Warning, dumb 9mm question ahead

[vontar]

I am getting ready to get a 9mm 1911 Pistol and I want to make sure I am getting the right ammo.  Pretty sure I am.

 

So far I have been buying up  Winchester 9mm Luger 115-Grain Full Metal Jacket Bullets, 100ct at Walmart when available.  I got about 800 rounds or so now.

 

Anyways, is 9mm end all and be all or are there different favors like ..45 acp vs .45 gap, .45 LC.?

 

 

[Guest ddmoit]

Some other cartridges have names similar to 9mm, but as long has yours says 9mm Luger, you're good to go.

[Garufa]

There are many flavors of "9mm" but only one 9mm Luger (or 9mm Parabellum, 9x19mm, 9MM NATO or whatever other names it's been called).  You're buying the right bullets.

 

Pay close attention to the 9x19mm part.  There are also 9x17 (.380 ACP), 9x18mm (9mm Makarov) and others that are longer than 9x19mm (like 9x23mm, or Largo as it's called).  They are not compatible.

Edited May 14, 2014 by Garufa

[bersaguy]

I am getting ready to get a 9mm 1911 Pistol and I want to make sure I am getting the right ammo.  Pretty sure I am.

 

So far I have been buying up  Winchester 9mm Luger 115-Grain Full Metal Jacket Bullets, 100ct at Walmart when available.  I got about 800 rounds or so now.

 

Anyways, is 9mm end all and be all or are there different favors like ..45 acp vs .45 gap, .45 LC.?

When it comes to needing to know the answer to a question, it's never a dumb question unless you already know the answer before you ask it..................jmho

[vontar]

This is very good.  I started buying up the ammo before getting the gun.   I plan to buy one next month. 

[Guest ddmoit]

Having a stock of a popular round is like having money anyway.  In the end, ammo will cost more than any gun you buy.  Heck, the ammo manufacturers should just give away guns. :)

[Garufa]

This is very good.  I started buying up the ammo before getting the gun.   I plan to buy one next month. 

 

Springfield or Rock Island?

[hipower]

I really like the Springfield 1911 pistols, but...yeah, here it comes. After getting a Rock Island Armory GI in 9mm, I'm stunned at the quality. Yes, the GI is a base model with the tiny little gi military sights, but it is still a great pistol.

I bought mine used here, and have put close to a 1000 rounds of various ammo thru it, with only a couple of JHP rounds not feeding correctly. But I think a little work on the throat and feed ramp will stop that.

I'm having some new sights installed by Sam at Ashenbranners in Gallatin, and hope to have it back Friday(maybe).

You can spend a lot more for what you'll get from the RIA at a lesser price, and not be any better off. Just have less money to buy more ammo. Edited May 14, 2014 by hipower

[austin7.62]

There are many flavors of "9mm" but only one 9mm Luger (or 9mm Parabellum, 9x19mm, 9MM NATO or whatever other names it's been called).  You're buying the right bullets.

 

Pay close attention to the 9x19mm part.  There are also 9x17 (.380 ACP), 9x18mm (9mm Makarov) and others that are longer than 9x19mm (like 9x23mm, or Largo as it's called).  They are not compatible.

Don't forget 9x18 Ultra :)

 

OP, my I humbly suggest a Rock Island Tactical 9mm 1911. Great guns.

[Wiljo05]

I'll second the Rock Island. Own several and played with many, for the money they are tough to beat.

[hipower]

I'll second the Rock Island. Own several and played with many, for the money they are tough to beat.

Yes, for the normal, average shooter like me; maybe not everyone else, the RIA will perform to the limits of that person's abilities. And in my case...better.

I've had some midrange price 1911 pistols, from the lowly Taurus to the Springers, Sigs, Colts, S&W, Kimbers, and the Dan Wesson models I learned the hard expensive way that a higher priced gun doesn't necessarily make you a better shooter.

It can help you get better if you work at it, but just owning a better, more expensive one won't.

Now that's not to say that I don't like and own some more expensive 1911s, and I do favor some of them heavily; but for an entry level pistol into the 1911 market...it is not necessary to spend 1000+.

[vontar]

Follow up question

 

I am looking at some defense rounds by Hornady.

 

Looking at Critical Defense 9mm

then I found the following 2.

 

Hornady Critical Duty 9mm Luger Ammo 135 Grain FlexLock

and

 

Hornady Critical Duty 9mm Luger Ammo +P 135 Grain FlexLock

 

Per my understanding the +P should be strong, but can someone confirm if that is safe in a Colt Defender 1911 9mm?

 

I want to believe the Colt can handle it but I don't want to assume.

[GTownGeorge]

NOTE: Extensive use of +P ammunition will accelerate wear in your pistol.

 

This is from the Owners Manual   http://gunmanual.net/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=att_download&link_id=198&cf_id=24

 

Sounds like it OK to use just not a steady diet. I've attached the link to the manual so you will have that out of the way early and you can get to the range quicker.

[molonlabetn]

Follow up question

I am looking at some defense rounds by Hornady.

Looking at Critical Defense 9mm
then I found the following 2.
Hornady Critical Duty 9mm Luger Ammo 135 Grain FlexLock
and
Hornady Critical Duty 9mm Luger Ammo +P 135 Grain FlexLock

Per my understanding the +P should be strong, but can someone confirm if that is safe in a Colt Defender 1911 9mm?

I want to believe the Colt can handle it but I don't want to assume.

It will handle it.

If you're going to shoot a steady diet of +p, however, I would recommend installing a slightly heavier recoil spring to reduce frame battering, or get a buffer insert. I'm talking about thousands of rounds of +p though, I don't know of any modern 9mm that can't handle some +p.

[vontar]

That is good info.  I will get started on the owners manual now.

 

I only plan to carry the +P as self defense.

 

I am mainly going to shoot the Winchester value round for target practice but I will send a few +P if only to confirm they cycle correct and to determine how they shoot compared to the value.

[vontar]

Thanks, found it on page 21.

Edited May 31, 2014 by vontar