By Caleb Daniels

In this article, we will explore 5 of the best types of 1911 pistols and provide you with examples, spanning new production and timeless classics, to help you in the journey of finding the best 1911 pistol for you.

The 1911. Known as America’s sidearm, this pistol has a legacy that is unrivaled. It is the GI’s Excalibur. This pistol belongs in every firearms collection, because within it is the story of over a century of service for both those in uniform and regular citizenry. The 1911 defined the shooting sports of the Post-War era, and its impact still drives the firearms industry. 

I grew up in a house where my father, a hunter primarily, owned a single pistol, a stainless 5-inch Colt 80 Series .45 ACP. My grandfather, however, was a passionate collector of the platform. So many can recite a similar story.

What makes the 1911 so timeless is the simple fact that it is far more than a handgun — it is a canvas. The 1911 platform can be modified in innumerable ways to suit the needs of its user. A new production gun can be built to replicate the aesthetics of a gun built in the early years, or it can be reimagined as a double stack 9mm with a Trijicon SRO and Surefire X300. However, at its core, it is still a 1911.

Starters — Springfield Armory Mil Spec & Garrison Pistols

For someone eager to get into the 1911 platform, but not quite ready to spend the serious cash that higher-end manufacturers command, the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911 series is a good place to start. These pistols start at $725 and are stylized in homage to the GI 1911. Naturally, not all aesthetics found on the Mil-Spec series are entirely accurate, but these pistols offer the new 1911 shooter a great introduction into the platform. 

Another great starter pistol is the Springfield Garrison. While remaining relatively traditional in its styling, it brings in updates that have become the standard in most 1911s as of late. These include improved three-dot sights and an extended beavertail with memory bump. If you are looking for a happy middle between a true classic and a modern pistol under $1,000, the Garrison is a brilliant starting point.

The Classic 1911

Whole books have been written about the USGI 1911 (all 1911 fans would do well to track down the Vickers Guide 1911 series of books for their coffee tables). It is a dream gun for many. A wartime or pre-war 1911 is a venerable option, especially for those keen on getting a proper Colt M1911 or M1911A1. These historical icons are jewels in any collection.

Other manufacturers assisted in the war effort due to Colt’s production limitations. To that end there are some very exciting wartime 1911s to consider outside of Colt’s Manufacturing. Some of the more common options were produced by Remington Rand and Ithaca Gun Co. While the fit and finish may not be to the expectation of modern shooters, the historical aspect of these guns cannot be understated. When people joke about a gun that won two World Wars, these are those firearms. 

Double Stacks — Staccato C2

Not everyone loves the 45 ACP, the traditional chambering of the 1911, preferring the 9mm for its power, recoil and round count. Some of those same folks, however, desire something that blends modern expectations with the classic lines of the 1911. Because of this, the double stack 1911 in 9mm has become incredibly popular. 

Staccato’s series of 2011 pistols have become the mass introductory point for modern inclined shooters into the world of the 1911. The Staccato C2 offers a standard 4- to 4.5-pound trigger pull, 3.9-inch barrel and 16-round magazines. It also comes with optic cuts and accessory rails, giving traditional Glock 19 shooters an easy transition into the 1911 platform. 

Other brands have quickly expanded production lines to meet this need. Like the traditional 1911, these vary in price and quality, spanning from the Tisas 1911 Duty Double Stack 9MM to the Cabot Insurrection.

Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime 

For those who might already have a 1911, a semi-custom 1911 is a fantastic route to go. Designing a gun to your own specifications from a base design is an exciting opportunity. A “semi-custom” 1911 is a gun that is offered from a manufacturer with stock options, but with the opportunity to make certain modifications. 

Examples may include finishes, flush cut and crowned barrels, ball cuts, mag wells and trigger guard modifications. There’s something to be said about knowing an American craftsman has worked over the chosen defensive tool by hand to your selections. 

My personal 1911 and daily carry, a 5-inch Alchemy Prime, has gone with me everywhere, from the mountains of Alaska to the farmer’s market with my wife. I think that is the magic of the 1911. It’s a part of the American legacy, and the feeling of one in the holster or in the hand is unrivaled. Ample options exist in the semi-custom space, from Wilson Combat to Nighthawk, Ed Brown 1911s and more. 

Base Builders — Colt 70 Series

The history of the 1911 is one of customization. From the early days of the platform, gunsmiths took base 1911s and elevated them to an incredible level. This practice is still alive today. Custom gunsmiths can take a stock 1911 and produce an incredibly well fit, customized pistol. 

The key is to have a proper base pistol from which to work. It’s the happy medium between starter pistols and historical models. While you can use a base Springfield as a template for a custom gun, firearms like the Colt Series 70 are fantastic options for this journey. This provides the opportunity to build the best 1911 for you, with the familiar Colt Pony proudly displayed on the slide.

Choosing the Best 1911

The 1911 as a platform has been chambered in a variety of calibers, along with an impossible number of options to ensure that you will always have something new to discover. More than that, I can say with absolute certainty that because of these options, there is no doubt that there is a best 1911 out there for every American.

The author works in a contractual capacity with Cabot Guns and Alchemy 1911, though did own the Prime referred to in this article prior to becoming an employee of the firm.

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Tags: 1911, 1911 pistol, 2011, Alchemy Custom Weaponry, Colt, Springfield Armory, Staccato