1911 9mm ?

[jim.c]

I've been thinking about getting a 1911 since I've never owned one. I love shooting 9mm so I thought a 1911 in 9mm would be a good choice for me. I'm looking for suggestions from those of you who own or have owned a 1911 in 9mm. Let me know what you think.  Thanks, Jim

[Joe Allen]

Can't go wrong with a Dan Wesson PM9. I've got 2 Springfields and 2 DWs - it's a great platform.

[JaPes]

Hello Jim,

I own a 1911 chambered in 9mm: a Springfield Armory Range Officer.



Mine has been problem free.  It's one of my most favorite range guns.  Full forged steel frame and slide and the heavier barrel greatly mitigate perceived recoil.  Everything about it is just right out of the box.  It's worth the price.

If price is a consideration, then a Rock Island Armory Tac or Rock series is good.  Things to be aware of with a RIA:

• The slide sight dovetails look Novak, but they're not quite Novak.  The only place I've found that makes aftermarket sights for RIA's is Dawson Precision.
• The pistol's beaver tail grip safety is a different profile than others.  I can't drop in a wilson combat beaver tail grip safety.

RIA's are less expensive due to country of manufacture (Philippines) and they are not as hand finished as the $1K+ 1911's.  The slide to frame fit of a RIA is just right, that's the big thing.  Detail strip a RIA, do the extra hand finishing yourself to remove any burrs, tune, etc.  When you're done, you have one heck of a 1911.  I own a RIA 1911 TAC in .45 ACP.  Bought it for $330.  Did the extra hand finishing myself and it's perfect.

 

[jim.c]

I've been looking at all the above. DW Point-man, Springfield RO and the RIA Rock Series. Other than price does any one seem better than the other.

[andrew1220]

DW PM9 for the win! Love mine. It's been great with 5,000+ rounds through it so far.

[bang bang]

I love the ones i have.

I think they are a hoot to shoot.  you expect alot of recoil from using a 45 but there isnt any imo and its like shooting a 22.

i have a PO LDA in 9mm and its a wide body...... many bullets to shoot...19 rounds of fun.

[JaPes]

I've been looking at all the above. DW Point-man, Springfield RO and the RIA Rock Series. Other than price does any one seem better than the other.

Yes.  In order:

1.  Dan Wesson Point Man.

2.  Springfield Range Officer.

3.  RIA Rock Series.

The difference is in the parts selection, amount of hand fitting, and hand finishing.  There's no arguing the Dan Wesson, but you pay for the level of skill and time put into the pistol.  Springfield RO is a nice sweet spot, good fit and finish for the price.  The RIA Rock is a great value, but not as nice out of the box as either the Dan Wesson or Springfield RO.

As I said earlier, mine RIA has a great slide to frame fit.  That is the most important part.  I detail stripped it.  I deburred the trigger bow path.  I performed a trigger job.  I replaced and upgraded springs.  I replaced the polymer main spring housing.  I ditched the sharp ambi safety.  I'm not saying that the RIA isn't assembled well.  They just spend less time hand finishing the pistol.  Do the extra hand finishing yourself, and you get one heck of a nice pistol.  $330 for the gun.  Another $90 for the springs, safety, main spring housing.  About three hours of elbow grease and finishing.  I ended up with an ugly sleeper that shoots better than its outward appearance would suggest.





If you can afford the Dan Wesson, get it.  Don't hesitate. 

If you want to spend less than the Dan Wesson and get a well assembled and finished pistol, get a Springfield R.O. or a Colt Competition chambered in 9mm.

If you want to save a few bucks and don't mind doing a little hand finishing yourself, get the RIA but know that the sight dovetails aren't quite Novak narrowing your choice of aftermarket sights.

[CZ Aficionado]

The 1911 purists are probably grinding there teeth over a the thought of a 1911 in 9mm.......but I'm not one of the purists    Absolutely loved my Dan Wesson Guardian in 9mm, I vote "YEA" on doing it...... 

[JaPes]

The 1911 purists are probably grinding there teeth over a the thought of a 1911 in 9mm.......but I'm not one of the purists    Absolutely loved my Dan Wesson Guardian in 9mm, I vote "YEA" on doing it...... 

You're right.  They do grind their teeth. A 1911 chambered in anything other than .45 ACP, as John Moses Browning intended, is heresy. 

If you do partake of a 1911 chambered in 9mm, the only path to absolution is:   



 

[eastman]

I really liked the Springfield 9mm EMP4 I tried last year. Only 2/3 of the price of a DW.

[olfarhors]

well I don't own a  single 1911 in 9 MM, I do have 3 in 38 Super though.
most of mine are 45 acp, a few 10 MM.
I have a DW thats nice, its a PMHC (high Capacity point Man), and I have a Springfield range officer in 45 as well.
both are very good weapons, the Springer may be my most accurate 1911 actually, course the range officer is kind of set up for range play.
 If I were going to buy a  9MM 1911 it would likely be the Dan Wesson Guardian, of course actually I would go with the Guardian in 38 Super but thats just me.
That may be my only  1911 that I will buy in the future as I am 1911 poor now.

[Redcat94]

I've had a Kimber Stainless II in 9mm for several years. It's one of my most accurate pistols and a lot of fun to shoot.

[katonahjohn2]

I have a Springfield Range Officer (Stainless) in 9mm.  If I go to the range it's one of the guns I take every time.  Just a pleasure to shoot..

[Ron M.]

I have a Springfield Range Officer Champion that I had the Springfield custom shop do a bobtail on. Fun, accurate, and looks pretty good too.

[CZ Aficionado]

I would recommend a bobtail commander style...if you haven't held one I would suggest doing so, they have a different (in a good way) feel than the standard frame.....just a thought