9X23 in 1911 - good idea?

C

Casey

New member
I shot a fellow club members 1911 in 9X23 (it was a Colt) and liked it very much. I understand that some folks on this forum are proponents of this combination. I am interested in the pro/con of this weapon, and how do I get there if I were to decide to do this.

I have searched this an other forums on information, and still have some questions. Can you convert a standard .45 ACP by having someone build a slide with the proper breechface/extractor/barrel? It doesn't seem possible to me, as the magazine must be very different. Who is selling a complete pistol (either a manufacturer or a gunsmith (as long as the $$$ are reasonable))? Is it possible to have a Colt Gold Cup converted to this caliber?

Does this combination work as well as it seems to? I am a die hard .45 ACP guy who is willing to accept and learn to love other calibers (I am waiting impatiently for my Baer Premier II in .40 *&* to arrive).

Where would I get brass for this? I have shot only reloads for the last year, and would prefer to load my own. Is this a good thing,
as there isn't much of anything available from the major manufacturers?

Convince me I am either a fool or a genius. I apologize if some of you feel that this has been discussed as nauseum, but this will
probably be a major expenditure for me.

Thanks.

Casey
 
The 9X23 1911 is an absolutely great idea. The only problems with the 9X23 are the lack of generally available weapons (i.e. new Colts or SAs) and the relative lack of ammunition choices. However, you can help both issues by contacting the manufacturers and telling them what you want.

As for the mags being different, you are correct. The mags will be narrower internally but the external dimensions will be the same. So, get a new slide and mags and you are good to go with a .45 to 9X23 conversion (I think).

I'm planning on getting a 9X23/10 mm convertible from either Brian Bilby or Dane Burns.
 
9x23, IMO is an accident waiting to happen. A round that produces to much pressure and what do you get? A 10 round 1911 shooting a 38cal bullet at around 1400FPS. AND good luck finding ammo. WHY oh WHY does this round even exist? 10mm is a bigger bullet, lower pressure, easy to find caliber that will load to better performance levels than 9x23. I say it's an answer in search of a problem.

[This message has been edited by BB (edited October 19, 2000).]
 
Casey,
Springfield Armory's CUSTOM SHOP built a 1911A1 in 9x23 for me on a lightweight frame.I had always wanted a top drawer 38SUPER but never got around to it. After shooting Chuck Karwan's SA 1911 9x23 I immediately ordered one for myself for use as a field gun, hence the lightweight frame.
It shoots way beyond my wildest hopes, dreams and expectations and may well be the finest 1911 I've ever fired.The 9x23's stats are 125's at 1450fps and it does it easily with the 356TSW cartridges I've been shooting to break the gun in. There are no flies in the 9x23's soupbowl, that's for darn sure and it deserves high respect in the pantheon of cartridges. The question nobody can answer for me is howinell could COLT and WINCHESTER screw up the marketing of this wonderful cartridge so badly? TM
 
I have a STI in 9x23 with a fully supported chamber and shot thousands of rounds and no problems, Winchester still makes ammo and brass in the caliber, Starline Brass makes 9 Supercomp brass this is the same as 9x23 brass. And I will have a new custom one built soon in the same caliber.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top