Best Subcompact 9mm 1911 in the $800 Range

[TheGreekFreak]

Sorry if this has been discussed before but I didn't find anything in my search.

So I want to stay within the $700-850 range and am looking for a subcompact 1911 in 9mm. I would like the capacity to be at least 8 and don't care if its double or single stack. What do you guys think? This would be a daily carry and will get plenty of care-free use which is why I don't want to go into the thousand+ territory for a nicer gun as it will inevitably become a safe queen. I basically want a good, reliable, but not crazy expensive 1911 that will get the job done and not make me cringe with every scratch.

My search has pointed me to a few options from kimber, citadel, and used paras but no experience with any. Don't care about compliance BS so any brand is fair game. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. Would prefer a blued or matte black finish but I have an open mind...

 

[tk421991]

$800 would get you a Ruger SR1911 CMD and the ones I've shot were pretty reliable and shot well enough. Just sayin'

 

[pj150]

Hope you find it as I gave up finding a decent Colt compact 1911 for that budget.

 

[5 DOLLAR FOOT LONG]

I'd have the springfield range officer.

 

[mikelawtown]

I'd have the springfield range officer.

I can't even get my wife to shoot all my Sub Compacts since I got this 2 years ago. Sweet, soft shooter.

 

[M60]

The 1911's mentioned so far in this thread are far from subcompact. The only true, sub compact that I know of is the Sig 938. It is small, reliable and has the best factory tritium sights available on a true sub compact. I carry a Sig 938 in the summer and have acquired complete confidence in the 938 over the time that I've had it, which is about 2 years.

 

[RImike]

The 1911's mentioned so far in this thread are far from subcompact. The only true, sub compact that I know of is the Sig 938. It is small, reliable and has the best factory tritium sights available on a true sub compact. I carry a Sig 938 in the summer and have acquired complete confidence in the 938 over the time that I've had it, which is about 2 years.

This, no other real alternative.

 

[TheGreekFreak]

View attachment 172519
I can't even get my wife to shoot all my Sub Compacts since I got this 2 years ago. Sweet, soft shooter.

Very intrigued by the Springfield but how comfortable is it as a CCW in an IWB holster? I'm coming from a G26 so will it be a massive adjustment in the comfort department?

Sig P938 is nice but not enough capacity for me. I'd rather go slightly bigger and have 8+ rounds in the magazine if I have to.

 

[Happy feet]

Sig makes a compact 1911 in 9mm that has good reviews that runs around $900, for less money see if rock island makes a compact in 9mm...most small 1911,s seem to have 3.5" barrels

 

[vario]

$800 would get you a Ruger SR1911 CMD and the ones I've shot were pretty reliable and shot well enough. Just sayin'

Not made in 9mm as of yet.

 

[greencobra]

I'm coming from a G26 so will it be a massive adjustment in the comfort department?

if it's a carry gun why switch to a 1911 style 9mm? you can't do much better than a g26.

i understand the need for a new gun so maybe you can take comfort out of the equation. all 1911 style pistols are just all clones of each other, they are all going to feel the same when worn.

 

[thormx538]

Maybe not "best", but best value -- http://armscor.com/firearms/tac-series/tac-ultra-cs-9mm/

RIA stuff is pretty legit.

 

[StevieP]

Sig 938

 

[Dip Dungles]

+1 on the Sig 938. With the extended mag you get 8 rounds, which is far more comfortable then the 6 rounder. I've had mine for about 6 months and I love the concealment aspect, plus factory night sights are a plus. With my Cross Breed mini tuck I can wear this thing anywhere without issue, it just disappears.

 

[Supermoto]

Find a used STI Vip. Carry size is about the same as a G19. Or a STI escort. I wouldn't go cheap on a carry 9mm 1911, they really need to be built correctly and you don't get that on the cheaper guns

 

[noxin]

Not made in 9mm as of yet.

They've announced it and it's being listed on distributor's websites, yet == real soon now

 

[mikelawtown]

Kimber solo Maybe? it's 1911 -ish..LOL

 

[drgrant]

Very intrigued by the Springfield but how comfortable is it as a CCW in an IWB holster? I'm coming from a G26 so will it be a massive adjustment in the comfort department?

