The Firearm Blog

In 2007 Sig Sauer came out with a Blackwater branded Sig P226. This year they have partnered with Blackwater to produce a 1911. It features picatinny rail, custom wood grips with blackwater logo, Nitron coated stainless steel slide and SIGLITE night sights.

Specs:
Caliber: .45 ACP
Mag Capacity: 8 rounds
Action Type: Single Action
Trigger Pull SA: 5 lbs
Barrel Length: 5″
Weight w/Mag: 41.6 oz
Options : Checkered front strap, Blackwater logo engraved on top of slide

The MSRP is $1290.

More info here.

From Chris @ American Tactical Imports:

I can say that it feels just like holding an actual 1911, will come with a 10 round magazine and will be of fine German engineering. We have an expected MSRP of $369.00 on it but that is subject to change once we receive final importation clearance and see all the manufacturing costs. Check back with us later in the year on tat.

More about the pistol here.

STI International are the latest addition to brethren-of-ar-15-manufactures, joining fellow 1911 pistol makers such as Wilson Combat and Para Ordnance (the Para TTR is based on the AR platform).

The Bane holding the new STI Tactical AR-15. Video is here.

Two models will be available. The Tactical / sporting model features:

Chambered in 5.56mm NATO, the 16-in. 410 SS barrel features a 1:8 twist with a mid-length gas system. Featuring a Nordic Tactical Compensator and JP Trigger group, this rifle also includes a custom STI Valkyrie hand guard and gas block.

Specs:

Trigger: JP Trigger group
Barrel: 16″, 410 stainless steel, 1 in 8 twist, 1/2″ x 28 thread for the compensator
Compensator: Nordic Components Tactical Compensator
Gas Block: Custom STI Valkyrie Gas Block
Handguard: Custom STI Valkyrie Hand Guard
Sights : none
Overall Length : 36″
Weight: Competition: 6 lbs., 10 oz. Tactical: 6 lbs., 7.8 oz.
Finish: Black Teflon Coating over hard anodize
Competition Approvals: USPSA

STI Tactical model.

The competition model features:

The STI Valkyrie Competition hand guard has all the same great features as the Tactical model, with a 12″ OA length for increased stability for the competitive Shooter. The STI Valkyrie Competition Gas Block is light weight and concealed under the hand guard. The entire rifle has an anodized finish with black Teflon coating.

STI Tactical Competition model.

I am not sure what the pricing on the competition model will be.

More info at STI.

Dr. StrangeGun has taken a bunch of photos showing how to detail strip a 1911 pistol.

Dr. StrangeGun’s 1911 based Space Gun (MechTech CCU 1911 carbine)

Read it here.

Canadian pistol manufacturer Para Ordnance are moving their headquarters and manufacturing to Charlotte NC. Charlotte Business Journal reports:

The company leased a Pineville facility and estimates 35 to 40 jobs will be filled, mostly in manufacturing and machining.

Para Chief Executive Thanos Polyzos says the company wanted to establish a U.S. headquarters to be eligible for more military and law-enforcement contracts.

How much of its manufacturing, if any, will remain in Canada is not clear.

UPDATE: JR @ Keyboard and a .45 has just point out that this also allows them to get round any import restrictions, now or in the future.

Hat Tip: I can’t remember where I saw this link! If it was your blog let me know

GSG, our favorite German manufacturer of 22-caliber-firearms-pattered-after-other-firearms-and-endoresed-by-Kalashnikov-himself, have developed a .22 1911 pistol.

Click to expand.

American Tactical Imports will be importing the GSG 1911. Like the GSG AK and the GSG MP5 this pistol will probably not be a 1911 .22 conversion but a new design build specifically for the .22 LR cartridge.

I have emailed ATI asking about specs, availability and pricing. Hopefully they will take the time to get back to me.

UPDATE: coctailer took some photos at shot:

Thanks to Fred for the link.

UPDATE:

From Chris at ATI:

I can say that it feels just like holding an actual 1911, will come with a 10 round magazine and will be of fine German engineering. We have an expected MSRP of $369.00 on it but that is subject to change once we receive final importation clearence and see all the manufacturing costs. Check back with us later in the year on tat.

