Would you rather have a 1911 in 9mm or .45 Pros and Con?

[philmo11]

I've owned many 9mm, 10mm and 45 ACP 1911's. I love them all. I've always been a 45 guy but after trying 9mm from several manufacturers, the reduced recoil and speed cannot be matched.

I carry a full size 45 and a 380 micro but I wouldn't hesitate to carry a 9mm that has proven reliable. That's the key word there, reliable. In the 1911 platform, there is less wiggle room for it to operate reliably because there is less power to operate the gun. Some operate well out of the box, some need a little work to be reliable. In my opinion, Kimber makes one of the best out of the box 9mm full size 1911's I've run. They also run one of the heaviest recoil springs which probably helps to reliably chamber the next round. I can't speak to Tisas specifically.

In unobstructed close quarters where 99% of defense shootings outside your home will likely happen, I like the 45. Apples to apples ammo, it's going to put a much bigger permanent wound channel in your attacker. To defend my home where it's more likely that multiple people may try to break in, and a ton of obstacles to shoot around, I prefer a double stack 9mm.

I only went 10mm because I really wanted a 40 cal and 40 S&W in a 1911 is very scarce. Nothing against the cartridge, I've owned 6 from 3 manufacturers and am looking at another currently, 6" double stack. It shines with longer barrels and at longer distances. That said, RIA is the only 10mm 1911 manufacturer I've had experienced with that hasn't had a bunch of reliability issues out of the box. But that's just my experience. I'm going to give Girsan a try this time.

It's also worth mentioning that 45 ACP in a 6" barrel significantly reduces the recoil. I love my 6" Kimber Stainless Target Long Slide in 45 ACP.

I think everyone should own one of all 3. Each has its benefits.

 

[PaperSniper10x]

I keep going back and forth on the new 1911 -

I just shot my friends Tisa 1911 that was chambered in 9mm, and I must say it was awesome.

The ability to limit recoil, and having a few extra rounds was great.

Are there any other pro's and cons I'm overlooking when considering a 9mm vs a .45 for the 1911 platform?

I feel that shot placement is always more important than stopping power necessarily.

Had, I not had the privilege to belong to an organization in which shooting a high powered caliber (.357) in a long massive amounts of time & round count, I would be right up there with the 9mm shot placement crowd. Rightfully so.
But because Someone else saw fit to invest in my personal training & all I had to do was apply myself fully.
I was able & am able to maintain speed & shot placement with the Additional power factor of God's Caliber or Jeff Coopers Caliber lol. 10mm.
Invest in yourself for 2 months.
Then a box or two every other week as needed or as desired to maintain.
Not gonna lie.
Physical fitness/cardio can make or break your results.
Yea, I know.
This is the short answer, my friend Lol

 

[mm1911]

Like them both but range days and competition definitely 9mm for the most part, mix in some 45 acp, if you can absolutely have both, price of ammo definitely a factor, 9's gonna be around 7-8 bucks a box cheaper +/-. Pros and cons the usual. The explosion of double stack 1911's in 9mm not 45 speaks to the popularity of 9mm, I'm not sure any still made in 45 unless a special order from custom makers. Anyway don't worry about getting a 1911 in 9mm, I don't think the good Lord will frown on you, but if you decide to get a 45 will he smile a little, maybe.

 

[grainfed]

Double stack .45's.........FNX 45 and FN 545. I prefer a hammer over a striker. Tried the 545 and did all I could do to get the grit out of the trigger pull. Had SOME success polishing the striker parts, spring, etc. but finally decided to sell it. No regrets. FNX 45 is quite the weapon.

 

[Mike D]

I'll take my .45's loaded with the 200gr D&L hole puncher. Easy shooting, bad ass results.

 

[mm1911]

I'm talking about 1911 double stacks

 

[Marked]

WHY limit yourself to only 2 options since there are a lot more, Let's see there is, 10mm, 45 acp, 40 S&w, 38 Super, yes the 9mm, the 22tcm, 22 LR, 380acp, a few odd ball, rounds as well 460, 45 mag, lots of choices, including 357mag (coon)

 

[KyCarl]

I would look hard at a 1911 in 357 Sig before a 9mm

 

[mm1911]

Ammo approximately 3 times cost of 9mm

 

[idlethunder]

No offence to the 9mm crown but with the 1911 my preference is .45. I have at least one in 9mm but can't remember the last time I shot it

 

[mm1911]

To each his own, I have 45's as well, like them a lot, what I shot IDPA matches with for 3 years, 45's were 12.95 a box at PSA, still 5 bucks a box more than 9mm, I just migrated to 9's, cheaper, older I get certainly easier on the hands, I shoot 2-3 matches a month, 50-70 shooters for 2 of the matches, always 1 or 2 shoot CDP division which is 1911's 8 rds, 3rd match 25-35 shooters, no 45's, capacity is important, 22-23 rd mags, it's a speed game. but If 45, 357 sig, 38 super, whatever caliber is your thing, knock yourselves out

 

[KyCarl]

If cost is such a issue get a 22. .....I just got a Matt McLearn 45 and no 9mm I've shot comes close...

 

[mm1911]

You are absolutely right, how silly of me to rather spend 250 a case vs 450, what am I thinking

 

[joepistol]

.." I only went 10mm because I really wanted a 40 cal and 40 S&W in a 1911 is very scarce"
:.. maybe late for you, but you can fit a 40 S&W barrel on a 10mm 1911.

