[gglass]

My wife got me this fantastic B-Day present early... Or maybe I should say that I got it for me on her behalf. :D Me so happy!!!

This is the new German made GSG1911 (German Sports Guns GSG). It is a .22lr version of a 1911 that will allow me to shoot all day long for pennies per shot. I really needed a cheap shooter, with a 1911 feel, so that I can work on point-aiming techniques.

My trip to the range was really surprising. I was pretty accurate with the new gun, but I found it to be distinctly different from my other 1911's and other full-size handguns. The shocker was that I had absolutely ZERO issues out of more than 300 rounds fired. This new shooter seems more reliable than a Timex watch so far, and is more reliable than the average .22lr semi-auto on the market today. Even with its added complexity, I would have to put it into the same reliability range of a Ruger Mark III.

The GSG1911 is a much more solid handgun than the Chiappa Puma 1911 .22lr that debuted a few months ago. I was astounded at the fit, finish and detail that went into the manufacture of this gun. It is far better built than you might expect a $324 handgun to be.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/8406/mygsg1911.jpg

30 Shots at 12-yards on a Post-It Note. (I almost lost 2 of them)
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5113/1stshotspostit.jpg
This will tighten up quite a bit with more time. I'm happy with the results the 1st time out.

GSG 1911 Web Site (http://www.gsg-waffen.de/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=61&Itemid=99&lang=en)

[Jed Carter]

I would have gotten a real 1911 and added a .22lr conversion kit. For the money it looks like a lot of fun, but trigger wise is it comparable to a Buckmark? The pic of the target would suggest that the trigger is ok for a plinker.

[gglass]

I would have gotten a real 1911 and added a .22lr conversion kit. For the money it looks like a lot of fun, but trigger wise is it comparable to a Buckmark? The pic of the target would suggest that the trigger is ok for a plinker.

Hmmm... Thanks for the advice, but I think that you are reading far more into a target than is possible without knowing all of the variables. My grouping on a Post-It not has absolutely nothing to do with the trigger. It has everything to do with my familiarity with the sights that come with the pistol and the shooting characteristics of this particular pistol.

First and foremost, the trigger on the GSG1911 is quite good, and is at least as good as the average off-the-shelf 1911. GSG lists the trigger at 4 to 5.5 lbs, and I would say that my example is on the upper side of that range. The GSG is NOT like the Chiappa Puma 1911 that has a 12lb trigger.

I own several 1911's, and I can assure you that other than the fixed barrel, the GSG1911 is a 1911. According to ATI (the US importer of GSG firearms):

On the GSG 1911 what parts are interchangeable w/ an actual 1911 .45?

Barrel Bushing
Front & Rear Site
Hammer
Trigger
Grip Safety
the Whole Main Spring Housing
Thumb Safety
Sear
Disconnector
Sear Spring
Grip Panels (but not the screws because they're in metric)
Mag Release
Sear Pin
Hammer Pin
Plunger Tube
Plunger Spring

[Sock Puppet]

I've been hearing a lot of positive about those, congrats! I was able to handle one a couple of weeks ago, and I agree with you on the overall feel. Fit and finish looked to be very good as well.

If possible, give us an update after a few thousand rounds.

[gglass]

Color me happy!

The follow-up to my original post has to do with accuracy. I could go on and on about the 1,300 flawless rounds over the last three days, but I'll just stick to how accurate the GSG1911 is.

At 46, I cannot claim to have great eyes anymore, but my hands are steady. The targets below represent 10 shots each at 15-yards. The shooting is off-hand in a modified weaver stance. So... Is the GSG1911 accurate? You be the judge.

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/1228/gsg1911targets001.jpg
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9351/gsg1911targets002.jpg
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4170/gsg1911targets003.jpg

[Radagast]

On that performance I will buy one if they ever make it to Australia. The Chiappas are already selling down here, but they don't interest me. I'm willing to pay a bit more for (hopefully) a better product.

[stahlmangc]

I've had the same experience with both accuracy and reliability. Good looking gun, fun to shoot, and a great price point.