9mm 1911s: Why?

[velocette]

9mm instead of .45acp? In my case, many reasons.
1, Recoil and Arthritis. Note, I capitalized Arthritis. When it hurts less I shoot more and better.
2, Lower cost ammo, a lot lower cost.
3, One or two rounds more of hollow point goodness in the mag.
4, No difference in functional reliability.
This is not to say I don't have any .45acp pistols, I've competed with, built & carried many a 1911 in .45acp, just not now.
Today's 1911 is a 9mm Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact with Tritium nite sights. Crimson Trace laser grips and Wilson Combat mags. 9 rounds of 9mm Reliable and easily concealed. Or a CZ 75D PCR 9mm. Reliable, comfortable and 16 rds to stop unpleasant miscreants.

 

[illinoisburt]

Why am I intrigued by 9mm 1911s? I know The Colonel would absolutely not approve of them...

Probably correct there but Browning, the man himself, went to 9mm with his improved 1911 so there's that. Besides, why not? I have a feeling 99.99999% of our bullets are fighting paper.

 

[gc70]

Probably correct there but Browning, the man himself, went to 9mm with his improved 1911 so there's that. Besides, why not? I have a feeling 99.99999% of our bullets are fighting paper.

Moreover, the 1911 grew out of Browning's earlier Colt Model 1902 chambered in .38 ACP.

 

[mljdeckard]

All steel? Dunno. I carry a RIA 9mm double-stack. I'm a 1911 guy, but I wanted a 9mm with higher capacity than a regular 1911.

Next is a Dan Wesson DWX.

 

[once0217]

And because, unpopular opinion here, 45 is outdated.

 

[hawg]

Probably correct there but Browning, the man himself, went to 9mm with his improved 1911 so there's that. Besides, why not? I have a feeling 99.99999% of our bullets are fighting paper.

Mine rarely see paper. Shooting paper bores me to tears. Tin cans, water filled bottles, clay pigeons, rocks etc. are a lot more funner than paper. Even steel is better than paper. IF I wanted a 9mm it would be a 1911 design.

 

[highlander 5]

3 full size 1911s RIA,S&W and a Springfield. I do have a Ruger lwc for carry. All run like Swiss watches.

 

[Seedy Character]

Rock Island would be a choice, in 9mm.

Why is Auto Ordinance never mentioned?

https://www.auto-ordnance.com/auto-ordnance-1911a1-pistol/

Mil-Spec, maker of the Tommy Gun.
I have 2, cost comparable to RIA. Good accuracy (good as I am), totally reliable, built like a tank. I carry 1 Dec and have used it in biathlon comp.
Only available in .45 ACP. Hopefully, they will offer a 9, someday. I doubt it, though.

 

[JTQ]

Why is Auto Ordinance never mentioned?

Since the topic of the thread is "9mm 1911's", you probably answered it yourself...

Only available in .45 ACP. Hopefully, they will offer a 9, someday. I doubt it, though.

 

[Old_Grouch]

Auto Ordnance catalogs a couple of 9mm 1911s

https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/1911a1-gi-specs-matte-black-finish-9mm-w-wood-grips-u-s-logo-1/
https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/1911a1-gi-specs-matte-black-finish-9mm/

 

[hawg]

Rock Island would be a choice, in 9mm.

Why is Auto Ordinance never mentioned?

https://www.auto-ordnance.com/auto-ordnance-1911a1-pistol/

Mil-Spec, maker of the Tommy Gun.
I have 2, cost comparable to RIA. Good accuracy (good as I am), totally reliable, built like a tank. I carry 1 Dec and have used it in biathlon comp.
Only available in .45 ACP. Hopefully, they will offer a 9, someday. I doubt it, though.

Twice the price of a RIA and a lousy warranty.

 

[Seedy Character]

Since the topic of the thread is "9mm 1911's", you probably answered it yourself...

Any and every thread on 1911s, contains many responses about the RIA. Pages and pages go by and no mention of Auto Ordinance.

I bought my first one in 1985. Never a glitch, feeds and shoots any and every ammo it is loaded with.

Never had a desire or need to replace it, especially with something more expensive.
I bought a 2nd Auto Ordinance 6 years ago. It is as reliable and accurate, as the first.

