1911s in 38 Super or 9mm: Experiences?

[Hardy]

I'm an member from Australia and was wondering what people's experiences were with 1911 models in 9mm and/or 38 Super? We've got some particularly stringent laws down here which limit us to 9mm/.38 rather than the .45 I would much prefer the gun in.

I'm a pretty junior shooter and would be looking for something IPSC happy. The STI Trojan looks nice but .38 is fairly expensive when compared to 9mm. Has anyone got any experience with the Springfield "Loaded Full Size 5” Barrel Target 9x19 mm"? As they're fairly similar price-wise and I much prefer the Springfield aesthetically, (and it's 9mm).

Any other suggestions? I'm pretty open to them.

Kind Regards,
Ben

 

[Novus Collectus]

I do not know much, but with little I know I strongly suggest the .38 super even though the gun and the ammo is more expensive because it will probably be difficult for you to get another gun in Australia and so you may as well go with the better, more powerful round.
When re-loaded to the right pressures, the .38 super is more powerful than the .45 ACP muzzle energy wise.

Welcome to THR by the way.

 

[Hardy]

Thanks for the welcome. (and the quick reply!)

I'm straying towards the STI Trojan. There seem to be a lot of positive reviews around about it and it is available in 9mm as well as .38.

Sadly Australian law only allows handguns for target shooting, not even mild hunting, so I'm not so worried about muzzle energy. Another advantage of 9mm is that it's really easily available.

 

[Novus Collectus]

Now I don't shoot ISPC either so I am not sure about this, but with the reactive targets isn't it better to have a higher power round to better insure the target knocks down every time?

Can the STI Trojan take a different drop in barrel and maybe a different mag if you want to change the cartridge it fires some day? You could have the best of both worlds.

 

[scubie02]

as I recall lots of folks prefer 38 super for competitions because it'll knock targets down if necessary but has lighter recoil. These days though you could always get the 9mm and just use standard loads for plinking and +P loads if you need more oomf

 

[fastpat]

I bought a Colt Combat Commander in .38 Super while at the same time my brother acquired one in 9mm. His pistol had failures to feed quite often while mine never did. I think it's because the pistol was designed around a longer round than 9mm. I think there are gunsmith's that can tune the gun for reliability with the 9mm round, but I still prefer .38 Super over 9mm for the reasons that most have stated here.

The only issue with .38 Super of which I am aware is ammunition cost.

 

[fletcher]

Springfield "Loaded Full Size 5” Barrel Target 9x19 mm"

I have that, but with the combat sights. Got it used a couple weeks ago, and have put about 500 rounds through it already. It's very easy to control, very accurate, and has yet to have any malfunctions. If you're able to put up the $$$ for it, I would highly recommend it.

 

[Linkinlog]

I would go with the STI Trojan in 9mm. The ammo is cheaper and readily available which means more trips to the range!

Also, 5" 9mm 1911 are a dream to shoot. They have practically no recoil. In fact, I enjoy shooting my 9mm 1911 more than my .45 1911.

I converted my Rock Island 38 super to 9mm and I haven't had any problems. I have over 200 rounds of FMJ & some JHP through it already. I was told about all the tuning I would have to do and how much trouble 9mms are. Maybe I'm just lucky but so far mine has been perfect.

 

[Jim Watson]

Do you have a legal limit on magazine capacity?
If not, more is better and an STI Edge in 9mm would provide an advantage... at nearly twice the price.

 

[KC&97TA]

I posted this earlier this week, my new Kimber Aegis II 9mm 5"

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=301512&highlight=1911+breeding

I must say, I would have bought a STI Trojan... but I had to leave the PRCK, to buy my new kimmy... back in farm country nobody has heard of a STI Trojan.

I know several people that shoot 9mm 1911's and they all love them, the Kimber Classics seem to be the most reliable, my Aegis so far is 100%, the Springfield Loadeds' are hit or miss, some are great, some go back to SA several times to be tuned... the few STI's I've ran across had owners that ranted and raved in a good way and swore they'd never own another brand

 

[Hunter0924]

I prefer the Super .38 over the 9mm myself. I believe the Super has more potential for accuracy. It takes a reloading press to bring out the best in a Super .38 as factory loads tend to be mild.
I believe the Super can be converted to a 9mm with a barrel swap and a 9mm magazine.
If given the choice I would go with the Super.

