One of the hottest segments of the handgun market over the past several years has been that of the 2011-style handgun, which retains 1911 controls and feature sets while adding a double-stack magazine with greater capacity. At the same time, John Browning’s venerable 1911 design continues to be popular with the American shooting public, even 115 years removed from its development. Consequently, there is a host of new 1911s and 2011s available to today’s handgun enthusiasts, with each design bringing a unique feature set to the table.
EAA | CMXX Witness2311 Double Stack
The next-generation CMXX pistol builds on the 1911 design, providing a compact configuration with an integrally compensated barrel for lighter felt recoil. The CMXX is the first compact, compensated, double-stack 1911 in 10 mm, featuring a slimmer grip and firing-pin block.
▶ Performance-tuned, skeletonized trigger
▶ Picatinny rail beneath dustcover
▶ Flared mag well
▶ Bilateral thumb safety
Specifications
Caliber: 10 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Weight: 26.4 ounces
MSRP: $1,229
(321) 639-4842 eaacorp.com
Ed Brown | 1776 Commemorative Edition 1911
A tribute to America’s 250 years of freedom, the Ed Brown 1776 Commemorative Edition 1911 uses a single-stack Government model frame, features American-flag rear-cocking serrations and Micarta burl grips. The slide bears the engraving “250 Years of Freedom 1776-2026.”
▶ Gold-bead front sight
▶ 25 lpi frame checkering
▶ Solid-body trigger
▶ Strong-side controls
Specifications
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 40 ounces
MSRP: $3,420
(573) 565-3261 edbrown.com
Iver Johnson | Eagle Onyx
Just one of Iver Johnson’s new line of Gen 2 1911s, the Eagle Onyx features a black and gold PVD finish, making for an elegant and distinctive appearance. The all-steel pistol is functionally true to John Browning’s design, but includes modern enhancements that improve performance, looks and durability.
▶ Drift-adjustable Novak sights
▶ Crowned barrel
▶ Pierced slide
▶ PVD finish
Specifications
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 40 ounces
MSRP: $1,622
(321) 636-3377 iverjohnsonarms.com
Kimber | 1911 DS Warrior
The Kimber 1911 DS Warrior modernizes the classic 1911 platform with an improved capacity, double-stack design while retaining true 1911 ergonomics and trigger feel. Unlike imported double-stack 1911s, the DS Warrior is made in the USA and offers premium features at an aggressive price point.
▶ Optic-ready slide
▶ GT Performance Trigger
▶ Carbon-fiber grip module
▶ Bilateral thumb safety
Specifications
Caliber: 10 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Weight: 33 ounces
MSRP: $1,299
(888) 243-4522 kimberamerica.com
Nighthawk Custom | Alpha Hawk
Purpose-built for concealed carry, the single-stack Alpha Hawk features a Commander-length, chunk-ported barrel and integral mag well to allow flat-bottom magazines to sit flush. Intended exclusively for optical sights (not included), the slide is pre-cut. The Alpha Hawk, like all Nighthawk Custom pistols, is hand-fit by a single gunsmith. It’s available in .45 ACP, as well.
▶ Beveled integral mag well
▶ Optics cut
▶ Chunk-ported barrel
▶ Flat-face trigger
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 9 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: 7.7 inches
Weight: 38.6 ounces
MSRP: $5,199
(877) 268-4867 nighthawkcustom.com
SIG Sauer | P211 GTO
SIG’s double-stack 1911-esque (ahem, 2011) features a well-reviewed “Mach3D” compensator, a steel frame and a straight trigger. It comes with one 23-round and two 21-round steel magazines compatible with P320 steel magazines.
▶ Optic-ready
▶ Fiber-optic front sight
▶ Flared magazine well
▶ Three-slot Picatinny rail
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 23 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.4 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 45.9 ounces
MSRP: $2,599
(603) 610-3000 sigsauer.com
Springfield Armory | 10-8 Performance
Developed in partnership with retired FBI Special Agent and SWAT Firearms Instructor Hilton Yam, this version of the iconic 1911 platform is outfitted with select 10-8 Performance parts such as a reverse recoil spring plug, extended magazine catch, flat trigger and specialized slide stop. Three eight-round magazines are included.
▶ Optic-ready slide
▶ Forged carbon steel frame and slide
▶ Flat aluminum trigger
▶ 10-8 Performance VZ Grips
Specifications
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.4 inches
Weight: 43.1 ounces
MSRP: $2,099
(309) 944-8706 springfield-armory.com
Staccato | HD C3.6
Staccato brings all of the celebrated features of its HD line to a platform created expressly for concealed carry. Like the larger HD, the 3.6 accepts Glock-pattern magazines and features an exclusive optics-mounting system. The lightweight pistol is compact, but nonetheless ergonomic, promising to retain Staccato’s famous shootability.
▶ HD HOST optic- mounting system
▶ Shortened grip module
▶ Aluminum frame
▶ Ambidextrous controls
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.6 inches
Overall Length: 4.8 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
MSRP: $2,299
(512) 819-0656 staccato2011.com
Wilson Combat | Bulwark
At the center of the Bulwark are four defining advantages: an extremely low bore axis, a true 1911-style trigger with an internal hammer, four independent safety systems and a modular design built around a serialized fire control unit enabling grip-module changes. An MRDS is extra.
▶ Optic-ready slide
▶ Grip safety
▶ External extractor
▶ Bladed-trigger safety
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 28.8 ounces
MSRP: $1,899
(800) 955-4856 wilsoncombat.com
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