Poll: 1911 - 9mm or .45?

[Pops1911]

Warning: Just having fun as an old 1911 guy

A true 1911 was made as Mr John "by gawd" Browning intended in 45acp. Once you have a "real" one go and have fun with all the other pretties. Naw, it doesn't matter what you shoot as long as you can hit what you're aiming at. Its all good.

 

[mcfoto]

Does USPSA still penalize 9mm on scoring? If so, I recommend staying with .45ACP or go with .38 Super. Personally, I hate single stack. But an STI 2011 in .38 Super just begs to run in Unlimited. Sooooo, there are many many quality choices in .45 single stack. But if you are going to load down, watch your power factor and be sure to buy a reduced strength recoil spring that matches as there are plenty of choices from about 18lb to 11lb (I think, it's been a long time since I messed with mine). Back when, I bought a range of strengths and tried them each to see what worked best.

You can shoot major in 9, but you need a hefty bullet and a hot load. I currently shoot production which is minor only. But believe me, I need a lot more than shooting major to classify up or compete.

 

[Ura-Ki]

Heck, A 1911 IS the Right hand of God, why worry what flavor it is, as long as it's a 1911, all will be right in the world! And I eat carrots, nice 10 mm carrots

 

[Kristina]

Also, FWIW, that SA EMP has a 4" barrel and an aluminum frame. Due to recoil management alone, I personally would not opt for a competition gun with that combo in 45, especially if I was only putting factory ammo through it. (This opinion brought to you by a 5'4" lady with a Colt Commander in 45 and recoil management issues. Your results may vary .)

 

[nammac]

A 1911 in .38 super would be an awesome choice, can have a 9mm barrel fitted, add 9mm mags, lighter recoil spring and viola, you have two calibers in one package...

Then you can switch hit, depending on your power factor requirements...

Heck, I think I might have to start saving towards one of these myself...

 

[Kristina]

On a totally unrelated note, I am giving myself a headache trying to figure out what camera is in your avatar. An old rangefinder of some kind?

 

[etrain16]

Here you go - new listing today for a Springfield Armory Range Officer in 9mm:

<broken link removed>

 

[Andy54Hawken]

They make 'em in other calibers?
That's like decaf coffee LOL!
Just kidding.
I like mine .45acp and one with a .22lr conversion.
But there is nothing wrong with the other calibers mentioned.
Get what you like and learn to shoot well with it.
A hit with what you like is better than a miss with what I like.
Andy

 

[mcfoto]

On a totally unrelated note, I am giving myself a headache trying to figure out what camera is in your avatar. An old rangefinder of some kind?

Yes, an old Minolta of the rangefinder variety. DOA snagged in an estate sale. I can't stand mojo going into the landfill.

 

[Kristina]

Yes, an old Minolta of the rangefinder variety. DOA snagged in an estate sale. I can't stand mojo going into the landfill.

Cool! I too am a sucker for old cameras, working or not.

 

[Member 34319]

I think modern bullets and powders have made the 9mm a better cartridge than it originally was.

Back when the 1911 was created both the 45ACP an the 9mm were in their up and coming. I would venture to say the early 9mm likely had slower near 45acp speeds. So a bigger projectile at that speed in that time made more sense.

I feel like 9mm is a damn good cartridge. It has come a long ways. Even organizations like the FBI who looked for more power in the past are coming back to 9mm because the powders and bullets have grown to something it originally wasn't.

For all that, cost, and that I own virtually only 9mm pistols I voted 9mm.

There is also the nastalgia of having a classic GI in 45 though!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Reno's post above makes a good point.
It shows the danger of using dated studies or sources.
Ammunition has come a long way from my beloved black powder , patch and ball.
Not to forget to mention more recent developments of the 20th century.