Rumors of the Sig P238 have been floating around the ‘net for a while now. They have turned out to be true. Sig Sauer P238 is a remake of the single action Colt Mustang which was discontinued just over a decade ago.

Sig Sauer P238 .380 ACP. Two tone. Click to expand image.


Colt Mustang .380 ACP. Photo by HiVelSword.

It is a single action pistol with an aluminum frame and a steel slide. From the press release:

With an overall length of just 5.5 inches a height of 3.96 inches, and weighing just under a pound, the SIG SAUER P238 is the ultimate firepower in an all metal frame concealed pistol. The P238 is built on an anodized alloy beavertail style frame with fluted aluminum grips for comfort and a secure hold during rapid-fire usage. The stainless steel slide features the popular SIG SAUER slide serrations and improves overall performance and accuracy.

It will come in two finishes, Black Nitron and Two Tone. Two sights will be available: contrast sights or SIGLITE Sights. This makes a total of four models. Pricing is below:

238-380-B MSRP $ 515.00
Black Nitron finish, Contrast Sights

238-380-BSS MSRP $ 558.00
Black Nitron finish, SIGLITE Sights

238-380-T MSRP $ 529.00
Two Tone, Contrast Sights

238-380-TSS MSRP $ 572.00
Two Tone, SIGLITE Sights

1200773 – Extra 6 round magazines MSRP $ 44.00

This should really appeal to 1911 fans, especially Colt Mustang fans. Time will tell if it is enough to compete with the plethora of sub-compact .380 pistols out there.

I will update this post as more information becomes available.

UPDATE: High quality photo from Ken.

Photo Copyright Ken Lunde. Used with permission.

UPDATE: The specs from the press release:

Frame Material: Aluminum
Frame Finish: Black Hard Coat Anodize
Slide Material: Stainless Steel
Slide Finish: Nitron or Natural Stainless
Length Overall: 5.5”
Height Overall: 3.9”
Width Overall: 1.1”
Barrel Length: 2.7”
Sights: Post & Dot Contrast, SIGLIGHT Night Sights
Sight Radius: 3.8”
Weight w/out mag: 15.2 oz.
Mag capacity: 6 rounds.

Reacting to many requests from the marketplace for a subcompact SIG SAUER pistol, engineers designed the new P238 as a smart looking, small handgun built with the same accuracy and reliability as large frame SIG SAUER pistols. With an overall length of just 5.5 inches a height of 3.96 inches, and weighing just under a pound, the SIG SAUER P238 is the ultimate firepower in an all metal frame concealed pistol. The P238 is built on an anodized alloy beavertail style frame with fluted aluminum grips for comfort and a secure hold during rapid-fire usage. The stainless steel slide features the popular SIG SAUER slide serrations and improves overall performance and accuracy. Additionally, the contrast or SIGLITE® Night Sights are removable and adjustable for windage. The sear and trigger return spring are redesigned to prevent spring over-ride of the ejector during assembly. Two finishes are available; Two-tone and corrosion resistant Nitron®. The new SIG SAUER P238 is shipped in a lockable hard case with one 6 round magazine at an MSRP starting at $515.00 for the Nitron® with contrasting sights. For more information, log on to www.sigsauer.com.

Press release photo

Hat Tip: 1911Forum, SigForum and GHG

The GI Expert is a new entry level .45 1911 pistol from Para USA.

A 1911 for the 21st Century – it feels like an old friend, the one that the company armorer worked over for you to earn your Expert Marksman’s badge. Using new millennium technology Para has built you a production .45 that is silky smooth with a crisp, clean trigger that makes you the best shot you can be.

Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 5 inches, stainless steel
Twist: 1 in 16 inches, left-hand
Action: Single-action, Semi-automatic
Sights: Dovetail Fixed, 3-White Dot
Receiver: Carbon Steel
Trigger: Medium length
Hammer: Skeletonized Spur
Magazine: 8-round with removable base pad
Weight: 39 ounces
Finish: Covert Black Para Kote™
Stocks: Checkered Polymer
Safeties: Slide Lock, Internal Firing Block, Grip
Additional Features: Lowered and flared ejection port, beveled magazine well, flat mainspring housing, grip safety contoured for spur hammer

The introductory MSRP is $599.

