[joesnewmatch]

I'm looking for a 1911/2011 in 9mm and looking for sage advice.

For context, I'm 50 and have been shooting since childhood. I own a LOT of guns, but always gravitated towards 1911s and Glocks. After a fairly long hiatus, I got seriously back into shooting and have been taking private courses at a tactical range (I could write pages about that).

Along the way, I have been slowly upgrading all of my old gear. I recently got a wonderful 365XL with a Holosun red dot that is my primary carry gun.

Now I am thinking about investing in a larger high capacity 9mm 1911/2011 to run outside the wasteband on a battle belt, not as a carry gun.

Here's the thing -- I'm looking for a gun that shoots like my old Kimber 4" (.45), but holds 9mm and optimally a minimum of 15 rounds. Sure, I could find plenty of Sigs and Glocks, and I already own an old Browning Hi-Power -- I'm looking for a 1911 style trigger and function.

I'm currently researching new stuff by Staccato and Wilson Combat, but not sure what other options there may be, or if there is a current go-to for something like this.

I should also say that I have average to smaller hands and find the Glock 19, 1911s with thin grips, and the 365XL to be quite comfortable (although the 365XL is on the small side and I could handle something a little bigger). No ridiculously fat handles.

Also, I'm not 100% sure if I want an optic on this gun, but I'm leaning that way based on my recent positive experiences at the tactical range.

So what do you guys suggest?

 

[Jocko1911]

You should probably go handle a Staccato before you make any decisions. It is a bit beefier of a grip because of the double stack. But I would recommend one all day long if it’s within your budget. I bought the Staccato P DPO not to long ago and I don’t find myself leaving it behind much. I went with the DPO model for future optic if I decide to go that route (or my eyes decide for me).

Springfield has released the Prodigy model which I have tried and it’s a damn close contender for a lot cheaper.

My brother-in-law recently picked up a Springfield Ronin in 9mm and I was impressed by that pistol as well.

 

[Bosbar]

In the 1911 style, I can't say enough about my Springfield Range Officer. Costs $700. and is deadly accurate. I made a few modifications to make it my own.

I recently purchased a SA Emissary in 9mm. Nice 1911 also.

If you want high capcity, it's hard to beat a Sig Sauer P-320 V-Tac. 17 plus 1 and a spare mag.
$700 for the pistol and $400 for the Romeo Pro 1.
When it hits the fan, this is the one I want.

 

[joesnewmatch]

Greatly appreciate both of your comments and suggestions!

Curious about the 320 recommendation. I kind of swore off Sigs a while back, before trying the 365 and then being smitten with the whole package (conceivability, capacity, optic, and that trigger).

I kind of thought about something along those lines (Sig variants), but whenever I handle my old Kimber Pro, I can't get over the grip and trigger feel and how the gun never moves in my hand. Do you find you shoot the Sig better than your Springfield 1911 variants? How do the triggers compare and what sets it apart as far as the SHTF scenario? Optic, something more?

 

[Sigaholic]

My recommendation is you look into the Wilson Combat Experior. I have a 4” Double stack. And am really impressed

 

[joesnewmatch]

That Experior is gorgeous and I'm sure I'd love it, but a little hesitant that it only holds 10 rounds. Looks like a fantastic carry gun, but I'm leaning towards higher capacity for range obstacle courses.

Curious -- did you pick this model over the others because it fits like a traditional 1911, or perhaps find the bulkier double-stacks to wide in the grip?

 

[INV136]

For me personally, I don't like double stack magazine grips in 1911. That's the major reason I like 1911's. The single stack grip just feels right in my hands. I have a NHC 10mm that was my EDC and it's great, but, I could only find one brand new in 10mm (without having to order and wait for a year) and is was with the longer 5" barrel. I've always preferred the shorter Commander length barrel and I special ordered one (a DW stainless steel Specialist Commander) from Dan Wesson in 10mm and it is fantastic. The match trigger and barrel are about as good as my NHC. So I switched it out with my NHC as my EDC.

I was going to buy one for my daughter, but, she didn't have the hand strength to pull the slide all the way back to chamber rounds. So, I found her one in 9mm and she has zero issues pulling the slide all the way back to chamber rounds. I found it brand new in the box on Gunbroker for only $1,300 shipped. All of the other dealers started at almost $1,500.

It has all of the features that I wanted in a 1911 (except for the matte finish and checkered grips that I don't care for) including a match grade trigger, match grade barrel, night sights, light rail, and a magwell. Standard magazines are only 8 or 9 rds. But, who cares as long as you carry extra magazines and practice speed combat reloads.

 

[Shark1007]

I agree with INV136. I went through the same analysis and bought a Staccato P in 45, two in 9 mm, had the grips stippled, and all that stuff. I always seem to default back to a standard 1911 style. I further agree Dan Wesson as a good choice, I have an ECP in both calibers.

 

[Adjutant]

You should probably go handle a Staccato before you make any decisions. It is a bit beefier of a grip because of the double stack.

Id echo this sentiment. The grip is pretty damn stout for a CC gun. I have the 365XL w/red dot, and it is as close to a perfect carry gun, that I can think of. I also have a WC SFX9 15 round frame that is fantastic to carry.

