Would you rather have a 1911 in 9mm or .45 Pros and Con?
- Thread starter Turkey
- Start date
I have two S&W's one in 9mm and one in 45ACP, like them both. I'm a 1911 fan, I have a few in 45ACP and one in 10mm. Have several different brands full size and compact old and new, from old military versions to competition. 1911's are just fun to shoot and gives you that authentic feel of a weapon that has been around since the 1890's and still a popular seller. For defense wise I prefer the 45ACP for close confrontation. I also like working on them.
Last edited:
Wethammer
New Fanatic
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 4
I'm getting up in age and my old Colt Commander in .45 ACP gets me to shaking after about 2 magazines. 9 mm might be easier to shoot. If you're a reloader, I'd stay away from 9 mm. Tapered case is a b---- to reload. Almost as bad as .30 carbine.
Good luck.
jgcrossman2
Fanatic
I have a Springfield Mil-spec in .45 and Loaded in 9mm (all CA compliant, but that is a whole nuther subject). Love them both. The main difference is the price of ammo, but that is obvious. The more subtle difference is that I flinch more with the .45 than the 9mm, so my groupings are much better with the 9mm. The .45 is snappier on the recoil and my brain anticipates it. On the 9mm, the full sized frame soaks it all up. Something to work on...better get back out to the range. The .45 stays loaded by my bed so if you want to drop by late at night unannounced and uninvited for some five finger discount opportunities, I guess that would show my slight preference.
dennishoddy
Moderator
I went with the 185 grain HP in .45ACP to take two whitetail does and a bobcat during hunting season. The extra 200 fps made short work of all of them. The 1911 platform has taken down many 200lb humans with one shot. There is no reason a 150 lb whitetail wouldn't suffer the same fate.
Southern Shooter
Active Fanatic
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2024
- Messages
- 32
I've never fired a 9mm 1911 so I can't throw off on it, and I would definitely say the recoil would be significantly less than the 45acp. Still, as stated in a post I read above, when I hear or say 1911, I automatically think 45acp. I guess growing up watching combat and all the other war shows, that's what everyone called it, a 45. Old habits are just hard to break I guess. When advising on what handgun to carry, I would have to say it should be the one you can hit what you're shooting at with. I've heard a saying on the topic, "A hit with a 22 is better than a miss with a 44 Magnum."
Petard
Active Fanatic
Great posts! As usual, I'm late to the party. If you own one 1911, it should be in .45acp. If you like the manual of arms and grip, get one in each flavor. I have three Gov in .45, two railed, one not. (decided I don't like rails on a 1911 as I personally don't want to EDC with a light on my gun. It's on my other hip) One Gov in 10mm. An officer in .45. 2x Star BM in 9mm (I know, but it's close enough) lol I would like a 70 Series Colt in .38 Super to round things out. I'm happy EDC all of the above (ok, maybe not the BM...just in case). That said, my nightstand groans under the weight of a P227 w 14rd mag and light/laser. Oh...and a .22 1911 conversion slide for fun.
This is a question that I find myself avoiding.
I wouldn't mind having a 1911 in 9mm.... but every time I have an opportunity to buy one, I pass.
Why? Well, deep down in my gut I just cannot reconcile myself to having anything but a 1911 chambered in .45ACP.
It's weird, I know. But it's like anything else just wouldn't be right. I wouldn't be able to look at it, I'd just toss it in the back of the safe because I'd be ashamed of myself for getting it.
A 45 though, is "normal." No problem at all.
I guess this might sound funny, (kinda does to me,) but honest, this is what goes through my mind. I don't have this problem with any other gun.... only the 1911. (F***, I'm weird.)
Babboonbobo
Well-Known Fanatic
I have multiples of both 45 and 9mm from many manufacturers.
My take is buy matching guns in both caliber's then you don't have to decide on one over the other! Here are two of my commander size GC No Names in 9 and 45
All my 1911s except one are commander or officer size. I carry an officer size WC CQB in 45
My take is buy matching guns in both caliber's then you don't have to decide on one over the other! Here are two of my commander size GC No Names in 9 and 45
All my 1911s except one are commander or officer size. I carry an officer size WC CQB in 45
Babboonbobo
Well-Known Fanatic
In the 1911 line I have many of those including the 45acp, 9mm, 10mm, 22TCM, 22lr and the awesome 357 Coonan!! My original goal was I'll get one of each caliber made but dropped that plan because I just don't need all those different calibers to deal with. I instead switched to just higher end semi custom 45 and 9mm but kept the really fun ones I already had!
Here's a few in an older pic I have, added a few since then! I need new pics
Red Forman
New Fanatic
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2024
- Messages
- 2
I still love and shoot the .45 acp. However as I've gotten older when I go to the range I start shooting my 1911's in .45 for 100-150 rounds and then switch over to my 1911 9mm. The reduced felt recoil of the 9mm allows me to maintain accuracy and it's cheaper to shoot.
I have 1 one 1911 in 9mm. I have dozens of 1911's in .45 acp
I have 1 one 1911 in 9mm. I have dozens of 1911's in .45 acp
If my intentions were to carry for self defense i would get my answer by listening to Bill allard former member of the NYPD stake out unit . Bill had the most gunfights of any officer in the history of NYPD. Research him.
I too have tried all of the mags out there for my 1911's in 45acp. After lots and lots of rounds down range, I've chosen these...
CHIP MCCORMICK CUSTOM LLCPower Plus Magazine, 8-Round
. It's been over 10 years and 1,000 of rounds. I've never had any malfunctions with these mags. I've got 6 of them and 4 of these...CHIP MCCORMICK CUSTOM LLC1911 RPM Magazine 10rd 45ACP Stainless Steel
. When there is not a "concealment issue", I use these as my backups and I use them on range days as my reloads.I've loaned a few of these 8 round mags out to people at range days. Everyone of them has come back to me asking where I got them and the price. Yes, they are a bit pricey but, they work every time. Just my 2 cents...
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2019
- Messages
- 114
You mean the 9mm Punibellum, which is the DEI round of the 21st Century?
Hard pass
Hard pass
I used to be a cop. I carried a .45. Now, with modern ammo, I use a 9mm. It's more accurate and packs the same punch. I also have a 10mm. Shoots flatter than a .45 and has better penetration than the .45 or 9mm. It is good for bares to!
I don't have a 1911 in 9mm ,but do have a colt series 70 in super 38, 2 in 10mm and the rest in 45. Shot alot of steel challenge matches with the super 38. I don't know if I will ever get one in 9mm since I have so many plastic toys in 9mm, but as I say get whatever you want and like, after all it, it's your money and you know the old saying everyone has their opinion!!!!!
