9mm 1911s

[Bhfromme]

My next gun is going to be a 1911 chambered for 9mm. Don't want to spend over $1000. Really want 5" barrel and tritium sights. I'm leaning toward one of the Springfields but before "pulling the trigger" I would like to read everyone's two cents. The Colt Competition Series comes in 5". I hear the Rocks are good shooters but the ones I've seen in the gun shops just don't feel right in my hand. Don't want a Kimber. The SW1911 is $500 or $600 more than I want to spend.

What am I missing? Love to read input from you guys and girls.

 

[canoeguy]

I have several 9MM 1911's, and like them a lot. Soft shooting, cheaper ammo, and one of mine, a Springfield Armory "Range Officer" is the most accurate handgun I own.

The Springfield Range Officer:



Water filled beer cans shot at 25 yards:



I also have a Rock Island 9MM 1911, not as refined as the Springfield, but a good value:



I think I paid about $800 for the Springfield two years or so back, right around $450 for the Rock Island....

 

[cd228]

If you can find a used S&W 1911 in 9mm you can get a functional and good quality 1911. Unfortunately, the S&W web site only has the pro series in 9mm and the price is outside the range you specified as you mentioned. Ruger does offer a 9mm 1911, but doesn't show night sights as stock.

 

[Marshal Tom]

If you go over to the 1911 Firearms Addicts forum and scroll down, there is a posting with several replies on there today regarding exactly what you are inquiring about. Many there prefer a Commander length in a 9mm over that full size but there is some good info on preferred brands and such.

 

[Deadeye Dick]

https://gngsports.com/product/sr1911-target-9mm-ss-5-9-1/

 

[LEO918]

I picked up this Colt 9mm last year at the LGS for right at $1000.

 

[Bhfromme]

I have several 9MM 1911's, and like them a lot. Soft shooting, cheaper ammo, and one of mine, a Springfield Armory "Range Officer" is the most accurate handgun I own.

The Springfield Range Officer:



Water filled beer cans shot at 25 yards:



I also have a Rock Island 9MM 1911, not as refined as the Springfield, but a good value:



I think I paid about $800 for the Springfield two years or so back, right around $450 for the Rock Island....

You know you're about the third person I've heard saying his Springfield 1911 is the most accurate shooter he's ever had.

Definitely one vote for Springfield.

 

[Bhfromme]

I picked up this Colt 9mm last year at the LGS for right at $1000.

Yes that's the Competition Series I'm looking at. Unless I get a better idea here, it's looking like it'll be the Colt or one of the Springfields. The Garrison won't break the bank and has everything I want. Plus it'll be good to compare that to my Colt Government Model.

 

[BB57]

1) The RIA 1911s are great bang for the buck. Not all that refined but accurate enough for social purposes and reliable. I don’t have one in 9mm, but I picked one up in .45 ACP as a trade in from. A guy who decoded he didn’t like .45 ACP.

2) I was very impressed with my Ruger SR1911 LW commander in 9mm. It didn’t come with tritium sights but it was easy enough to add them.

3) I know you are not interested in a Kimber but I’ve been very impressed with my Kimber Pro Carry in 9mm. It’s accurate and very reliable. Kimber can’t really win. They are for the most part like S&W with mid grade pistols. However, they offer a number of features on a large number of models, that increase the price, along with some custom shop models that go for even more money, and Kimber takes a hit on people complaining about prices. On the other hand on their entry level 1911s where Kimber competes on price, people get upset, apparently holding them to a higher standard than the similar priced competition.

4) I also have a Colt 1991 series Government Model in 9mm. It’s also combat accurate and reliable, but with a steel frame and 5” barrel it’s a bit heavy for concealed carry.

5) Citadel made a great 9mm 1911 in both Officer framed and full sized models. I carried one for a couple years and liked it a lot. I put a lot of rounds down range and never had a failure with 124 gr XTPs. I paid $375 for it as new in the box about 5 years ago and I recently saw a full size example for sale for $475 in excellent condition.

