9mm 1911?

[mr.squatch]

Hey guys, new here. Huge 1911 fan, I've had 3 colts over the years, and carried two. I currently carry and shoot a stainless officers model and I wouldn't trade it for any other gun. I can strip/reassemble it in the dark, I know how all the parts work without thinking about it, it's the perfect gun imo. We took a handgun course last weekend, and I noticed when I have other things to think about, I can put this little gun thru the motions without a single concern in my head, and it never lets me down. I can just concentrate on shooting this way.

Thus my newest dilema. I want to get something high capacity, and because of carry and weight issues I'm considering something in 9mm. I don't want a glock, I won't carry a glock. I've searched for months now and have recently started considering the para p18-9. I really like the idea of a gun that functions just like what I'm used to, and I really like everything about this gun. I just don't know anyone that has one. I think a local shop has one, I plan to go fondle/drool over it this weekend. I've read for hours about likes/dislikes of the para's. Interested to get the 1911 fan's perspective. Also any other manufacturers or models I might consider that I may not have thought of.

Happy to have found this place, I've spent hours reading and learning. Thanks in advance for any advice/ideas.

g

[waktasz]

I have a 16.40 Limited. Basically the same thing but with fancy sights, an ambi safty and it's in .40 caliber. Love it. I shoot IDPA and USPSA with it and it's a great shooter, and I carry it in the winter when I can manage to wear a jacket all the time. It's too big for shorts and t-shirt weather, at least for me though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/waktasz/myPara1.jpg

[WDavis]

My father bought a Kimber 1911 in 9mm a couple months ago. It has been solid so far. No FTF. The reduced recoil when shooting steel was awesome after switching from a full sized eclipse .45 to the full size 9mm.;f

[mr.squatch]

I'm kinda torn, I love my 45's so much I have a hard time gettin anything else. The point (to me) of gettin a 9 is capacity, so If I'm gonna do it i want at least 14 rounds. It's hard for me to purchase something halfway, so I don't wanna get away from what I intend to get too much, like a reg capacity 9 or something. I dunno much about the kimber 9s, I love their 45's. I'll have to do some reading. Thanks for the info, man that para is beeeyootiful.

g

[Tony S45]

A shooting friend of mine has a 5" Para 18.9 single action gun and is very pleased with it. It's the model with the adjustable rear sight. He did have some trigger work done on it, but hey, we all do that with our guns reguardless of manufacturer.

His initial concern was getting high cap mags for it but with the AWB down the drain it should be just a matter of money now. I would check on that first before ordering a gun.

That's the only hi cap 9mm 1911 made that I know of. The Springfield, Kimber, and Dan Wesson are all 9 + 1 single stack guns.

I have a Springfield 5" 1911 in 9mm and a S&W 5" Super 9 which is a single action hi cap gun with the safety on the slide (therefore, not quite a 1911) that I shoot in IPSC competition. I can tell you that the S&W is a great gun but it is HEAVY loaded with 20 rounds of 9mm ammo, as will be the Para. No problem for the range but would get a little tiring concealed. I carry slightly smaller lighter guns.

[gcmj45acp]

There are also the STI/SVI variety of hi-cap 1911's. There is also Caspian and BUL. I've had two five-inch 9mm 1911's but I prefer the Commander length(4.25) 1911's, including a few STI's, that several friends own.

The Para is probably an OK gun. I've never had good experiences with their product quality, though. I cracked hammers and frames in the three I owned and the last straw with the last one I had was a cracked slide and sheered upper lugs.

I'm seriously considering converting one of my Commanders. I may eventually have my gunsmith build a Commander-length STI in 9mm for me as well. He recenty built one for himself and it's a VERY cool gun to shoot. Balances well and the gun cycles at about the same rate I expect my 5-inch .45s to cycle. Only problem is the $2000 price tag(comes with 3 magazines though). Cheap for a gunsmith built STI but still....kinda pricey.

[Clyde]

Check out STI International (Now that is a Hi-Cap 9mm) Check out the VIP (http://www.stiguns.com/)

Shooters Connection is very good to deal with (http://shootersconnection.com/)

[mr.squatch]

Thanks guys for the advice. If I can manage to get to the range this weekend they have several para's for rent. Hopefully they'll have the one I want and I can play with it for a couple hours. I've been thinking a lot about this, and I'm truly amazed I still have the money saved up. haha. I know I don't want 10mm or .40, I like the capacity and the idea of a lighter recoil on a fullsize 1911 shooting 9mm. I just had another thought. Can't you get some models in 38 super? I know nothing about this caliber and have never shot it. Can anyone advise me as to the similarities/differences to 9mm? price, velocity, recoil, availability, capacities etc. Thanks again, lots of good advice and even more to think about

g

[1911nut]

I've got a Colt 5 inch 1911 in 9mm - It's had accuracy work done on it. I like 9mm's, I've developed several lead and jacketed bullet loads that are extremly accurate.

It seems like the demand for 9mm 1911's is increasing - Wilson made a run of them, also Kimber and Springfield has for a while.

1911's in 38 super are somewhat common also.

Check the details for the particular gun with an expert 1911 gunsmith but converting a 38 super to 9mm should just require changing the barrel. The extractor might need minor tuning and a lot of guys run 38 magazines in their 9mm's.

I found Pachmayer stainless 9mm mags cheap and they've worked fine - they're no longer made but it seems there's a lot around. I got mine on the 1911forum.com

[waktasz]

Lots of hi-cap 1911s are available in 38Super as well. It is the preferred cartridge of many open class shooters. It will do 1400-1500 fps with a 9mm size bullet I believe.

[Jim Watson]

squatch,

.38 Super is somewhat more powerful than 9mm P, it does with a 130 grain bullet about what a 9 does with 115. It is a longer cartridge, just right for the slide stroke of a 1911. A good caliber.

BUT...
Super ammo is not as widely available and not nearly as cheap as 9mm. Unless you are a proficient handloader or have a large ammo budget, stick with 9mm P.

[mr.squatch]

Thanks guys, the lack of defense loads in 38 super is pretty much reason enough to keep looking. Still searching for a 9mm, I went and fondled a 40 cal para and it was super sexy. If I found a 18-9 I was gonna buy it, but since I didn't I bought a new shotgun instead. haha. Yeah so i gotta save up a few more bucks, which is good cuz it gives me time to keep looking. Thanks again

g

[Radagast]

The STI and Bul (Charles Daly)are, IMHO much better value for for money than the Para. Both function flawlessly, single stack 1911s can be unreliable in 9mm due to the short case.

My experience with Paras has been uniformly negative, I've never met a Para that didn't need some sort of work done on it.

The Bul may not be available in 9mm in the USA however.

www.stiguns.com