If you're using this to replace a G26 you're wasting your money. You'll be back to a polymer framed handgun in a year or two tops. What's that guy from that advertisement or something say.. "I guarantee it".

Whats wrong with the G26? Does it not work for you? If it's just a Glock problem then consider getting an XDs or that new Walther PPS M2 or whatever it is, those are decent alternatives. I would do that LONG before I considered a 9mm 1911.

If this is just because you just want a 9mm 1911 to play with get something like the full size RO like mikelawtown says or even the RRA 9mm. Pretending you're actually going to like carrying it is a whole other ballgame.

Admittedly I am biased though because for the past 10+ years or so I've been going in the other direction. I started out with the "cool guns that were ****ing stupid to carry" and mostly migrated into things that were considerably easier to carry.

-Mike

 

[drgrant]

Kimber solo Maybe? it's 1911 -ish..LOL
View attachment 172558

It's also a ****ing piece of garbage.

-Mike

- - - Updated - - -

Find a used STI Vip. Carry size is about the same as a G19. Or a STI escort. I wouldn't go cheap on a carry 9mm 1911, they really need to be built correctly and you don't get that on the cheaper guns

This, too... I would not trust my life to a cheap 9mm 1911 unless I had a gunsmith go through the thing and replace any shit part and check fitting, etc. Most people don't want to be bothered with that.

The more time goes by the more I think that skinflinting on a 1911 is firmly within the realm of "stupid ****ing ideas". Some guys get lucky but others not so much.

-Mike

 

[TheGreekFreak]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! The more the better, keep em coming.

If you're using this to replace a G26 you're wasting your money. You'll be back to a polymer framed handgun in a year or two tops. What's that guy from that advertisement or something say.. "I guarantee it".

Whats wrong with the G26? Does it not work for you? If it's just a Glock problem then consider getting an XDs or that new Walther PPS M2 or whatever it is, those are decent alternatives. I would do that LONG before I considered a 9mm 1911.

I hear you and you're probably right. The G26 is very nice to carry/shoot but I'm naturally overly cautious and its always on my mind when I'm carrying. I don't see the point of carrying with an empty chamber so that's not an option either. Never had a problem with my finger migrating to the trigger but I still wanna try carrying a 1911 style pistol cocked and locked for a while. Worst case I can always go back to the G26, they're easy to find.

What do people think about a CZ75 compact? I know its not a 1911 but the controls are similar. Too big? I'm looking for something to carry year round including summer so size matters.

 

[tk421991]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! The more the better, keep em coming.

I hear you and you're probably right. The G26 is very nice to carry/shoot but I'm naturally overly cautious and its always on my mind when I'm carrying. I don't see the point of carrying with an empty chamber so that's not an option either. Never had a problem with my finger migrating to the trigger but I still wanna try carrying a 1911 style pistol cocked and locked for a while. Worst case I can always go back to the G26, they're easy to find.

What do people think about a CZ75 compact? I know its not a 1911 but the controls are similar. Too big? I'm looking for something to carry year round including summer so size matters.

A CZ75 Compact - just the straight up CZ75 Compact model - has a 3.8" barrel. That's not very large of a pistol. The difference between the G26 and the 75 Compact in terms of barrel length is .4", less than a half inch.

The big to-do about a carry pistol is the butt, not the barrel length. People can carry a full sized, 5" 1911 all year if they dress around it. I carry a pistol with a 4 5/8" barrel and don't have a problem with comfort. In fact I feel naked without my 2lbs steel brick

Personally I'd just get a CZ75 regular model or stainless and go with that for under $800. I'm saying this as a guy who is 5'6" and 140lbs, maybe (I have lost weight - mountains).

If you really want to carry in condition 1/cocked and locked, your options are a 1911, a CZ75 without a decocker, SIGs, a Browning Hi Power (dooo it), the XD and I believe FN makes a pistol that can be carried so. $850 to $900 would buy you a 9x19 Colt Commander and other Colts like say a Series 70 or a 1991.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...roducts_id/4247/COLT+O4842XE+LW+COMMANDER+9MM

If you want to carry a gun that can be carried cocked and locked, go get the one you like the most and carry it.

