WRT front grip checkering, I solved that with a set of Pachmayer grips

quote:

Originally posted by sonnydaze:
Lots of nice guns there up above.
However, my Sig P938 is the best I've owneee

That's not even on the same planet as what OP was talking about?

In any event, I picked up a Springfield Loaded Target Stainless 9mm a while back and had the Custom Shop install a trigger/hammer/bushing/etc and it's a laser beam. Having said that I picked up a Tisas last year to beat on and it's comically good for the dollars.

Rogue,
I want to keep it under 1500.00 before an optic.
Otherwise, I'd get the TRP.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
What's your budget? "Cheaper than Wilson Combat" still leaves a pretty wide range...

At $500 or a little less, there are some decent inexpensive imported 1911 options like Tisas.

At ~$700, the Springfield Ronin is right about the best bang for the buck in the $500-$1000 1911s.

Or at ~$1300, the Dan Wesson ECP or Guardian (or even a used example of one of their fancier or discontinued models) is the best value in the $1000-$1500 1911 price range. Dan Wessons are superb quality, and they punch well above their price range.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ironmike57:
Rogue,
I want to keep it under 1500.00 before an optic.
Otherwise, I'd get the TRP.

I agree with the Dan Wesson comments. Guardian, or if you can find a Valkyrie are solid options. You'd have to get them cut, I believe, for an optic regardless.

Or, if you can stretch it $500, I know where you can get a Wilson Combat Experior in 9mm, only has ~250 rounds through it with everything original. Once in a while you find the EDC X9 for around $1,800 as well.

I assembled this 9mm 1911 back in '86. I found the complete Colt upper for $100 at the Fresno Gun Show and the bare Springfield Armory receiver for $100 at the LA Gun Show. While at the LA Gun Show, I stopped by the table of Ken Hallock. He suggested what internal parts to get and who to get them from. I bought his book and followed his suggestions. After the pistol was assembled, I had an armorer at the Honolulu Police Department perform a trigger job. I think I'm in this pistol for around $300 total. It looks good, always goes 'bang', and is very accurate. Plus, it's cheap to shoot. What's not to like?

PS: Ken Hallock's suggestion to install Colt/Pachmayr wraparound rubber grips along with a Pachmayr rubber main spring housing was right on target.

Another smaller option is the Alpha Foxtrot S-15. Cut for RMSC optics from factory, 3.5 in barrel and runs on 15 rd 43x magazines from Shield Arms.

A slightly bigger option is the Kimber Kds9c. 15 rounds, aluminum frame and optics ready.

Both are around $1k. My wife used both of them for EDC and the accuracy is very good.

I've had this Dan Wesson for a while, and shot a number of others, but it's, by far, my favorite 1911 in 9mm.

I bought myself a Colt Defender in 9mm for Christmas 2024. QC is excellent. It is more accurate than I am and it is a pleasure to shoot.

Two things I did not love:
1. The trigger was almost 6lbs. I did some light sanding and polishing. It is now at just under 4.5lbs.
2. The plastic grips were very aggressive. I took them off and used some 1,000 grit sand paper. Much better now. I am still shopping for wood grips but there are not a lot of options for the Defender. I may bite the bullet and make my own. I just have not spent the time.

I have a Dan Wesson Valor and Nighthawk T4 Recon in 9mm that I really like. The T4 has far more style, but both work great.

I have a Dan Wesson Pointman 9 that I am very happy with. Well made and always a pleasure to shoot.

I have a Tisas double stack 9mm, and it is way better than it has any right to be for what they cost.

I decided to spend the extra money and get the TRP. Then this pops up!

https://danwessonfirearms.com/...tic-ready-9mm/#specs

quote:

Originally posted by Ironmike57:
I decided to spend the extra money and get the TRP. Then this pops up!

https://danwessonfirearms.com/...tic-ready-9mm/#specs

I wouldn't even consider a DW for $2300. In my mind you either spend around $1000 for a good every day Colt, DW, Springfield etc. Or you skip over the mid range nonsense and go straight for an Ed Brown or WC.

I ended up with the Operator AOS full size 9mm in a roundabout way.
Went to LGS and looked at the .45 version 5”. “I’ll take it”. I paid for it and approval was quick. Just before I left the store, I decided to take one more look at the gun. They gave me the 9mm version! They didn’t have a .45 in stock with the configuration that I wanted. Instead of starting over, I took the 9.

My first call was to Greg Cote. Time to start collecting 9mm mags.

Done! Going to swap out the trigger and front sight. Red dot when the funds become available.

My first post on Sig forum! I’ve owned 2 9mm 1911’s, currently have a Kimber 2 tone custom II. Mistakenly sold my Colt 1991 series 80, but Kimber has been great. Very accurate and reliable, I will say regardless of model you get, I highly recommend Cobra 9mm 1911 mags. They are made here in Texas and have been outstanding in both my 9mm pistols. Good luck on whatever you choose 9mm 1911’s are a lot of fun.

Checkout the Springfield EMP, mine shoots like a laser

Ed Brown EVO 9mm great for concealed carry, very slim. May be above what you want to pay.

A buddy of mine has a Springfield Ronin and he likes it. My 1911 pistols have always been .45, so I can't offer anything specific there. I will say that my favorite 1911 of all time is my current Dan Wesson Guardian (alloy frame Commander length); it's also available in 9mm.

I've owned a few 9mm 1911 pistols.
All of them were very peculiar with ammo, none of them liked reloads or cheap target ammo.

Since sold them all, I should have kept the Dan Wesson; but the single stack grip is a bit thin for my grip.
I also found a single-action trigger wasn't for me for a defensive firearm, with the EMP I tried to carry.

My ranking of them would be;
Dan Wesson Guardian, one of the most accurate firearms I have ever owned.



https://hosting.photobucket.co...eight=320&fit=bounds

Kimber CDP Ultra, modded by Customized Creations







Bought into the then-new EMP hype and sold the Kimber for the EMP.
Springfield EMP, heavily modded by SACS.
Logman flat base mag mod.









RIA Tactical.