My club doesn't allow 10mm to be shot in their indoor range..they consider it a magnum cartridge ( but allows 38 Super ? ) Anyway, being a rule-abiding sort, I eventually had my gunsmith fit a Nowlin 40 S&W barrel of my Delta Elite. Not sure if it's because my gunsmith is great at fitting barrels,( probably better than Colt anyway) or it's easier for me to shoot 40 S&W than 10mm, but for whatever reason, I can shoot my Delta more accurately with the 40 S&W barrel.. in fact, haven't shot any 10mm thru it since the barrel was fitted. I hate chasing after handgun brass at the outdoor range.

 

[dennishoddy]

.." I only went 10mm because I really wanted a 40 cal and 40 S&W in a 1911 is very scarce"
:.. maybe late for you, but you can fit a 40 S&W barrel on a 10mm 1911.

My club doesn't allow 10mm to be shot in their indoor range..they consider it a magnum cartridge ( but allows 38 Super ? ) Anyway, being a rule-abiding sort, I eventually had my gunsmith fit a Nowlin 40 S&W barrel of my Delta Elite. Not sure if it's because my gunsmith is great at fitting barrels,( probably better than Colt anyway) or it's easier for me to shoot 40 S&W than 10mm, but for whatever reason, I can shoot my Delta more accurately with the 40 S&W barrel.. in fact, haven't shot any 10mm thru it since the barrel was fitted. I hate chasing after handgun brass at the outdoor range.

You and me both. I had a range day at our outdoor range the other day. Took the 10mm S&W among a host of others, fired two mags through it which was a total of 32 rounds. I could only find 25.
They should have fallen into a 20' circle on the gravel, but for the life of me, could not find them after a half hour of walking that small circle.
I'm thinking a cheap harbor freight 50' square tarp the next time. LOL!
Interestingly enough the Keltek P3AT in .380 throws them right over the top of my head and about 10 feet behind me. Since I was standing directly in front of the shade cover to shoot, I could hear the brass hitting the tin on the cover. I don't reload that caliber so no big deal, but it was interesting to see all that brass on top of the cover when I got to the truck to leave as it's elevated over the range.

 

[mm1911]

40's really are pretty rare, would love one myself, got fair amount of 40's left from shootin USPSA, friend of mine shoots a double stack 1911 40, can't remember the name, they weee pretty popular 8-10 years ago, made in Spain maybe, cheaper than STI, a decent alternative, we have a match tomorrow and he usually shoots it at this particular match, sorta like USPSA but little more forgiving, I'll see who made it but a single stack would be great also

 

[dennishoddy]

40's really are pretty rare, would love one myself, got fair amount of 40's left from shootin USPSA, friend of mine shoots a double stack 1911 40, can't remember the name, they weee pretty popular 8-10 years ago, made in Spain maybe, cheaper than STI, a decent alternative, we have a match tomorrow and he usually shoots it at this particular match, sorta like USPSA but little more forgiving, I'll see who made it but a single stack would be great also

.40 pistols can be found pretty reasonably now. Kind of fallen from favor but I still have thousands of rounds of coated bullets, and it just takes a couple more grains of powder to make a match load.

 

[joepistol]

much as I enjoy shooting my Delta w/ it's 40 S&W barrel, I have a Sig 226S (aka X-5 Target) in 40 S&W , which is probably the most accurate handgun I own.
It's a older, German-made Sig, from their Custom Shop. Bought it from a gun shop owner ( one of his personal guns ) when asked what a nice pistol in 40S&W would be... He told me his truck needed a new transmission, otherwise he wouldn't be selling it. Came in the factory case, like a brand new gun
.I thought it was expensive @ the time ( most expensive handgun I'd purchased) but now, I wouldn't sell it for 2 X what I paid for it.

 

[PaperSniper10x]

I keep going back and forth on the new 1911 -

I just shot my friends Tisa 1911 that was chambered in 9mm, and I must say it was awesome.

The ability to limit recoil, and having a few extra rounds was great.

Are there any other pro's and cons I'm overlooking when considering a 9mm vs a .45 for the 1911 platform?

I feel that shot placement is always more important than stopping power necessarily.

45 Always,
Should I need or want or require More, than I'd go to a double stack 45.
Reliable Double stack 45 do exist.
But I'm only answering the question.

The Answer to the question not asked is I would carry neather.
I currently carry a double stack 10mm.

Thank you, Col. Jeff Cooper. USMC. RIP
I highly recommend everyone research this gentleman, & those that do know of him, to revisit his history.
What's so little known is of his actual combat history.
He was a honorable quiet Warrior not unlike the men of his time.
He was always about developing the next war fighter or defender with a 1911.
He was a1911 priest!

 

[A34]

1911 is a great platform to enjoy whatever caliber you want. Be the envy of your friends and get one in each caliber! You can also buy ammunition in different configurations to help with recoil. Just be sure to test it in YOUR pistol for reliability.

I have been shooting .45 in 185 grain to help with my arthritis, but my edc is a 9mm sub because I find pocket carry to be the most convenient way to carry these days. And when I don't pocket carry, it's works IWB/OWB too.