First 1911...45 or 9mm?

[slickracer]

After acquiring numerous S&W and a couple Ruger revolvers, I now have the itch to acquire a 1911. I like classic firearms and a 1911 would fit right in. I'm leaning toward a Springfield RO in 9mm for a couple reasons; 1) slightly cheaper to shoot, 2) less recoil as my Wife will be shooting as well, 3) I'll likely acquire a 9mm carry gun in the near future and would only have to add one additional die set and bullet inventory.

Curious if anyone has experience with 9mm 1911's and is it blasphemy to own a 1911 that is not a .45? Thanks in advance for our advice!

 

[Grayfox]

Your first 1911 should definately be a .45. If you want to experience this classic pistol, its the only way to go. The recoil isn't bad at all and I know several ladies who shoot it extremely well.
Being the crusty old fart I am, yeah, I consider a 9mm 1911 to be blasphemy. The two just don't belong together. But I do have to admit that I have given thought to the new Springfield RO in that caliber.
Besides, if you buy one 1911, it won't be your last. You can add the other caliber at some later point. Namely the .38 Super.

 

[Farmer17]

I only like full size, all steel, GI style, .45s. If you want a 9m/m I would look at the surplus Star pistols on the SARCO website.

 

[UncleEd]

Shooting Times currently has out a magazine dedicated to the 1911s and in a test of the Range Officer offers this:

The standard .45 has a ft. pound kick of around 5.8

The standard 9 mm has a ft. pound kick of around 3

In other words, while the .45 doesn't have a terrible kick in a .45, it still is nearly double that of a 9 mm.

If you're not a dedicated 1911 person, I'd say the 9 mm is a decent choice; still, putting that puny little critter inside a gun meant for a manstopper at close range seems blasphemous.

 

[steveno]

the first 1911 should be a 45 acp

 

[max]

I like 1911's and my 3 are all .45's. I really like to shoot 9mm and have a number of 9mm pistols. The closest I have to a 1911 are a couple of BHP's. If you want a 9 in 1911, get one. I am sure you will be happy. I can not tell any big difference in recoil in the 2.

 

[Hapworth]

Nothing wrong with selecting the firearm and caliber that you deem meets your needs.

Personally, I like 1911s in the caliber it was originally designed for, and although 9mm 1911s can be a little more finicky reliability-wise, good ones are out there and they can run.

With a Springfield RO, you're getting a good product -- so go with what fits your world best.

 

[dmar]

Sounds like you've already got your mind made up for what you want and why. You need to do what you feel is best, but if you want my opinion, your first 1911 should be a .45acp, and it should be a Colt.

This is especially true if you reload. With a 200gr. LSWC and some Bullseye powder, you will have a very accurate and economical round to shoot (that Bullseye goes a long way...). They can also be pretty soft shooting, your wife would not tell the difference between the .45 and the 9mm... Plus, you won't feel so bad about getting into an additional new caliber to load (new dies) when you find out how awesome the .45acp is to shoot and to reload.

There's many1911s in the safe, and not one of them is 9mm. I've shot 9mm 1911s, and they are real nice to shoot, but there are so many better platforms for that round (more magazine capacity, lighter, size/weight ratio, modern frame options, cost, etc...). IMO, this is especially true when it comes to a 9mm 1911 carry gun.

I've thought about a 9mm 1911 a few times, but there are so many other nice 9mms that have caught my attention instead. Like the new Sig X-5 Tactical that I just bought on Thursday. In fact the Sig was laying next to a nice Kimber Target in 9mm. Tempting, but it just didn't make sense to me. Now, if it was a Colt Gold Cup in 1911, it may have been a two gun purchase day...!

Good luck with you decision...

 

[ordy]

I'm sure that what I'm about to say is obvious but I'll say it anyway. The ergonomics and manual of arms should be the same with whatever caliber you decide to get. I have the 1911 format in both of the calibers you mentioned. The 9mm is a softer shooting gun while the recoil of the .45 is stronger but not unmanageable. As to the cost of shooting, 9mm in my area is about $12/box of 50. The .45 is about twice that. If you reload, the prices are reduced significantly. I would recommend renting in both calibers and then making your choice. Whichever caliber you choose, you can always buy the other down the road.

