1911 Caliber Preference

[CB45]

So I'm deliberating another 1911 build this winter. I can't decide which caliber to go with. My intended use for firearm will be target/plinking/fun gun. I have thoughts of using said gun for shooting sports in future... So my pickle is that for some events where power factor is required a .40 S&W caliber would be benefitial, but the economics 9mm is sweet. I'll be reloading either. I'll have to buy a converstion kit for either caliber for my reloader so the setup costs are the same.

I am currently set up for .45 with reloading and a nice 1911 in .45. My question is... what caliber 1911 for games/target/plinking would you choose?

 

[loony1]

.38 super?

 

[slow1911s]

.38 super?

 

[CB45]

Brass

.38 super?

The only thing keeping me from considering this caliber is cost / availablilty of .38 super brass. Poll posted for anyone interested.

CB45

 

[Krush1127]

1911 in anything other than .45 is a sin

 

[Manan]

1911 in anything other than .45 is a sin

Xactly.

 

[Colts]

I voted for .45 ACP, but I am tempted to get a 9mm for my next 1911 just to save some $ on ammo (about 1/2 the price).

 

[melensdad]

I've got 1911s in 4 calibers. In a full size gun a 45acp is a wonderful match but in the subcompact 1911 pistols I prefer either the 9mm or 38 Super.

 

[slow1911s]

The only thing keeping me from considering this caliber is cost / availablilty of .38 super brass. Poll posted for anyone interested.

CB45

Too bad. 38 super is easy to make run in a 1911 because it is nearly the same COL. For target loads it is a doll to shoot and brass last 7-8 loadings. You're shooting cheaper bullets, too.

 

[gglass]

If John Moses Browning wanted the 1911 to shoot anything other than the .45 ACP, he would have designed another pistol. Oh wait! He did... The Browning Hi-Power 9mm.

 

[adam]

I put .45, just get a .22lr conversion for it!

 

[Rob377]

.45. If I'm feeling like a heretic, then 10mm. Otherwise, meh.

 

[thompal]

1911 in anything other than .45 is a sin

Yep.

 

[Wild Deuce]

Since you limited the options to three calibers, it would have to be .45 ACP.

BUT .... I wouldn't overlook the 10mm (though it may be a sin) :

 

[45-70]

If it's anything other than a .45 is it really a 1911?

 

[CB45]

The problem I have with 10mm is the same I have with .38 super... brass cost/availability... 10mm would be the 'end all' cartridge if brass were cheap and plentiful.

 

[sweggy]

1911 in anything other than .45 is a sin

A

 

[Harley46982]

Forgive me for I have sinned, I love the 10mm. I can down load it for target shooting and my kids enjoyment. When I need to I can speed things up a bit and go Hog Hunting. Have you thought about a 10mm with a .40 conversion barrel?

10mm Posterweb by White Tiger Photographic, on Flickr

 

[AllenM]

Well here is an out of the box answer. But if you don't reload it will probably fall in the 10mm category. I just put one together in 357 Sig. 100% reliable and combined with the weight of a 1911 this is an awesome fun gun to shoot.
You can up load or down load it for what ever shooting you want to do.
Right now I am loading at 175 power factor and the recoil to me is about perfect.

That is not a hot hot load for it either. even though I love my 9mm 1911 this gives me a ton more umph at will but can be downloaded to 9mm specs as well.
I am surprised that how well this feels to shoot to be quite honest.


This was a full mag with 6 bullets it the one hole. this is 20 yards unsupported (yes I pulled 2 )

If the 357 Sig would have been available in the year 1911 JMB would have certainly ran it through his gun

Oh P.S. I have a .40 barrel for this gun also you would be welcome to shoot it if it would help you decide before shelling out some cash.

 

[Bersalover]

hard to go wrong with a .45