Long-slide 1911 platform pistols have many great applications, with hunting being among the best. The Remington R1 Longslide Hunter is a good example of a well-made handgun that’s ideal for hunting but has a lot to offer due to its overall performance. We put this gun to serious use at the range, hunting, and even for carry, and we’re here to let you know how it went. Interested in a bigger bore 1911? This might be the gun for you.
What’s the Remington R1 Longslide Hunter?
Although Remington got into manufacturing 1911s during World War I, the Remington R1 Longslide Hunter didn’t come about until much later. In fact, this handgun resulted from Remington’s purchase of Para Ordnance. When Remington Arms purchased the company, Para Ordnance was actively manufacturing the Para Ordnance Elite Hunter Long Slide 10mm. After Big Green acquired the company in 2012, Para officially ended production in 2015 and was absorbed by Remington. Unsurprisingly, the Elite Hunter in the Para line caught Remington’s attention, and they decided to make their own version. Launched in 2016, the Remington R1 Longslide Hunter fulfilled the long-slide handgun niche.
What are the specifications of the Remington R1 Longslide Hunter?
As its name suggests, the R1 Longslide Hunter is a larger-than-standard 1911. A Government-size model, which is considered full-size for a 1911, has a 5-inch barrel. However, the R1 Longslide features a 6-inch barrel, making it ideal for handgun hunting. Featuring an 8+1 capacity, the gun has a Government-size frame with a classic Government-size grip, but the slide portion is extended to accommodate the greater barrel length.
The 6-inch barrel of the R1 Longslide Hunter is match-grade and made from stainless steel with a 1:16 twist rate. The frame and slide are also stainless steel, with a PVD DLC (physical vapor deposition, diamond-like carbon) finish. This finish provides exceptional wear resistance and extends the life of the gun. The overall height of the gun is 5.75 inches, the overall length is 9.5 inches, and the empty weight is 41 ounces. The gun comes equipped with VZ Operator II G10 grip panels with aggressive patterning for a firm grip during live fire.
Other features of the gun include angled serrations at the front and rear of the slide and a rounded trigger guard. There’s an accessory rail in front of the trigger guard for easier mounting of lights or lasers. A red fiber optic front sight and adjustable blacked-out rear sight come standard. The trigger is also adjustable, a nice feature that lets you fine-tune the gun to suit your preferences (within reason).
How does the Remington R1 Longslide Hunter shoot?
Over time, I’ve used a lot of different 10mm ammo in the Remington R1 Longslide Hunte, including Sinterfire Special Duty Self-Defense 10mm 125-grain frangible HP, Barnes VOR-TX 10mm 155-grain XPB, Hornady Critical Duty 10mm 175-grain FlexLock, and Federal Personal Defense 10mm 200-grain HST.
On the target ammo side, the gun has run countless rounds of Remington UMC 10mm 180-grain FMJ, Aguila 10mm 180-grain FMJ, and Federal American Eagle 10mm 180-grain FMJ. Throughout its life, this gun has been impressively reliable, and the handful of failures it’s had have been ammo-related.
The gun weighs 41 ounces when empty, which is a bit on the heavier side, but it’s manageable. The weight of the stainless steel frame and slide does a lot to offset felt recoil and muzzle rise, and even with the longer slide, the gun is quite well-balanced. It’s comfortable in my hands and not at all front-heavy. The G10 grips are aggressive, so you might want to swap them out for less sharply cut grips.
The factory red fiber optic front sight is great for target acquisition, and thanks to the rear sight being adjustable for both windage and elevation, it’s a simple matter to sight the gun in. Felt recoil is manageable, and the gun produces beautiful five-shot groups out to 25 yards. By 50 yards, they broaden, but the gun is still accurate enough to drop a feral hog at that range. At 100 yards, you can ring steel without a struggle, especially with quality ammunition. The precision of this pistol isn’t limited to shooting from the bench, either. The R1 Longslide Hunter delivers groups that hover around 1.5 to 2 inches at 25 yards, shooting offhand at a steady, measured pace.
It’s cumbersome but manageable.
With its longer barrel, carrying this gun is more challenging, but it’s not impossible. I’ve carried the R1 Longslide Hunter on hunts and while working around my own property. With the right holster, barrel length isn’t really an issue. That’s open carry, of course—although it wouldn’t be impossible to conceal, it would be a bit of a challenge. The barrel length doesn’t hinder the drawstroke with the R1 Longslide Hunter. If you’re willing to spend the time necessary to hone your drawstroke, you can handle this gun like any other full-sized 1911 in a holster.
Hunting with the R1 Longslide Hunter is always a pleasure. This gun has dropped an endless string of feral hogs and taken quite a few whitetail deer, raccoons, coyotes, and bobcats. It’s a favorite in the field due to its accuracy and reliable function. Then there’s the fact that it’s ridiculously durable and can withstand all manner of abuse. It’s a well-traveled gun and definitely a favorite.
Should you get a Remington R1 Longslide Hunter?
If you’re looking for a well-made hunting handgun, the R1 Longslide Hunter might be perfect for you. Aside from the original black finish model, there’s an FDE (flat dark earth) model available, as well as a Davidson’s custom model in oiled bronze. And really, this gun makes a fantastic addition to any gun collection thanks to its precision and reliable function. Guns can be found used for under $1000—often well under—despite the original MSRP, which was around $1,300. Of all the R1s Remington produced over the years, the R1 Longslide Hunter might be their best.
