SPRINGFIELD 1911
Search By Springfield Model
It is hard to think of a gun model more famous than the 1911. Even over one hundred years later, the gun, designed by John Moses Browning to shoot .45 ACP, regularly converts new followers. Browning spent a long time perfectly the design of the pistol, which was formally adopted by the US Army on March 29, 1911. The US Navy and US Marine Corps would follow the Army’s lead, adopting the 1911 in 1913. The 1911 had a distinguished career in the US armed forces and was only retired in 1985 when 9mm rounds became the standard caliber.
There are over one hundred current manufacturers of the 1911. Most focus solely on producing custom versions of the pistol for customers and charge a lot for their services—you can pay upwards of $7000 for a custom 1911. However, there are some big gun manufacturers that provide an entire line of 1911 pistols for a relatively affordable price.
READ MORE BELOW on Specs, Models, and Diagram
Best options for 1911
Our Top OWB PICK
Leather Holster
1791
$ CHECK PRICES $
Best Green Laser
Laser
Crimson Trace
Top Pick
IWB Holster
Triton Kydex
Check Prices
Top Pick
Shoulder Harness
Aker Leather
$ CHECK PRICES $
Top Pick
Gun Belt
+READ ALL OUR REVIEWS HERE+
1911 Series Review
Springfield armory is one the largest manufacturers of the 1911 pistol and has helped set the modern standards for that design since they began producing them in 1985. Springfield has a huge line of 1911s of different sizes, additives, and calibers. In all of their 1911s the company aims to combine the beautiful look of the classic 1911 pistol with modern functionality.
1911 Specifications and model
Springfield currently offers fourteen models of the 1911. We have provided the specs for all fourteen to help you learn more about the huge variety of 1911 pistols available from Springfield.
1911 EMP Model: available in 9mm and .40 S&W
Height: 5 in.
Length: 6.6 in.
Weight: 27 oz.
Grip Width: 1.12 in. Thin-line Cross Cannon Double Diamond Cocobolo
Barrel: 3 in. Stainless steel match grade with fully supported ramp
Slide: Forged stainless steel with stain finish
MSRP: $1,249.00
1911 EMP 4 in. Lightweight Champion: available in 9mm and .40 S&W
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 7.5 in.
Weight: 31 oz.
Grip Width: Thin-line Cross Cannon Double Diamond Cocobolo
Barrel: 4 in. Stainless Steel Match Grade with fully supported ramp
Slide: Forged stainless steel with satin finish
MSRP: $1,179.00
1911 EMP 4 in. Concealed Carry Contour: available in 9mm and .40 S&W
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 7.5 in.
Weight: 30.5 oz.
Grip Width: G-10
Barrel: 4 in. Stainless steel match grade with fully supported ramp
Slide: Forged stainless steel with satin finish
MSRP: $1,220.00
1911 Champion Operator Lightweight: available in .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 7.6 in.
Weight: 31 oz.
Grip Type: Cross cannon double diamond cocobolo
Barrel: 4 in. stainless steel match grade with fully supported ramp
Slide: Forged carbon steel with black armory Kote
MSRP: $1,050.00
1911 Mil-Spec: available in .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 8.6 in.
Weight: 39 oz.
Grip Type: Cross cannon double diamond cocobolo & black composite
Barrel: 5 in. stainless steel match grade
MSRP: $828.00
1911 Range Officer Compact: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 8.6 in.
Weight: 41 oz.
Grip Type: Cross cannon double diamond cocobolo
Barrel: 5 in. stainless steel match grade with fully supported ramp
MSRP: $1,039.00
1911 Range Officer: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 8.6 in.
Weight: 41 oz.
Grip Type: Cross cannon double diamond cocobolo
Barrel: 5 in. stainless steel match grade with fully supported ramp
MSRP: $1,039.00
1911 Range Officer Champion: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 7.6 in.
Weight: 31.5 oz.
Grip Type: Cross cannon double diamond cocobolo
Barrel: 4 in. stainless steel match grade with sully supported ramp bull
MSRP: $908.00
1911 Range Officer Elite Compact: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5 in.
Length: 7.6 in.
