9mm 1911

[rt11002003]

I run all weights without a problem in any of my 9mm 1911's. Nor, can I see any difference in accuracy. It could be that I'm numb and insensitive.

 

[WC145]

The questions is why? If my 1911 9's run perfectly with heavier weight ammo, and the cost difference is negligible, see no reason to change what has been successful, especially when plinking.

Jesus, then don't, it doesn't matter to me. I just figured that since you care'd enough to question my observations, you might care enough to see it first hand.

 

[ripnbst]

A quality gun should cycle anything quality.

 

[osbornk]

I guess just curious. I'm new to the 9mm 1911 platform. A guy at the range encouraged me to go the 147 gr. route. His rationale - a 115 gr. cartridge might not be powerful enough to fully cycle the longer, heavier slide. I've been using 124 gr. American Eagle ammo without issue. Figured that I would appeal to the members here for input and balance it against the range rat's wisdom.

I've shot 115 gr. in my RIA full size 1911, Hi-Point C0 and S&W SD9VE almost exclusively for years and never had a problem of any kind. If it can cycle the heavy Hi-Point slide, I think it will cycle any 1911.

 

[michael t]

In my Colt Commander I run 115 gr ,or 124 . I never saw the need for any other. .

 

[KyJim]

I have seen several times on another board where Keith from Dan Wesson and the Wilson Combat rep recommends 147gr and at the minimum of 124gr 9mm to run through their 1911's.

Do you have a link? I hang out quite a bit over at 1911forum.com where Keith checks in. I can't find that recommendation, though he once posted in 2008 that DW tested their pistols with 147 gr. loads. That may (or may not) be relevant to accuracy since the discussion was about barrel twist rate, rather than reliability.

Added: I also couldn't find a recommendation from WilsonCombatRep on the same forum to use 147 gr bullets. He did, however, post recommendations on breaking in a Wilson 9mm 1911 and recommended bullets "on long side of specs to prevent nose-down failures to feed (approx. 1.150")." https://forums.1911forum.com/showpost.php?p=4864556&postcount=85. Since the 147 gr bullets tend to run a little longer than the lighter bullets, perhaps this is why some prefer the heavier bullets. The key, however, seems to be the overall length of the round.

 

[rbmorse]

I shoot a Kimber 1911 in 9mm mostly with FreedomAmmo 115 or 124 grain new production rounds. Never had a problem with either.

There is an item on the Wilson Combat Arms main page under the "more information tab" that states the following under best results for 9mm 1911 handgun ammunition:

Any name brand quality FMJ RN that has a power factor of 126,000 or more and an Overall length of 1.110” or longer (1.150” is ideal)

They then list about 10 brand-named cartridges at 115g, 124g, 135g and 147g as their recommended loads.

Power factor is the weight of the bullet X the muzzle velocity. Per FreedomAmmo's specs:

115g X 1120 fps = 128,800
124g X 1063 fps = 131,812
147g X 890 fps = 130,830

Assuming the specs for other 9mm rounds are in the same ballpark you can see why a marginal gun, or one where the springs are a bit worn, would do better with the heaver bullets.

Note also Wilson specifies RN FMJ rounds.

I found that article while trying to find the reason why my Kimber (with factory magazines) hates FreedomAmmo's cartridges made with the Hornaday XTP (jacketed hollow point) bullet. Mostly nose-dive type FTF on the first and/or first and second rounds in the mag (if I short load they feed correctly).

Turns out they measure a bit short at around 1.102 to 1.105 inches on my digital caliper. So, according to Wilson, they're under spec. On the other hand, the same rounds feed flawlessly when using Wilson ETM magazines so I could be looking at a mag issue with the Kimber mags. Still sorting this one out.

The FreedomAmmo RN FMJ I have measure around 1.155 or so and they feed fine from any of the mags I have on hand (2 ea. Kimber, Checkmate, Wilson ETM and Metal Form).

 

[saleen322]

What weight cartridge do you use in your 9mm 1911? I am guessing the heavier 147 gr would be preferred. Just wondering.

I took the question as what shoots the best (accurate). As far as functioning, the 1911 9mms I shot (Springfields) are about the most reliable 9s out there with any bullet weight. 147s seem to be the most forgiving and consistent when it comes to accuracy. IMHO I think it is because of the greater bearing surface. If a person shoots mostly 15 yards and closer and not at paper, I don't know if they are going to see much difference. I did a lot of testing at 25 and 50 yards and the 147s are at or near the top when you start measuring groups. Now I have a competition load using a 115 SWC that is lights out accurate BUT you change the seating depth around 0.030" give or take and the group size will double. The 147s are not like that in that all the 147 loads shoot pretty good in a wider range. The 147s I shot will go under 3" routinely at 50 yards and with tuning you can get that down to 2". YMMV

 

[JDBerg]

If you reload try a 147 gr. Hornady XTP bullet over 4.7 grains of Unique. If I could only shoot 1 load out of my STI Trojan 9mm 1911 from now on, this would be it!

 

[Woolecox]

Man I love a good 1911. I have been carrying this 4" Kimber Aegis for the past few years. IT functions equally well with 115's, 124's and 147's. Very accurate pistol too.

Lately I have had the mags loaded with 147 XTP's because that is what I have been loading for my Sig MPX. Those Hornady's seem to be the only defensive bullets available lately. Not quite as accurate as a Gold Dot but pretty good.

 

[texgunner]

I have a two Colts, a Lightweight Commander and a Defender. Both will function reliably with115 grain ammo.

 

[kilimanjaro]

If it's a Series 70 Colt you will never have any problem with differing bullet weights or manufacturer, if my Colt 9mm is proof of concept.

