Springfield 1911 in 9mm vs .45 ACP ?

[TMan]

Okay, until I recently read someone elses post, I wasn't aware that Springfield Armory made a 1911 in 9mm. Since the muzzle energy on the 9mm is 340 vs. 356 on the .45 ACP is there much less recoil on the 9mm. Is it worth getting the 9mm version for less recoil, or is it just to get cheaper ammunition. Does the 1911 function as well in 9mm as it does in .45ACP.

After a preliminary shot at the income taxes, I'm seeing enough return to split between the jewelry store and the gun shop. So, I'm thinking...

[NeilCasper]

Hello TMan,
Several years ago I picked up a Springfield 9mm 1911 to shoot until my arthritic right elbow settled down, and I could again shoot my Kimber .45 acp. The 9 mm shoots so soft you can barely see the gun move in my hands.
I have two Browning HiPowers and the 1911 shoots much softer then they do primarily due to the extra 6-8 ounces the 1911 weighs.
The 1911 9mm is pretty neat for IDPA ESP Division, with the exception of the 9 round magazines. I understand you can use the ten round .38 super mags but haven't really tried these yet.

[TBT]

Tman,

I bought a SA 1911 in the 9mm a few months ago and thus far it has performed flawlessly. The felt recoil in comparison to my Kimber Ultra Carry II is more than considerably less. Frankly, after shooting the UCII the SA feels like a .22 if you can believe that. The weapon is well balanced and absorbs the recoil from the 9mm rounds better than any handgun I have ever shot. The cost savings in shooting the 9mm is nearly cut in half too. My White Box 45ACP loads run me $20 for 100 while it’s $10 for 100 of the 9mm.

You aren’t limited to just the Springfield Armory for the 9mm government model though. Among others you have the Para and the Kimber (new in 2005) to compare. I’m a Kimber nut and am looking into trading my Springfield in on the Kimber offering, though it looks like the Kimber will be $100-$200 more cost wise.

[TMan]

Thanks guys, but TBT, you complicated things. I wasn't aware of the Kimber or the Para-Ordinance.

For the Kimber I assume you mean the Tactical Pro II, but it only has a 4" barrel. The Springfield and the Para-Ordinance P18-9 have 5" barrels. Did I miss someother 9mm on their web sites? I don't want a Para-Ord in LDA.

I prefer the 5" barrel.

I have the Kimber Ultra Shadow II. It is .45, light, and really packs a kick for a .45. I've only shot 100 rounds through it for that reason.

[TBT]

TMan said:

Thanks guys, but TBT, you complicated things. I wasn't aware of the Kimber or the Para-Ordinance.

For the Kimber I assume you mean the Tactical Pro II, but it only has a 4" barrel. The Springfield and the Para-Ordinance P18-9 have 5" barrels. Did I miss someother 9mm on their web sites? I don't want a Para-Ord in LDA.

I prefer the 5" barrel.

I have the Kimber Ultra Shadow II. It is .45, light, and really packs a kick for a .45. I've only shot 100 rounds through it for that reason.

No, your right on the Tac Pro II with the four incher.

I didn't really pay attention to that when I read about it. I might not trade in the SA after all, I like the 9mm for target and the 5" is better for that.