I'm seriously eyeing one of Colt's new LW Commanders in 9mm. What are your experiences in getting single stack 9mm 1911s to run? Please include mods needed, prices involved, etc.
Thanks!
Printable View
I'm seriously eyeing one of Colt's new LW Commanders in 9mm. What are your experiences in getting single stack 9mm 1911s to run? Please include mods needed, prices involved, etc.
Thanks!
Good mags, poor mag quality plagued 9mm 1911s for years. I'm currently using both Wilson and Metalform in my SA Range Officer; both brands of mags have been 100% reliable. I have done no mods for reliability just things I prefer for performance like a trigger job, ambi-safety, FO front sight and mag well.
From all accounts they are very reliable. I am old school, and reload, so would go .38 Super, but no worries on the Colt 9MM's.
Super Dave Harrington uses one specifically for his classes.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
I have an older Colt MKIV 9mm government. It is a picky eater when it comes to hollow points. Magazines have not made a difference. Some ammo works, some does not. I just installed an EGW higher magazine release but have not tested it.
Otherwise, it is a dream to shoot, and it is reliable with even cheap aluminum cases blazer fmj. I guess it is destined to be a competition gun.
I have a new Colt Commander 9mm on layaway and am second guessing the choice.
I picked up one of the S&W Pro Shop 1911 auto's in 9mm last year and it runs like a champ.
Not picky on magazines and the external extractor never fails with any thing, even steel case.
I'm interested in one myself... how are these things to suppress?
Can you clarify this? Mr Harrington is not an average consumer and knows the platform well. Is he running a box stock pistol, a few kitchen table/easy add ons or a full blown custom?
OP, are you looking at this purchase as a range toy, compition/game gun or a duty/ccw? Intended round count? We mainly hear the good about 9mm pistols, never the first 1-2K slide lock reload feedway jams, the FTRB ect... The 9mm can be a wet dream and a fickle bastard.
I have a couple of concerns on this model. I haven't seen the spec nor one in person so I'm putting this out there based on their previous products.
1. Non-ramped barrel. The basic design is around the 45 ACP which generally runs 16-22K PSI. The 9mm is in the 30-37.5K range. As usual, for longevity or fit, match all three radial lugs then fit for hood length which should keep the head space from growing. Carbon steel is alittle more forgiving in potential of sheared lugs.
2. Alloy frame. Kinda hand and hand with one. Without the barrel feedramp, wear and tear on an anodized ally surface. Have they upgraded as Ruger is doing. Heard they were putting a Ti or steel insert in on the feedrap of their ally frames. Life expectancy of an alloy frame is 20-25 K
3. Commander slide... kinda a plus (lighter weight ups slide speed but again is a detractor since it narrows the operating window. 9mm guns with government slides can be slugish exspecially when new until mating surfaces wear in (6-2k rds). This is the why alot of game gun slides go on a diet to lower the cycling mass. Commander slides are lighter, a plus but; in the same reduce the operating window for extraction and feeding. This will heighten the workload of mag springs ect...
Expect problems with some type of ammo, i.e. Remington UMC.
If you find factory mags problematic, look at Metal Form Springfield style mags or Wilson ETMs. I had problems with ETMs until the moving parts seated and the mag springs took initial set.
Not to sound critcal but my experiance of getting a scratch built 9mm to run RELIABLY makes a scratch built 45 acp seem like plug n play. It was a long road of tuning, tweaking and balancing springs but I'm there and happy with the final result. Do I have to worry about problems with it, no. Would I take it into harms way, not if I had access to o e of my other self built 45s.
If your heart is set on the Colt and you have the discretionary $ go for it. If you have problems seek out a good smith familiar with the 9 or a few comp shooters running a good box stock 9.
I've heard, seen and shot a few Springfield entries in the 9mm arena. I think they are a better product because they have been catering to the 9mm crowd continuously for 10 plus years and not yea we'll get in and outta the market as Colt has. I'd also look at STI, they have peaked my interest with their Trojan.
