M9 vs 1911 long term accuracy

Thinking of trying to make the step to a better gun. Does a Berettas loosen up quicker than a 1911? If a Beretta has steel rails put in does it last as long as a 1911?

talk to david Sams

Accuracy? Properly built pistol won't lose accuracy when it breaks in if optics are slide mounted or using irons. Slide to frame wear unless excessive or poorly built doesn't have much affect on shooting from hand. Barrel wear from bullets is its own beast. I've seen .38 spl barrels that only shot hbwc have roller coaster wear down the rifling. I've got some high mileage pistols that show no signs of wear since being built. Keep them well lubed. Poorly built pistol will show signs of wear early.
Jon

Thank you for the replies. I did call Mr Sams. He was very courteous and informative. He has not had to improve the barrel to frame fit before, although he has had to rebarrel the M9's with a higher round count. At this point because the CMP allows 9mm 1911 he feels that they may be superior. He mentioned that he finds that the M9's he makes shoot 1.3 inches or less at 50 yards, and the 9mm 1911 shoot 1 inch or less.
I also emailed David Salyer, he recommends a 1911 over a beretta for most shooters.

Wmvdg123 wrote:Thank you for the replies. I did call Mr Sams. He was very courteous and informative. He has not had to improve the barrel to frame fit before, although he has had to rebarrel the M9's with a higher round count. At this point because the CMP allows 9mm 1911 he feels that they may be superior. He mentioned that he finds that the M9's he makes shoot 1.3 inches or less at 50 yards, and the 9mm 1911 shoot 1 inch or less.
I also emailed David Salyer, he recommends a 1911 over a beretta for most shooters.

I don't really understand what you mean by "barrel to frame fit"? That is not an area that gets worn out. Did he say that or slide to frame fit or barrel to slide fit? I am guessing this was regarding the Beretta? Can you clear that up?

The barrel life round count is probably reduced because most people use jacketed bullets in 9mm especially for 50 yards, also the 9mm is a much higher pressure round than .45acp. Both of these issues transfer whether the 9mm barrel is in a Beretta or 1911 so the barrel life should be similar in both.

Sorry I meant slide to frame fit. The barrel can get worn out and need to be changed but the slide to frame is not an issue.

watch accuracy x video,comparing beretta vs 1911

folks that have been winning P100 and NTI, NTT seem to all shoot berettas, but the 1911 9mm is probably best option if you like 9mm

The top AMU team members would win with whatever gun they used, regardless. Some of the junior team members use a 9mm 1911 because the beretta is unforgiving to shoot, especially with small hands. It is very butt-heavy, and has a large grip. The top guys shoot the Beretta because it is the Army issue gun, not because it is better in some way. They will probably switch to the 320 soon for the same reason. It means a lot to win with the same gun that the joes are using.

I would base your decision on how well the Beretta fits your hand vs. the 1911. The other guys above have already spoken about accuracy and longevity, I really wouldn't factor that into your decision as both guns will outlast you if built properly.

I have carried the Beretta for 12 years and taken it to combat many times, for this reason I spent the $$$ on an accurized version, but it now stays in my safe. I can't shoot it well on the short line and don't have the time, resources or dedication that the AMU guys do to master it. 1911 grip thickness/angle, weight distribution and trigger work a lot better for me, has nothing to do with inherent accuracy or reliability.

That being said, one of these days when the bottom drops out of the market and they are super cheap, I may have to pick up a Sams beretta for the 'ol collection, just for the hell of it.

SmokinNJokin wrote:The top AMU team members would win with whatever gun they used, regardless. Some of the junior team members use a 9mm 1911 because the beretta is unforgiving to shoot, especially with small hands. It is very butt-heavy, and has a large grip. The top guys shoot the Beretta because it is the Army issue gun, not because it is better in some way. They will probably switch to the 320 soon for the same reason. It means a lot to win with the same gun that the joes are using.

I would base your decision on how well the Beretta fits your hand vs. the 1911. The other guys above have already spoken about accuracy and longevity, I really wouldn't factor that into your decision as both guns will outlast you if built properly.

I have carried the Beretta for 12 years and taken it to combat many times, for this reason I spent the $$$ on an accurized version, but it now stays in my safe. I can't shoot it well on the short line and don't have the time, resources or dedication that the AMU guys do to master it. 1911 grip thickness/angle, weight distribution and trigger work a lot better for me, has nothing to do with inherent accuracy or reliability.

That being said, one of these days when the bottom drops out of the market and they are super cheap, I may have to pick up a Sams beretta for the 'ol collection, just for the hell of it.

As good as Soko is he couldn’t win with a XDM. Since the service pistol rules aren’t as strict as they once were I wonder if we will see amu with p320s. Marine team shooters I saw were using 1911 45

I suspect the trigger plays a pretty big part. Hard to get a striker gun to have a short roll or crisp break, they have a fantastic smooth roll but it is REALLY long. I think the 320 has the edge over other striker guns in this regard.

I talked to Rob and the AMU about the XDM and they were were running pretty lightly modified guns, Rob's has the barrel welded up and refit+trigger job, I think Adam's had and aftermarket barrel and trigger group. I think everyone came to the conclusion that attempting to work on frame to slide fit was not worth the effort. As much as i like the XDM it looks like the 320 will leave it in the dust.

And just to irritate KC... who cares what the Marines are doing those guys are weirdos. They will probably adopt a magnum wheelgun as their new sidearm just to be different.

I have small hands and after shooting 7 EIC matches I've found out the M9 is just too big for my hand. I can't shoot as accurately as I can with the 9mm 1911.

M9 is like grabbing wrong end of a baseball bat. When I build guns for people with small hands I reduce front strap and grip safety in some cases as well as thinner grip panels. Makes a difference! Don't be shy about modding a frame to make it fit.
Jon