Another one possible is the Rock Island Armory. All steel, but available in a compact model also (3 1/2" barrel). Mine is very accurate and reliable, but it is a little heavy for carry.
1911 in 9mm question
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Shoot one. Then you will know why.
They are just so much fun.
They are just so much fun.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I like the full size 5” barreled 1911 in 45acp. Only. The cz75/85 platform serves the 9mm Luger round very well.
Jack Ryan
Member
Ammunition hasn't changed a bit. That is all sales department hype for suckers. Ammunition is still just a hunk of lead flying out of a barrel at a velocity and it's not anything but aesthetics different from 50 years ago.
"New Tide" is more "new and improved" than a 125 grain hunk of lead isn't any different than it was 100 years ago.
"New Tide" is more "new and improved" than a 125 grain hunk of lead isn't any different than it was 100 years ago.
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Jack Ryan
Member
I sold my EMP. Logistical reason. Fool thing had an ambi safety, and I was constantly finding the gun cocked but not locked at the end of the day. Bumping into all sorts of things .....
Called SA and asked if they would swap out for a traditional safety, they said no, not even if I paid.
Guy at the LGS where I bought it said it was a custom build, and he could get all my money back even after the consignment fee, as they had folks looking for that model. I sold it, and came out $50 ahead after all considered.
Took the money and bought a Ruger SR1911 9 commander with cash left over. It is still cocked and locked when I get home, and I am actually more accurate with the Ruger.
Only problem is that model does not like WC mags. Kimber mags work great (that's fine, I had several that won't work in another pistol, was planning on dumping them, no longer a problem) . Difference in the length of the feed lips seems to be the issue.
I love .45ACP (the Army trained me well with my 1911), but my bone damage from chemo meds makes shooting it painful, and a box fired leaves a nasty bruise on my forearm and shoulder.
If you really want to get spoiled with 9mm, find a Dan Wesson Guardian. Nothing affordable compares.
Called SA and asked if they would swap out for a traditional safety, they said no, not even if I paid.
Guy at the LGS where I bought it said it was a custom build, and he could get all my money back even after the consignment fee, as they had folks looking for that model. I sold it, and came out $50 ahead after all considered.
Took the money and bought a Ruger SR1911 9 commander with cash left over. It is still cocked and locked when I get home, and I am actually more accurate with the Ruger.
Only problem is that model does not like WC mags. Kimber mags work great (that's fine, I had several that won't work in another pistol, was planning on dumping them, no longer a problem) . Difference in the length of the feed lips seems to be the issue.
I love .45ACP (the Army trained me well with my 1911), but my bone damage from chemo meds makes shooting it painful, and a box fired leaves a nasty bruise on my forearm and shoulder.
If you really want to get spoiled with 9mm, find a Dan Wesson Guardian. Nothing affordable compares.
The 1911 5" platform is just exceptional in my opinion. I have that in 38 super, 45, 9, and 40, all single stack. God bless John Browning.
As for the EMP4 question, my wife has both the 9 and 40 4". Outstanding fire arms and they run flawlessly. The 9 has an alloy frame whereas the 40 has a steel frame.
As for the EMP4 question, my wife has both the 9 and 40 4". Outstanding fire arms and they run flawlessly. The 9 has an alloy frame whereas the 40 has a steel frame.
I gotta say, I'm really interested in hearing where this goes.
There have been significant advances in 9mm ammunition in my lifetime...no, within the span of my shooting career. The .40S&W has been invented, risen to dominance, and fallen completely out of favor in the time I've been alive, directly because of advances in 9mm.
Protected One
Member
^^^^^^There it is!
jwk
Member
Shooters are getting older as a group. 9mm is easier on older hands and it's still the 1911 a lot of us cut our teeth on. I bought my 1st 9mm 1911 after a neck injury which affected my hand strength. Referred to it as my orthopedic gun. Sold it after recovering from surgery. Fast forward 20 years. Now hands are starting to get old. Bought another 9mm 1911 due to beat up hands. Same is true for shooters who can't handle a more powerful round.
