If you got a 1911 but not 45 what would it be?

[rhino]

If you want one that is likely to function without extra work, your best bets (after .45ACP) are .38 Super and 10mm. You could probably do well in one of the other 9x23-sized cartridges, but if you know about those, you know what gun you want already.

9mm is bit behind those in terms of potential reliability. You might get luck, maybe not. They are without a doubt the least expensive centerfire 1911 to feed and probably the most fun to shoot too.

I would not wish a .40S&W 1911 on my enemies (unless they were trying to shoot me). For everyone who claims they possess a 100% reliable single stack 1911 in .40, there are probably five who have nothing but headaches. That's not counting the people who claim their .40 works, but either don't shoot it enough to know or are not being as . . . forthright as we might prefer.

 

[Que]

I would get a 1911 in .40! I love the EMP that I saw on here a couple days ago. I can't wait to make that purchase.

 

[downzero]

I would not wish a .40S&W 1911 on my enemies (unless they were trying to shoot me). For everyone who claims they possess a 100% reliable single stack 1911 in .40, there are probably five who have nothing but headaches. That's not counting the people who claim their .40 works, but either don't shoot it enough to know or are not being as . . . forthright as we might prefer.

There's no reason to believe that a 10mm 1911 would be any different than a .40 1911. The only difference is the length of the cartridge.

The solution to getting a .40 to run in a 1911 is that the cartridges need to be loaded long...longer than SAAMI max for .40 S&W. I load mine at 1.200", but many have had good luck at 1.180". The only difference, after all, between a 10mm and a .40 in a 1911 is the depth to which the barrel is chambered.

At stock length, it's a crapshoot if they'll run. Some guns will, some won't. But there's really no secret to getting them to run other than not using bulged brass (there are ways to fix bulged brass) and loading longer.

The 1911 magazine just works best with long cartridges because .45 is quite long...in the 1.250" range.

I would get a 1911 in .40! I love the EMP that I saw on here a couple days ago. I can't wait to make that purchase.

I think that'd be a big mistake. It'd definitely be a pain to get a 3" .40 caliber gun to run.

 

[calcot7]

I would like to have one in 9mm, one in .38 super and one in 10mm. Aw heck, I guess one in every available caliber would be nice to have even if they didn't all function reliably.

 

[AllenM]

I have .45 9mm, had a .40, but my absolute favorite is my 10mm.
Except for ammo cost that is

 

[slow1911s]

9mm or .38 Super. Probably .38 Super because I've never owned, or even shot one. I'd like to. Plus, you can safely make major with them for competition.

Only in Open division.


To the OP - 38 Super

 

[OD*]

Super .38 ACP or 9mm.

 

[Rob377]

10mm for sure.
Always wanted a nice Colt Delta Elite.

 

[dbd870]

I'd have a hard time deciding between the Super & a 9mm.

 

[dice dealer]

9MM

 

[Wabatuckian]

10mm

 

[GregD]

I really believe a 1911 is best with the 45acp. If I wanted something else it would be the 10mm. The 38 super ammo is just too hard to find.

 

[mjones]

kimber tactical in 40 sw

 

[johnb62]

I have three in 9mm. I really like shooting them. The STI 9mm's are top notch.

 

[chizzle]

1911 in 9mm

I had a Springfield Armory Loaded in 9mm. It was really fun to shoot (recoil like a hot 22 LR) and worked great for Friday Night Steel. The slide to frame fit left a little to be desired, so I'd rather have an STI Trojan or similar if I was going to buy one again. I'd also make sure you get the best mags possible (Metalform worked for me), as the gun is only as reliable as the mags and the ammo (longer works better) you feed it with. Good luck!

 

[samrothstein01]

The solution to getting a .40 to run in a 1911 is that the cartridges need to be loaded long...

This is exactly my experience. Granted, my Para is a double stack, but the difference between factory ammo and my loads that are a little lengthier is certainly noticeable. Factory doesn't run horribly, but lengthier loads have run near flawlessly.

 

[TiminMishawaka]

Coonan

 

[kingnereli]

.38 Super or 10mm.

 

[Jerry D Young]

.50GI

 

[tuoder]

10mm would be my pick.