a non ramped barrel, 38 super mags, never failed to work.

Have enough 9mm now that not sure the need behind another. Just bought a Walther P1, a Star BM not long ago. Still shooting the same Browning HP I bought in 1988. Much prefer my CZ75 compact to a 1911.

[45workhorse]

Thanks! Keep it coming! Thinking about a 5" RIA GI model in 9mm to dip my toe in the 1911 world...

Get the RIA 9/22TCM! Fun and accurate full size! 22 TCM SHOULD be available,soon.
Just don't shoot the 22 TCM dusk or dark.......muzzle blast will blind you.

But, then if close enough, kill, clean and cook in one shot:kidding:

[Ramjet-SS]

I have a Springfield officer model 9mm. Very very soft recoil and the accuracy is fantastic the gun will definately out shoot me. Easy to carry and feeds defensive ammo with out a hitch. I highly recommend one for anyone's daily carry rotation. It is one of my favorite 1911.,

[Green Frog]

About 30 years or so ago I went through my "1911s are like Erector Sets™ phase." One of my temporary builds was a full length but lightweight Government Model (the then-available Ranger™ frame) and one Saturday night I built one of its iterations using a 9 mm top I picked up somewhere. I took it to a "Scoot & Shoot" event patterned after the early IPSC events the next morning. I shot it that day, where it performed flawlessly, then took it apart and moved on to something else. I do wish I hadn't gotten rid of that frame and all of those parts... it truly was a great toy for a big boy! :bigsmyl2:

Froggie

[tazman]

I got to handle, but not shoot, an STI race gun in 9mm. It had the general feel and function of a 1911 but had a double stack magazine. Very smooth operating firearm.
Is that what they call the 2011?

[Plate plinker]

I got to handle, but not shoot, an STI race gun in 9mm. It had the general feel and function of a 1911 but had a double stack magazine. Very smooth operating firearm.
Is that what they call the 2011?

Yes it is.

[Divil]

I have a 1991 series new production Stainless Government and Blued Commander. Mine are flawless functioning with fmj-rn, some truncated cones and remington jhp. I use 9 round metalform and mecgar magazines. Soft point and Hornady ftx seem to ftf intermittently. I need to try XTP factory ammo and cast RNL next range trip. They are shoot all day comfortable.

[rockrat]

I have a Springfield RO and a Taurus 1911 clone. The Springfield is just a bit more accurate than the Taurus. Have over 1000 rounds thru the Taurus without a single hitch. Its Stainless as is the Springfield.

[tazman]

I am sorry that I can't give a good recommendation to the Taurus 1911 in 9mm. I purchased one new a few months ago and had nothing but trouble with it. Failures to eject and failures to feed. More than one in every magazine. I never even got around to shooting reloads in it since it wouldn't work with new factory rounds.
I took it o a gunsmith 3 different times before he finally got it running.
It would work ok but the accuracy wasn't there.
It went down the road.
This is the first Taurus handgun I have had issues with. My Taurus revolver and 9mm PT92 pistols work fine.

[wv109323]

The 1911 was designed along with the .45 ACP cartridge. Just like the M1 Garand was designed around the 30-06 cartridge. These firearms can be adapted to shoot other cartridges but it takes some re-engineering. The most critical parts with the 9mm in the 1911 is the magazine and ejector. The 9mm can be extremely accurate in the 1911 with the right twist barrel.
I would go with the .45acp since you reload. You can download the 45 with a recoil spring change. Or go full house loads. Disadvantages of the 45 are bullets are more expensive bullets or require more lead if you cast. Also you get 7 rounds in a 45 magazine and 9 in 9mm.
There is no wrong answer.

[arlon]

I have an STI Trojan in 9mm. I got it used and lamented the fact that it wasn't a real 1911, you know, 45 ACP. Well that changed pretty quick when I started shooting it. Ammo was cheap, easy to reload, cheaper to reload than the 45 ACP. Basically I guess 9mm is to autos what the 38 special is for revolvers. If you need the power, there are some hot factory loads for the 9mm that should be fine in a heavy 1911 frame. The 9mm is just a range gun for me and it seems to fill that bill perfectly.