 

[BigJimP]

I have three 1911's in 9mm...:
1. a Les Baer Monolith all steel 5" gun ( fullo length dust cover )...
2. a Wilson Combat all stainless 5" gun, Protector model - pri gun...
3. a Kimber Tactical Pro II model 4" steel slide, alloy frame

.....and I reload 115gr FMJ Montana Gold bullets exclusively for range practice in 9mm...( with 4.7 gr of TiteGroup ) for a velocity around 1150 fps...and I shoot about 6 - 8 boxes a week mostly thru the Wilson Combat..and its never had a feeding issue !

To date the wilson is coming on 8 yrs old ...and 100,000 rds thru it ..with no issues ( broke an extractor but not ammo related ). Gave the Baer to my adult son ...it probably has 20,000 rds thru it now ...and the Kimber is used mostly for training grandkids - lighter gun -- and it probably has 20,000 rds thru it now.../ no feeding issues even with the Baer or Kimber after they were fully broken in - which was a pain in the butt on the Baer especially...

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I used to shoot a lot of 124 / 125 gr FMJ bullets in 9mm at about 1,000 fps ( about 15,000 a yr ) with no issues either....and for the heck of it, I loaded a few hundred in 147gr...at around 900 fps -- no issues there either
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For Defense I carry 124gr Golden Sabre ...and I think they're about 1180 fps advertised.../ and they run in all of my 9mm's...Sig 239, Sig 226 and all three 1911's in 9mm...

 

[Woolecox]

I have three 1911's in 9mm...:
1. a Les Baer Monolith all steel 5" gun ( fullo length dust cover )...
2. a Wilson Combat all stainless 5" gun, Protector model - pri gun...
3. a Kimber Tactical Pro II model 4" steel slide, alloy frame

Those are some fine pistols! Congrats.

 

[Kosh75287]

A really nice feature of 9mm M1911A1s is that it is built to take a round with greater overall length. The 9mm cartridge can be loaded to a higher performance level without exceeding SAAMI/CIP pressure specs, if the projectile is seated out just a bit. I'm not sure that such tweaking ever turns a 9x19 into a .38 Super, but it probably improves the cartridge beyond 9mm+P performance.

 

[Woolecox]

A really nice feature of 9mm M1911A1s is that it is built to take a round with greater overall length. The 9mm cartridge can be loaded to a higher performance level without exceeding SAAMI/CIP pressure specs, if the projectile is seated out just a bit. I'm not sure that such tweaking ever turns a 9x19 into a .38 Super, but it probably improves the cartridge beyond 9mm+P performance.

Good point. One of the reasons I have switched to 147 hollow points in all all my autos, including my MPX, for defensive loads. I usually load them to the max length that they will function reliably.

The longer loads group better too.

I still load up a bunch of 124 MTG's for training and competition. Lighter recoil, less wear and tear..

 

[BigJimP]

Thanks Woolecox, I like the 1911 in 9mm ...( and in .45 acp of course ).../ and for what its worth, Wilson Combat hands down in my view is the best made 1911 out there...and durable ...and life time warranty, etc. My primary carry gun is either a full sized Wilson CQB in .45 acp ....or the full sized Wilson Combat Protector model in 9mm .../ I used to think 9mm was not enough gun for Defense / but with all the new Defense ammo out there in the last 10yrs or so, I've changed my mind - and am comfortable with either the 9mm or .45acp in one of my 1911's.

While I reload all my practice ammo...I think the consensus is to not load your own carry ammo / it might make your legal defense tougher.

But in general, I agree - the longer cartridges tend to feed better in more guns / and in commercial defense ammo, I think the Golder Sabre is one of the longer rounds in JHP's.

 

[SauerGrapes]

I pretty much load nothing but 147gr. Don't carry a 1911 but all my SD ammo is loaded with 124gr XTP.
Most all my carry guns are .40S&W.

 

[JDBerg]

My 9mm 1911 STI Trojan is primarily a range gun, shooting it offhand, the 115 grain Fed AE's tended to shoot low, I didn't see much of an improvement with the 124 grain Fed AE's, but the 147 grain Fed AE's will tend to shoot right over the front sight without jacking the rear sight. I'm sure I could zero the rear sight to raise the POI but I prefer to keep the factory zero on this gun, since I don't do any bench shooting with my guns, and I don't like adjustable sights on any auto-pistol other than this one, although all of my revolvers have adjustable rear sights.

When I go to the local Cabela's I can usually find 115, 124, and 147 grain Fed AE's at the same price, so I rarely buy the 115 gr. boxes. The S&B 115 gr. ammo is usually cheaper & shoots fine in my other nines. Among friends & acquaintances who reload for their Gov't Length 9mm 1911's, I would say that most of them are loading 135 & 147 gr. SWC, TC, or XTP bullets. I might add that the 147 gr XTP reloads I've had shoot beautifully from my Trojan, and It would be fun and worthwhile to tailor a reload for this gun, if I could only find the time to do it!

I do practice with my carry ammo, like everybody should, and if I could get a steady supply of Black Hills 115 gr +P JHP factory ammo that's what I'd carry. But this load is always out of stock in the stores and online. I have a good stash of Hornady 124 gr. +P American Gunner / Custom ammo, and I can get always more of this load if I need it. So IMHO this is the next best thing compared to the Black Hills, and my best overall choice for carry ammo, and it shoots great from my HK P30 carry gun.

 

[RickB]

I don't have a 9, but use the same bullets in .38 Super.
Most of my shooting has been with 130s and 135s at 1000fps, and fewer 147s at 900.
As long as the round is "powerful" enough, the gun should run.
For ballistic performance, I'd tend toward heavier bullets, anyway.