If your having feedway jambs consistantly, move straight to the Springfield mags. If it doesn't smooth out try the EGW raised mag release. For FTRB look at springs and extractor tuning stnd 1911 stuff. Problems with extraction, check clocking, tune for function or try the Aftec. The biggest problem I had was slide speed and parts wear in.
I picked up a Dan Wesson ECO 9mm after shooting Mike Pannone's at a Covert Carry class. At the time I believe he said he had around 7k on the gun with no issues and some pretty long durations between cleaning. The only mods he noted were a magwell and ambi-safety. I did not note the mags he was using.
Mine has around 1500 rounds through it now with no issues using Blazer aluminum, WinClean, my own reloads, and 124g Gold Dot (standard and +P). I have used factory DW, Wilson, and Tripp mags without any problems, though I did have to (very slightly) open up the slot for the mag catch on one of the Wilson mags. The pistol has run like a champ and is very well made with a lot of nice features.
I think you are better off just using the 9mm Commander as a fun gun and buy another gun for your actual defensive pistol needs. The 9mm M1911 is a range toy/ gamer gun and IMO is not worth spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars to get one to run well.
I am down to two 9mm 1911s. One is a Springfield Armory R.O. and the other a Rock Island Armory Tactical. The RIA require extractor adjustment and a new barrel bushing before it shot to my standards. I fired a few thousand rounds through each of them in 2015 and both of them run reliably.
Good magazines are a must, but that is the case with almost any handgun.
I have a DW Pointman 9 that has several thousand rounds through it. I use Dawson Precision mags in it. I've had the occasional failure to feed from slide lock with 147 grain lead flat points (takes a tap to the back of the slide to finish feeding. 147gr fmj, XTP's and Zero JHP's are 100%.
I'll eventually get a DW Guardian (bobbed LW 4.25") for carry, but I'm going to get one with both 9mm & .38 Super barrels. Carry will be with .38 Super.
Quote Originally Posted by prdubi View Post
Super Dave Harrington uses one specifically for his classes.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
Can you clarify this? Mr Harrington is not an average consumer and knows the platform well. Is he running a box stock pistol, a few kitchen table/easy add ons or a full blown custom?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Super Dave uses a Pistol Dynamics ( Paul Liebenberg ) Super Scout 9mm , FAR from a kitchen built project pistol.
ToddG from pistol-training is apparently now rocking a full-house custom 9mm 1911 LW commander as his carry gun.
One of the guys local to me has played with 9mm 1911s, too, and really, really likes the concept. Per him - and as others in this thread are saying - it seems the key is good magazines. But even with good magazines, they can be a money sink. Otherwise, we wouldn't have two major instructors rocking custom 9mm 1911s.
(I believe that LAV, Ken Hackathorn, and Steve Fisher all use 9mm 1911s built by semi-custom production houses (Wilson, Wilson, and Nighthawk respectively) but to the best of my knowledge Ken and Larry only use theirs for training. Per RECOIL's CCW magazine, Steve does carry his 9mm 1911.)
I would love this in 38 Super, but Colt isn't offering one right now...
I would be looking at this purchase as a CCW alternate, provided it meets the following:
1-Sent it to Wilson Combat for Reliability Package and Bullet Proof Extractor, FP Stop, Barrel Bushing
2-Will run reliably with ball ammo, esp reloads, and at least one obtainable SD load(124+P Gold Dot, etc)
3-It'd probably get a few thousand rounds per year. I'd happily own more than one to spread out the wear and tear.
I've seen Pannone's ECO in person and was rather impressed. It's just a hair smaller than what I'm looking for.
All of mine run/ran like a champ. Extractor tweaking, correct spring w/ load, and good mags are what you wanna look out for.
I'll probably go 2011 9mm next.