I have a few 1911s in 45 ACP too but it seems like I take the 9mm to the range way more than the 45s. Kind of like the revolvers, I shoot way more 38 Special than I do 44/45..

At the end of the day the lighter bullets are just easier on me and my wallet. My wrist thanks me for taking the little pop guns too. (-:}

[9.3X62AL]

The most accurate 9mm pistol that I have ever fired--bar none--was a Springfield "Loaded" 1911A1-pattern stainless example that was absolutely box-stock. Superb trigger, docile recoil, scary-accurate. Those FBI-pimped 147 grain JHP sub-sonic (sub-lethal) carry rounds that the Feebs have sold law enforcement on do one thing very well--they are ACCURATE. Nicely enough, my usual carry load in 9mm (Speer Lawman 124 GDs +P) shot almost as well. I do like the idea of a Commander-sized 9mm, maybe some day I will line one up. I do have a bunch of 9mms in the safe already, though.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Thanks! Keep it coming! Thinking about a 5" RIA GI model in 9mm to dip my toe in the 1911 world...

I have heard good things about the inexpensive RIA 1911 guns, so I had my LGS bring in one in 38 super. I haven't shot it yet, that's on my "to do" list. Fit, feel, and function(with dummy rds) is excellent. I have a bag of new starline brass, just waiting to be loaded.
I hope to get the gun out to the range this Spring.

[Bmi48219]

I've had the opportunity (sometime pleasure) to shoot dozens of 1911's in the past several years, 9's, 45's, 38 supers. One thing I've noticed, you get what you pay for. In my experience the budget models usually need a lot of work if you want a acuurate pistol with a good trigger, sights, and slide fit. By then you've spent enough to buy a higher end model, but still don't have the quality that comes with a high end price. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION.
I picked up a 9mm STI TargetMaster in like new condition two years ago. $1200.00. For me It out-shoots every 1911 I've tried, Guncrafters, Wilsons, Nighthawks, Les Bears. All of them.
Springfields, Colts & Kimbers don't come close even though they cost as much. Again, my opinion, but look for a used STI ( except a Spartan). Feel how the slide moves, should feel like it's been buttered. You'll be happy. American made, free warranty repairs. Again just my opinion but I'd rather own one great firearm than a couple mediocre ones.

[arlon]

You get what you pay for but you don't always need what you get.

I have a S&W 3566 Limited in 356TSW (not a 1911 and now wearing a 9x19mm Briley barrel). It is an awesome pistol. It's way more accurate than me.
I have an STI Trojan in 9mm that's also a really nice pistol and it's more accurate than me too.
I have an ATI GI Commander model in .45 ACP and it's about as accurate as I am and cost WAY less than the S&W and a good bit less than the STI.

If I only shot from a ransom rest I'd want the S&W.
If I only shot from a bench rest I'd be fine with the STI.
I mostly shoot offhand and I'm not a great pistol shot. I shoot the ATI on paper offhand as well as either of the other two. I just wish it was a 9mm so I could afford to shoot it more. They will all hit a soda can at 50 ft.

The S&W and STI are a lot of fun to shoot but so is the ATI. If it meant the difference between shooting or not shooting, the cheap gun wins. Get what you can without taking food off the table and go have fun with it.

I prefer shooting 45s in a revolver. GO figure.

[elmacgyver0]

J&G Sales has the Star BM on sale now for $149.00
Don't get no better than that.

[bruce drake]

Love my RIA 9x19/38 Super (38 Super Comp Rimless brass) switch barrel pistol.

It was originally a 9x19 chambered pistol but then I chambered a new-old stock .38 Super barrel and mated it to the 9x19 slide with a dedicated barrel bushing/spring and bought some 38 Super magazines. I use Starline's 38 Super Comp Brass for my 38 Super barrel to ensure a consistent extraction after firing. Its not semi-rimmed like the original 38 Super brass which allows for a better seating of the bullet and protection from weak brass/or excessive powder loads blowouts.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/38-Super-Comp-Brass/

great brass.

Best quality I know of.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/38-Super-Comp-Brass/

And when I'm done using the 38Super Comp brass, I can swap out the barrel, recoil spring and barrel bushing for later use.