Don't overlook a quality pistol, at more than reasonable pricing.

 

[JTQ]

Any and every thread on 1911s, contains many responses about the RIA. Pages and pages go by and no mention of Auto Ordinance.

It depends on what folks are looking for.

If they're looking for the most "GI-looking" 1911A1 type of 1911, the first one I mention, and most other folks mention, is the Auto Ordnance. Some will mention the RIA for this, but they are not as good an option for that category as the AO.

 

[hawg]

It depends on what folks are looking for.

If they're looking for the most "GI-looking" 1911A1 type of 1911, the first one I mention, and most other folks mention, is the Auto Ordnance. Some will mention the RIA for this, but they are not as good an option for that category as the AO.

Tisas at half the price.

 

[Seedy Character]

Twice the price?

RIA was $500
AO was $500-$550

Haven't looked at any since the DEMpanic insanity set it.

My first was $189
The second was $400

Do you have specific warranty problems?

I have never sent a firearm back to the manufacturer (or needed to), regardless of manufacturer. Scopes and knives, yes. Guns, no.

 

[hawg]

Twice the price?

RIA was $500
AO was $500-$550

Haven't looked at any since the DEMpanic insanity set it.

My first was $189
The second was $400

Do you have specific warranty problems?

I have never sent a firearm back to the manufacturer (or needed to), regardless of manufacturer. Scopes and knives, yes. Guns, no.

From the link you supplied the AO is over 900 bucks. No specific warranty problems but a years warranty compared to the RIA lifetime of the gun warranty.

 

[Seedy Character]

$700 S&WA are selling for $1100+

$900 is a big increase, but typical of today's market. I won't be purchasing ANYTHING in this insanity.

Any manufacturing defect will most likely appear in the first year.
35 years of EDC, 1000s of rounds and no problems, makes all warranties a non factor.

Variety is the spice of life. We choose are own spice.

 

[WestKentucky]

I guess it depends on what exactly you mean by “classically styled.” Rock Island offers a GI-type 9mm. I have a Colt O1992 from a few years ago (and should have bought the O4610 they did at the same time too) - those are discontinued now, but they were plain-Jane models. Colt has several other offerings and that’s the first place I’d look.

I recently got my first RIA and I will be adding a compact 9mm from RIA at some point. I’m very impressed for the cost, and with the compact 9mm being a more standard gun than the 10mm I recently got I know that the 9mm will be even better.

 

[Mosin77]

I like my 1911 in .45acp. I like my Star Super B in 9mm Largo. I would love a 1911 in 9x19. Id settle for a Super B in 9x19, but parts availability is much better with a 1911. As far as I can tell the RIA is the best thing going if one likes a GI aesthetic. (I’m with OP on this. To me, the line in the sand is angled slide serrations. Don’t understand why almost every single manufacturer feels the need to do away with vertical, just to show that their gun is ‘better’ than the original??)

 

[hawg]

As far as I can tell the RIA is the best thing going if one likes a GI aesthetic. (I’m with OP on this. To me, the line in the sand is angled slide serrations. Don’t understand why almost every single manufacturer feels the need to do away with vertical, just to show that their gun is ‘better’ than the original??)

You can't go wrong with Rock Island but the RIA GI isn't a true copy of a GI model. If you want a reasonably priced true copy get a Tisas US Army model.

 

[Space Ghost]

I like my 1911, but I also like my Glock 19, and 45, so I got rid of the .45 ACP 1911, and got a 9mm one. Now I have one caliber in Semi-auto guns. Love the Dan Wesson Guardian.

 

[CapnMac]

Why is Auto Ordinance never mentioned?

They get their mention; usually after a while.
Now "AO" is a dba of Kahr, and they have cleaned up many of the older issues with AO warranty problems.
AO is not as widely distributed as some of the other makers--but, if you find somebody stocking them, they often have far more competitive pricing than the MSRP online.

Now, the "why" of a 9x19 in a full size 1911 is that they just shoot nicely in the weight of a full size pistol. Sam way they shoot nicely in a GP35 for that matter.

