Opinions on the American Classic (Metro Arms) 1911?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ally

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
43
Location
Raleigh, NC
I want a 1911 in my little collection by the end of the year. I know someone who owns an American Classic commander 1911, and it shot like a dream. I really liked it a lot. I loved the light trigger and its accuracy.

But. . . . I don't know anything about its reputation or reliability. I just know that I could get it for just under $500, (I can't spend 1k on a gun at this point in my life),

Any first-hand knowledge of this firearm from people who've actually owned one?

Thanks!
 
Reliability = Colt or Ruger or Remington

They also have actual customer service

'nuf said
 
Knowing that it has been well received by both reviewers and those who own them is it your intent to buy the least expensive solid 1911 available? I don't mean to detract from the value evident in PI produced pistols but you could opt for a used Colt for about the same $500 you're looking at spending. For a few hundred more you could buy a new one thanks to layaway.

My point is the Colt will hold it's value much better, it will have the 100 years rollmark this year and it will be an heirloom to hand down.

Food for thought as I don't know what your intended purpose is.
 
I unfortunately gambled on one of these on an impulse buy. The bore looked like it had been made in a shack in Pakistan. Very shallow rifling, deep scratches and gouges running the entire length of the barrel. The rear sight fell off on the first range trip. The frame also had lots of issues.

The Bersa/Firestorm warranty center gave me the run around. They said it was more than likely fine and implied I was expecting too much.

Spend your money on a quality weapon.
 
I have a few 1911's, and one is a Metro Arms American Classic II.

The Metro Arms pistol is not beautiful. It isn't the most smooth in slide operation. But in shooting it along side 1911's that are triple the price, I can see no difference on the target. Like most 1911's, it is very accurate, and easy to shoot accurately.
 
I have one and it has never given me a moments problem but I only have approximately 500 rounds down range. The people who I know that have them are pleased as well (6). As far as holding value you pay $450 for the American Classic or $800 for anything else and if you decide to sell you will probably not have much of a problem selling either for close to what you paid for them.
 
Fit and finish are terrible, you get what you pay for
.

This guy is always taliking bad about Philipine pistols and I dont think he even knows that Metro Arms is a completly different company than RIA or Armscor, yet he always comments on them!

Wow, mine is way better fit and finished than my Springfeild Loaded model I had. It is also tighter and smoother, I guess I got a sweet one!
 
Last edited:
My dad bought one a few months ago and it turned out to be a jam-o-matic. Firing pin was hitting the outer edge of the primers and it would jam about every other round. Luckly Davidsons Gallery of Guns has the best warranty around and they gave him the option of having it repaired, replaced or credit towards the gun of his choice. He went with a Ruger LCR and is waiting for them to get some of the new Ruger 1911's in stock so he can try one of those out. I've heard a lot of good reviews on the Rock Island and American Classics but I think their probably a lot like Taurus, hit or miss.
 
Yes fit and finish is great on mine too. I do like the blued finish on the Metro Arms American Classic ll better than the RRA 1911. But that is a matter of taste.
 
Apparently, based on every American Classic thread I've ever read, Metro Arms is putting out two variations of this gun. One has superb fit and finish that rivals top tier custom guns, the other is a hunk of ill fit cast garbage.
 
Mine is at one of their warranty centers right now getting a new disconnector. The hammer would stop halfway down on every other shot. Other than that, fit and finish was very nice, actually felt better than my new Ruger. I dont feel like i did particularly bad on it, as it was $426 new. Once i get it back, i'm sure it'll be just fine.
 
I handles one about a year ago when looking for a 1911. It was a piece of junk even for the price. Buy a Rock Island or Para if you want an inexpensive 1911.
 
Beauty, or lack of, is in the eye of the beholder.

Different folks have different standards.
 
well, you ask for opinions, yer gonna get 'em! :D

Skylerbone, The 1911 will be used for target shooting, and home defense.

I like the idea of spending more, and using lay-a-way as my friend. So Colt makes a good 1911 commander .45acp, eh? I'll have to look into it. I'm so gun-broke right now, it's not something I'm planning until closer to the end of the year. :)

:uhoh:
 
I personally couldn't bring myself to buy such an "American" gun that's not made in America. Just seems weird and wrong to me but then again I'm pretty weird myself! :)
 
Fit and finish are terrible, you get what you pay for.
Funny mine gives my Dan Wesson a run for money at frame to slide fit and smoothness of slide
Way better fit than any of my Colts.
I will buy another .
The new Officer size Amigo is a nice compact. Got lots of good reviews at the NRA show from the public . As the handled it .
 
My local shop had an American Classic II in the case with a ParaOrdnance, Remington R1, Colt Custom Combat (?), and a Springfield Govt Model. The AC had a MUCH better fit and finish than the Para or the R1. There was noticeable slop in the slide to frame fit of both of them, the triggers weren't very nice (the R1 was WAY too light) and the safety of the Para was very poorly fitted. (actually the R1s didn't feel very good either) The Para had a crappy painted on finish, by the looks of it, and the feed ramp wasn't polished at all. The R1 was pretty nice but I couldn't see where the extra money would go over the AC. The AC had a very nice blued finish, the machining was very nice, and it was TIGHT. There was no slide to frame slop, even with the barrel removed, and there was no play at the barrel hood either. Racking the slide was soooooo smooth. It felt like a much more expensive weapon. In fact it felt almost identical to the Colt but it was $500 cheaper. I liked the Colt. It felt worlds better than the Para or the Remington but the only thing I would have been buying is the name in my book and a name isn't worth $500 bucks to me. The Springer, btw, felt just like an old military 1911. It had lots of slop and play everywhere and an aweful trigger. I believe it was used so I won't compare it directly with the others but it still cost more than the AC. I put the AC on layaway and I'll pick it up next Monday. Can't wait.
 
My 7 year old is very much looking forward to the day I hand him the keys to my Jeep. Were it a Yugo I think he'd consider saving his money up.

I'm sure many people grew up with NEF shotguns and pellet rifles as first firearms. My first was a Remington 1100. I worked for half and the other was my birthday gift. Still have it and still use it. Still looks like new. Someday that too will go to my son.

Yes Colt is a name. It is also a legend. In time, for some it will be a legacy. There is nothing wrong with buying a well made inexpensive 1911 but there is something so right in owning a nicer one.
 
I own 2 metro arms .45s, 1 colt and 2 SA. The MA guns shoot as good as any of them. The fit and finish is better on the MAs. Trigger is just as good. My buds who have bought them love'm. Can't go wrong with MA.
 
It sounds to me like quality control is the issue. The good ones are fine and the bad ones are junk. I don't think I would want something with such varying quality control issues.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top