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The wife is searching for a new gun and she likes the way the grip feels on the 1911's, but she is more comfortable shooting a 9mm. Also, she doesn't like the extra weight of the steel body.

Anyone make a 1911 style 9mm in plastic? I've been able to find a couple 1911 style 9mm pistols... and a couple plastic 1911s in .45... but so far nothing that combines them all.

http://www.stiguns.com or http://www.sviguns.com

It's not plastic but a full size lower weight 1911 is the S&W 1911PD which has the aluminum alloy frame. It is about 10 oz lighter than the steel frame 1911. A good 9mm option is the Kimber 9mm, aluminum frame 4" barrel 1911. I don't know the weight but it is much lighter than the full size steel frame 1911 in 45acp.

I have both of these and they are very good reliable handguns. I never leave the house in the evenings or during the weekend without one of them on my belt.

Ya know, a Springfield EMP is only about 4 ounces more than a Glock 17, and is slightly smaller than the 17 in both height and length. Compared to a Glock 19, the EMP is about the same size, but weighs about five ounces more. Of course she would have to make the decision as to whether or not an extra four or five ounces is too much, but take into consideration that the extra weight might help to soak up a bit of recoil too.

The only bad thing about the EMP is that they aren't cheap, and because of their popularity, can be hard to find.

hth,
PhilR.

I like 1911s, and I love polymer guns. But the grip on a polymer 1911 never feels right.

Para Ordnance makes the 45 in alloy, (mine weighs 25 oz) and I think they make a 9mm in alloy also. They make very good firearms.

Its not a polymer frame but this might be of interest to you (if it hasnt already been posted)

http://www.taurususa.com/products/produ ... ory=Pistol

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: 1911B-1-9
Caliber: 9 mm
Capacity: 9+1
Barrel Length: 0
Action: SA
Finish: Blue
Weight: 32 oz
Construction: Steel/Alloy
Frame: Large
Length: 0
Rate of Twist: 1:1:16"
Grooves: 6
UPC: 7-25327-60279-8
Order #: 1-191101-B1-9
MSRP: $650.00
Status: T.B.A.

Molon_labe wrote:Its not a polymer frame but this might be of interest to you (if it hasnt already been posted)

http://www.taurususa.com/products/produ ... ory=Pistol

If you like it i hate to bust your bubble but that pistol is not set to be released to the public till mid 2008 or later. I already contacted taurus about it...

If you're really just looking for a polymer, single-stack 9mm, (and not necessarily a 1911) you might want to check out the Walther PPS. The couple of range reports I've heard so far have been very favorable.

-Xander

Thanks all... we've got some things to check out now.

Those STI guns look great but they are a bit on the expensive side

We'll look into the alloy frames... might be light enough for her.

I've never personally seen a polymer 1911, but may I suggest that she try a H&K USP Compact/9mm. No offense to the Glock/XD/M&P dudes, but H&K USP's are the only polymer-framed pistols that I have ever really liked or trusted (or bought, for that matter). I've enjoyed shooting the USP Compact so much, that I recently acquired a fullsize USP in .45 ACP. As with any H&K product, cost can be prohibitive, but the reliability of the weapon is unquestioned.

Also, both of my USP's have "control levers" which function/resemble the thumb safeties on 1911's. However, in the variant 1 USP's, the control lever functions as both a manual safety and decocker (the pistol is DA/SA)...the decocker has a positive stop and the control lever automatically returns to the "fire" position if the hammer is decocked (convenient feature if you mistakenly decock the hammer in a high-stress situation).

Just my two cents...

george wrote:let's see now....

1911 style,

polymer frame,

9mm.

The worst of all possible worlds.

"To each his own"

LOL dude!

I'd likely concur on the first point due to reliability issues with many, but not all, 1911-style makes. However, the right polymer frame design can be utterly reliable (see my previous commentary on the USP), this is why many real-world "operators" (i.e., SEALS, "Delta"/Army SF, SAS, etc.) choose to carry an H&K Mark 23 Mod 0 or a USP (both are polymer-framed pistols, by the way). These guys can have any weapon they want, they pick an H&K, or sometimes, a Sig.

Now, are we civvies likely to need that kind of reliabilty out of a carry weapon...probably not, but its nice to have!

As for 9mm, with good shot placement and the correct ammo, it'll do the trick. The caliber still exists for a reason.

badkarma56 wrote:

george wrote:let's see now....

1911 style,

polymer frame,

9mm.

The worst of all possible worlds.

"To each his own"

LOL dude!

I'd likely concur on the first point due to reliability issues with many, but not all, 1911-style makes. However, the right polymer frame design can be utterly reliable (see my previous commentary on the USP), this is why many real-world "operators" (i.e., SEALS, "Delta"/Army SF, SAS, etc.) choose to carry an H&K Mark 23 Mod 0 or a USP (both are polymer-framed pistols, by the way). These guys can have any weapon they want, they pick an H&K, or sometimes, a Sig.

Now, are we civvies likely to need that kind of reliabilty out of a carry weapon...probably not, but its nice to have!

As for 9mm, with good shot placement and the correct ammo, it'll do the trick. The caliber still exists for a reason.

I like plastic and weight has very little to do with why. Its more comfortable against bare skin than metal and sweat doesn't stain or rust it. That being said my plastic Ruger has proven itself to be very reliable.

Liberty wrote:

badkarma56 wrote:

george wrote:let's see now....

1911 style,

polymer frame,

9mm.

The worst of all possible worlds.

"To each his own"

LOL dude!

I'd likely concur on the first point due to reliability issues with many, but not all, 1911-style makes. However, the right polymer frame design can be utterly reliable (see my previous commentary on the USP), this is why many real-world "operators" (i.e., SEALS, "Delta"/Army SF, SAS, etc.) choose to carry an H&K Mark 23 Mod 0 or a USP (both are polymer-framed pistols, by the way). These guys can have any weapon they want, they pick an H&K, or sometimes, a Sig.

Now, are we civvies likely to need that kind of reliabilty out of a carry weapon...probably not, but its nice to have!

As for 9mm, with good shot placement and the correct ammo, it'll do the trick. The caliber still exists for a reason.

I like plastic and weight has very little to do with why. Its more comfortable against bare skin than metal and sweat doesn't stain or rust it. That being said my plastic Ruger has proven itself to be very reliable.

Liberty, that's a very good point to make, there are no corrosion/finish issues with plastic! Moreover, modern polymer frames also "flex" a bit under fire, thus reducing felt recoil in many firearms. This is one of the reasons that 10mm recoil is tolerable (for some that is) in the Glock 20; whereas the same powerful round rendered the Colt Delta Elite (stainless frame=rigidity/no "flex") virtually unusable for many shooters due to excessive recoil.

Indeed, the polymer-framed Glock 20 probably does the best job of any available pistol in terms of taming the powerful 10mm cartridge. If only H&K would make the USP in 10mm...that would be a truly awesome pistol!