Ammo is cheaper which can be a factor.
HP bullet technology has made 9mm a lot closer to 45ACP than comparing ball ammo. If limited to FMJ the 45 is still the way to go.
Easier to train new shooters with due to reduced recoil.
Couple extra rounds in the mag matters to some.
Perception (wrong in my opinion) that the "9" is really BAD and a death ray kinda like uninformed people thinking a 223 is high powered and deadly compared to other rifle rounds.
Marketing. Another reason for gun manufacturers to get us to buy another firearm. I'd rather have a 38 Super if ammo choices were more varied and available.
Ammo availability (see above) plus 9mm now is the 38 Special of when I was a wee youngster. If a store has ammo it generally has 9mm. Not all of us handload.
Ammo is cheaper which can be a factor.
HP bullet technology has made 9mm a lot closer to 45ACP than comparing ball ammo. If limited to FMJ the 45 is still the way to go.
Easier to train new shooters with due to reduced recoil.
Couple extra rounds in the mag matters to some.
Perception (wrong in my opinion) that the "9" is really BAD and a death ray kinda like uninformed people thinking a 223 is high powered and deadly compared to other rifle rounds.
Marketing. Another reason for gun manufacturers to get us to buy another firearm. I'd rather have a 38 Super if ammo choices were more varied and available.
Ammo availability (see above) plus 9mm now is the 38 Special of when I was a wee youngster. If a store has ammo it generally has 9mm. Not all of us handload.
BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
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Only the hits count, whether in Bullseye or SD.
Converting a 9MM to 38 Super-all you need is a barrel and magazine.
Firing a 9MM out of a steel frame is like firing a 38 Special out of an N-frame.
Converting a 9MM to 38 Super-all you need is a barrel and magazine.
Firing a 9MM out of a steel frame is like firing a 38 Special out of an N-frame.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
DWalt
Member
I have frequently written about the versatility of a M1911 frame and the relative ease of cartridge conversion. I have one which uses .22 LR, 9mm, .38 Super, 9x23 Winchester, .400 Cor-Bon and .45 ACP. 9mm Largo and 9mm Steyr will also work in the .38 Super barrel. I have thought about getting a barrel for the 7.63x25 Mauser. They probably exist but I have never seen one. I could also add .357 SIG, .40 S&W, and 10mm to the list, but I am not interested in any of those. For a .40 caliber, the .400 Cor-Bon is about all I need.
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Professor Frink
Member
I posted the below on another forum June 2017 about my EMP 4. Thought I'd post it here in case someone finds it useful.
I purchased a new EMP4 Contour about 6 weeks ago. I am a long term prehistoric revolver shooter and I have decided to join the modern era (by purchasing a pistol based on a design that's over 100 years old) and move to a semi for carry. I have probably read this entire thread and others before committing to purchase the EMP.
"I took the pistol out of the box, I did not disassemble it or clean it. All I've done has been steadily take it to the range and use it. As of yesterday, I have fired:
800 Geco 124 grain, FMJ 9mm rounds
60 Hornady Custom 124 grain XTP rounds
40 Speer Gold Dot 115 grain rounds
About a dozen Winchester 115 FMJ rounds
So far I have had no issues and it just plugs away. I ran the Hornady and Speer rounds last thinking the dirty pistol would add to the potential for a jam. Additionally I mixed a few magazines with all of the above rounds in one magazine, again no issues.
The only issue I had during this shooting was the left grip panel screws kept getting a bit loose. I've since lock-tighted those in.
I found it a pleasant pistol to shoot, recoil was minor (to me), its quite accurate (for me and my skills), and most important, it was trouble free.
Also as of yesterday, it received its first cleaning. That was the first surprise. I has expected the finish on the frame rails to have worn a little. Perhaps this is due to my opinion of alloy pistols (tend to not like them), but the finish is all there, smoothed out, but not wearing though. The only visible wear was to the guide rod, which was minor.
