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feature-SIG with EPS and TLR1

The 1911 was popular with American law enforcers for a good 80 years. Then, a couple of things happened to cause 1911 to wane in popularity. Improvements in defensive ammunition, coupled with an increase in magazine capacity, saw a move en masse to the 9mm Luger. Even with the popularity of the 9mm duty pistol, some agencies continue to authorize or even issue the 1911. It remains popular with a handful of departments in California, Missouri, and elsewhere. Colt and Springfield Armory are common names in those parts.


SIG SAUER

Another company making 1911s for modern police work is SIG SAUER in Exeter, NH. SIG started making 1911s twenty years ago and has made a wide variety of pistols in this format. While SIG’s line of 1911 pistols has shrunk over recent years, the guns remain fairly popular in law enforcement circles, most notably with some SWAT teams around the nation.

Working through the 1300 rounds with a NightStick pistol light on it.

SIG’s latest 1911 entry, the 1911-X, is available in a five-inch government or 4.25″ commander format and in black Nitron or coyote brown PVD. These new guns are nicely executed and include an ambidextrous thumb safety, front strap checkering and an extended flat trigger. The five-inch guns come with a magazine well bolted onto the bottom of the mainspring housing. The 4.25″ guns do not. Slides are topped with tritium night sights in traditional SIG dovetail sight cuts. The magazine release is slightly extended, as is the slide stop lever. The right side of the slide stop’s pin is cut flush with the right side of the frame and is counterbored so that a pen or similar tool can be used to push the slide stop out during disassembly.

Internally, the SIG uses the standard barrel and bushing with the two-piece feed ramp. The recoil spring is the short GI style, not full length, and the gun uses a flat wire recoil spring. Flat wire recoil springs are supposed to provide a longer service life than the more common round wire. One controversial feature is SIG’s use of an external extractor. Arguments exist for both types, but 1911 traditionalists often shy away from the external one. Regardless of the emotion often involved here, SIG’s external extractor design is well-vetted at this point.

You can see the inclusion of the Series 80 parts as well as the interior of the slide & frame.



Series 80

SIG 1911s are built on the Series 80 design. This system first appeared in Colt Series 80 guns, hence the name. In Series 80 guns, the firing pin is actively blocked by a plunger in the slide. The plunger is moved out of the way by levers controlled by the trigger. Series 80 parts provide good protection against unintentional discharge should a loaded pistol be dropped muzzle down on a hard surface.

Through 1300 rounds, the optic remained securely mounted.

Optics

SIG 1911-X pistols are optic-ready and are cut to accept direct mounting of optics based on the RMSc footprint. There are a number of good optics on the market using this base. SIG’s new Romeo-X Enclosed Compact would likely be a good option here, but it was unavailable during testing, so I installed a Holosun EPS reflex sight on the gun. The optic fit snugly into the slide cut and stayed tight through testing. The EPS’ low deck height matched the SIG slide cut perfectly. The factory-installed iron sights sit right at the bottom of the EPS window. They are available in case of an accidental dead battery or electronics failure.

The slide is back in battery while the casing is still in view.

Live Fire

Range tests were conducted over the course of several weeks and included just over 1,300 rounds of JHP, FMJ, and LSWCs with weights ranging from 200 to 230 grains. Mags used were MEC-GAR, Tripp Research Cobra Mags, Chip Mccormick Railed Power Mags, and 10-rd mags from Wilson and Chip Mccormick. The pistol worked fine with all loads and bullet profiles. There were no issues with not locking open when empty, empty mags not dropping free, etc.



Cons

Reasons to avoid the 1911 are many. They include a fairly high cost compared to many other service handguns, shorter maintenance intervals than many other pistols, a magazine capacity that’s 50% lower than pretty much anything with a double-stack magazine, and then a manual of arms that includes deactivating two external safeties to fire. Why, then, would anyone choose to carry one in this day and age?

Streamlight’s TLR-9 weapon-mounted light is narrow and fits even with the muzzle.

Pros

In spite of the drawbacks, the 1911 pistol still has some salient features, one being an inherent accuracy. Assisting in that performance, that accuracy is the trigger. It is usually crisp and short in both release and reset. The 1911 is also modular in the sense that different thicknesses of grips can be installed, trigger reach can be changed, and the grip angle can be modified by using flat or arched mainspring housings. Lastly, the pistol can be quite safe.

Andrew shooting the 1911-X.

Final Thought

Remember the drawbacks of having two external safeties? With proper training in the efficient use of both thumb and grip safety, the 1911 is as quick into action as anything. With the factory option of installing a pistol optic, SIG and others are helping to keep the 1911 relevant into the 21st Century.

RESOURCE:

Sig’s 1911-X

SIG 1911-X Full Specs:

Caliber:           .45 Auto

Capacity:         8+1 other magazine capacities available

Barrel:             5.00”

Sights:             Optic ready. Accepts RMSc footprints. Included iron sights are tritium front and rear

Length:            8.70”

Width:              1.40”

Height:            6.50”

Weight:            42 ounces unloaded

Finish:             Black Nitron

MSRP: $1499.00

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