More info here.

S&W will be selling a sub compact 1911 pistol called the “Model SW1911 .45ACP Sub Compact – Pro Series”. It features an Oversized External Extractor, 3-Hole Curved Trigger with Overtravel Stop and a Full Length Guide Rod.

Model SW1911 .45ACP Sub Compact – Pro Series

Specs:
Caliber: .45ACP
Frame Size: Sub Compact
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds
Action: Single Action
Barrel Length: 3″
Front Sight: Dovetail White Dot
Rear Sight: Fixed White 2-Dot
Overall Length: 6 7/8″
Weight Empty: 24 oz.
Grip: Fully Stippled Synthetic
Frame Material: Scandium Alloy
Slide Material: Carbon Steel
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Matte Black

MSRP: $1,264

Hat Tip: The High Road and Guns Holsters and Gear

Another 9mm from S&W this year is the Model SW1911 9mm Pro Series. The stainless 9mm 1911 features:

* Crisp 4# – 5-1/2# Trigger Pull
* 30 LPI Checkered Front Strap
* Hand Polished Integral Feed Ramp
* Precision Crowned Muzzle
* Oversized External Extractor
* Full Length Guide Rod
* Double Sided Frame Safety
* Extended Mag Well
* Stoned Hammer and Sear

Specs:
Capacity: 10+1
Action: Single Action
Barrel Length: 5″
Front Sight: Dovetail White Dot
Rear Sight: Fixed White 2-Dot
Overall Length: 8 3/4″
Weight Empty: 38.5 oz.
Grip: Fully Stippled Wood
Material: Stainless Steel Frame, Slide and Barrel
Finish: Matte Silver

MSRP is $1635

You were warned … This is the Frankenstein’s monster of early 20th Century American arms:

An M103 Springfield in an SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) configuration presumably converted to .45 ACP with a 1911 pistol grip being used as the magazine well.

It is hideous. Something only its mother could love!

Hat Tip: Хроники безумного Макса

Reader Beau emailed me this video. It shows a RC Helicopter firing a Springfield 1911 .45 ACP pistol.

I am impressed by the accuracy. The recoil does not seem to be much and at first I wondered if the video was a hoax. But it looks like it is a big RC helicopter, which has a lot of forward thrust which would counter some of the recoil.

What does legendary gun smith Bill WIlson carry? The “Bill Wilson Carry Pistol”.

From Wilson Combat:

After the Television appearances by the boss (Bill Wilson), we received so many calls to find out which pistol Bill carries on a daily basis. Well here it is!! The “Bill Wilson Carry Pistol” is the pistol Bill carries every day.

He gave me the complete list of his favorite touches and how a carry gun should be outfitted. Take a Wilson Combat CQB Compact, add the new “Round Butt” treatment, shorten the slide stop pin and counter sink the frame (giving you the option to use the Crimson Trace laser grips), slide top serrations, our new “Carry Cuts”, and finally this wonderful pistol is fitted with Bill’s favorite thumb-safety.

This “Carry pistol” is outfitted exactly as Bill would want it, wearing a set of Wilson Combat Starburst G10 grips with a black slide over a grey frame custom built to exacting standard by some of the best pistolsmiths in the world today. If you are looking for the perfect carry pistol and you were never sure how exactly it should be, here it is with all the features handpicked to match the gun that Bill carries daily.

Price: 2,850.00

This amazing 3D animation shows a 1911 being assembled. Made with the free open source Blender software, it is the best video I have seen on the internet in a long time.

The description:

This is an animation i made in blender of a colt 1911. all of the parts are modeled to blueprint specifications

it took me about 100 … all hours to model all of the pieces and about 10 to get the animation done. rendering was a multipass process, using yafray for a high quality GI render, then using blender for a post process DOF blur total rendering time was around 500 hours on a core 2 quad

I have a friend who can make some amazing models using blender. I have tried but I am not very skilled. I have always wanted to model one of those cut away animations of a rifle or pistol.

Hat Tip: Freedom Sight