Metro Arms
- Thread starter h2o4ever
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bdb benzino
Member
Mine is outstanding for the $, beautiful blueing and the fit and finish is better that it was on my Springfield Loaded model that I had. I have put over 1000 rounds through her and have no had a malfunction of any kind and it is still as tight as the day I bought it! Almost every single person that I have read about buying one, has been extremely pleased and had no problems. Great choice and good luck!
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SteelManCM
Member
Worth it? Yep. Finish is excellent, the fit...man, the fit is nice. Need a bushing wrench to turn the bushing on my Commander. The barrel is crowned to be flush with the bushing.
I bought this commander to be a project to learn to bobtail the grip. I've decided to hold off and enjoy the finish a while. Got a great deal on the gun and couldn't be happier.
I bought this commander to be a project to learn to bobtail the grip. I've decided to hold off and enjoy the finish a while. Got a great deal on the gun and couldn't be happier.
Olympus
Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2008
- Messages
- 4,212
I think if American Classic's customer service and warranty are as good as Rock Island's, they'll be on point to overtake RIA's spot in the market. From what I've seen and heard of the ACs, they're mechanically just as good as the RIAs and have significantly higher quality finish. It will be hard to get all of the RIA disciples to give it an honest shakedown, but if I were in the market for a budget 1911, the American Classic Commander is the one I would choose.
SteelManCM
Member
For what it's worth, I guess you could classify me as a Rock Island Disciple. I have 3. When I decided to look for a Commander-sized model, the RIA comes as a 4" with a bull barrel. I wanted a 4 1/4" with a bushing and started to research. Since I obviously have no problems with Phillipine 1911s, I gave a hard look to both the American Classic and the ATI. The ATI was about $50 cheaper, and had the stock GI accoutrements. It also had a parkerized finish. Their CS didn't seem to be to the level of the RIAs.
The American Classic, however has a beautiful blued finish, BTGS, Skeleton Hammer, Trigger, Checkered Grips, Novak Sights, extended Thumb Safety, extended Slide Stop and a great CS reputation. I now have the AC Commander and so does my dad, he liked the feel of mine that much. He bought his before we had a chance to shoot mine.
The American Classic, however has a beautiful blued finish, BTGS, Skeleton Hammer, Trigger, Checkered Grips, Novak Sights, extended Thumb Safety, extended Slide Stop and a great CS reputation. I now have the AC Commander and so does my dad, he liked the feel of mine that much. He bought his before we had a chance to shoot mine.
bdb benzino
Member
Also I like the fact that Metro Arms 1911s have forged slides to boot! I do not think that RIA or SAM makes 1911s with forged slides. My Metro Arms also seems to be in perfect spec, as all the aftermarket parts I have tried fit perfectly. I have added an ED Brown chainlink MSH, a SA SS barrel bushing, and a Wilson Combat FLGR. Tomorrow I send out payment for a NIB SS Colt Enhanced barrel and we will see how it fits also. Love my Metro Arms 1911!!
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Stringfellow
Member
I just bought an RIA Tactical after a good bit of research and consideration between RIA and Metro. The consensus is that Metro gets you more for your money--especially in terms of finish. However, RIA's customer service is considered one of the best in the industry. In contrast, there are horror stories about Metro's CS here in the US. We are talking about multiple cases where they had guys guns for more than a YEAR and have only given them a run around about why/how. That is unacceptable for me, and was the final point in my decision.
Now that is sad, because the pistols have been reviewed very favorably, and the company that imports them (Eagle) also imports Bersa and has a solid reputation. It just makes me wonder if something is going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.
If you are ready to actually buy, I encourage you to first check out the 2 main 1911 forums for more info. There are multiple threads detailing the experiences folks are having with Metro--pro and con.
Now that is sad, because the pistols have been reviewed very favorably, and the company that imports them (Eagle) also imports Bersa and has a solid reputation. It just makes me wonder if something is going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.
If you are ready to actually buy, I encourage you to first check out the 2 main 1911 forums for more info. There are multiple threads detailing the experiences folks are having with Metro--pro and con.
rellascout
member
Has anyone stripped one down to the frame and measured it dimensionally? I am interested in knowning how true to spec the frames are. How many of the smaller parts are MIM? Has anyone swapped out parts like the tumb saftey and mainspring housing? I have considered getting a low end 1911 as a project tinkering gun.
The sub $400 1911 market is getting very crowded.
The sub $400 1911 market is getting very crowded.
MICHAEL T
Member
I have swapped some colt parts on mine. Just to test. All fit The Colt safety even passed the checks in mine. They are 1911 compatible Early models had different threads in the grip bushing to frame. The Grip screw thread were correct . That was changed and all now correct . Eagle has the older style bushing in stock last I checked .
Their are many reworked AC's out their from mild to every thing but frame and slide changed.
As for the warranty problem that was 1 center and owner had health problems . It has been cleared up and every one happy. The people in question are members of my board .http://bersachat.com
I also have one of the first AC made #78 It has been a great pistol Bought 2nd one for soon to be son- in -law .
Their are many reworked AC's out their from mild to every thing but frame and slide changed.
