Double-stack 1911-style pistols have created a legion of followers, and the platform has been proven by competitors and lawmen alike. High-priced options deliver enviable fit, finish and features, but they’re not always the best fit for your customers, or your business.
High-priced products present risk and opportunity. Just as their cost can infer status, it can be a significant deterrent. Sometimes the expense is justified, such as with pricey glass or match-grade ammunition. With many products, however, you reach a point of diminishing returns.
To that end, double-stack 1911s bring plenty of interest among customers focused more on functionality than status. Many of these potential customers would likely never pull the trigger on a $4,000 offering, even if you do offer layaway. But there are some good guns out there that offer the same experience for a fraction of the price.
Here are five that I highly recommend keeping on hand.
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy
Springfield Armory was one of the first to bring a double-stack to the consumer at a reasonable price, which is why it tops the list. Customers will appreciate that the DS Prodigy includes both a 17- and a 20-round magazine, with 10-round options also available for those in restricted states. Those looking for something with a more classic, subdued appearance will also favor this option, as the lines are clean and unadulterated. This 1911 is also one of the first to use the AOS optic system. Designed in conjunction with Agency Arms, its plates are machined from billet steel, eliminating a potential failure point when optics are involved. It includes the Dragonfly Hex plate, with others available for purchase from the website. Those who don’t care for electronics will find the fiber optic front sight pleasing, particularly since it is joined with a drift-adjustable rear.
The model featured in this story is the full-size, but there are also compact models available with 3.5- or 4-inch barrels. Integrated compensators are also available on some models for an additional cost. At the time of this writing, 9mm Luger is the only chambering available, but customers do have the choice of solid black or coyote brown. springfield-armory.com
MSRP: $1,530
Chambering: 9mm Luger
Overall Length: 8.5 Inches
Barrel Length: 5 Inches
Weight: 33 Ounces
Capacity: 20+1 or 17+1
MAC 9 D
Companies like Military Arms Corp. have shown us just how precise Turkish manufacturing can be, especially when guided by skilled American engineers. The MAC 9 DS is a handy product to offer customers looking to potentially carry a double-stack 1911. With a 4.25-inch barrel, it starts to become a viable candidate. Those with softer hands will also appreciate the less aggressive grip texture. This is also a good selling point for anything that will be on the waistline.
As carry pistols must be tough, the MAC 9 DS uses the AOS plate system and includes the more popular RMR option in the box. Aside from function, it is one of the more stylish of the group, with enlarged lightening cuts and edgy slide serrations. Somewhere between flash and function is the magazine funnel, which is removable should you have a client who doesn’t appreciate the extra bulk. This is also an excellent choice for the prospect who enjoys modern trigger styling, as it is one of the flattest on the market. The paltry price point is the same for the full-size “Duty” version, and for a few bucks more, there are compensated options available for both. As of now, it is only available in 9mm Luger, and the only colorway is black. It’s worth explaining that the low price is a result of the limited number of SKUs, not shoddy workmanship or lesser-grade materials, as they show excellent attention to detail. milarmamentcorp.com
MSRP: $984
Chambering: 9mm Luger
Overall Length: 7.6 Inches
Barrel Length: 4.5 Inches
Weight: 32 Ounces
Capacity: 17+1
EAA Girsan Witness 2311 CMX
Some might say companies like MAC have always been riding the heels of EAA, which introduced many of us to our first Turkish firearms. The Witness 2311 CMX is designed to compete with the 9 DS. So, why should you stock both? Well, for one, it comes in nearly 6 ounces lighter than the MAC, making it noticeably less impactful on your belt. It’s important to explain, however, that this is both a pro and a con, depending on intended use. If the person across the counter is talking about frequent range trips, they might not appreciate the extra recoil that comes with a lighter firearm. If their conversation revolves heavily around statements like “I already have X for the range, I just want something to carry,” then you ought to put one of these in their hands. It’s also a good option for somebody who’s made mention of flashlights, lasers, or training devices, as it has the most Picatinny real estate of the guns mentioned in this story despite only having a 4.25-inch barrel. While most of these devices only need one or two slots, having the extra space allows for a more custom placement. As for sights, it’s a good choice for somebody who finds fiber-optic offerings distracting and prefers a more traditional three-dot setup. There's also an optics cut, should they change their mind somewhere down the line.
Something your employees will appreciate is the straightforward naming system that EAA uses. The Witness 2311 CMX is the gun pictured, and this gun only. Other sizes and chamberings carry other names, making them easy to distinguish and keep track of in conversation. While this might appear plain on the surface, putting other Witness models in the case can expand you into .45 ACP, or 10mm offerings, and include muzzle accessories like a compensator or basic threading. The latter is a great way to start a conversation about also buying a suppressor. eaacorp.com
MSRP: $999
Chambering: 9mm Luger
Overall Length: 8.0 Inches
Barrel Length: 4.25 Inches
Weight: 26 Ounces
Capacity: 17+1
Kimber DS Warrior
The biggest news on the budget double-stack front has got to be Kimber’s entry to the segment, as ”budget” and “Kimber” are almost never in the same sentence. If for no other reason, you ought to consider stocking these for the name recognition alone. Additionally, if you’re looking to offer your customers the widest array of chamberings under one brand, this is your gun. Shown in this piece is the LW (Light Weight) trim, which uses 9mm Luger, like the others in this story. But if you include the namesake Warrior, that opens the showcase up to .45 ACP, 10mm, and even .38 Super. There is also a 6-inch LS (Long Slide) version available that is chambered in 10mm Auto, likely appealing to the hog hunter.
Many of Kimber’s defining features are included in the Warrior family, such as the GT Tuned trigger and the KimPro Black finish on the slide and frame. At this time, this is the only finish available. Optics can be added with a separate adapter plate, but this gun does come with a brilliant tritium front sight to make adding one debatable. Of the batch, I believe the grip texture is somewhere in the middle, making this a tiebreaker for customers hung up on either end of the spectrum. Lastly, Kimber gives you both a 17- and 20-round magazine, with 10-round SKUs available for those ruled by politicians who don’t understand what infringement means. Kimberusa.com
MSRP: $1,099
Chambering: 9mm Luger
Overall Length: 8.7 Inches
Barrel Length: 5 Inches
Weight: 33 Ounces
Capacity: 17+1, 20+1
Bersa M2XI
It may not appear so, but there are indeed Bersa fanboys out there. Some might say the craze started with the hit Thunder concealed carry pistol, while others argue it began long before. The M2XI is their entry into the double-stack ring, and it is a grand one at that. It enthusiastically gets my vote for the snazziest gun of the group, which might attract a customer to your double-stack case, particularly one who hasn’t thought about buying one. It is available in either a black or brushed stainless finish, each chambered in 9mm Luger.
This is a competitor's gun through and through, and tells the customer boldly through its feature set. Aside from having a higher capacity than the others here, the controls are enlarged and extended for faster manipulation on the clock. It is also one of the lighter full-size double-stacks of the group, making it easier to swing to the next target. The M2XI includes an abundantly flared magazine well, helping to reload quickly, another feature that is important in sports like USPSA, IDPA, and 3-Gun. A night sight is included, making it match-ready out of the box, but adding an optic is also effortless, as the slide is milled for direct attachment of optics with the Holosun K cut. Lastly, the grip texture is unique, as it blends an aggressive front and back strap with milder side panels. It also incorporates a smooth area directly under the trigger guard to protect the softest area of any given hand. bersausa.com
MSRP: $1,479
Chambering: 9mm Luger
Overall Length: 8.5 Inches
Barrel Length: 5 Inches
Weight: 30 Ounces
Capacity: 17+1, 22+1