 

[yattwood]

Could be hard to find, but I cast a vote for the BUL Armory Government - I had a Dawson Toolless guiderod and TruGlo night sights installed. It’s quite a 1911 for less than $1000 - I got mine from guns.com for about $995

It comes with 2 10-round magazines. I need to become better with it; I’ve had absolutely no issues through the first 150 rounds with 115gr 9mm

 

[shooter1911]

In the 1911 style, I can't say enough about my Springfield Range Officer. Costs $700. and is deadly accurate. I made a few modifications to make it my own.

I recently purchased a SA Emissary in 9mm. Nice 1911 also.

If you want high capcity, it's hard to beat a Sig Sauer P-320 V-Tac. 17 plus 1 and a spare mag.
$700 for the pistol and $400 for the Romeo Pro 1.
When it hits the fan, this is the one I want.

I couldn't agree more about your statements about the Springfield Range Officer. I carry a RO Compact on a daily basis, and couldn't be more pleased. I have owned Colts, Kimbers, and Springfield, and my ROC is probably the most reliable one yet. The same was true of my 4" SA Loaded when I owned one. My Colt Series 70 is also very reliable, but it cost me a bunch of money to get it there.

 

[apipeguy]

That Experior is gorgeous and I'm sure I'd love it, but a little hesitant that it only holds 10 rounds.

The double stack Experior Compact holds 15, if I’m not mistaken. The SFT Commander is thinner and also holds 15.

 

[Jim Watson]

The latest hotness is the Staccato CS with a proprietary dedicated 16x9mm magazine and slimmer butt. Their model lineup is such a moving target, I would want to give it time to get established.

Right now in your category, I would look Wilson. They have a bewildering variety of models taking of from the EDC9x.

 

[jtq]

I'd like to own a Staccato P https://staccato2011.com/handguns/staccato-p/

... but I'm a little put off by the price of the gun, the price of mags, and the odd-ness of the slide/frame that makes them somewhat non-1911ish when searching for holsters.

... as you've strayed from only 1911/2011 in subsequent posts (though a 1911/Glock guy probably won't like this one)

For a metal gun, I'd probably choose a Beretta 92X 92X Full Size Pistol | Beretta

... lower cost gun, lower cost (and known reliable) mags, though the 92X does have its' own holster issues.

 

[Jocko1911]

I'd like to own a Staccato P https://staccato2011.com/handguns/staccato-p/

... but I'm a little put off by the price of the gun, the price of mags, and the odd-ness of the slide/frame that makes them somewhat non-1911ish when searching for holsters.

I agree. That’s why I shot one first before dropping that kind of coin. It was well worth it in my opinion and I have not looked back one time. And in all honesty, one look at Wilson’s, Nighthawks, or some of the boutique 2011s really deadens the blow for the price of a Staccato.

 

[jtq]

And in all honesty, one look at Wilson’s, Nighthawks, or some of the boutique 2011s really deadens the blow for the price of a Staccato.

The price of the gun is the thing that bothers me the least of the concerns I brought up.

Admittedly, I don't follow double stack 1911/2011 mags as much as I do single stack 1911 mags, even though we have a thread like this ...

Best 1911 Mag?

Which is the best and most reliable 8 round 1911 mag?

www.1911forum.com

... I feel significantly more confident in the reliable options for single stack 1911 mags than I do for the options available for 2011's. If my $35 CMC PowerMag doesn't work, I probably have four or five other solid options in $20 - $40 price range I could try out. If my $70 Staccato mags don't work, I'm not sure what my options would be.

 

[Jocko1911]

The price of the gun is the thing that bothers me the least of the concerns I brought up.

Admittedly, I don't follow double stack 1911/2011 mags as much as I do single stack 1911 mags, even though we have a thread like this ...

Best 1911 Mag?

Which is the best and most reliable 8 round 1911 mag?

www.1911forum.com

... I feel significantly more confident in the reliable options for single stack 1911 mags than I do for the options available for 2011's. If my $35 CMC PowerMag doesn't work, I probably have four or five other solid options in $20 - $40 price range I could try out. If my $70 Staccato mags don't work, I'm not sure what my options would be.

That’s a good point, and I’m knocking on wood as I type this, but I bought 2 20 shot mags and a 17 shot so that I would have a total of 3 each. I’m pretty close to 2500 rounds down the pipe with this gun and zero failures. Admittedly, I’m a tad on the anal side of cleanliness, including the mags. I will say that they’re pretty stout and of high quality.

 

[jtq]

Regarding mags and my Beretta 92 comment above - pretty much all Beretta 92 mags are pretty good, and they are readily available, and not very expensive.

 

[YVK]

Despite STI not releasing any testing info on their offerings' reliability testing that has, presumably, supported their adoption by a couple of units here and there, the end-user experience suggests that their guns are pretty reliable. Other 9 mm 2011s, I dunno. If the USPSA does introduce a dedicated 9 mm 2011 division, as it is being rumored, we'll have a large scale reliability data pretty soon.
Somebody mentioned Beretta above and I think it beats the **** out of any 2011 in regards to reliability and is as shootable as 2011, but the OP didn't ask about Berettas.

 

[Jim Watson]

I was never impressed by Beretta until I got to shoot one massaged by E. Langdon.
Nice DA/SA, maybe even better than my GGI P226.