That balance of having a "heavier" (beefier, more mass, however we want to describe it) firearm can "tame" the thing on firing. This is akin to the sport target shooting .32acp in Europe whhich often have additional weight added to "steady" them up.

This blurs a bit--to my thinking--if moving to a compact (e.g. Officer's size) frame.
That's from the number of choices in that size cohort that are/were designed for 9x19 from the get-go.
A picture may spare us a thousand words:

That's a SIG 365X atop a Colt Officer's; not sure a 9x19 in the Officers/Range Officer dimension is that much better than a sub compact nine--if carry is the objective (and the 12 rounds in the SIG may be a "decider" too).

So, as a compact, maybe not--but YMMV.

In a full-size, lot's of reasons to choose that.

The notion, expressed above of going with 38super and having a conversion barrel likely has merit, too, what with 38super "making major" pretty much out of the box (if the boxes, sadly costing about $2-2.5/round right now).

 

[Riomouse911]

Not looking for a lightweight commander sized gun, but a full Government sized steel frame. Would only be used at the range.

Thanks, something around the $1K and lower mark.

OP says full size all steel for range work. Ruger SR1911 Target in 9mm or Kimber Target II in 9MM. Both are stainless and full size. About a grand each...

OP, I don’t know if you’ve scratched the all-steel 9mm 1911 itch yet, but I just picked up a Kimber Stainless Target II for roughly $1,185 ($1,060 for the gun, plus tax, shipping, FFL fee). Here in Ca. these guns are one of the few that are on the “ok to buy list” from the state DOJ.




The gun is the typical 1911, all stainless with an extended right-hand shooter safety, a hi-viz front sight with several replacement color pipes and a serrated black rear blade. Kimber shipped it with only one magazine I picked up two more for under 25 bucks each. It shoots amazingly well from the minute I picked it up; this is 28 shots at 10 yards, standing two-hand with WWB 124 gr fmj, some of the best non-bullseye shooting I’ve done on a “combat” type B-27 silhouette target.



The gun is pretty heavy, as my two other 9mm 1911’s are steel slide/alloy frame commander and compact guns. Recoil, as expected, is very light, making for a great deal of controllability and rapid sight reacquisition is a snap.

If you’re still in the market for an all steel 9mm 1911 as a range gun, this is certainly a great option.

Stay safe.

 

[George Dickel]

9mm instead of .45acp? In my case, many reasons.
1, Recoil and Arthritis. Note, I capitalized Arthritis. When it hurts less I shoot more and better.
2, Lower cost ammo, a lot lower cost.
3, One or two rounds more of hollow point goodness in the mag.
4, No difference in functional reliability.
This is not to say I don't have any .45acp pistols, I've competed with, built & carried many a 1911 in .45acp, just not now.
Today's 1911 is a 9mm Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact with Tritium nite sights. Crimson Trace laser grips and Wilson Combat mags. 9 rounds of 9mm Reliable and easily concealed. Or a CZ 75D PCR 9mm. Reliable, comfortable and 16 rds to stop unpleasant miscreants.

View attachment 1037564

Beat me to it, I agree with all your points. Arthritis in my hands is getting worse as time goes by and my 1911 in .45 aggravates it to the point that I don't shoot it as much. I've been researching on the various models offered in 9mmm and will be getting one. I've also found that the full size models are still a relatively heavy gun, around 32 oz for the aluminum frame models,which should soak up the recoil of the 9 very well. I shoot my 22 lr pistol much more because of my arthritis.

 

[lysanderxiii]

Why am I intrigued by 9mm 1911s? I know The Colonel would absolutely not approve of them, but still with .45 ACP ammunition at a record high, the less expensive 9mm is interesting, additionally, as I get older milder recoil is appealing.

Who makes a classically styled, Government sided, non tacti-cool all-steel 9x19mm Para 1911 that is also reliable and not a piece of junk?

-J.C.F.

You do realize the original design was in .38 ACP, which is 9mm for Americans who don't want to be associated with European stuff.

Then the Army said it was going to be .45 caliber.



You also realized that by 1890 only the Single Action Army (Model 1873) and the Double Action Army (Model 1878) were available in anything bigger than .41 caliber. The good Colonel would have approved . . .