 

[sophie]

This Springfield EMP4 1911 in 9mm with the 4” bull barrel is a soft shooter and just plain fun to shoot. I have done some work to the gun and hardly recognizable from the original configuration but that’s what we do.

 

[Empe]

If I were looking to purchase a 9mm 1911 for under $1000 I think I'd probably go with the Springfield Armory Garrison .
I have not shot one but I have seen and handled one and I thought it quite well put together .
The one I looked at was a beautiful gloss blue but they also come in a stainless ...but the Blue for me.
Colt also offers a couple of models in your price range I believe .
I have a Colt Government Model only in .45 ACP .
I think the Springfield offerings are pretty tough to beat .

 

[lihpster]

Only 1911 in 9MM I own is a Rock Island. It's accurate and dependable and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg. I don't see the need for another 9MM 1911. This one is perfect.

 

[326MOD10]

SA just came out with a 4.25 inch Garrison.

I have a 5 inch Garrison that I really like. Haven't shot it as much as I would like to but have enjoyed the time I have spent on it.

I also have a SIG TacOps in 9mm. Not sure they are still available because I stumbled across this one 6 or 7 years ago on closeout. Got a great deal and it is a great gun. Just not a huge fan of the rail.

I have 2 Rugers in .45 and believe the 9mm should be as nice. Don't think you could go wrong there either.

I am thinking my next might be a 4.25 Ronin or Garrison.

 

[Mule Packer]

Okay, I'll confess. For some reason, I always turned my nose up to anything in 9mm. All of my model 1911's were in .45 acp. I mean...anything else is sacrilege. Right?

Then I happened to shoot a friend's Colt model 1911 in 9mm. I had to admit...what a sweet shooting gun...and in the 1911 platform, too. What's not to love?

Anyway, I finally made the jump a few years ago and bought a stainless Springfield Range Officer in 9mm. Wow!! I'll admit, now whenever I grab one of my 1911's, nine times out of ten it will be the Springfield in 9mm. Not only is it one accurate firearm, but it's also darn fun to shoot.

Sorry about the poor photo. I know it looks like it's Parkerized but it really is stainless.

 

[Doug M.]

I'm kind of partial to the EMP, in large part because it is scaled around the 9mm. The standard 1911 is scaled around the 45ACP, and the Super 38 works well because of the size, too. Some folks have had to do some work to get the 1911 to work well with 9mm.

 

[Bhfromme]

I've been thinking I'd go with a Springfield and so far they've got four votes here. Accuracy is definitely king for me. Just read a review at The Best 1911 Handguns: Tested and Reviewed | Outdoor Life
The Springfield had smaller groups than everyone except Wilson Combat. That's pretty impressive. Keep the comments coming guys. More knowledge is always a good thing.

 

[Bhfromme]

I'm kind of partial to the EMP, in large part because it is scaled around the 9mm. The standard 1911 is scaled around the 45ACP, and the Super 38 works well because of the size, too. Some folks have had to do some work to get the 1911 to work well with 9mm.

I'm certainly no expert but I read that because the 1911 frame is built for .45acp the 9mm barrels need to be thicker to fit the frame and the extra weight from the additional steel actually helps with balance and accuracy.

 

[robvious]

I have a stainless Taurus PT1911 in 9mm... the key to happiness is the right magazines... picked it up used, I think it was $650... it isn't amazing, but it is functional and fun.

 

[DWalt]

I'm certainly no expert but I read that because the 1911 frame is built for .45acp the 9mm barrels need to be thicker to fit the frame and the extra weight from the additional steel actually helps with balance and accuracy.

At least for unsupported barrels, all you need to convert a .45 to a 9mm is to get a 9mm or .38 Super slide, barrel, ejector, and magazine.

 

[kb1903]

1911 in 9mm

I vote for the TISAS Turkish imports. I have 2, a commander and a full size, both GI type. Forged steel thru and thru. Not fancy, no trinium sights, but for $400. they are very accurate. Work flawlessly. You can always add different sights, or buy one of the upgraded models. Love mine.