Tell me about your 9mm 1911s!!

I only have 1 9mm 1911, it's a Citadel that Bud's had on sale for 329.00 last year. It's really been a fun gun, shot it in an IDPA match couple months ago and I will shoot it again. Mine had ambi safetys on it that I had to replace with a GI style safety, did a mild trigger job to get rid of most of the creep. Not a tack driver but it don't have to be to shoot IDPA. I didn't do any cosmetic work on it. Did install an extended mag release and a new bushing from EGW.
 
I have three 9mm 1911's, a STI, a Springfield RO and a DW Guardian. The STI is the most accurate, never a problem, nice finish. The RO is next in accuracy, never a problem, acceptable finish. The DW is last in accuracy, but still very good, no problems, nice finish.

From the age of 15 I didn't like 1911's until about a year ago, which is 61 years. I had shot an old .45 1911 as a youth, terrible gun. About a year ago a friend had me try his .45 1911. I liked it and bought the RO.

Since then I've bought the STI and the DW. And, bought two SIG 1911's in .45 ACP. I decided I like the 1911.
 
I've seen and dry fired a couple of the new Colts in 9mm....and they were not bad guns / around $ 900 in my area. Triggers on some were not great..but that can be cleaned up.

I think its interesting that they left the checkering off the front strap on the basic model...but I think they might be ok for the money. Sig is making a 1911 in 9mm now as well for around $1,000...( but the Sig will not fit a standard 1911 holster - slide is an irregular shape).
 
Not wanting to start a fight, but to me, 9mm 1911 is sacrilegious.
Click to expand...

Couldn't disagree more. I had a Springfield Loaded 9mm 1911 and that was just a great shooter. Now I have an STI Trojan 9mm and that is a better shooter. If I'm shooting 147 grain subsonic ammo, the recoil from this Trojan feels like you are shooting .22LR. A 9mm 1911 barrel has thicker walls than .45 ACP, so the barrel itself is heavier. So you have more weight on the muzzle of the gun to counteract what is already much less recoil from the 9mm ammo.

I have shot this gun with one of my older friends who is recoil sensitive from bad arthritis in his shoulder, and he really enjoys shooting this gun!
 
Last edited:
I have a RIA 5". It shoots great. So much so, we bought a bunch of very cheap Chinese ammo...very dirty. It choked a M&P compact and a glock to jamming but my Rock Island just kept shooting.
 
I have a Springfield Loaded Target 9mm stainless. I nearly sold it then I came to my senses. The only thing I don't like is the guide rod requires a hex tool. I have a new guide rod on order that will remedy that problem.

 
Last edited:
My STI Trojan 9mm 1911 choked on that ZQI 123 gr. NATO ammo that Wally's sells. It shoots great with Winchester "T" and Fed AE 147 gr. FMJ's. And I only use Wilson Combat Elite Tactical Magazines, good quality mags are really critical for 9mm 1911's!
 
Last edited:
I run a 12# spring in my 5" 1911's in 9mm... ( as I recall they were shipped with 13# springs in them ). So its a little lighter than stock... I tested a 10# spring ...it ran fine --- but I was afraid it was battering the frame too much in the 9mm's...so I stayed with the 12#.

( and I run 16# springs in my 5" guns in .45 acp - instead of the stock 18# springs..)....

and they all run 100%.
 
I have two, both Colts. One is a Defender and the other is a Lwt Commander. They're both very reliable and are a blast to shoot. They are also more accurate than I am.
 
I run a 12# spring in my 5" 1911's in 9mm... ( as I recall they were shipped with 13# springs in them ). So its a little lighter than stock... I tested a 10# spring ...it ran fine --- but I was afraid it was battering the frame too much in the 9mm's...so I stayed with the 12#.