I recently picked up a Colt Commander and have had a couple of mag issues such as one being hard to release but use and a little lube helped that. I have replaced the springs and followers with Wilson kits but haven't had a chance to try them yet. I also have a Wison MSH to replace the Colt "plastic" one but that is simply a matter of personal preference not of failure. Also, the grips have been replaced with VZs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rut3rmmb_1.jpg
I've had two, both Springfield's. Both required warranty work which was painless and completely satisfying. Both ran flawlessly, the warranty work was not for function. I got rid of them to fund some other project that I don't even remember. Currently I have a Colt Government in .38 SA which also runs great. I've fed it factory, underpowered reloads and over powered reloads. It handles them all. With the 9mm I used Springfield's ramped magazines. In the Colt I use Wilson, Mec-gar, Colt and some other well thought of brand whose name escapes me.. All work.
I had a Springfield 9mm 1911. Had too many feeding/magazine issues so I sold it off.
Went and bought an FN Hi-Power and never looked back. It was designed as a 9mm and runs better than a 9mm 1911, if you ask me.
If you like the 1911...chances are you will like the Hi-Power. I always suggest a Hi-Power to those that want a single action 9mm pistol - it is really the best of the breed.
I've had STI, Wilson Combat, and Springfield Custom 9mm 1911s.
Fun to shoot but would NOT stake my life on one. Toy guns IMO.
I have two 9mm 1911's, both Dan Wessons', an ECO and a Guardian, both have run without issue with FMJ, more than an occasional jam with HP's, great fun guns and exceedingly accurate. My EDC is a glock 19 though.
I have two commander size 1911's in 9mm. Here is an STI Lawman 4.0. It is not truly a commander, as it has a government length dust cover, and has longer slide travel to the rear. With full discloser, Richard Heinie is my shooting partner, and he does a feed ramp mod that really improves reliability of the gun. This is my favorite 1911 to shoot, has been to two Larry Vickers classes, and runs flawlessly with any ammo, and Wilson 10 round mags.
http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/...psahuvlr2e.jpg
JB puts out a superlative product.
Barring a $6K custom shop build, I'm also interested in a 9mm 1911, but a 5" barrel and steel frame due to the recoil mitigation - a range toy in other words. And, if it proved reliable, it may be considered for a SD role.
Not one meaning to jump on the latest toy, but the SA Range Officer Operator looks like it would fit the bill quite nicely - and, hey, only announced today, so what do I know?
I've got a full custom Colt Commander 9mm in the works being built by ACW.
Got a case of ammo ready to torture that bad boy when it comes back. I'm thinkin with what we've got planned out for it, it'll be a mighty fine shooter.
(I've got a hunch Commanders work a smidge better than Gov't size with some tweaks).
I have a Rock Island 9mm Tac 2 full size with a little over 1500 rds through it so far. It's my first 1911 so I don't have any other experience to do pair this gun to but so far it has been good. I have put as many different ammo types I could through it. It has shot 147gr gold dot, 147gr HST standard and +p, and 147gr XTP. It has also shot Tula, wolf, and brown bear for steel cased and it has run handloaded 125gr coated lead, 124gr plated. I have used the factory Metalform 10rd and a Springfield 9 rd magazine. Looking to get some Mec gar 10rd mags shortly. Overall it has been a good go except for the grip screw coming loose. Nothing some locktite didn't fix
I've owned several 9mm 1911's. Imo its just one of those pistols you need to spend more on to be built by a quality smith/company.
I have owned a DW PM9 and for the money it was really nice, no major issues for me. I have around 6k through that pistol with very few minor problems, if any... May have had 1 failure to feed...
I've owned 3 Wilson 9mm 2cqb's and an xtac... All ran flawlessly and would say this is the most reliable and affordable route if you want something to stake your life on... I've also had one NH in 9mm, same experience with them. Not one issue.
I have two full custom 1911s that are 9mm with 38 super comp barrel swaps... Those are something a little different and amazing. Granted those both ran 6k and 9k so, we are not comparing apples to apples.
