1911’s in 9mm have enjoyed some popularity in IDPA ESP division, which could be argued was basically created for this platform.
Is there any place for the same guns in USPSA? The “hammer down” rule in Production division prohibits starting from cocked-and-locked. So although not an outright ban, this probably negates any practical application. Upon drawing you would have to first rack the slide to chamber the first round before beginning the string – a substantial time investment for most shooters.
That leaves Single Stack Division, where .45 1911’s appear to dominate. True, with 9mm you would be getting scored using the minor power factor. You are also allowed two more rounds per mag though, so for some stages might get through with fewer reloads. The easier handling recoil might give a speed advantage as well.
Has anyone here competed in USPSA SS with a 1911 in 9mm? If so, with what success? Any other thoughts – constructive – also are welcomed.
Just as in any other division being scored minor, you have to get your hits. I have several friends that shoot 1911’s in single stack. Some just feel they shoot 9mm better. Gets your A’s, and get em fast, and you will do fine.
You can’t shoot a Single Action only pistol in uspsa production division.
Some shooters are running a 9mm in Single stack because it allows you to use 10 rd mags rather than 8 rounders. But the .40 S&W or .45ACP caliber still dominate because if the major power factor scoring.
Shoot accurately with all “A”'s and there is no disadvantage. The uspsa differentiation of power factors allows a not so skilled shooter to be rewarded with extra points for poor hits.
Always go for accuracy first. Speed will develop over time. Don’t get caught up in the ipsc run & gun mentality if you want to develop serious skills for self defense.
Find me a SS champ who has won with a 9mm minor gun?
Please, don’t further propagate the myth that major PF makes up for bad hits. This may happen at a local match with a huge disparity of skill where a guy can just straight blaze and beat the people with good hits because they are just going so painfully slow. I promise you you cannot blaze fast enough to beat good hits at a section/area/nats. You will get trampled.http://www.USPSA.org/uspsa-display-match-results-detail.php?indx=9714&division=Production&guntype=Pistol
And NO, DONT always go for accuracy first. The perfect shot that never happens is just as bad as the fastest shot that has no effect. High Speed Precision is the name of the game.
This is also the comp forum with a thread asking about comp guns. The OP wants to get serious skills and optimized gear for the exact division he wants to shoot it.
OP: from what I’ve seen, dealing with a “optimized” SS major gun IE one is .40 that is loaded “long” OAL isnt worth the trouble unless you know you have a builder who can do the gun right. At the least, I would try to find a used/rental TRP and make sure you get the thicker base pads for your mags. The stock ones on the 47d mags are a little short for full seating(more so with new mags) with any kind of mag well
In a correctly designed USPSA COF you would have a max of 8 shots per one view. I find that having 2 more rounds in the magazine is meaningless.
That said, my STI 9mm Legacy has 15000 rounds thru it. It is the perfect Steel Challenge pistol.
I also use the 9mm for classes with high round counts that beat up my hands from too many 45s.
I shot a single stack 9mm as an experiment for a few months and found that while i would win local matches in my division my points where nowhere near where they SHOULD be…
If you’re an A class shooter and you want to be competitive you really do need to be rolling a .40 or a .45.
If you’re just out there to have fun, run what ya brung.
Thanks for the replies folks – always good to get a diveristy of opinions.
I’ve been shooting both USPSA SS and IDPA CDP for the past year with a 1911 in .45. My 55-year-old hands already have some general issues though, which running a few K rounds at +165 power factor over the past several months hasn’t helped. Thus, my inquiry.
Another option would be to keep using the current gun, but lower the loads to minor power factor (all of my ammo is hand loaded). I realize this would involve re-tuning the gun – probably switching to a lower power recoil spring – and possibly other challenges. It also would not provide me the advantage of 10-round mags that a 9mm 1911 would have. Still cheaper than buying a whole new gun though, so I may give it a try. As far as I can tell, this set-up should also be legal for IDPA ESP.
BTW and also age-related, I’m definitely a competitor of the strictly for-fun variety. :dance3:
If you’re just looking to get out and shoot i would strongly recommend getting the 9mm gun.
I have never fired another handgun that handles the 9mm like the 1911.
As much as people love to trash it for being an abortion of a gun and “finicky” the recoil impulse is just plain nice. Even with 147-150k power factor loads, the thing soaks up the recoil and makes it more than manageable.
I’ve heard Yoda Ken H is now shooting a 9mm 1911 for comfort reasons. I would like to have one for range use and fun stuff, but I would prob side with getting a Sig 226 X5 SAO gun. Those are sweet guns but competition wise really only fit in optimally in ESP for IDPA.
With minor 9mm the rules allow you to run 10 round mags. With major .40 & .45 you are only allowed 8 round mags by rule. The extra ammo is the only reason to shoot a 9mm. Having 10 rounds for the 8 round arrays in USPSA is a distinct advantage.
I shoot SSTK with a 9mm 1911 and agree, the extra two rounds is huge. I’m primarily a Production division shooter and have found that shooting SSTK minor forces me to focus on accuracy and get my hits, which improves my scores in other divisions. I’ll agree that I don’t see anyone winning Single Stack Nationals with a minor PF, but if you can get your hits with the 9mm you’ll have learned to get your hits when you switch to major PF.
I’ve won quite a few club matches with my 9mm 1911 simply because I got better hits than the major PF guys.
And when all else fails, a 9mm 1911 is just a whole lot of fun!