1911 in 9mm or just go to 45ACP?

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys-I was musing about this recently. With PP likely taking government in the coming months I think we're all wondering about how soon handguns will be part of of the picture again, and I was looking at restricted courses this spring in anticipation of that. I'd been more focused on the "will they/won't they" and far less so on what pistol I'd consider if it all comes together.

Of course, I have a rimfire in mind (Taurus TX22 with optic mount or one of the Ruger 22/45s) and would probably settle-in to something in 9mm for cost reasons....but boy, it's always been the 1911 in 45 acp that got the juices flowing.

What are considered the best 9mm/1911s out there and failing that, best all-steel 9mm auto?

 

[OkayShooter]

Why not both?

I always been a Springfield fan. My 9mm 1911 is a SAM and its been my redhead step child. I tossed it down range a few time. But I love my 45 Springfield MC operator.

 

[old303]

You definitely need both. And there are a lot of quality brands, and which to get may depend on what's on the market in the aftermath of all this mess.

 

[Vewdu]

Start with the 45 and if you like the platform, get the 9mm. There is dozens of guns in 9mm I'd take over a 1911 but only 1 I'd own in 45...

 

[brybenn]

I went 9mm so new shooters can try it. Most the rounds thru my 1911 9mm are from ladies and younger teens. 9mm is also way cheaper
I just buy a few thousand rounds at a time
I also have a jrc in 9mm

 

[OkayShooter]

If you cast. 45 acp isn't much more than 9mm. Also 45 recoil isnt bad, its less snappy. Then again been shooting 45 ACP since I was 17.

 

[maifire]

9mm. Killing paper is quite sufficient. No need to kill its soul.

9mm is cheaper; what else is there to argue in Canada? My .02

 

[WilliamM]

I like my .45, however I personally would get one of those .22 training conversions rather than a 9mm.

 

[OkayShooter]

I like my .45, however I personally would get one of those .22 training conversions rather than a 9mm.

I had 2 and never had them work well. Was cheaper to just get a 22/45.

 

[JayCorbett]

get a gsg 1911 in 22 lol

 

[Mik123]

I don't think they'll ever make them again but I'd take a look at a used Dlask Premier Plus in 9mm or 45ACP. I'm not a 1911 afficiado but it's the nicest pistol I've ever shot.

 

[Suther]

One thing to keep in mind is reversing the handgun stuff will take legislation. That means that with a CPC majority we're likely looking at 1.5-2 years (based on how long things like C71 and C21 took and the fact that the senate is likely to move slow on it), and a minority likely won't be able to get it done at all. For these reasons I'm more focused on what I might buy after the OiCs are repealed, because they can do that right after the election and they don't need a majority to do it.


That said, I wish I bought a 45acp 1911 when I had the chance. I don't need a 1911 to shoot 9mm, I'm plenty happy with a more modern designed 9mm, but there is just something classic about the 1911 in its original 45cal cartridge.

 

[lakers1138]

.22LRGUY,
Your final words stated "What are considered the best 9mm/1911s out there and failing that, best all-steel 9mm auto?"
I have owned and shot the following 9mms:
Walther P-38 (WWII version)
CZ Shadow 2
STI Trojan
Sig Sauer P-210
If I was concerned with cost, the P-38 is lowest.
If I was concerned with run & gun competitive shooting, the CZ is best
If I was concerned with only punching static paper, both the STI and SIg work well.
If I was concerned with absolute accuracy and best trigger EVER, the Sig takes the cake (but it is also the costliest)

 

[paul792]

I have a Remington 1911 in .45 and love it. Was debating on a ruger commander size in 9mm right as the turd screwed us all. That being said, first should be on .45 lol. Then a high-power for the 1911 "improved" in 9mm.

 

[OkayShooter]

For a 9mm Id look at a CZ 75 Shadow 1 with thin grips. I was a die hard 1911 guy till I tried a SP01 with thin grips. So bought my self one. But then I upgraded it for a Shadow 1 when I wanted to go optic. My CZ actually has a thinner grip than both of my 1911s.

 

[johnl]

10 mm for the win

 

[jimbo45]

I love my STI commander in .40 but guess there under a different name now

 

[45ACPKING]

naturally I will suggest keeping the 1911 true to it's fashion..... in 45ACP ..... of course

 

[ted_dent]

I've had the following 9mm 1911s:
- Kimber Stainless II Target
- STI Ranger II
- STI Trojan
- SAM Commander

As is obvious I like them a lot. I find they feed a lot better than my 45 1911s (which I also like) although that probably has more to do with bullet shape than anything else. It's hard to beat a 1911 in any calibre for ergonomics (that's one reason why they're still being made over 110 years since John Browning first designed it). If we were like the US and could use high-cap mags then other options might be more attractive but with 10 rounds being the max limit in Canada and 10 round 9mm mags commonly available they are a lot more viable here. Plus a properly tuned one is truly a pleasure to shoot.

My only caveat is that I'm not a fan of the alloy versions like Colt Lightweight Commanders and prefer all steel guns since they tend to absorb recoil better and I enjoy the extra heft.

Unless you reload (and even better than that, also cast your own bullets) 45's have, unfortunately, become very pricey to shoot compared to 9mm.

If you're looking for other options the CZ steel guns (SP-01, etc.) are also very nice options as are the SIG 220/226 family, especially the all steel versions like the Stainless Elites. my personal taste runs to SA only as opposed to the SA/DA models which is another plus for the 1911s unless you upgrade to something like the SA CZ Tactical Sport, Orange, etc. models.

 

[wrangler4867]

I ran my series 80 Colt in .45 for decades. I only replaced it with a Ruger 1911 in .45 these last few years. I have to say, I like it better than my colt.