Downsizing to a 9mm 1911

[ezekiel38]

I know it is heresy to many but I carry one of three weapons for SD: a Colt DS, a Smith 640 Pro, or a Ruger LW Commander in 45ACP. Been doing a lot of study on shooting the 9mm as a SD cartridge. Avoided 9s like the plague back during the "80s" and the drug wars, they were big (think Beretta 92) and the ammo was iffy for stopping power with the short barrels. When in uniform carried a Colt Gold Cup, promoted to plainclothes carried a Colt LW Commander with 185 JHPs usually Federal.

In 1997 personal handguns were verboten and I was issued a Glock 23. My hand and the Glock to this day have never enjoyed a good relationship.

Last week had some odds and ends of 45 auto lying around so off to the range and fired a couple of hundred rounds from assorted loads to get the brass! It turned out to be a chore after firing a couple of hundred hardball equivlent rounds down range. Picking up brass was kind of a relief. I know "old age"!

Spring is here and the 1911 Commander sized pistols are harder to conceal than they used to be. Walked into a gun store to purchase some components and low and behold there under the glass was a Springfield Armory EMP 4" in 9mm.

Smaller scale 1911 with ambi safeties, I'm a leftie, and a decent trigger at 5-6 pds. But it has a 10rd magazine and one in the pipe makes 11. A deal was struck and the little unit sits in "lay-a-way pergatory". It comes with 3 mags and a fiber optic front sight. Unknown where to locate extra mags as Mec-Gar who does the contract work for SA hasn't answered my email. Have an email into SA also, awaiting reply.

Carry ammo will probably be Gold Dot 9mm 124+P at 1200 out of the unit!

33 years of law enforcement I always prided myself into not being a dinosaur and being able to keep up with the latest coming out of the Feds or State. I think this will be my last adaptation.

Should have the weapon home by May 1, I'll keep you informed.

[Yetiman]

Since the early 90's my 9mm 1911 has been a Novak built Browning Hi Power. It still sees regular rotation, but I understand your situation.

I have found myself carrying a Colt Officers model a lot lately for it's small size (3.5"bbl and shorter grip) as well as a Wilson built 45 with a 4" bbl and a light weight shorter Officers size frame.

I can see where the added capacity and even lighter weight of a 9mm version would be very appealing.

[mic214]

Back when I first became a LEO in the late 70's, I carried a Colt Commander in 9mm for a short period of time. I had two of them back then, a blued one that had a spur hammer and a satin nickel one that had a ring style hammer. Both were great pistols. I ended up switching out to a BHP for more magazine capacity.

Unfortunately I ended up selling off both of my 9mm Commanders. I knew a trooper in a neighboring agency that carried a 9mm Colt Govt Model and that was a sweet shooter. I wouldn't mind picking up one of those someday.

My current BHP is a 73C series. I have installed a set of MK-III grips and a ring hammer from an Argentine HP. I had the ambi safety installed by Don Williams:

[ezekiel38]

Thank you Yetiman, I find 45 recoil slows me down and over time and rounds fatigues me. The micro 9s give up the advantage of round count and the old days of single assailants is vaporizing. Mic214, your model of High Power used to show up at shoots for qual for off duty and plainclothes weapons. Your model ran well with good accuracy. The later one with the Browning adjustable sight, taken from their BLRs would self destruct from time to time. High Powers have been the standard the world over for 3/4s of a century or more. Good choice!

[smirker]

I think the EMP is a good choice if you are off the street and not doing follow ups or snatching up bodies on warrants. I have carried a Glock 22 for the last twenty years. I could carry a 1911 but want high capacity in the gun and in my mag. pouches. Even though I have two long guns in the vehicle the duty sidearm is always my primary weapon. As far as the 9mm and the FBI......I think they may have been suckered into a smaller caliber for easier qualifications and more importantly........their weapon of choice (Hint) will actually hold up to in 9mm. Just my opinion on the place for the 1911 in the current law enforcement. Its my favorite gun, but not the tool for my job.....for about 4.5 more years, I hope.
Enjoy your EMP and stay safe!

[ezekiel38]

Smirker thanks for adding to the conversation! Understand warrant service and I ask God to Bless you in the service of those papers and the apprehension of "neer-do-wells". I'm too old for the game and thank God I retired with all the essential parts in working order!

I oversaw our transition from Model 19s to Glock 23s! Transitioned 122 officers, male and female! Most of them close to firearms illiterate, by choice!GO FIGURE!

The Glocks we made the "carrry gun and only carry gun" was the Model 23, Gen 3. It was an is a fine weapon, lots of ammo and power in a handy package! The Model 22 is right there with the 23 if not a bit better. Each instructor received 500 rds to transition, each officer 300! Not one jam was experienced by anyone during the transition. Dead nuts reliable! I stopped bitching about the souless machines and learned to shoot mine and appreciate it.

[seak89]

Just picked up a 94 Hi Power And my 1911 side is happy

[ezekiel38]

High Powers will never fade away! It's my day off today and I've been ruminating about this SA EMP4, 11 shots of 9mm in a 1911 package! With the advances in ammo and the unwillingness of my joints to withstand the pounding of 45s, at defense level loads, I'm putting a lot of hopes on this machine.

I'm going to pay it's way out of Pergatory this morning and take it to the range and see how it behaves! Want to try some 124 grain +Ps to see if they work for a defense load. I live 17 miles from the land of ATK/Speer but cannot find their ammo anywhere, unless on line! So I'll go to my usual haunts and pick up some Hornady ammo, I can always find Hornady in the land of ATK!

If it is too rambunctious of a load I will be happy with a standard 115 JHP.

According to all the gun guys who write and video their impressions of weapons, the EMP 4, will fit nicely in gear I have for my Commander, that's a bonus and I have a Mitch Rosen mag pouch for single stack 9mm that's adjustable. Keep you posted.

[perterra]

Hi Power here, a 1940's war time gun brought up to current specs.

[ezekiel38]

I like the HiPower and it is a great weapon, used the world over. Been in service for 81 years! Bought the EMP4 today and got to go to the range for a few and put 50 down range without a hiccup!

It fits my Commander gear perfectly, so that's an immediate benefit, no leather to purchase!


Pics to follow.

[Yetiman]

That's a nice bonus too !

[ezekiel38]

Shot the EMP yesterday and I love it. I shot well with it, but not up to the potential of the weapon! HERE'S A PIC:

[ezekiel38]

Just ordered spare mags from Springfield this morning, this is a shooter and a keeper. Got a discount of 10 bucks a mag from Springfield!

ANOTHER PIC: This one with an old Sparks Summer Special I purchased in 1980. Always buy quality, in the long run it's cheaper!

[perterra]

Nice looking handgun, Nice shooter too

[ezekiel38]

Thanks Perterra! I shoot a little high with it so I will be using a 6 o'clock hold with it. Carry ammo is going to be the 124 grain Federal Hydra Shok +P for 1200 fps. Practice ammo will just be what's on the shelf. The target above was Federal white box 115 grain ball. Going to the range again this am!