This is not your grandfather’s 1911. Gone are the days when 1911s were relegated to low capacity and sluggish chamberings. Today’s 1911s are available in the classic single-stack and a double-stack with far greater capacity. They can be found chambered in proven defensive calibers like 9x19mm Parabellum. This doesn’t make them any less a 1911; if anything, these enhancements make them greater. The Remington R1 Limited is a fantastic example of what embracing technology can do. We put the gun through its paces to report the results back to you.
What is the Remington R1 Limited?
The Remington R1 Limited is a Government-sized 1911. As previously stated, it’s produced in both single-stack and double-stack variations. This review is of the single-stack model, but we’ll touch on the double-stack briefly as well. Being a Government-sized gun means it has a full-size frame and a five-inch barrel. This gun is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. While it’s meant for defensive purposes, it’s large enough that concealed carry might be a challenge depending on your frame and clothing. Even so, it’s a solid option for home defense and range use.
Regarding the double-stack version of this gun: There’s some confusion over the moniker of the 2011, which many gun owners associate with double-stack 1911s. The reality is that 2011 is a trademark used by Staccato, which was known as STI when the first 2011s came out. As a result, guns like the Remington R1 Limited in its double-stack model are simply double-stacks, not 2011s. This single-stack gun is more readily recognizable with its smaller capacity, but that doesn’t make it any less well-made or precise.
What are the specifications of the Remington R1 Limited?
This gun’s five-inch barrel is ramped, match grade, and designed for superior overall performance. Its 9mm chambering makes it a nice carry choice and its 9 +1 capacity is certainly sufficient. The adjustable skeletonized trigger is also a match grade. Adjustable range is between 3.5 and 5.0 pounds pull weight. It has angled serrations at the rear and front of the slide for a good hold during manipulation (and as always, this is where I remind you not to rack your slide from the front unless you know how to do so safely because fingers and hands don’t belong over muzzles—or ejection ports).
The R1 Limited has a standard barrel bushing, the fitment of which is excellent. And while the magazine release is one-sided, the external thumb safety is ambidextrous. Grips are machined G10 VZ for a superior grip during live fire, even with wet hands. The topmost portion of the skeletonized hammer is ridged for good grip. The front strap and mainspring housing are both also textured. The guide rod is full-length and one-piece. The gun ships with a standard red fiber optic front sight and adjustable blacked-out rear sight. A black PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating provides resistance to use-related wear.
The overall length of this handgun is 8.5 inches and the overall height is 5.75 inches. It weighs 38 ounces empty, thanks to its steel construction, which provides a more solid, sure feel in the hand. The R1 Limited has the usual 1911 safeties such as a grip safety and thumb safety. It’s worth noting that although this pistol is part of the R1 family, it’s an enhanced version that delivers above and beyond the original R1s.
How does the Remington R1 Limited shoot?
This is an extended review, meaning this pistol has seen significant use over a length of time. It’s burned through thousands of rounds of ammunition, and all without a single failure. Ammunition used for the review is a rather extensive list but includes Remington UMC 9mm 115 grain, Remington Ultimate Defense 9mm 124 grain Bonded JHP, Sinterfire Special Duty 9mm 100-grain Frangible HP, and Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115-grain FTX.
The R1 Limited fits my hands well. I do prefer Government-sized 1911s and this is certainly a hefty gun. I’ve seen it fit larger and smaller hands than my own just fine. The G10 VZ grips are aggressively ridged and textured, but not to the point where it’s an issue. If you dislike them, it’s easy to swap out grip panels for another style. The gun is nicely balanced both empty and loaded. Sights took a little adjusting to properly sight in, but once they were on they stayed put.
One of the great things about this pistol is that it’s beyond accurate, it’s precise. And thanks to its five-inch barrel, you can go from shooting one-hole groups at 10 yards to groups under 2.5 inches at 25 yards. That isn’t only from the bench, either; you can get great groups firing the R1 Limited offhand as long as you’re methodical with your string of fire. The gun continues to produce nice groups at 50 yards, although of course they broaden, and it can ring steel consistently at 100 yards.
The Remington R1 Limited in 9mm reliably feeds broad ranges of bullet weights and types which is something I can only say about certain 1911s. Its size and single-stack make it compatible with a lot of holsters, so you can pretty much take your pick. In its double-stack version, the holster fit is a little trickier, but the double-stack R1 Limited runs just as smoothly—if not better. The big pro of going for the double-stack is, of course, capacity. On the con side, the gun does have a sticky magazine that doesn’t drop smoothly from the magazine well. This is something that hasn’t changed with time or the use of different mags, so be prepared to give it a helping hand during magazine changes.
Should you get a Remington R1 Limited?
The Remington R1 Limited is reliable, precise, and a pleasure to shoot. It does have a higher price point than some 1911s but it also manages to outperform that price point. This is a gun that’s worth its price, and then some. If you’re into 1911s or just want a newer or nicer model, check it out. The R1 Limited works as a carry gun, dedicated to home defense, or even open-carried while you’re working on your own land. Having a longer barrel is a huge plus for getting on target at longer distances and that’s a bonus if you find yourself in need on large properties. You can find this gun at gun stores and by private sale; it’s still readily available. I absolutely recommend it.
