Surprising 1911 Handgun Manufacturers

If you like model 1911 handguns, you’re in luck. There are a ton of options from plane-jane to blinged-out 1911s that really catch the eye. Some have been in the business of making 1911 pistols for a while, and others not so much. Some surprising companies are starting to make the 1911 pistol, like Savage, Diamondback, and Bear Creek Arsenal. The 1911 handgun is an old pistol dating back to guess when…

Okay, so it was designed before 1911 but that’s when the patent was issued. On February 14, 1911, the government issued patent number 984,519 for the 1911 pistol designed for the US military. I’m not sure any of them knew what would become of this legendary gun in the years that followed. One of the longest-serving guns in US military history, the 1911 was the official handgun for more than 100 years. Even after it was phased out in the 1980s for the Beretta, it remained alive.

Many special operation groups still use the 1911, or what is now called the M45 in the USMC. But beyond its military use, the 1911 pistol grew popular in the public sector and is still a popular gun today. For a time, gun makers focused on new models. Glock introduced what is now the modern-style handgun with a polymer frame.

Just about every manufacturer needed their own style of Glock handgun so the tide shifted a little. But you can’t keep the 1911 handgun down for long. With a new focus on the original and redesigned versions, it has never been more popular than it is today. Here are some companies that have started making the classic 1911 pistol.

Savage Arms 1911

Savage is known most for their rifles. They partnered with Auto-Ordinance to make the Thomas Sub-Machinegun, and they built multiple machine guns during WWII. England contracted them to make the Lee Enfield Rifle in 1941, with more than one million being produced. When I was younger, my first magazine-fed rifle was a .22 savage semi-auto repeater. For the price, a Savage is hard to beat. But in 2022, the company announced it would now be making 1911 pistols.

When I first heard about this endeavor, I was expecting another baseline budget 1911. While they’re not on the high end of the price scale, they’re not on the low end either. The company has produced an attractive-looking gun with a forged stainless-steel frame and slide. Most models have Novak low-mount sights, and some offer a tactical rail. Deviating from tradition, Savage uses a dual recoil spring along with a GI-style guide rod and barrel bushing.

An ambidextrous slide lock safety and nitride-coated titanium firing pin are just a few of the features the company offers. All black, nitride coated, all stainless, or a combo of both are available. Prices range from $1,000 to $1,500. Again, not expensive for a 1911, but well out of that budget-gun price range. This is an interesting turn for Savage and I’m curious to see how they expand on this. Maybe a 2011 style down the road?

Diamondback Limited Edition 1911

With a model name of “DBSS1911,” Diamondback kept the name simple. But the gun is anything but simple or plain. Over the years, DB has started making some higher-end AR-15 rifles.  But the company still has that lingering reputation for making cheaper guns like the famous pocket pistol that put them on the map. The first DB Ar-15 rifle I purchased was under $600 and still shoots great to this day. For years I have viewed the company as underrated, making a good product at an affordable price.

They didn’t even try to keep their limited 1911 pistol in that competitive price range, however. They decided to go straight for the elites and offer a high-end customized gun. And I’ll admit, it’s a very attractive-looking gun. The frame is made from domestic stainless steel and the ported slide has some unique-looking engravings. The trigger is a series-70 single action made from skeletonized aluminum with a 3–4-pound trigger pull. That’s not a competition trigger weight, but it would be great for self-defense.

The 5-inch barrel is match-grade, and this .45 caliber beauty even comes with a Pelican 1200 1911 hard case. But with a retail price of $2,500, it should come with a case, right? This is not what I would have pictured coming from Diamondback, but it’s a nice surprise. Custom engravings on the slide, Novak adjustable sights, and a hard case with three mags make this look like a great gun. Is it worth $2,500? I guess that will be up to each buyer to decide. But it’s a nice-looking gun either way.

Bear Creek Arsenal

This AR-15 manufacturer got its start in 2015 and earned a reputation for making quality rifles at an affordable price. They also have a patent on a right-side charging handle AR-15. But not to be left out of the 1911 gun race, they started producing Browning’s pistol as well. Unlike their budget-friendly AR-15 rifles, however, you won’t find one of these handguns at a budget price. Currently offering three options, BCA has all three listed at $1,295.99.

My favorite of the three is the BCA-1911 Government SS. This .45 ACP is a 70 series model with a 5-inch black nitride forged steel barrel. The stainless-steel frame is classic and the green G10 grips look great on it. BCA kept the overall look of the gun simple, which I like. Each gun comes with two 8-round magazines, but they are compatible with standard .45 1911 mags. You can also get the stainless-steel frame with Pachmayer grips and a threaded barrel for the same price. While they didn’t do anything crazy with their pistols, they earned the right to be placed on the list of 1911 manufacturers.

Remington Arms

If you keep up with 1911 pistols at all, you may already know that Remington has been making them for years. Their first production was in 1918 for the US Government. When the contract ended, however, they stopped making the famous gun. In 2010, they announced they would again start producing the 1911 pistol for their customers. That means they have been making the 1911 classic for more than a decade. But many people still don’t know that Remmington Arms produces an impressive line of 1911 pistols at a reasonable price.

One of my favorite models they offer is the R1 .45 ACP Carry Commander. The frame is made of carbon steel and the barrel is stainless steel. I like G10 grips, but those are starting to become overused in my opinion. This is why I like the real walnut wood grips on this model. It also has a somewhat smooth semi-gloss finish that goes really well with the walnut grips. At a price range of $599 to $800, they are not the cheapest ones on the market, but very affordable.

1911 Manufacturer Numbers Continue to Grow

The list of 1911 manufacturers keep growing each year. This is a good thing because I like having a lot of choices. It’s cool to see the small differences and details each company puts into their model. From classic styles to modern modifications like the 2011 versions, people can’t get enough. The price range doesn’t leave anyone out either. You can find 1911 pistols from $299 all the way about as high as you want to go. At TriggrCon I looked at the Night Hawk VIP Agent 2 which sells for $8,999.00.

Even if you’re a Glock groupie or a wheel-gun-lover, you can’t deny the unique design and beauty of the 1911 pistol. There are a ton of variations, styles, and sizes for just about anyone’s taste. If you own handguns, you should own a 1911 pistol. The story and symbolic meaning that comes with it can’t be beat.