What is the better way to end up with a 1911 that shoots both 9x19mm and .38Super?
1. Start with 9mm, get .38Super bbl, mags, (& maybe extractor)
2. Start with .38Super, get 9mm bbl, mags, (& maybe extractor)
I would be OK with discrete extractors. I have already disassembled my 1911s without having to make the walk of shame with my "Bag O' Gun" to a gunsmith. Swapping out extractors is no big whoop.
Assuming the 1911 is all steel GM-sized / 5" bbl.
Why?
1. 1911. Use same leather, manual of arms, etc. as my current 1911s.
2. Ammo availability. During ammo droughts, I am mocked by .38Super on the shelves.
3. Ubiquity & cost of 9x19mm during non-ammo-drought times. For IDPA, USAPSA, etc. and general training.
4. Hot .38Super loads. I hand load for other cartridges already. A hot .38Super hand load with a truncated cone or flat point 147-ish grain pill is not .44mag, but still ought to penetrate like crazy in hostile critters. And I like Hornady XTPs run fast in other cartridges if I want a JHP.
5. Training/beginner semi-auto in 9x19mm. I already have the ideal training revolver (SW686+.38spl tgt wadcutters). I would like a super-soft-shooting semi-auto, too.
I would appreciate the experience & thoughts of those who have done the 1911 9mm/.38Super swap.
1. Start with 9mm, get .38Super bbl, mags, (& maybe extractor)
2. Start with .38Super, get 9mm bbl, mags, (& maybe extractor)
I would be OK with discrete extractors. I have already disassembled my 1911s without having to make the walk of shame with my "Bag O' Gun" to a gunsmith. Swapping out extractors is no big whoop.
Assuming the 1911 is all steel GM-sized / 5" bbl.
Why?
1. 1911. Use same leather, manual of arms, etc. as my current 1911s.
2. Ammo availability. During ammo droughts, I am mocked by .38Super on the shelves.
3. Ubiquity & cost of 9x19mm during non-ammo-drought times. For IDPA, USAPSA, etc. and general training.
4. Hot .38Super loads. I hand load for other cartridges already. A hot .38Super hand load with a truncated cone or flat point 147-ish grain pill is not .44mag, but still ought to penetrate like crazy in hostile critters. And I like Hornady XTPs run fast in other cartridges if I want a JHP.
5. Training/beginner semi-auto in 9x19mm. I already have the ideal training revolver (SW686+.38spl tgt wadcutters). I would like a super-soft-shooting semi-auto, too.
I would appreciate the experience & thoughts of those who have done the 1911 9mm/.38Super swap.