We’re no strangers to European American Armory’s extensive line of Girsan handguns, which run the gamut from striker-fired designs to Beretta 92 clones to new renditions of the classic High Power and then, of course, to an extensive line of M1911 handguns. The Girsan Influencer X is one of the latest options from the company, and as part of the company’s X series of guns, it comes with some added features that are impressive to see on such a budget-priced platform like this one. Watch our video above to see the Influencer X is use on the range with American Rifleman staff.
Built on a forged steel frame, with a forged steel slide and barrel, the Girsan Influencer X is a true heavyweight. The full-length, Picatinny-railed dustcover provides not only eight slots for attaching lights and lasers, it also adds mass. Lots of mass. Unloaded, this pistol weighs almost 41 ozs. When you consider that it’s chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge, you can be sure that recoil isn’t going to be much of an experience here, making this an incredibly comfortable-to-shoot platform. It doesn’t just stop there, though. The Influencer X is available in several other calibers: .38 Super, .45 ACP and 10 mm Auto. The extra weight in the platform helps in handling those latter big-bore chamberings, particularly when it comes to hot loads.
At the top end of the gun, you’ll find a fully adjustable, target-style rear sight with a blacked-out, serrated face along with a white-dot front sight that provides a classic, target-style sight picture. But the hidden feature here is the fact that simply removing the rear sight base reveals a milled slide cutout that accepts all Shield RMSc-pattern red-dot optics, making it easy to mount an optic. The slide also includes serrations at the front and rear, and there are even a few lightening cuts at the front for added aesthetics.
At the range with the Influencer X, a few other features really stood out. One element that has to be highlighted is just how well-tuned this trigger is, especially for a budget-priced gun like this one. Girsan sets the factory pull weight for the Influencer X at 4.5 lbs., but that doesn’t fully capture just how clean and crisp the pull is on this pistol.
Other notable features include the bilateral thumb safety levers, which is a premium feature to have on a budget M1911, as well as the upgraded stock panels, which feature aggressive grip texturing and a thumb cutout for a more comfortable trigger reach. We also appreciated the clean checkering on the front strap and mainspring housing, as well as the oversized magazine well funnel that made reloads clean and easy. And as a testament to how much bang you’re literally getting for your buck, EAA Corp. accuracy-tests each Influencer X and includes the target in the box. If you’re looking to maximize your dollar-to-gun ratio, it’s going to be hard to beat everything you get on the Influencer X.
EAA Corp. Girsan Influencer X Specifications
Importer: EAA Corp.
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centefire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 5″ forged-steel
Frame: forged-steel, Tungsten Cerakote finish
Slide: forged-steel; RMSc optic cut; Black Cerakote finish
Magazine: nine-round detachable box
Sights: fully adjustable, square-notch rear
Stocks: polymer; contoured and stippled
Trigger: single-action; 4-lb., 2-oz. pull
Overall Length: 8.75″
Weight: 40.8 ozs.
MSRP: $709
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