My experience with the 1911 chambered in 9mm is as follows:
Dan Wesson ECO. I bought this when DW(Dan Wesson) first introduced this model. At first I was a bit disappointed with it. During the first 350 rounds it would rarely make it through a full magazine without having numerous failures to feed. I contacted DW and they quickly sent a return label. I got it back in 10-12 days, took it to the range, and same issues for the next 300 rounds. Contacted DW again, they immediately sent a return label, had it back in my hands within 10 days. Since the second trip it has run perfectly. 115 and 124 grain hollow points or FMJ, doesn't make a difference, it shoots them all well. DW claims that the recoil spring will last for 15,000 or so rounds; hopefully I will find out if this is so. If I had only one 9mm 1911, this might be it.
Colt New Agent This is one of the Talo versions with the XO sights. This has proven to be another reliable pistol with 115 and 124 grain hollow point or FMJ ammo. Probably due to the sights I cannot shoot this one as accurately as the previously mentioned ECO. To me a minor downside is that the recoil spring system has to be replaced every 500 to 1500 rounds.
Dan Wesson Pointman 9 This has proven to be another pleasant shooting experience. A few return to battery failures were experienced during the first 200 rounds, but has been smooth sailing ever since. While the factory mags have worked just fine, I usually run it with Tripp Research mags.
Guncrafter CCO My example is the steel frame version. Shoots 115 and 124 grain hollow points and FMJ without any problems. I really like this pistol but will admit that I should have bought the alloy frame version. Why? I bought this for concealed carry and the lighter weight would have suited my purposes better. Another thing to consider is that my example will only function well with the Guncrafter mags. Not a deal breaker for me, but something to be considered.
Own a few and shot many 9mm 1911s as range toys and for competition. The ONLY one I would and have trusted as a carry gun is the SA EMP 9mm.
My full size Colt 1911 9mm has been running without fail for 4 years: ball, hp's, various reloads with cast bullets. It's 100 % stock with no tweaking. I use Dawson mags exclusively but had no issue with Colt mags.
I run the STI Lawman 4.0 for off duty and alot of training. I use all wilson mags. I have done nothing to it but shoot and clean it and have had zero issues. I ran it for a proctor class and we blasted 1400 rounds in two days (If you have taken one of Franks classes you know what I'm saying). Not one issue. I can also consistently hit out to 100 yards on a standard B-C zone USPSA sized steel target. 8k rounds through it so far. (Standard TAS sights)
I also run the STI Marauder (Double stack 2011). The larger mags can hold 26 rounds on 9mm and I run it hard and have not had an issue yet. 4k rounds through it so far.
Disclaimer: I love my G19 and have used it for training and fun for years. When I purchased the Lawman 4.0 2 years ago and was so blown away by the quality it was hard for me to put down.
I have compared the slide to frame fit to complete custom 1911's and the STI is on par if not better in come cases. They make more than just race guns JMHO
i just made my own and its ready for a fresh coat of graphite black. no screw ups after 10 mags of testing and shoots like peter north on a chick's face. Attachment 39034
In related 9mm 1911 news, Wilson Combat's Vickers magazines are now available in 9mm (and the ETM in 38 Super.) I'm pretty happy about the 38 Super being added to the ETM lineup.
I know I'm a bit late to this thread, but here it is anyway. I've carried Glocks for the last 18 years, but I wanted a 9mm 1911 as a fun / IDPA gun. I also didn't want to sink a lot into it. I went with a Remington 1911 R1 Enhanced 9mm. When I got it home I checked the extractor to find there was none. When I removed the extractor I found that the doofuses at Remington had built the thing with a .45 extractor:confused:. I tuned and fitted a Wilson 9mm extractor for the gun, and the dang thing has been a tack driver from the first shot. On it's first outing I put 250 rounds through it consisting of my various hand loads, factory loads, steel cased liquor coated trash, and hollow points. Firing cadence was relatively fast and it was 100% with the factory 9 round mags and Tripps 10 round Cobra mags. It's only been out with me a couple of times thus far, but it has yet to stutter. I've been quite impressed.