It has been more than 110 years since prolific firearms designer John Moses Brown created the Colt Model 1911 .45 pistol and even today, it remains a favorite for its ease of use, accuracy, and reliability. It was also famously carried by many of the “Greatest Generation” during the Second World War, which has made it popular with collectors today.
However, originals from the era are now as costly as fine art, and as a result, many are admired and not fired – which is why replicas of the greatest handgun of the greatest generation are now also sought after.
Filling the void for a shootable model, Tisas USA, a division of SDS Imports, has announced the introduction of a museum-grade replica of the M1911A1 as it was issued during the Second World War. Based on a 1943 Remington Rand, the Tisas Armed Services (AS) serves to duplicate the original Type E hammer, correct arched mainspring housing, small window ejection port, and other features specific to the sub-contracted pistols of the day.
Featuring many of the iconic characteristics of the World War II model, it is ready for the range.
“Until now, no one has produced a true replica of the issue M1911A1,” said SDS/Tisas USA CEO Tim Mulverhill. “Many companies have created ‘GI’ or similarly named models, but none of them were true representations of the original. We set out to create a version that would be hard to tell apart when holding an original in one hand and the Tisas in the other. Until you see the discreet manufacturer information under the dust cover, you can’t tell them apart other than wear and the cruder wartime machining marks of the originals.”
At the same time, Mulverhill said that while it was meant to pay homage to the 1943 Remington Rand, Tisas USA was careful not to make the replica appear too good.
“We even considered adding the flaming Ordnance Bomb proof mark, but there is a fine line between replica and counterfeit, and we felt that would be crossing it,” Mulverhill added.
The Armed Services replica still features the correct United States Property roll marks, while it ships with the correct brown plastic grips. A set of walnut, double-diamond checkered grips is also included.
Tisas Armed Services M1911 A1 Specs:
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Barrel Length: 50-inch Inches
- Accurate reproduction of WWII issued 1911 Remington Rand 1943-1945
- United States Property marked
- Manganese Phosphate Slide, Frame & small parts
- Reprofiled Ejection Port
- Type E Hammer
- Two (2) 7-round magazines
- (2) sets of grips including Accurate reproduction brown plastic grips, and walnut double diamond checkered grips
- MSRP: $479.99
The Tisas USA 1911 A1 Armed Services model is the latest addition to the company’s popular Issued Series of 1911 currently in production in the United States. All of the Tisas Issued Series 1911 pistols come standard with a premium lockable hard case, two magazines, a cleaning kit, a bushing wrench, a trigger lock, and a manual. The Armed Services model is now available with an MSRP of $479.99.
