m9 vs .45 1911, whats your pick if it was to be your ONLY gun?

Question

thanks!

Answer 1

The M1911, hands-down.

It's a reliable design capable of incredible accuracy. Even with the less-advanced metallurgy of the early 20th century, the M1911 design could shoot 6000+ rounds in one long torture session with only minor hiccups. Modern M1911s have been known to still be going strong with over 200,000 rounds through them.

The default .45 ACP round is a time-tested and proven fight-stopper which can easily handle bullets ranging from 150-160 grains to 250-260 grains in weight. And if .45 ACP doesn't float your boat, the M1911 has been chambered in .38 Super, 10 mm Norma, .45 Super, .400 Cor-Bon, .460 Rowland, and many others, including the popular police calibers, and there have even been custom M1911s chambered in an oddball variant of the .38 Special.

Of course the .45 ACP is an easy cartridge to reload for, and a 230 grain cast lead bullet atop 4.9 to 5.0 grains of W231 powder will consistently shoot 800+ ft/sec and provide groups under an inch wide center-to-center at 25 yards from a M1911 for a dime a round if you scrounge .45 ACP cases from the shooting range of your choice.

Not to mention the M1911 has an enormous cottage industry dedicated to providing it with mountains of aftermarket parts, so one can take an M1911 and build a carry gun with slim grips, ambidexterous safeties and tritium sights, or build a competition gun with fully adjustable sights, extended magazine wells, extended controls, hair-triggers, and match-grade barrels complete with compensators.

Answer 2

Bound's hubby here:

In my opinion, this is a no brainer ... the M1911A1 in .45 with a flat mainspring housing!

The M9/M-92 has many more parts than the 1911. Fewer parts mean fewer parts to break. In its combat design, the 1911 can be dunked and buried, and still function reliably! Never has the 1911 had a flaw with its frame or slide, unlike the M9. Plus, the .45 as a cartridge has a superior reputation than the 9mm. After all, when is the last time you heard of a 9mm Thompson, eh?

In all seriousness, I think we can all agree, we aren't out looking for a gunfight ... and if we can avoid it ... we will! In many instances, the mere sight of a .45 in a steady hand is enough to cause a sane person to back down. The 9mm as a bad-boy toy just doesn't get that same level of intimidating respect as the .45. Plus, the 9mm does not come close to performing the way a .45 does!

When I was in the service and required to carry the 1911, it received a level of respect that was down-right indescribable! I am more comfortable with 7+1 .45s in my hand, than 12 or more 9s in hand!

For me, my choice for a single handgun, would be a M1911A1 in .45 any day!

Good luck!

Answer 3

Beretta 92f (that's the same as the M9.)

1911's are crazily overpriced for what you get. A 1911 comparable in quality to a $550 Beretta will easily cost $1200. That, my friend, is ridiculous.

Accuracy out of a Beretta is excellent right out of the box. I can get 2" groups at 25 yards, which is just as good as most 1911's.

If power is your thing, then a Beretta 96 (.40S&W version of M9) will float your boat easily. It isn't quite as powerful as the .45 ACP, but it is nipping at its heels. However, the prevalent 9mm chambering is already plenty snorty for "two legged game." Load it with a quality hollowpoint and a stout charge of powder and you've got a load that will, again, with good bullets, expand to about .75 caliber in-target. I have done this in personal experience (a shot missed the spinner target, and was recovered from the earth).

I have put about 500 rounds through a 92f, and my father about 1000 through that same gun "without a hiccup." When I was taught how to shoot a handgun, I limp-wristed it a few times, causing misfeeds, but that was my own inexperience at the time. Never since I have been decent with handguns has the thing failed me or my father.

Another issue is magazine capacity. 1911- 7+1, 92f- 15+1. HUGE advantage to the 92f. The Beretta has earned its place as a constant range companion (everytime I go, it goes). The reason is, it is darn fun to shoot. Get used to the recoil (it takes a few magazines full), and you will be blowing up milk jugs, coke cans, whatever. For what it's worth, a 9mm can be great fun.

However, in terms of a military gun, I am with the 1911 crowd all the way. With FMJ bullets, there is no expanding to be done, thus what you have is what you get. And, as has been stated before, .45 is still bigger than .35. As well as a double-stacked 1911, I'd love to see the return of the M-14 as well. I have yet to find one thing that Stoner had over Garand (that is, Garand made the basis for the M14.)

Answer 4

1911, no contest. Better in every way. The only exception is that if I had to pick between certain models I would pick a Vektor SP1 Sport (a Beretta 92 or M9 based gun) over a regular GI style 1911. If I got to pick the models though, no 92 style race gun can hold a candle to my pimped out AMT Longslides (that's right, plural, I said LongslideS)

Answer 5

1911

Answer 6

If you look at why the 1911 exists, you'll see your answer. The US found itself fighting Moros in the Philippines at the start of the twentieth century (imagine US forces fighting Islamic insurrectionists) and found the 38 caliber pistol wasn't good enough, so they went back to the 1873 model Colt 45, and from that experience was born the 1911. It's been over a century, but a .451" hole is still larger than a .35something" hole.

Answer 7

1911-A1 overall. Everything about the design is more durable and simpler than the M-9. Now if you go by quality, then I would not take a philipino-made Charles Daley/RIA/Armscor over a Beretta-USA 92FS. That would be crazy. But Colt or KImber (Yes, KImber) are a better deal than the Beretta anyday.

Answer 8

Dude...everyone will agree that the 1911 is damn near unbeatable. It has passed the test of time and is designed to kill. For the love of God go with the 1911 and I promise you will not regret it.

Answer 9

M-9 vs .45 1911???

.45 acp advantages: Bigger, wider slower bullet. Disadvantage: older single-action on first shot design. Less ammo capacity.

.9mm M-9 advantages: Higher ammo capacity with faster moving lighter, more narrow bullet; double action first (or each) time.

When first developed the .45 had the advantage hands down. The wider bullet won every time, period. Now, with high tech ammo it is simply a matter of choice. The .9mm with +P+ ammo has more 'stopping power' than the old .45 acp ball ammo which is still quite the man-stopper. And, excellent high tech ammo is now available for the .45 as well. So it comes down to ammo capacity and personal choice.

MY personal choice? The Glock Model 20 .10mm!

Good luck.

H

Answer 10

The 9 MM guys always say it's all about shot placement, even if it take four rounds. The .45 is like getting hit by 110 mph fast ball