Subcompact 1911 in 9mm

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C_johnsen

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I’m doing some research regarding the next gun I am going to buy. I want to purchase a subcompact 1911 chambered in 9mm. I’ve gone through the MA roster and compared that to what the manufacturers are still making and it looks like my options are S&W SW1911 Pro Series and Rugar SR1911 Officer.

I like the S&W better but I’m wondering if there were other options out there or if anyone had insights on the 2 listed above. I’m open to used as well so I’m going to keep going through the classifieds.

On another note searching threads I came across the Staccato 2011 C2. It’s on the approved roster but they say they don’t ship to MA so I was going to ask my FFL about them. Price point I would rather get the S&W over the Staccato though.
 
The short 1911s have a ton of reliability issues. Doubly true for 9mm variants.

You want a short barrel compact 9mm? Is a DAO polymer pistol with its better reliability really that bad?
 
Well maybe this feedback is what I need to change my mind. I’ve already got a GI Springfield 1911. 9mm is cheaper to shoot at the range so that is the route I was going. And the thought of a subcompact 1911 in 9mm interests me which is why I’ve been looking.

I know the EMP is on the roster but when you go to Springfields website and search for the specific one on the roster it says discontinued.

I’ve read a bunch about 1911’s in 9mm and reliability issues but from what I’ve read the newer ones and the S&W in particular people seem to like. I’ve got a Kahr PM9 so I’ve got a subcompact polymer gun. It’s just a subcompact 1911 in 9mm interests me.

I know the 2011 is a different gun completely but it’s come up on quite a few threads where people talked about a 9mm 1911.
 
C_johnsen said:
Well maybe this feedback is what I need to change my mind. I’ve already got a GI Springfield 1911. 9mm is cheaper to shoot at the range so that is the route I was going. And the thought of a subcompact 1911 in 9mm interests me which is why I’ve been looking.

I know the EMP is on the roster but when you go to Springfields website and search for the specific one on the roster it says discontinued.

I’ve read a bunch about 1911’s in 9mm and reliability issues but from what I’ve read the newer ones and the S&W in particular people seem to like. I’ve got a Kahr PM9 so I’ve got a subcompact polymer gun. It’s just a subcompact 1911 in 9mm interests me.

I know the 2011 is a different gun completely but it’s come up on quite a few threads where people talked about a 9mm 1911.
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The Glock points pretty similarly to the 1911. Cheap and easy double stack. Good aftermarket. The G43x is basically the measuring stick its class.

Also have a look at the browning high power, sig da/sa guns like 226, and CZ Shadow pistols. These guns all have great single action triggers that rival/are better than a 1911, have a similar grip angle, and come in double stack 9mm, way more reliable and way more likely to be the kind of thing I would trust my life to IMO.

Oh yeah, Dan Wesson DWX needs a mention. What a sexy gun. I saw a compact version once. About Glock 19 sized.

Screenshot_2024-12-28_19-42-25.png
 
whatluck said:
The Glock points pretty similarly to the 1911. Cheap and easy double stack. Good aftermarket. The G43x is basically the measuring stick its class.

Also have a look at the browning high power, sig da/sa guns like 226, and CZ Shadow pistols. These guns all have great single action triggers that rival/are better than a 1911, have a similar grip angle, and come in double stack 9mm, way more reliable and way more likely to be the kind of thing I would trust my life to IMO.

Oh yeah, Dan Wesson DWX needs a mention. What a sexy gun. I saw a compact version once. About Glock 19 sized.

View attachment 949188
Click to expand...


Thank you for the great suggestions. Looks like I’ve got some more research to do.
 
Sub compact 1911's in 9mm really do not run reliably. The gun was never designed as a sub compact 9mm. If really want a sub compact 1911 look for one in 45acp. At least you will have fighting chance. Just.my 2cents from years of experience.
Of course there well be others that will chime in with I have this model or that model and never had a problem. They must be the lucky ones and they should go out and by a Mega Bucks ticket.
 
JDL said:
Sub compact 1911's in 9mm really do not run reliably. The gun was never designed as a sub compact 9mm. If really want a sub compact 1911 look for one in 45acp. At least you will have fighting chance. Just.my 2cents from years of experience.
Of course there well be others that will chime in with I have this model or that model and never had a problem. They must be the lucky ones and they should go out and by a Mega Bucks ticket.
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Well I bought a mega millions last night and didn’t hit any numbers so maybe a 1911 in 9mm isn’t a great buy. The sig 938 looks solid however. Down the road I may look for a sub compact 1911 in .45
 
C_johnsen said:
Down the road I may look for a sub compact 1911 in .45
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If you're looking for a reliable 9mm 1911 carry option you could go for a CCO. It's the officer size frame with a commander slide. I'm not sure your budget, could be anything when it comes to 1911s, but there are some great used options if you come across them. It's definitely more niche and hard to find though so if your budget allows you could have one built for you. Below is an Ed Brown CCO to give you an idea. I believe DW and Colt also made them. I'm also a 1911 guy so I understand the obsession.
Screenshot 2024-12-28 at 10.48.03 PM.png
 
Another vote for the P938. Fun little gun, very concealable, reasonably comfortable to shoot with the black rubber grips and 7 round magazine.
1735482154623.png

nordic alien said:
i have seen a few colt defenders around; shortest barrel 1911
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The P938 has the same 3" barrel and is overall physically smaller. The P938 (6+1) does have 1 fewer round in the magazine than the Defender (7+1), but can match it with the extended magazine (which adds a useful extra finger grip).


1735481251515.png
 
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The Sig 938 with the 7rd mag makes the pistol about as tall as a P365 and slightly lighter and thinner, and still significantly more compact than the Defender.
 
I advise actually getting a hold of one of the tiny guns to see how it fits your hands long before buying one. If possible, shoot a few magazines through it too. Super compact guns are notorious for not fitting adult size hands all that well. Having less of a grip will lead to more than just control trouble.

Personally, if I can't fit all my fingers onto the gun, I'm not buying it. The last thing I'd want is reduced control of a carry gun.
 
I have a hard time categorizing a P938 as a 1911, it doesn't have a grip safety. I owned a P238 and a P938. P238 was fine, 938 was garbage. Had to send it back to Sig twice before I sold it after getting the 365 At one time it was the smallest readily available 9mm but the advent of the P365, Hellcat and other stiker fire 9MM micros pretty much made the 938 obsolete, I'm surprised Sig is still making them (I know the 938 is slightly smaller than the 365 but when you factor in capacity, trigger and everything else, it more than makes up for the small size variance).
 
My 938 was also hot garbage and took many trips to sig to make it 'reliable'.
Rubber grips and 7rd mag made it reasonably fun to shoot but also made it pretty bulky for what it is.
After years of trying to invent use cases for it (not a pocket carry guy) I recently sold it.
 
jaypap said:
I have the S&W Officers size in 9mm never failed to cycle or fire. Only has about a thousand rounds through it but no hiccups yet.
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I have a S&W Performance Center Pro Series Officers in 45 and love it, but with a 9mm, probably a great carry pistol with the scandium frame.
 
I have a Dan Wesson ECO purchased used. It might as well have been new for the condition. So perfect that I have not disassembled the lower. 9mm. Feeds anything. No complaints.

The field strip of the upper uses a paper clip. Necessary evil I think owing to the short barrel length. Light. Easily carried.
 

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