DoubleStar of Kentucky has announced the release of their “PHD” 1911. No, the gun is not really smart, its just dedicated to “Personal. Home. Defense.”

Created by the “OCD” staff at DoubleStar, the full-szie PhD is the “first in a series of pistols that provide a quality production gun and the features of a high-end 1911.” Normally, our dear readers would know I would scoff at the marketing department’s attempt to make a 1911 stand-out, but the features list is impressive.

The PhD does have quite a few features normally reserved for high-end handguns. The slide is flattened and serrated to reduce glare. Sights are from XS with an Express rear and tritium front. The frame has been equipped with a rounded butt and the beaver-tail is from Wilson Combat (in their high-ride form).

Sadly and surprisingly, the PhD neglects a picatinny rail, which I would personally consider critical to mounting a light and/or laser for a handgun that is aimed “for those unexpected nighttime encounters.”

No pricing has been published yet, so we shall see how close to the “low end” pricing that the gun with “high end” features comes.

DoubleStar offers numerous other platforms including a .308 rifle.

Specs from DoubleStar:

• WEIGHT: 33 oz.
• OVER ALL LENGTH: 7.375″
• CALIBER: .45
• BARREL LENGTH: 3.5″
• FRONT SIGHT: TRITIUM
• REAR SIGHT: XS SIGHT
• COLOR: BLACK