( and I run 16# springs in my 5" guns in .45 acp - instead of the stock 18# springs..)....

and they all run 100%.
Click to expand...
According to Colt and Wolff Springs the stock spring weights for 9mm and .38 Super in 5" 1911s is 14lbs, .45ACP in 5" 1911s is 16lbs.

I run 14lb in my 5" 9mm, 15lb in my .38 Super, and 17lb in my .45s. Zero issues.
 
Interesting....

So I checked with Wilson Combat...both of my primary 1911's are Wilson Combat 5" guns ( one in 9mm and one in .45 acp ) ...and Wilson's input on recoil springs in their 1911's / from their website...: / my impression of what my 9mm was shipped with in 2006 is either wrong...or it has changed a little...not sure which ...:

" Make sure you tailor your recoil spring to the ammunition loads at hand. Our full size 9mm handguns come standard with a 10# recoil spring. For light loads during break in you may need an 8# spring to run reliably. A 9mm 1911 will not require a shok-buff. A compact 9mm pistol usually has a 13# round wire or flatwire recoil spring installed.

in a similar .45 ACP handgun for best reliability. Some hollowpoint loading will require the use of a 12# recoil spring for best feeding.

If you experience a failure to eject the slide is not coming far enough to the rear and it indicates you may need a lighter recoil spring or your ammunition is underpowered.

If you experience light strikes with military or surplus/foreign made ammunition you may need to replace your firing pin spring with a #26 XP firing pin spring. We use a XXP Power spring to increase drop safety but as a result some hard, military style primers may fail to ignite. Also check your firing pin tunnel for fouling and primer shavings which are more common in high-pressure rounds like 9mm.

Recoil Spring FAQ

The recoil spring in a 1911 pistol is an important part of the puzzle of overall autoloader reliability. The primary purpose of the recoil spring is to strip a cartridge from the magazine during the feeding process and secondly, to protect the frame from excess slide battering during operation.


What is the right spring weight for your pistol?

●The proper recoil spring weight for a 1911 pistol is dependent on the caliber, length of the barrel and the tension of the hammer spring.

●It is advised to tune your spring weights based on the type of loads you prefer to shoot most often. If you shoot mostly lighter loadings, use weights at the lower of the spectrum; conversely if you prefer heavier or +P loads, try heavier springs.

●For all-around reliability try spring weights in the median of the recommended spectrum.

●If your pistol fails to lock back on the last round after installing a new recoil spring you may need to try a lighter weight spring.

●Wilson Combat recommended spring weight ranges are as follows:

Caliber/Barrel length Recommended Recoil Spring Weight Range

.45 ACP 5” 15-18.5#

.45 ACP 4.25” 17-20#

.45 ACP 4” 18-22#

9mm 5” 10-12#

9mm 4” 11-13#

.38 Super 5” 13-16#

10mm 5” 18.5 - 20 #

When replacing your pistol’s recoil spring it is important to remember to change your firing pin spring at the same time.
---------------------
So I guess I'll try a 10# recoil spring in my 5" 9mm this week....
 
I wanted to see how an Officer sized 1911 in 9mm would perform so I bought an RIA 3-1/2. It hasn't had a hiccup yet , but I only have about 500 rds through it. Time will tell. I have changed the grips out since I took this pic. I now have a set of VZ grips and a set of Hogue Pau Ferro's.



It has performed very well and I am pleased with it. Finding mags for the smaller size 1911 took a little bit but I now have some that haven't given me any issues.
 
1. 5" 1911 9mm STI Trojan
2. 5" 1911 9mm Kimber Custom II Target
===========
I have played with springs a lot; combinations I have tried (mainspring/recoil):
1. 21/12
2. 19/13 - some coils cut half coil at a time until slide locked open on last round.
3. 19/12 + Square Edged Firing Pin Stop.
4. 19/11 + SE FPS.
5. 18/11 + SE FPS - worked fine - no light strike issues.
Now, I am playing with 17/11 + SE FPS - If I do not get light strikes, I will run with this for a while
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top