There are a couple things I don't care for, needing to use a tool to take down the pistol is a little annoying, plus due to the smaller frame, I have a hard time getting my support hands palm to make contact with the frame, but I knew of both of those minor issues before I purchased the EMP.
All in all, very impressed with this little pistol"
Since this time, this pistol has had about 3000 rounds through it and it continues to work well. And I still think its a great little pistol. That being said, I don't carry it anymore. Mostly just cause I consider my commander sized 1911 just as easy to tote around. I may consider selling it down the line, but for the time being, I'm still glad I have it.
I purchased a new EMP4 Contour about 6 weeks ago. I am a long term prehistoric revolver shooter and I have decided to join the modern era (by purchasing a pistol based on a design that's over 100 years old) and move to a semi for carry. I have probably read this entire thread and others before committing to purchase the EMP.
"I took the pistol out of the box, I did not disassemble it or clean it. All I've done has been steadily take it to the range and use it. As of yesterday, I have fired:
800 Geco 124 grain, FMJ 9mm rounds
60 Hornady Custom 124 grain XTP rounds
40 Speer Gold Dot 115 grain rounds
About a dozen Winchester 115 FMJ rounds
So far I have had no issues and it just plugs away. I ran the Hornady and Speer rounds last thinking the dirty pistol would add to the potential for a jam. Additionally I mixed a few magazines with all of the above rounds in one magazine, again no issues.
The only issue I had during this shooting was the left grip panel screws kept getting a bit loose. I've since lock-tighted those in.
I found it a pleasant pistol to shoot, recoil was minor (to me), its quite accurate (for me and my skills), and most important, it was trouble free.
Also as of yesterday, it received its first cleaning. That was the first surprise. I has expected the finish on the frame rails to have worn a little. Perhaps this is due to my opinion of alloy pistols (tend to not like them), but the finish is all there, smoothed out, but not wearing though. The only visible wear was to the guide rod, which was minor.
There are a couple things I don't care for, needing to use a tool to take down the pistol is a little annoying, plus due to the smaller frame, I have a hard time getting my support hands palm to make contact with the frame, but I knew of both of those minor issues before I purchased the EMP.
All in all, very impressed with this little pistol"
Since this time, this pistol has had about 3000 rounds through it and it continues to work well. And I still think its a great little pistol. That being said, I don't carry it anymore. Mostly just cause I consider my commander sized 1911 just as easy to tote around. I may consider selling it down the line, but for the time being, I'm still glad I have it.
Marshal Tom
Member
I teach at a high end resort in Colorado and put a **** load of new and novice shooters through our shooting programs. I use a variety of semi auto's, mostly all the wonder 9 types so that people can try out a bunch of current styles to see what they like and what fits them best. We have a 9mm Kimber in the mix that I always let the shooters try out. Many find it one of the most comfortable and ergonomical to shoot. Many of the ladies like it above all the others. When they pick it up initially, they comment on the weight after shooting Glocks, M&P's, etc. I tell them that weight can be their friend in terms of recoil management. Many have left wanting to purchase a 1911 in 9mm.
vinny77
US Veteran
I have been shooting my 1911 Pro 9mm in USPSA shooting competition for about a year. My hit factors are improving.
They don’t get any sweeter than this in a 9mm!
A couple of years ago, I bought a used RIA FS for not a lot of money. It even came with 2 Wilson magazines. I have put a lot of Blazer and other cheap 9mm ammo through it with no failures of any kind. I am really impressed with the gun and the economy of it. I have several other 1911's by Colt and Ruger and this one operates just as good as they do.
Jack Ryan
Member
You think the only ammunition to advance has been 9mm? What, did they just invent copper jackets for every size bullet independently for every caliber of bullet all at once? By coincidence?
It is ridiculous to think ammunition advancements give 9mm an advantage because everything else just sits still. Do you think they still load 45 Colt with black powder?
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