DoubleStar has issued a press release announcing their “first-ever handgun”. From the press release (emphasis mine):

Accuracy, reliability and American pride. They are qualities DoubleStar builds into each of its many AR-15 offerings. Now, the Kentucky-based manufacturer is bringing those same attributes down to size by building them into its first-ever handgun.

The new DoubleStar 1911

All very well and good except this is not the first DoubleStar handgun. The pistol below is on listed at BudsGunShop.com as a “Doublestar 1911 5″ Govt 45acp made in Winchester Ky.”. THe DoubleStar logo is clearly visible on the slide. Searching Google for “doublestar 1911” comes up with many forum postings mentioning the DoubleStar 1911 Government model pistol since at least 2006.

Innocent break down in communication between management and PR? Rewriting history? Outright deception? I don’t know.

Anyway, the specs for the new pistol are:

Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Parkerized
Weight (unloaded): 38 oz.
Length: 8”
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights: Novak white Dot
Capacity: 8 + 1 rounds
Grips: Buyer’s choice (Ergo, Stryder, walnut, other woods)

It features 1913 rail, National Match stainless barrel, Greider trigger, Ed Brown’s Memory Grip Safety and choice of a square or round trigger guard. It will retail for under $1200.