Weight: 29.5 oz.
Grip Type: Thin-line G-10
Barrel: 4 in. stainless steel match grade with fully supported ramp
MSRP: $1,044.00
1911 Range Officer Elite Champion: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 7.6 in.
Weight: 31.5 oz.
Grip Type: Thin-line G-10
Barrel: 4 in. stainless steel match grade with fully supported ramp
MSRP: $1,044.00
1911 Range Officer Elite Operator: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 8.6 in.
Weight: 41 oz.
Grip Type: Thin-line G-10
Barrel: 5 in stainless steel with fully supported ramp
MSRP: $1,159.00
1911 Range Officer Elite Target: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5.5 in.
Length: 8.6 in.
Weight: 41 oz.
Grip Type: Thin-line G-10
Barrel: 5 in. stainless steel
MSRP: $1,061.00
1911 A1 Loaded: available in 9mm and .45 ACP
Height: 5.7 in.
Length: 8.6 in.
Weight: 43 oz.
Grip Type: G10
Barrel: Stainless steel
1911 TRP: available in .45 ACP and 10mm
Height: 5.7 in.
Length: 8.6 in.
Weight: 42 oz.
Grip Type: Black/Gray G-10
Barrel: 5 in. stainless steel
MSRP: $1,646.00
Features
Despite the variants in models, there are a few features that unify all 1911s.
Grip
If you buy one of Springfield more “classic” 1911 designs, you will receive a grip made of cocobolo wood emblazoned with their name. Other of Springfield’s 1911s, those modeled after the ones used by the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, have a plastic G-10 grip instead of the wood. The plastic allows for a sturdier grip, even though it sacrifices the traditional look of the wood grip.
Trigger
Despite being a somewhat contentious category, most people love the 1911s trigger. It is often described as having a “crisp” or “light pull. But, that adds a little more control when firing the pistol, and helps prevent accidental discharges.
Accuracy
In general, 1911s have a reputation for being an extremely accurate pistol. Springfield’s models are no different. The sights can vary depending on the variety—you will find either the traditional three dot or black notch/black blade sights. The heavy metal frame, long barrel, and light trigger combine to create very little felt recoil or muzzle flip, which creates an easy to shoot and control pistol.
Safety
To really enjoy shooting a 1911, you need to like disengaging two active safeties, the grip and thumb. Those people that do not like safeties on their pistols, will not like these features. However, they are both part of Browning’s original design, and with practice are easily and quickly disengaged before firing.
Why Buy?
Fans of the 1911 will love any of Springfield’s fourteen models. The beauty of the classic pistols is represented in the marriage between classic design and modern functionality. 1911s are not the pistol for everyone, since they tend to be maintenance heavy. Also, the older design and metal construction mean that the capacity of the pistol—7+1, is much less than its similar sized double-stack polymer counterparts. There are also so many different makes and models in the market that if you are not careful, you can buy an expensive piece of faulty equipment. Because of that risk, it is always safest to buy a new gun from a trusted name, and you can do no worse than purchasing your next 1911 from Springfield Armory.
Melody Lauer, “1911s: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” Lucky Gunner (January 6, 2016), https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/1911s-good-bad-ugly/ (accessed 3/5/18).
Nick Leghorn, “Gun Review: Springfield 1911-A1 Mil-Spec,” The Truth About Guns (January 6, 2014), http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/01/foghorn/gun-review-springfield-mil-spec-1911a1/ (accessed 3/5/18).
Fred Mastison, “The History and Legacy of the 1911 Pistol,” Personal Defense World (May 28, 2015), https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2015/05/the-history-and-legacy-of-the-1911-pistol/ (accessed 3/5/18).
Diagrams
Hide Guns ANYWHERE!
Premium Belts
+CHECK OUT OUR GUN SAFE REVIEWS+
Holster HQ-Always Be Ready-Because It’s Your Family
HQ makes Premium Holsters, Check prices now
“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
