Beyond .45 ACP: Exploring 9mm and Other Calibers for the 1911

[Annihilator]

Interesting article on different caliber 1911’s, I have the .45, and 9mm, did own a 10mm at one time but never owned or shot one in 40S&W, would be interesting to try one though

Beyond .45 ACP: Exploring 9mm and Other Calibers for the 1911

Alternative calibers in the 1911 platform: whether you go with a 9 or 10mm, a .38 Super, a .22, or a .40 S&W, you’re in good company.

www.ammoland.com

 

[trader]

why not - after all perfection is a goal, not a destination. I appreciate all the calibers for what they are designed for and can do.

 

[powerboatr]

the only 1911 i tried in 9mm seemed to not function IMO as well as .45
unless it used higher charged rounds
i am sure springs could address it, but for me it was weird
so i stuck all my 1911 s in 45

i have seen a few that work in 9mm, but they also seem to have a ftl rate more often, but it could be the guy at the range

 

[Shibadog]

I’ve found my EMP to be very solid, but it’s scaled to the 9. I had an older 9 from a co. known for inexpensive, reliable 45’s that just wouldn’t run right. I eventually gave up on it.

 

[southtex]

Full Size
SA Professional in 9mm
Custom in .45
SA Garrison in .45 & 9mm
SA RO Elite in 10mm

Commander
Custom .45
SA Operator .45
Tisas 10mm
EMP CCC 9mm

Enjoy shooting all of them

 

[Sld1959]

Magazines have come a long way since the 9mm was introduced in the 1911 design. This alone has increased the reliability of the 9mm 1911 design. Cheap poorly made ones tend to be still the biggest issue to reliability i see.

 

[ECS686]

the only 1911 i tried in 9mm seemed to not function IMO as well as .45
unless it used higher charged rounds
i am sure springs could address it, but for me it was weird
so i stuck all my 1911 s in 45

i have seen a few that work in 9mm, but they also seem to have a ftl rate more often, but it could be the guy at the range

Sis it have a standard barrel or a ramped barrel?

In my experience the only way to keep a 1911 reliable in 9mm is to run a ramped barrel as the standard while fine with a 45 the 9mm seems to be just enough smaller it catches on the seam between barrel and frame. Ramped barrels have none as it’s one piece.

 

[Grayfox]

A couple of years ago I bought a 1911 in 9mm just to try it out. Nope. Its now a 38 Super.

If you want a SA 9mm, get a Hi-Power.

 

[Anchorite]

Never really saw the utility of a 9mm in the 1911, but a 38 Super? That’s the original 9mm in a 1911!

I do think a .40 would be fun to play with….

 

[Hertervillian]

I’ve got a 10mm GI Model. The weight goes a long way in mitigating the recoil, if in fact the 10mm is hard recoiling. It might be worse than my SP-2340 SIG, might.

Let’s say I get a 9mm 1911. Let’s assume it’s a real peach at the range. I’ve already got range peaches, and I won’t carry that much gun to fire that little cartridge.

 

[Talyn]

SA Loaded Target with 9mm (original) and 9x23 Winchester barrels
RIA 9mm
RIA 38 Super
22lr. build on a Essex frame with Tactical Solutions .22lr upper.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I currently have 1911's in 7 calibers, mostly FS Rock Island Ultra guns. 45, 10mm, .40, 38 Super, 9mm, 22 TCM, and 22lr
Mostly just because. The .40 is much nicer shooting out of a steel framed gun compared to my Sig Sauer polymer gun.

Have 4 High Capacity 1911/2011, all in 9mm as well.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I’ve got a 10mm GI Model. The weight goes a long way in mitigating the recoil, if in fact the 10mm is hard recoiling. It might be worse than my SP-2340 SIG, might.

Let’s say I get a 9mm 1911. Let’s assume it’s a real peach at the range. I’ve already got range peaches, and I won’t carry that much gun to fire that little cartridge.

My Dan Wesson Guardian in 9mm is my favorite 1911 to shoot.

Unfortunately, it's my wife's favorite as well

 

[BarryinIN]

I agree with Gray Fox. If you want a SA auto 9mm, get one that’s meant for, and matched up to, the cartridge; a HiPower. (Or a Sig P-210)

Although I will confess:
Several years ago, a friend bought a 5” 1911 in 9mm. I made fun of him. He explained he wanted to save on ammo costs. Since then, a couple of ammo panics have caused him to save a LOT of money.
I admit I was wrong there.

I still think the 1911 is best in cartridges with a loaded length around that of the .45ACP. The only non-.45ACP 1911s I own now are in .38 Super and 10mm.

 

[ECS686]

I agree with Gray Fox. If you want a SA auto 9mm, get one that’s meant for, and matched up to, the cartridge; a HiPower. (Or a Sig P-210)

Although I will confess:
Several years ago, a friend bought a 5” 1911 in 9mm. I made fun of him. He explained he wanted to save on ammo costs. Since then, a couple of ammo panics have caused him to save a LOT of money.
I admit I was wrong there.

I still think the 1911 is best in cartridges with a loaded length around that of the .45ACP. The only non-.45ACP 1911s I own now are in .38 Super and 10mm.

The hidden peach of 9mm 1911’s is a Commander OR a Lightweight Commander. And with Wilson 10 round mags a very good size vs capacity vs feel of the grip.

Yes everyone love the 17 round Hellcat/pro or Sig Macro legion whatever but there are great qualities with 9mm metal framed guns as far as shootability .

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing the article. I enjoy my Garrison (.45) and Ronin (9mm), both full size. If I were to add another 1911 it would definitely be a .22LR. Even though I'm trying to build a "one of each" collection, for budgetary and simplicity reasons I'm limiting my handgun calibers to those three, .45ACP, 9mm, and .22LR. I'm sure Mrs. BassCliff will be glad to hear that.


Thank you for your indulgence,,

BassCliff