The size of the gun isn’t a huge factor for a duty 1911 as it is for a concealed carry 1911, so the added length is not a huge downside. The Chen Magwell Gen2 is a gunsmith-installed part that requires cutting off a portion of the bottom of the frame. The magwell is then welded in place, keeping the gun’s length the same, but adding a massive mag funnel (note: this is not the shooter installed magwell shown above). Of course, this is only available on custom guns, or as a very costly upgrade after purchasing the gun. It also incurs some inconvenience as future grips must be cut for the shorter grip length.
Possible Production Contenders
There are some guns out there that come really close to being the perfect duty 1911. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Dan Wesson Specialist: Questionable QC aside, the Specialist seems like a great option. Steel framed, 9mm, optic-ready, ambi safety, checkered front strap, front cocking serrations, and a magwell answer a lot of my asks. Unfortunately, the Commander version is only available in .45 ACP and the 9mm is only available in a 5-inch model. What’s up with that, CZ-Colt group? The Dan Wesson TCP is available in the shorter length, but has a lightweight alloy frame, and I dislike its aesthetics.
Sig 1911-XCarry: This Commander-length 1911 almost has it all: commander-length, steel frame, light rail, checkered front strap, front cocking serrations, optic cut (though not an optic system), and an ambidextrous safety. The 1911-X series also features an external extractor – a big bonus in my opinion. It is missing a magwell, but I would be perfectly willing to install one myself. Even with an optic installed this gun still comes in closer to $1,500 than $2,000. Unfortunately, it is only available in .45 ACP. If available in 9mm, I’d snap one up in a heartbeat. Oh wait…it doesn’t fit most standard 1911 holsters. Come tf on, Sig.
Springfield Armory Operator: This gun is missing a lot of features but would be an excellent basis for building the perfect duty 1911. Unfortunately one big compromise has to be made: either get it in a 5-inch gun with a steel frame, or a Commander-length gun with an aluminum frame. Other than that it checks a lot of boxes and is the most affordable gun on this list at MSRP around $1,200. The TRP has some added features, but you have to make a similar compromise, and both of these guns rely heavily on MIM small parts.
Possible Custom Contenders
It seems like it would be easy – or at least possible – to get a custom 1911 with all these features. With a custom 1911 I am far less likely to accept compromises – I know what I want in a 1911. When paying north of $3,500, I expect to get it.
Alchemy Custom Weaponry/Ed Brown: The Alchemy Quantico Carry and Ed Brown Special Forces both come tantalizingly close! And both offer the Chen Magwell – the best magazine well on the market, period. You can get a myriad of options on either. Unfortunately there is one show-stopper with both of these pistols: the optic system. Both only offer an RMR cut. If these were $1,500 pistols, I would be OK with that. With both being over $4,000, I can’t commit to one optic for the rest of my life.
I am loathe to buy a custom gun, then ship it somewhere else to have an optic system applied. Causing more hesitation, I contacted Alchemy to discuss a pistol build and felt like the rep I spoke to would rather be doing anything else than talking to me.
Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon: I reached out to Nighthawk to price out a GRP Recon. This pistol has literally all the features, including the IOS system (which I wish they would license – it truly is the best 1911 optic system out there. Thanks to Simon Golob for turning me on to it). Unfortunately, due to the popularity of their double-stack guns, 1911s are low-priority and lead times are 18-24 months. That’s a long-ass time to wait on a pistol. And they don’t offer the Stan Chen Magwell… Choices!
Wilson Combat: I own two guns from Wilson Combat, and admit their quality is excellent. Their customer service absolutely sucks, however. After misplacing the short-barreled shotgun after I sent it in for modification (a panic-inducing situation), I just don’t want to ever have to send a gun to them for repairs ever again.
Closing Thoughts
This is my perfect duty 1911: Commander-length, 9mm, steel frame, light rail pistol with front strap checkering, forward cocking serrations, an optic plate system, ambi safety, and a magazine well. These are all fairly modest asks, and all of these features are available on lots of pistols. Why aren’t they all available on one, single pistol? Maybe they are and I have just missed it! If you know of a 1911 that I should be looking at, feel free to let me know. In the meantime, I’ll just stick with a Glock 45!
