There aren't a lot of things that were released in 1911 that are still going strong. Cars are different. Homes are built different. The state of electronics is vastly different. The greatest creation of John Moses Browning, the 1911 pistol, however is still as robust and desirable as ever. Here are just some of the new 1911-style handguns released in 2020. They range from the mild to the wild, from expensive customs to affordable concealed-carry options.
Alchemy Custom Weaponry | Classic Carry
Reflecting vintage styling cues combined with modern firearm performance enhanced by state-of-the-art ergonomics, the Classic Carry is a 1911 build available with either traditional bluing or a hard-chrome finish. Additional chamberings include 9 mm and .38 Super.
▶ Ring hammer
▶ Tritium front sight
▶ Frontstrap and MSH Custom bordered checkering
▶ Hand beveled edges
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Weight: 36 ounces
MSRP: $2,795
(724) 676-1911 alchemy1911.com
The newest member of the Prime 1911 family, the Charcoal Blue adds a heritage-level finish, Nitre blue small parts and American Holly grips. It is also available in 9 mm and .38 Super.
Another collector-grade custom 1911, the Prime Color Case Hardened features Doug Turnbull’s Color Case Hardened Classic finish of the lower as well as satin polished flats and ball radius cuts and a gold-dot front sight. Caliber options also include 9 mm and .38 Super.
American Classic Arms | Bobcut
A Commander-size 1911 intended for concealed carry, the Bobcut has an abbreviated heel to reduce the likelihood of printing under clothing.
▶ Hammer-forged steel slide
▶ Choice of blue or hard-chrome finish
▶ Custom hardwood grips
▶ Fully adjustable Novak-style sights
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.88 inches
Weight: 35 ounces
MSRP: $549
(732) 493-0333 eagleimportsinc.com
Cabot Guns | Nero
With features including 13-degree front and rear cocking serrations, a high undercut trigger guard, integrated frame rail and Black Diamond checkering, the Nero is one fancy firearm. Two barrel lengths are available, as well as a 9 mm option.
▶ Flat, serrated trigger
▶ Billet thumb safety and beavertail grip safety
▶ Extended mag well
▶ Fiber-optic front and ACW Ledge rear sight
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Weight: 36.5 ounces
MSRP: $4,500
(724) 524-1002 cabotguns.com
Designed to increase reliability and speed up the slide cycle, the Cabot Rebellion is a significant leap forward in the design and function of the 1911. It contains three innovative mechanical changes to the 1911 platform: a re-imagined internal extractor, a new rail design with a lower friction coefficient and a novel lugless bull barrel.
▶ Front, top and rear slide serrations
Dan Wesson | DWX Compact
Combining the single-action operation of a 1911 with the ergonomics and capacity of a
CZ 75 frame, the new Dan Wesson is a compact, capacious and comfortable carry gun that’s also relatively light weight.
▶ CZ-style takedown via the slide stop
▶ Bushingless, match-grade barrel
▶ Double-stack magazines
▶ Easily customizable sights
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.47 inches
Weight: 27.5 ounces
MSRP: $1,799
(607) 336-1174 danwessonfirearms.com
Iver Johnson | Eagle XL CC
The all-steel Eagle XL CC offers enhanced sight radius and velocity, but limited muzzle rise, thanks to its 6-inch ported barrel. Its striking case-coloring makes it distinct and attractive. It’s also available in .45 ACP.
▶ Ported, extra-long barrel
▶ Case-colored frame
▶ Dymondwood grips
▶ Fully adjustable rear sights
Caliber: 10 mm
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 9.75 inches
Weight: 44 ounces
MSRP: $1,700
(321) 636-3377 iverjohnsonarms.com
Kimber | Rapide (Black Ice)
Truly unique, this 1911 with striking two-tone Kimpro finish and DLC coated barrel offers a variety of features and comes in two other chamberings including 9 mm and 10 mm.
▶ Stepped cocking serrations
▶ Slide lightening cuts
▶ TruGlo TFX Pro Day/Night sights
▶ High undercut trigger guard
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.7 inches
Weight: 38 ounces
MSRP: $1,490
(888) 243-4522 kimberamerica.com
Les Baer | 1911 Gunsite Pistol
Honoring the superior firearm training at Gunsite Academy, this 1911 is designed and built with real-world defensive features for personal protection and is designed for daily carry.
▶ 30 lpi checkered frontstrap
▶ National Match barrel
▶ Gunsite raven logo on single diamond deluxe wooden grips and rear of slide
▶ Front and rear cocking serrations
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 37 ounces
MSRP: $2,323
(563) 289-2126 lesbaer.com
Nighthawk Custom | Agent2 Commander
Nighthawk Custom has teamed up with Agency Arms, adding the latter’s precision-machined, highly detailed slide to the former’s vaunted frame and internals, creating a distinctive, Commander-size 1911 for concealed carry. It’s also available in 9 mm.
▶ Match bushing barrel
▶ Faceted slide with side windows
▶ Railscales G10 grips
▶ Nighthawk/Agency custom trigger
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.84 inches
Weight: 36 ounces
MSRP: $4,499
(870) 423-4867 nighthawkcustom.com
Springfield Armory | Ronin Operator
Featuring a forged-steel slide and frame as well as a hammer-forged barrel, this 1911 pistol sports a two-tone finish as well as a salt-bluing treatment. A 9 mm option is also available.
▶ Grip safety
▶ Fiber-optic front sight
▶ Crossed cannon laminate grips
▶ Gen 2 skeletonized speed trigger
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.6 inches
Weight: 40 ounces
MSRP: $849
(800) 680-6866 springfieldarmory.com
STD Manufacturing | Nickel Plated 1911
Not every pistol has to be utilitarian polymer. Standard Manufacturing took a page out of the Wayback machine and is offering a nickel-plated 1911 for fans of the 1911, zoot suits and Model A Fords. I mean, we are in the roaring ‘20s again, right?
▶ Lowered and flared ejection port
▶ Extended magazine release
▶ Match-grade trigger
▶ 4140 Carbon steel frame
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.6 inches
Weight: 30 ounces
MSRP: $1,499
(860) 225-6581 stdgun.com
Wilson Combat ACP Compact
Offering all of the precision, craftsmanship and quality consumers expect from the Wilson Combat brand in a lower price point, the ACP Compact offers features such as Eagle Claw grip and slide treatment along with other select customer-selected options.
▶ G10 Eagle Claw grips with black medallions
▶ Contoured magazine well
▶ Battlesight with red fiber optic front sight
▶ Eagle Claw frontstrap/mainspring housing treatment
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.6 inches
Weight: 36.9 ounces
MSRP: $2,595
(800) 955-4856 wilsoncombat.com
Wilson Combat Experior Commander Double Stack
Available in full-, commander-length or compact sizes, the Wilson Combat Experior is for those who desire a more capacious 1911 to meet their concealed-carry needs. Chamberings include 9 mm and .45 ACP.
▶ Enhanced-capacity, compact-size aluminum frame
▶ Reversed-crowned muzzle
▶ Countersunk slide stop
▶ Fluted barrel hood
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.85 inches
Weight: 30.2 ounces
MSRP: $3,045
(800) 955-4856 wilsoncombat.com
