In November last year rumors started circulating that Remington would introduce a 1911 pistol. The Remington 1911 R1 has finally been officially announced.

Remington R1 1911 (from GunSource ad) Thanks Tyler for sending it in.

Back in 1917, at the height of WWI, the U.S. Ordnance Department ordered Remington-UMC¹ to produce 500,000 1911 pistols. By the time the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918 Remington had produced 21,677 1911s. 91 years later Remington is once again producing John M. Browning’s famous design.

The pistol is featured in June issue of Shooting Illustrated.

The new Remington 1911 R1 pistol is a variant of the 1911A1 design. Remington has added a flared and lowered ejection port, beveled magazine well, loaded chamber indicator, high profile dovetailed single-dot front and two-dot rear sights, a crisp 3.5-5 lbs trigger and a match grade stainless steel barrel with barrel bushing.

The pistols will be manufactured at the Remington factory in Ilion, New York. Remington plans on shipping the pistols in June.

The Freedom Group, Remington’s parent company, has now finally entered the handgun market. I would not be surprised to see a concealed carry pistol come forth from Remington or another Freedom Group company with the next year.

J got his hands on the new pistol …

It is 100% American made: parts and all. The trigger is crisp, and as described in the article. Although there is a small amount of movement in the slide to frame fit, it is very well done for a $699 1911. The loaded chamber indicator is a cut in the hood simliar to S&W and others. This means it won’t be acceptible in California in it’s current form.

100% American made, good quality control, good trigger, $699 = winner!