 

[Alpo]

Blasphemous?

I've got 1911s in 45, 40, 9mm and 22.

It's no more blasphemous to have a 1911 (45 ACP platform) chambered in 9mm than it is to have an N-frame (44 special platform) chambered in 357.

I, personally, would get the first one in 45. But if you prefer 9mm, and don't already shoot 45, so don't want to have to setup for a new caliber, by all means, get the nine.

I certainly won't judge you.

 

[ladyT]

Blasphemous? Oh yeah. JMB is turning in his grave over this but it is your money so you get to do what you wish.

 

[Rangerpat]

This is what will happen if you get the 9mm, your wife will want it for herself and you will never get to use it.
So, then you can go buy the same pistol in .45acp; problem solved.
I think you already know what you want to do, so just do what will make the two of you happy.

 

[KevinCH]

I have 1911s in both calibers from a couple of manufacturers, none of them Colt. The 9MM was purchased to permit me more economical practice with my preferred CCW platform than in my preferred CCW caliber of .45ACP; while I'm not really recoil sensitive I'll also admit the 9 is a softer shooting weapon.

All that said - I think anyone who owns a 1911 should have one in .45ACP! Currently, I'm after one in 38 Super too - but that one just has to have a pony on the slide!

 

[PatAz]

.45 all the way.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I was where you are 3 years ago. I had several revolvers and decided I needed a 1911. I bought a 38 Super and never really warmed up to it. I sold that and bought a 45 Commander. Never warmed up to that one either and sold it also. Finally got a 5" Gold Cup and that's what I have now. That's what a 1911 should be, either an A1 or target gun.

Figure out some way to make your first 1911 a 45. If you don't you will always wonder why everyone said a 1911 should be a 5" 45 ACP. Let your wife shoot it and decide. If she says it's too much than get her a 9 mm. 45 acp isn't much more expensive to shoot than 9 mm.

Remember, the 1911 and the 45 ACP is an American invention. The 9 mm is a Euro caliber better suited for polymer and NATO member voting. It's not quite un-American but I don't own one and never will.

 

[cmort666]

Shooting Times currently has out a magazine dedicated to the 1911s and in a test of the Range Officer offers this:

The standard .45 has a ft. pound kick of around 5.8

The standard 9 mm has a ft. pound kick of around 3

In other words, while the .45 doesn't have a terrible kick in a .45, it still is nearly double that of a 9 mm.

If you're not a dedicated 1911 person, I'd say the 9 mm is a decent choice; still, putting that puny little critter inside a gun meant for a manstopper at close range seems blasphemous.

However, the recoil impulse of the .45acp takes place over a longer period of time, due to it's lower operating pressures.

This is especially noticeable when comparing the .40 S&W and the .45acp. I find 230gr. ball in a Springfield MicroCompact MUCH more comfortable and controllable to shoot than 180gr. ball in a full sized Glock 22.

 

[Taurus627]

I have had 1911's in both .45 and 9mm and sold off the .45's. The 9 is soooooo much more controllable for me that even though it's doesn't have the power, I can get more shots on target faster. Besides, with my fairly small hands, the 9mm single stack felt better.
Oh, and .38 super is a waste of a good firearm.

P.S. This is my opinion and some may not agree!!

 

[JcMack]

I always considered a "1911" to be a full size 5"barrel, cals. .45 and .38 super patterned after the original. Variants of the 1911 are the Commander, Officers-Compact, and the miriad of other 3"ers that proliferate the market. I've had a full size Springfield stainless plain Jane like they used to sell about 15 years ago. O.K. I guess, but I much prefer .45. In a Variant I'd like a 3.5" Compact 9mm (preferably an RIA since they work and are far cheaper). That would be a great intro into the pistol style, and a possible carry option.

 

[MTS Cop]

Have you thought about a Hi-Power? To me that is the proper 9mm 1911.

 

[H Richard]

Your first 1911 should be a .45, and preferably a 5" full size gun. That being said, I like my RIA in 9mm in a 1911 "compact". I've got 3 1911's in 45 and one in 9mm. It likes 125 gr and shoots very well.