 

[slap shot]

Maybe not "best", but best value -- http://armscor.com/firearms/tac-series/tac-ultra-cs-9mm/

RIA stuff is pretty legit.

This is very nice. I only have one RIA 1911 but i love it. This could be my second.

 

[drgrant]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! The more the better, keep em coming.



I hear you and you're probably right. The G26 is very nice to carry/shoot but I'm naturally overly cautious and its always on my mind when I'm carrying. I don't see the point of carrying with an empty chamber so that's not an option either. Never had a problem with my finger migrating to the trigger but I still wanna try carrying a 1911 style pistol cocked and locked for a while. Worst case I can always go back to the G26, they're easy to find.

Are you using a kydex holster with some level of snap-in retention? Whatever little anxiety I had about carrying a Glock went away completely when I moved to Kydex- because I know the gun isn't going anywhere and I know nothing is hitting the trigger guard interior unless I draw the gun.

What do people think about a CZ75 compact? I know its not a 1911 but the controls are similar. Too big? I'm looking for something to carry year round including summer so size matters.

Nice guns (way more reliable than a cheap 1911) but if you are seeking C1 carry the safety on a CZ is a little awkward compared to a 1911 safety. Of course you can carry it in DA mode too,.

-Mike

 

[TheGreekFreak]

The big to-do about a carry pistol is the butt, not the barrel length. People can carry a full sized, 5" 1911 all year if they dress around it. I carry a pistol with a 4 5/8" barrel and don't have a problem with comfort. In fact I feel naked without my 2lbs steel brick

Personally I'd just get a CZ75 regular model or stainless and go with that for under $800. I'm saying this as a guy who is 5'6" and 140lbs, maybe (I have lost weight - mountains).

The CZ idea is really growing on me. Plus they're like $600 which is way under my budget. What do you think of the CZ 2075 RAMI? Looks like a CZ75 in a subcompact. On paper it seems like a good alternative to the G26 and similar in size. The butt is also smaller than the CZ compact and much smaller than the full size.

I am the same height as you but about 30 pounds heavier and the G26 still prints with the UA shirts I frequently wear (and they're loose fit) so subcompact might make more sense.

Are you using a kydex holster with some level of snap-in retention? Whatever little anxiety I had about carrying a Glock went away completely when I moved to Kydex- because I know the gun isn't going anywhere and I know nothing is hitting the trigger guard interior unless I draw the gun.



Nice guns (way more reliable than a cheap 1911) but if you are seeking C1 carry the safety on a CZ is a little awkward compared to a 1911 safety. Of course you can carry it in DA mode too,.

-Mike

Ya I have a nice White Hat leather/kydex hybrid single clip holster. The G26 locks in pretty nicely and its comfortable to wear. I think its more that I want to try carrying cocked/locked as opposed to anything wrong with the G26. The best safety is my finger and paranoia is all in the head so I don't think I'll be any safer with a manual safety. Guess I just want to try in out.

My bookie is taking bets: over/under 6 months until I go back to a glock

 

[tk421991]

The CZ idea is really growing on me. Plus they're like $600 which is way under my budget. What do you think of the CZ 2075 RAMI? Looks like a CZ75 in a subcompact. On paper it seems like a good alternative to the G26 and similar in size. The butt is also smaller than the CZ compact and much smaller than the full size.

I am the same height as you but about 30 pounds heavier and the G26 still prints with the UA shirts I frequently wear (and they're loose fit) so subcompact might make more sense.



Ya I have a nice White Hat leather/kydex hybrid single clip holster. The G26 locks in pretty nicely and its comfortable to wear. I think its more that I want to try carrying cocked/locked as opposed to anything wrong with the G26. The best safety is my finger and paranoia is all in the head so I don't think I'll be any safer with a manual safety. Guess I just want to try in out.

My bookie is taking bets: over/under 6 months until I go back to a glock

I haven't had the chance to shoot the 2075 RAMI, sorry. Just the regular 75 Stainless.

You really can't go wrong with a CZ though in terms of reliability. I've shot a 52, an 82 and the 75 and the only time I saw an issue was when someone short stroked the slide. It was them, not the gun.