As for the warranty problem that was 1 center and owner had health problems . It has been cleared up and every one happy. The people in question are members of my board .http://bersachat.com
I also have one of the first AC made #78 It has been a great pistol Bought 2nd one for soon to be son- in -law .
bdb benzino
Member
My Ed Brown chainlink MSH needed absolutely no fittting and fit real tight, although it was a real pain. Also there is a guy on the 1911 forums who even tested the hardness of the forged steel to see if it was up to current Colt standards, and I beleive it was dead on. He also refinished it later as there were 3-4 marks from the different areas he tested. If I remeber correctly, they are also Colt dovetail cuts for the front and rear sights.
Ed Minshew who is formerly from STI, is one of the big wigs over at Metro Arms. He really seems to have brought some decent quality with him.
Ed Minshew who is formerly from STI, is one of the big wigs over at Metro Arms. He really seems to have brought some decent quality with him.
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SCBradley
Member
Make sure and look it over VERY closely. I appear to be in the minority, but my AC II was an abomination.
The rear sight fell off on the first range trip. The bore was appallingly rough; filled with gouges and machine marks, with extremely shallow lands. The frame was too short; every grip I tried on it aside from the factory one hung 1/16th" low, and mags protruded.
I was told by the warranty repair location that they'd check it out, but it was probably fine and was given the impression I was expecting too much. When I voiced concerns over not being able to fire my cast loads in this rough of a bore, I was told I didn't really need to fire lead anyway. Great customer service.
I sold it a few days later.
The rear sight fell off on the first range trip. The bore was appallingly rough; filled with gouges and machine marks, with extremely shallow lands. The frame was too short; every grip I tried on it aside from the factory one hung 1/16th" low, and mags protruded.
I was told by the warranty repair location that they'd check it out, but it was probably fine and was given the impression I was expecting too much. When I voiced concerns over not being able to fire my cast loads in this rough of a bore, I was told I didn't really need to fire lead anyway. Great customer service.
I sold it a few days later.
bdb benzino
Member
Just an update, I installed a Colt 5'' Enhanced barrel in my Metro Arms 1911 and it fits beautifully. It operates smooth and locks up tight, and it even feeds various hollow point ammo flawlessly. This pistol just continues to amaze me. I think I will change out the mim in the fire controls and the slide stop and safety as well, just to have everything high quality parts. A kind of "affordable custom" if you will.
Dr_B
member
I bought a Metro Arms 1911 last week. Loaded hardball into the magazine it came with and it would not go into battery. Instead, it kept slamming bullets deeper into their casings. The cartridges were angled downward when sitting at the top of the magazine.
I took it back and the shop owner gave me two different mags to take to the range. At the range, the ammo would not feed regardless of which magazine I used, unless I pressed the mag firmly into the well and then it would feed one round. I got it to fire that one round, but it wouldn't feed the next. I ended up taking it back the shop. The shop owner is shipping it back for me at no charge for either a repair or replacement. I'll see how she runs once I get a replacement. From the posts on this thread I'm suspecting I got a lemon.
I took it back and the shop owner gave me two different mags to take to the range. At the range, the ammo would not feed regardless of which magazine I used, unless I pressed the mag firmly into the well and then it would feed one round. I got it to fire that one round, but it wouldn't feed the next. I ended up taking it back the shop. The shop owner is shipping it back for me at no charge for either a repair or replacement. I'll see how she runs once I get a replacement. From the posts on this thread I'm suspecting I got a lemon.
Dr_B
member
Finally got my new gun. As soon as I pulled the slide back I figured out what had been wrong with the old one. The feed ramp in the first gun had never been polished. This one cycles fine.
Dr_B
member
Took it to the range yesterday. It worked just fine other than not wanting to feed the last round from the mag. The last cartridge just sat on top of the mag, loose, not actually still in the mag.
trickyasafox
Member
my ACII has been great. I recommend them heartily.
Dr_B
member
The new one I got from the factory cycled fine, but the front sight was crooked. My dealer sent the slide back for an exchange. That was almost two months ago. This 1911 has spent more time at the dealer than it has at my home. Kind of makes it not worth the hassle; never having the gun around to enjoy. I'm thinking of selling this one to cover the cost of a revolver I've just purchased.
This particular 1911 might be hit or miss in terms of quality. Probably why it cost just under $500.
This particular 1911 might be hit or miss in terms of quality. Probably why it cost just under $500.
Dr_B
member
**Update**
The magazine completely fell apart after 100 rounds. This happened while I was shooting. Cartridges, spring, follower, and plate fell on my feet. Got a Chip McCormick to replace the factory magazine. Looks better too.
The magazine completely fell apart after 100 rounds. This happened while I was shooting. Cartridges, spring, follower, and plate fell on my feet. Got a Chip McCormick to replace the factory magazine. Looks better too.
Byrd666
Member
The smith at my gun shop swears by the American Classic. Says that's all he'll carry now. Other than his own hybrid of course.
MICHAEL T
Member
http://bersachat.com Lots of American classic owners
Olympus
Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2008
- Messages
- 4,212
Yeah, they're a step above junk. After I got my gun back from the warranty center, they trashed the factory mag and sent two new MecGar mags back with my gun.
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