I'm no expert, but I have a strong suspicion that the rumors about the 1911's reliability (or lack thereof) in 9mm and other calibers beyond .45 Auto, are probably more to do with certain parts not being sufficiently different from .45-specific parts. Extractors and ejectors come to mind. Sometimes even slidestops. I think such parts are probably a bigger cause for reliability issues than anything else.
Springfield modified the EMP series of guns to be a bit shorter through the magazine and the rear of the slide, to take advantage of the smaller caliber. We once had a fierce debate about whether they did it for reliability or just to make the frames better for folks with small hands. Well, Springfield made (and AFAIK still makes) full-size 9mm 1911s, none of which follow that pattern, so apparently they're not worried about reliability in such guns. Hmm.
I have a 5" 1911 DOUBLESTACK in 9mm (ParaUSA P18.9)... so, not a short gun, but different from normal 1911 spec in a number of ways. It's as reliable as an anvil, in addition to being nearly as heavy as one.
Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.
M. Setter
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