retiredshooter Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 Looking at getting a alloy frame commander 1911 single stack for carry . I think bullet performance is close enough. The most important thing on my list is reliability . So which caliber 9mm or 38super and which mags ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMike Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 I would go with 9mm, simply because of the manufacturer defensive ammo that is available in the market. I’m not sure what is available in the 38 Super world but there is a lot available in 9mm. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeSoprano Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 There is a Dan Wesson guardian, 38 super listed on 1911addicts dot com right now, that's what I carry and love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 Any reason not to consider .40 or .45 ? They feed Very Well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrist Shot Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 Every time I trouble shoot a 1911 I hear the same thing and actually believe it. The gun was designed for 45. Everything else is adaptation. I have multiple 1911s in 9, 40, and 45. 45 is the most reliable. 9 is 2nd. I love 40 but it took a lot to get it dialed in and the load has to be just right. Sorry, I know you ask about 9 or 38S but HP Jack's question is a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamiltonian Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 For carry, I have an aluminum officer frame with a 4 inch slide from SA in 9mm. I had some work done on it, and It has been perfectly reliable. I can shoot light target loads and 9mm+P with the same recoil spring. I also use a 38 Super recoil spring and shoot 9mm major in. I use the 125 g Speer GD made for the 357 Sig cartridge and load it long to a velocity of 1350 fps. I know we're not supposed to use reloads for carry; they are my "woods carry loads." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredshooter Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 9 hours ago, Hi-Power Jack said: Any reason not to consider .40 or .45 ? They feed Very Well. Don't shoot 45 anymore , hands are going . After 3 mag my hand hurts for the rest of the day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodrowAugustus Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 38 Super is remarkably reliable in the 1911 platform due to the overall length. And with your parameters a Dan Wesson Guardian in 38 Super would be ideal. My favorite carry gun too, same as Duke mentioned above. Chip McCormick mags as well as Wilson Combat work flawlessly. Check out Georgia Arms for SD ammo that is potent and $0.50/per. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 I have several 1911 single stack guns and a 2011 Limited gun in 9mm. All are 100% reliable, accurate, and a pleasure to shoot. If you have one built or set up by someone who knows what he's doing, there won't be any issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 I'd go with 38 Super. An earlier comment is incorrect. The 1911 was originally designed around and chambered for the 38 Super. If you do go for 9mm, use the mags that came with the gun. 1911s are finicky about 9mm mags. I tried three brands before I found one that worked in the 9mm 1911 Open gun I just built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredshooter Posted May 21, 2019 Author Share Posted May 21, 2019 Thanks for the advice , thinking I'm going with 38 super thinking its got better mags available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic_USPSA_C Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 I have read a few for sale post that state their gun will run 38 super and 9mm major - can 9mm major ammo be shot in a 38 super? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevadazielmeister Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 30 minutes ago, Nic_USPSA_C said: I have read a few for sale post that state their gun will run 38 super and 9mm major - can 9mm major ammo be shot in a 38 super? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic_USPSA_C Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Any issues or problems with running 9mm Major in a 38 super gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Hello: You said it will be an aluminum frame and for carry. Why not just get one in 45 and be done. If you plan on shooting it alot then get a steel frame and 9mm. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredshooter Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 On 5/22/2019 at 9:53 AM, Aircooled6racer said: Hello: You said it will be an aluminum frame and for carry. Why not just get one in 45 and be done. If you plan on shooting it alot then get a steel frame and 9mm. Thanks, Eric A alloy commander is easier to carry and 45 kills my hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Biggest problem with selecting a carry gun is the "compromise" of large/small, light/heavy, powerful/lighter cartridge. If you're going to do a LOT of carrying, and very little shooting, might be good to go with a light .45. If you don't mind the weight, get a heavier gun which will be easier to shoot. You can get lighter .45 rounds, also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Not sure why people keep pushing him to .45. He explained why he wants 9/38, so the choice seems to be between those two. As for 9mm reliability in a 1911, there are no issues if the gun's built correctly and you have decent magazines. And performance-wise, there are plenty of ammo choices in 9/38 that will get the job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatPanda Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 9mm for the ease of available defense ammunition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary1911A1 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Since you are looking at getting a Commander for carry I think 38Super is the right choice as reliability is #1 in a pistol carried for defense and all things equal the 38Super is more reliable being the same length as the 45ACP which the 1911 design was built for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMike Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 My advice is to shoot a 38 Super side by side with a 45 acp. You might be surprised with the recoil of a 38 Super and a defensive load. If you go with something like a Springfield Armory EMP4, you get a 1911 pistol redesigned specially for the 9mm cartridge and it will shoot softer than a 1911 38 Super or 45 ACP. Good luck to you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredshooter Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 Thanks for all the input , going to shoot a light 38 super tomorrow and see how the hand feels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catmanduex Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 11 hours ago, retiredshooter said: Thanks for all the input , going to shoot a light 38 super tomorrow and see how the hand feels. I have several Supers and gone-to-hell hands. .38 Super loaded down to minor is a joy to shoot. For some reason, perhaps the way it cycles the gun, 9mm isn’t the same. It should be, but it’s not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredshooter Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 On 5/24/2019 at 4:18 PM, JMike said: My advice is to shoot a 38 Super side by side with a 45 acp. You might be surprised with the recoil of a 38 Super and a defensive load. If you go with something like a Springfield Armory EMP4, you get a 1911 pistol redesigned specially for the 9mm cartridge and it will shoot softer than a 1911 38 Super or 45 ACP. Good luck to you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Well its solved. Shot 2 guns ,both alloy commanders . The 9mm won me over . Shot both with +p and the 9mm is significantly softer shooting. Thanks for all the help ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMike Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 Well its solved. Shot 2 guns ,both alloy commanders . The 9mm won me over . Shot both with +p and the 9mm is significantly softer shooting. Thanks for all the help !Gratz!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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