 

[Zak Smith]

I run an SV in 9x19 and it's a great platform.

 

[Ed from Maine]

9mm

the ease of acquiring ammo is not to be underestimated IMO...I have two S&W Model 952 9mm pistols, and am amazed at how many rounds I have put thru them, very accurate. Also have a Springfield 1911 in 9mm, and it is very comfortable to shoot.
Unless you are going to reload, I don't think the .38 Super is a realistic choice. It is a much hotter round than the 9mm, at least in factory ammo, and while I see a lot of people shooting plates at my club with .38 Supers, they are all modified race guns with compensators, and dialed down handloads, no factory ammo being used.

 

[45auto]

For you "guys" that know, how is the reliability between the two in the 1911?

 

[Jim Watson]

My Colt 1911A1 9mm is exactly as reliable as my Glock. One malfunction each since purchase. (The Colt before I had the magazine requirements figured out, the Glock on too light a load.)

 

[45auto]

My Colt 1911A1 9mm is exactly as reliable as my Glock

Do you use any particular magazine?

Was that Colt converted from 38 super, standard 1911 ramp/barrel, etc?
I assume any standard load that you can buy in 9mm is fine in an unsupported barrel...so to speak. I'd rather not have a ramped barrel if possible...in a 1911 anyway.

I'm asking all these questions since I will own one, and will reload, so I could go either way. If the 9mm is as reliable, then I would "edge" that way. If not, I can load the longer case.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jim Watson]

My Colt 1991A1 is and always was a 9mm. It has been set up for IDPA ESP but with no reliability modifications except polishing the standard Colt frame and barrel ramps.

It will feed 9mm from McCormick 10 round Super magazines but the springs have to be replaced every once in a while, they are heavily stressed in that design. Otherwise it runs with Colt and Metalform rear spacer 9mm magazines, Springfield/Leatham/Metalform front ramp magazines, and even Metalform round follower .38 Super magazines.

There is one other like it in town. It does as well except that it had a rough chamber which Colt replaced on warranty.


Colt does not now catalog a 9mm. They never did catalog the 1991A1 like I have, I was told that the ones sold here were overruns from an overseas order.

I also have a Springfield 9mm which is reliable but only with 9 round magazines and only after some work on the integral ramp to make it work as a feed ramp.

 

[45auto]

Okay, thanks for information.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I've got three 1911 .38 Supers and really like them...no problems.

Springfield Armory .38 Super




and two RIA .38 Supers


here's a close up of one of the RIA's





all three have the original factory finish

 

[Hardy]

That's a great finish C&L, quite stunning.

Australia does have a 10-round max magazine capacity restriction. I'm pretty much convinced on the STI Trojan in 9mm, a nice mix of price and out of the box performance. The only thing pushing me towards the Springfield is the nicer looking slide graphics.

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I had a colt series 70 .38 super. The only ammo at my local gun shop was the w/w silvertip which jammed badly. I had some of my brother's 9mm reloads (lead bullet). I loaded the super with the 9mm's and they worked just fine. I guess the extractor held the case good enough to set of the primer. I traded that pistol to Bill Rogers for a nice govt. .45 which I still have. I'm not advising anyone to try this as it was not a smart thing to do, but I was much younger and wasn't using good judgement.

 

[Jim Watson]

Don't go by the graphics, go by which brand is better supported there.
They are both good guns but they are still mass produced and if they are not right, will have to be fixed.

 

[BillBeq]

How To Convert .45 Rock Armory 1911 To .38 Super?

How do you convert a .45 Rock Armory 1911 To .38 Super?

 

[10-Ring]

I've shot both & prefer 38 super over the 9mm in a 1911 mostly for the improved reliability.

 

[mrcpu]

I don't think you can convert the .45 RIA to 38 super. You'd need to start with a new gun. Given the price, that's the easiest option...