Colt 9x23 info.

[WBB]

I have a chance to buy a never fired Colt 9x23 with box and papers from a co-worker that bought it new and it's been a safe queen. I've checked on the ammo, it's available but it's high. 38 super magazines are easy to find. To the ones that know are there any problems with this model/caliber?
I will probably buy it, I'd like to get as much info. on this as I can before I spend more money.

[Landman]

I've always wanted to get a Colt 1911 in 9x23 but have never come across one. I have never shot the round but from what I have read it is a beefed up 38 Super case without the semi rim. Ballistically it is more powerful than the 38 Super and is very similar to the 357 Sig.

If you buy the pistol you could have it fitted with a 38 Super barrel and be able to shoot both calibers. I believe Colt actually offered a model with both barrels.

[scott53]

I have one of the Colt 9x23 pistols and like it very much. I had Jim Garthwaite fit a 9x19 barrel to it. That way I can practice with relatively inexpensive 9x19 ammo then swap the barrel back to 9x23 for carry. Jim has specialized in the 9x23 for many years. I recommend that you go for it!

[daveohno]

If you have the spare cash, you should buy it. The ballistics on that 9X23 are powerful. If you can get a 9mm barrel fitted to this you could actually shoot this pistol with factory ammo and not empty your wallet. If you reload, 9X23 isn't that expensive, once you get the brass.

[WBB]

Thank's for the information, everybody. The more I learn about the 9x23 the more I like it. If we can agree on a price I may be posting a pic soon. I would hate to pass this one up.

[JTQ]

Burns Custom is a good source for 9x23Win information.

http://www.burnscustom.com/

It is the one caliber other than .45ACP I like to have for a 1911

[WBB]

Thank's for the info, we made a deal so I have a 9x23 Colt Govt. now. It has been fired exactly 53 times and the only blemish is an idiot scratch from the previous owner putting the slide stop in. He's a revolver guy.
Now I need lots of 9x23 ammo and time to go to the range.

[RickB]

Ballistically it is more powerful than the 38 Super and is very similar to the 357 Sig.

That's sort of a weird way of looking at it. More like, "357 SIG gets sort of in the same ballistic neighborhood as 9x23, but with less mag capacity". ;)
My concern would be running 45,000psi chamber-pressure loads with an unfitted barrel, in a gun designed for about 15,000psi; you might be relying on one barrel lug to take three times the load that the gun was designed to withstand with two lugs (in contact).

[husky]

I have a Colt 9x23 that I put a Nowlin barrel in and have had excellent results. The gun shoots very accurate with hand loads and factory Winchester ammo. I could not get the Colt barrel to shoot consistent groups with the ammo that I reload.