Advice on a Colt 1911 in 9mm or 38 super please

[JRB416]

I value members opinions here and I'm not a member of any other forums so please allow me to ask a few questions regarding CZ manufactured Colt 1911s. I'm thinking about purchasing a Colt Gold Cup National Match in 9mm or 38 Super. How good is the quality of the new Colts? A gun store in my area has a National Match 9mm in stock or should I hold out for a 38 Super? I know there is a big price difference in factory ammo but I am able to hand load for either. Thanks for your replies.

Updated on post # 80.

 

[Jakerin]

Why not a 1911 in .45 ACP? My 80 series Gov model is my best shooter.

 

[JRB416]

I have two chambered in .45 acp. Just thinking about something new and different to me.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I own a couple of 1911s -- a Government Model in .45 ACP, and a Commander in 9 mm -- manufactured after the CZ takeover, and they're fine shootin' irons. Enjoy!

 

[pabicyclist]

Why not both? get the 9 now and super later. I have 1911's in .45, 10mm, 9mm, 38super, and 38 special. All good shooting firearms.

 

[Valmet]

I’ve just never warmed to a 9mm 1911. I’d def opt for a .38 Super.

 

[minconrevo]

A super 38 is the same COL as a .45 ACP, hence very dependable. Some really accurate loads for it available. For years it ruled the roost at the Bianchi Cup. A 9mm can be made to run well and shoot well, just not as easily as the super 38. Super brass is a tad more expensive than 9mm. You might want to buy whichever one you can get the best deal on now. First thing after, go buy good mags. For 9mm Wilson Combat 10rd (most current edition), if you want 10 capacity. If you are ok with 9 rd, the Springfield Armory can be tuned to run excellently. For super 38, the most current Wilson Combat mags are best.

 

[STCM(SW)]

My PT 1911 is in 38 Super & I have a 9mm barrel .
I hand load for both & my 38 super will beat any 9mm with the same bullet with more MV & ME.
I now have just the 38 Super load in the pistol.
Leave the 9mm for the beat up Luger and other ones laying around...

 

[petepeterson]

My 9mm Competition Model is as accurate as I am. I think those were produced by the CZ clan.

I think the new Colt 1911s seem pretty well made. I wish I could run into a LW Commander.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

I'd go with the 38 Super just because it was JMB's original cartridge for the automatic pistol (his 1897 prototype).

 

[bobsguns]

I too vote for .38Super & carry a pre-CZ Colt Commander LW in it. Very accurate, nice ballistics.

You didn't mention Govt or Commander model, so please allow me to suggest a Commander. LW frame if you're thinking of carrying it.

My .o2

 

[Grayfox]

I'm a 1911 guy from way back. I have a bunch of 'em.
I never could warm up to one in 9mm. Just ain't right. I bought one, tried it for a while and then converted it to .38 Super. No regrets.
If you want a SA 9mm, get a Hi-Power.

 

[gwpercle]

I keep hearing (reading) that the 1911 feeds best in 45 ACP and 38 Super ... and has problems with the 9mm Luger .
I would vote for the 38 Super ... since you reload , ammo not a problem . Starline carries new brass .

Fof a 9mm Luger ... I would get a Walther P38 or the Browning High Power... no feeding problems there !
Gary

 

[.38SuperMan]

My vote is 38 super as well. I have 6 1911’s of various calibers and manufacturers and only one is Colt and is a pre-CZ. It’s a LW Commander 38 super and it’s a fine pistol.

I own several new Colt revolvers and they’re definitely improved over the older Colt models but that doesn’t necessarily apply to their 1911’s although I’d imagine they’re every bit as good. In comparing my LW Commander to the Springfields and Kimbers that I own, the Colt has much looser tolerances with the Kimbers being the tightest. Despite the loose tolerances, the Colt shoots about as accurate as my Kimber Eclipse 38 Super Target.

If I were ranking precise machining, not necessarily quality, of the 6 1911’s I’d rank Kimber at the top, Springfield close to Kimber and Colt at the bottom with none being bad. Two of my 1911’s are 45’s, 2 are 9mm and 2 38 Super. All have been 100% reliable from the first shot and all are very accurate and well made.

In looking at even the less expensive imported 1911’s, I’ve not seen one that didn’t appear to be well made and I don’t think I’d be afraid to buy any of them if I were looking. 1911’s have been around a long time and there’s no secret to making one plus they’re not complicated guns. Another think if you want a 9 and 38 Super, pickup the Super and buy a 9mm barrel to go with it. There may be a tiny bit of fitting and you’ll need new mags but then you have effectively 2 guns for little more than the price of one.

Pick yourself up a new Colt and enjoy it.

 

[H Richard]

38 Super "if" you are hand-loader. The availability of factory ammo in the configuration you may want is spotty and expensive.

 

[Wyo]

The only reason not to go with the .38 Super, IMHO, would be the cost of ammo. Since you handload that’s not an issue. The 38 Super, properly loaded, will far outpace the 9mm in velocity, power and flatness of trajectory. Besides that, it’s just cool. A 9mm is so ho-hum. Also, I have one of the newer National Match Colts. Mine is a .45 but I’ve been very impressed with the quality and function has been flawless. Go with the 38 Super.

 

[inspcalahan]

It took me far too many years of enjoying my firearms before I strayed into the world of other calibers in Gov't models. My loss.

I started with a full size Colt in 9mm and found I really, really enjoyed it, plus ammo is still "cheap" and readily available.

Then I picked up a .38Super matching my 9mm Colt and wondered why did I wait this long! Ammo is available, just be on the lookout and grab a box each time you walk by if you're not a reloader.

If the 9mm is available now, grab it and get going! Then add the .38super to the mix when it shows up. I've seen a few trickling through Sportsman's Warehouse recently.

As to the current Colt quality, they are just fine. Some are in fact, some of the best quality guns Colt has put out in the last 40 years. Sure, there's a lemon here and there but most I've seen are really nice. My next one, when they get around to making them, will be a lightweight Commander in 9mm. I've seen them pushing out a few Defender models in 9 and .45 recently, as well as the standard steel Commander in both...just waiting on the lightweight..

 

[Hair Trigger]

I value members opinions here and I'm not a member of any other forums so please allow me to ask a few questions regarding CZ manufactured Colt 1911s. I'm thinking about purchasing a Colt Gold Cup National Match in 9mm or 38 Super. How good is the quality of the new Colts? A gun store in my area has a National Match 9mm in stock or should I hold out for a 38 Super? I know there is a big price difference in factory ammo but I am able to hand load for either. Thanks for your replies.

I'd go for the .38 Super for a full size 1911, as the 1911 was initially designed for .38 Super (actually, the precursor to the 1911, the M1900). 9mm is a bit short for the 1911 action, whereas the .38 Super and .45 ACP are the same OAL, or close enough. If you are going to reload and get the .38 Super, consider using Super Comp brass, as it is a true rimless case where the standard .38 Auto (Super) case is rimmed. In modern 1911's they all headspace on the case mouth anyway.

 

[03hemi]

CZ may have actually saved Colt, excellent company as far as producing fine firearms that I'm aware of. Highly revered for decades in the race gun world too.
38 Super here too for me for something different, certainly more desirable in the future if you wanna sell it over the 9.

 

[petepeterson]

I've seen them pushing out a few Defender models in 9 and .45 recently, as well as the standard steel Commander in both...just waiting on the lightweight..

Me too! Plenty of Combat Commanders to be had. Saving 1/2" with no weight savings doesn't do it for me. Where are the LWs???