Twice The Ammo – MAC’s 1911-9-DS

Double-stack 1911s are currently being used by SWAT teams, fugitive task forces, and “gun-savvy” officers nationwide. The first high-profile use of the double-stack 1911 was by the F.B.I.’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT). For several years, HRT used customized Para Ordnance P14s. Gunsmith Les Baer built those guns, and commercial copies were sold as the S.R.P. Hi-Cap. No longer produced, these guns have become collectible.

EVOLUTION

For those not familiar with the concept, a double-stack 1911 combines the 100+-year-old design with a modern, higher-capacity magazine. While elegant in design, the Government Model has a limited ammunition capacity. Converting to double-stack magazines increases ammunition capacity while retaining the accuracy and trigger the 1911 is known for.

Double-stack 1911s are generally lumped into two categories. The first is a single-piece frame like the Para Ordnance. These guns often closely mimic the standard 1911 in outward appearance and use grip panels that are affixed to the frame by two screws on each side.

The second is the 2011 format. These have a two-piece frame—the portion that interfaces with the slide is metal, while the grip section itself is made from plastic. While the name “2011” is often used for any double-stacked 1911 with a two-piece frame, Staccato trademarked it. Originally named S.T.I., the Staccato 2011s were very popular with target shooters but were rather unknown to law enforcement. After re-branding as Staccato, they are now viewed as a premium choice for police use.

Since nothing succeeds like success, a number of manufacturers are now selling similar handguns in an effort to capitalize on Staccato’s popularity.

MAC’s Double Stack 9mm

One such firearm is the new MAC 1911-9 D.S. Taking design cues from the Staccato; this pistol shares many features with it as well. The MAC frame is a combination of steel and plastic. The design accepts Staccato magazines or aftermarket magazines built for this pattern. The dust cover accepts a weapon light or other accessory. The slide is optic-compatible, having been cut for a plate. The bull barrel locks into the slide without a separate barrel bushing. It comes with an extended ambidextrous thumb safety. The bottom of the frame is finished with an aluminum magazine well.

Consumers have come to expect all of these features in modern 1911s. In addition to the updated feature set, the steel slide, frame, and barrel are finished in Q.P.Q. Q.P.Q. is a nitrocarburized finish that provides good corrosion and wear resistance and yields a deep but rather glossy black finish.

The MAC uses the Series 70 design and does not have an active firing pin block. It uses a lightweight titanium firing pin to help prevent inadvertent discharge if the pistol is dropped on the muzzle with a round chambered.

PERFORMANCE

All of my shooting was done using O.E.M. magazines and the excellent Atlas Gunworks magazines. I shot the gun with factory-jacketed hollow points from Hornady and Speer and remanufactured ammo from Wilson Combat.
My range work was done with a U.S. Duty Gear level two holster made for the Springfield Prodigy. The M.A.C. seemed to fit fine, but consumers are encouraged to check with holster manufacturer(s) to verify fitment.

Throughout over 250 rounds, the MAC proved fun to shoot and was quite accurate with defensive ammo. As an example, we printed a 1.86″ group at twenty-five yards using five rounds of Speer 147 grain Gold Dot. The trigger was clean and crisp and was a repeatable five pounds when tested with a Timney trigger pull gauge.

The frame and slide have a bit of play, but nothing was alarming or worse than many other factory 1911s on the market.

Reliability was acceptable; there were no issues with various types/bullet weights. That said, the gun did fail to lock open a few times on an empty mag with the lighter powdered ammo, which was probably a result of the heavy recoil spring. The factory spring is probably in the sixteen-pound range. A lighter spring would be a better choice for non-duty use. They could include a lighter spring as an accessory.

The factory sights are not tall enough to be visible when an optic is installed, in this case, Holosun’s HE-508T. MAC should either install taller sights from the factory or include a set of taller sights with the pistol so the user can swap them out as needed. Like the heavy recoil spring, it is something the purchaser will need to deal with after buying.

WELL?

The $64,000 question: Does the MAC belong in a duty holster? Time will tell. As more of these guns are used and we gather more data, they may prove to be a good choice for an officer wanting a double-stack 1911 on a tight budget.

Not too long ago, one budget brand of imported pistol optics was seen as junk, not even suitable for Airsoft. Now, this same company is a leader in the electro-optic market. Will the M.A.C. take a similar path? Right now, M.A.C.’s best role may be as a dedicated trainer. A local gunsmith or department armorer could set the pistol up as a counterpart for one’s duty pistol. Use the M.A.C. for high-round count classes, injured officer training, or local competition. Treat it like a rented mule to keep the duty pistol in tip-top condition.

The pistol is made in Turkey by Trabzon Silah Sanayi A.Ş. (Tisas for short.) It is imported into the U.S. by S.D.S. Imports in Knoxville, TN. S.D.S. imports a number of Tisas products and distributes them under several brands, including Tisas U.S.A., Military Armament Corporation (M.A.C.), and Inglis.

CLOSING

The MAC 1911-9 D.S. ships in a black nylon zippered case with two 17-round magazines, a cable lock, an owner’s manual, and an optic mounting plate for Trijicon’s R.M.R. footprint. Other optic plates should be available soon.

Currently, the MSRP is $1,099.99. However, pistols can be found for several hundred dollars less.

About the author:

Andrew has been a federal agent for over twenty-five years and has taught firearms almost that whole time, including five years at his organization’s basic recruit academy. Currently, he is assigned as the use of force training coordinator for his sector.