With modern loadings I feel that the .9mm vs. .45acp debate ( or almost any caliber debate ) is silly.
Which one can you shoot better with or which style of pistol you can carry and hit with are better questions in my mind.
Andy

 

[oremike]

45acp 230gr bullet @850fps = a power factor of 196
40S&W 155gr bullet @ 1100fps= a power factor of 170
9mm 124gr bullet @ 1000fps = a power factor of 124.
Just throwing this out there based on my handloads. I shoot all three in pistols that weigh about the same, the 9mm has by far the fastest shot to shot recovery time but the 45 hits the hardest. The 40 lies somewhere in between the two. On a dueling tree sometimes the 9 won't flip the plates around but will knock over the plates on a plate rack. The 45acp throws bowling pins off the table but the 9 and 40 sometimes require follow up shots to clear the table.

 

[orygun]

I always wonder about threads like this... (different story)

I'm kind of a traditional guy and to me the 1911 and the 45 ACP just go hand in hand. For the 2 calibers mentioned, in a 1911, I would always go with the 45. That doesn't mean I think the 9mm is a bad round, it means I think the 1911 frame is big n heavy for the 9mm cartridge. If I wanted a 9mm I would look for a smaller framed pistol. (I spose this isn't the time to say I'd pick a 40 over a 9.)
The capacity increase by having a 9mm in a 1911 is pretty minor compared to what you can do with a different gun chambered in 9mm while keeping a friendly grip size.

I do think the 38 Super in a 1911 just ooozes coolness. Think back to the Chicago Gangsters. A 10mm (had one) implies power.
But, make mine a 45 and I'm a happy guy.

 

[Dr_Lou]

The 9mm and 1911 were first married in 1949; the .38 Super around 1929, hardly Johnny-come-latelys. Unfortunately, it was just recently I converted from the "9mm doesn't belong in the 1911" crowd. I can't believe I was so stubborn. In addition to being much cheaper to shoot, holding a couple more rounds, it's a real cream puff when launched from a 1911, especially an all steel one. The 10mm is also a hoot in the 1911.
Still contemplating whether I should have Tussey Customs fit a .38 Super or 9x23 barrel to my DW Specialist.

Here're my Colt Delta Elite (top) and DW Specialist in 9mm:

 

[bbbass]

Here're my Colt Delta Elite (top) and DW Specialist in 9mm:

NICE!!!

 

[bbbass]

Here's my Para P14.45 that I used to run in USPSA limited:

 

[BaggerRyder]

A 1911 in 9mm is my next purchase. Because I want one, not because some one tells me whether it's what I want or not.
If we all stood the test of time in regards to firearm progression, then we would still be shooting chinese fire-lances and wouldn't accept anything else. So many guns, not enough time to listen to every "it ain't a true 1911" rhetoric. Whatever you want is the right one for you.
And Ruger does make a 1911 in 9mm. It's an aluminum frame CMD, but I guess since its not an original, all steel, full size .45 acp, its not a 1911.

 

[orygun]

It will be interesting to see if Browning chambers it's 1911-380 in 9mm. First they brought the small version out in .22, now 380. Seems like the 9mm might fit that frame, too.

 

[coupeowner]

I have both a Rock Island and a Kimber Stainless Target II in 9mm. While neither are on your list, both shoot great and have never had had a malfunction (commercial ball ammo). The fit and finish are miles ahead on the Kimber, and the trigger is nicer - as expected given the cost. The Kimber also wins in accuracy in side-by-side shooting - but it's not dramatically better.

I also have a Ruger SR1911 and a Para Elite Target in .45. Again, never a malfunction in either. Slide fit is better on the Para. Trigger is about the same. The Ruger had to go back after the front sight broke in half, but their service was great and it was just an issue with a bad batch of sights on the earlier models. I was 100% happy with the Ruger, but got a deal on the Elite and went for it.

The .45 is 50% more expensive to run (I don't reload), but is my preferred caliber to shoot at the range. But that is just for a box or two worth of shooting. If I were shooting all day I would go for the 9mm without hesitation. Not only cheaper, but less recoil to deal with for hundreds of rounds. The 9mm also adds another round to the magazine if that is a consideration.

Summary - reliability is not an issue with either round. It may have been designed for the .45, but the 9mm has worked for me just fine.

Of course it doesn't REALLY matter, as the 1911 is a disease. You will likely have both soon enough. I was late to the 1911 game, but started with the Rock, added the Ruger, then the Para, then the Kimber (moving up in cost/finish each time).