Just looking for opinions on 1911's chambered in 9mm. A good trigger, reliability are probably most important with fit and finish a close second. Any recommendations at various price points? Looking for a shooter not so much a safe queen.

At the ~$1000-$1500 price point, there's no reason to go with anything but a Dan Wesson. Significantly higher quality than the run of the mill factory Colt/Kimber/SAI guns at the same prices.

What kind of 1911 are you after? Government? Commander? Officer? CCO? Steel frame? Alloy frame? Square butt? Round butt? Bobtail? That info will help narrow down the options and recommendations.

(There are also some quasi-1911s in 9mm, like the Springfield EMP and Wilson Combat EDC.)

I have a Dan Wesson PM9, and 2 Colt's (Competition model) and the trigger on the DW is definitely better, the fiber optic sight is better on the DW but the Colt's are great shooters and every bit as accurate as the DW.

Just my .02 worth.

Full size, alloy or steel frame. I'm trying to help my dad find one. I think it is mainly for range use.

Since it's for your Dad, how about an Ed Brown?

Right Side by GaryBF, on Flickr

Dan Wesson Specialist in 9 mm

I've a springfield and a Kimber. both have been fine in terms of reliability. I think the springfield is a better value. These are the basic choices, obviously you can go up from there.

I will have to look into Dan Wesson pistols. I'm honestly not that familiar with them. That Ed Brown looks pretty nice though.

I have a Colt Commander that works fine. Only thing I've done to it is put on a set of Harrison consulting sights.

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That Ed Brown looks pretty nice though.

It is and it's for your Dad!

Dan Wesson Guardian in 9mm. I am at about 12 to 15k through mine.

The Guardian has the aluminum grips in the back, I put the guardian grips on my vbob.

What about the Ruger SR1911?

My boss has one in 45acp that he really enjoys.

Here is another big thumbs up for the DW Guardian 9mm! And I do love my Ed Browns but in 45, not 9.

Have both DWs in PM9 and the Guardian. Both are keepers. Have a Rock in 3" 9mm but it's not in the same league.

I'm very happy with my Dan Wesson Guardian. A fine little piece of machinery.

Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
Since it's for your Dad, how about an Ed Brown?

Right Side by GaryBF, on Flickr

This is the route I should've gone. My favorite 1911 by far is my Ed Brown Kobra (but it's in .45)

Anyways, I have 2 9mm Government 1911's and I love them both (I also had a combat commander in 9mm which I didn't like and sold). I have an orgional Mark IV series 70 Colt government which is a great shooting gun, and I have a 1 year old S/S Colt Competition government in 9mm which I paid $865. The Competition is a great gun has terrific slide and barrel bushing fit, nice sights, everything you want in a range gun. It's very accurate. The trigger is very crisp, but a little on the heavy side and around 5.5 lbs. My theory is either stay under $900 and enjoy a 1911 for what it is, or go straight to a Brown or Wilson.

I've had my EMP for quite a few years and it's been a great little pistol. Couple of members here have fired it and said it's a nice pistol.

Not sure how much they're going for these days but I paid about $1000 or so for mine back in 2012.

I've got one of the current Colt's , full sized 1911 in nine mm. Haven't done a thing to it, even left the Blue G-10 grips on it. It has been accurate and reliable. Trigger was surprisingly light and crisp out of the box.

If the price is ok with you, get a Dan Wesson. That being said I bought a Springfield EMP4 and it has been outstanding. The DW is better is almost every way but there is something to be said for building a 1911 and its mags around the actual round it is shooting. Lots of parts are interchangeable with a 1911 but some are straight proprietary, like the mags.

Definitely more options in the DW lineup and outstanding quality in their builds.

For a 9, Dan Wesson Valor in your favorite flavor is the way to go.

Dan Wesson Guardian hands down.
Although I've sold mine, it was the best of the 4 9mm 1911s I owned..