Grail gun found - Got me a NIB Detonics StreetMaster 1911!!!

[WC145]

I've been looking for a long time for one of these but they're rare as hen's teeth. I have only seen one other for sale (long gone) and pics of maybe 4 or 5 others. Thanks to a heads up from a forum member I hooked up with a dealer out west that had this one. The story is that a few of these were originally made by Detonics when they were in Seattle but were never regular production guns until Jerry Ahern took them over in 2004 and opened the Georgia factory. That factory was operational for less than two years and, while they produced some of the best Detonics guns ever, they made very few of them, especially the StreetMaster.

What makes the StreetMaster unique is that it has a full-size (5") slide/barrel mounted on the CombatMaster frame, which is shorter than an Officers frame. That configuration has never been offered on any other regular production 1911. It makes it look long and stubby but it gives you the best of both worlds - full size sight radius and ballistics with a short grip frame for concealability. I haven't shot it yet (just picked it up a couple of days ago) but I assume it will be quite manageable, the 3.5" barrel CombatMasters have a reputation for being very "shootable" in spite of the short barrel and grip thanks to the recoil spring system. The longer slide will make it more muzzle heavy and should force the recoil back more than up. Should be accurate as well, it locks up nice and tight and has a bushingless barrel.

Anyway, I wanted to share, so here's some pics taken right after I took it out of the bubble wrap!






Here it is next to a full size 1911 for contrast-



And with my customized CombatMaster (also a Georgia gun)-

 

[bannockburn]

WC145

Well it's certainly different looking, I will grant you that. Never heard of this variation before but as long as it feels right and balances properly for you, then you got to be pleased with your purchase. Thanks for sharing and enjoy.

 

[PabloJ]

I've been looking for a long time for one of these but they're rare as hen's teeth. I have only seen one other for sale (long gone) and pics of maybe 4 or 5 others. Thanks to a heads up from a forum member I hooked up with a dealer out west that had this one. The story is that a few of these were originally made by Detonics when they were in Seattle but were never regular production guns until Jerry Ahern took them over in 2004 and opened the Georgia factory. That factory was operational for less than two years and, while they produced some of the best Detonics guns ever, they made very few of them, especially the StreetMaster.

What makes the StreetMaster unique is that it has a full-size (5") slide/barrel mounted on the CombatMaster frame, which is shorter than an Officers frame. That configuration has never been offered on any other regular production 1911. It makes it look long and stubby but it gives you the best of both worlds - full size sight radius and ballistics with a short grip frame for concealability. I haven't shot it yet (just picked it up a couple of days ago) but I assume it will be quite manageable, the 3.5" barrel CombatMasters have a reputation for being very "shootable" in spite of the short barrel and grip thanks to the recoil spring system. The longer slide will make it more muzzle heavy and should force the recoil back more than up. Should be accurate as well, it locks up nice and tight and has a bushingless barrel.

Anyway, I wanted to share, so here's some pics taken right after I took it out of the bubble wrap!






Here it is next to a full size 1911 for contrast-



And with my customized CombatMaster (also a Georgia gun)-

It's superbly thought out concealment piece that was made in limited runs largely because most people are too stupid to see it's merits. Congratulations on great find.

 

[CTGunner]

Looks good. Is there a safety on the back strap?

 

[WC145]

Looks good. Is there a safety on the back strap?

No, there isn't. Compact frame Detonics guns don't have functional grip safeties.

 

[towboat_er]

Wow! Now I'm gonna be looking for one.
Glad ya found her.

 

[Browns Fan]

Very nice find! The only 1911 that I own is a Detonics 9-11-01. I like it a lot, and would never part with it.

 

[johnnydollar]

Sometimes, all a guy can say is, "Wow!" (And congratulations!!)

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Looks ingrown. Should have made it with a 6 inch barrel!

 

[19-3Ben]

Very very interesting gun.

 

[Prosser]

"It's superbly thought out concealment piece that was made in limited runs largely because most people are too stupid to see it's merits. Congratulations on great find." +1 Happy New Year!

I always wanted the one that had a Commander length Slide, on the officers frame. Never legal in Kali. Glad you live in a free state.

 

[Bojangles7]

That's a nice looking pistol.

 

[Prosser]

One of your guns relatives:

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I recall having a serious "jones" for Detonics from back when they first hit the magazines. They were quite a stir-up back when the factory options were limited. I never did seem to get any of them and now would have jumped on yours as well, given the opportunity and cash. Pretty cool conceptually - a nod towards concealability with standard parts.

How 'bout that crown? More concealed carry awareness, I love it. More like a shroud.

 

[Prosser]

I love that barrel design. Makes the gun really easy to break down, and, REALLY accurate.
I'd be shocked if this gun doesn't drive tacks.

 

[armoredman]

Very interesting, made for a shoulder rig.

 

[Armed 24/7]

Prosser,
What is the thinking behind having the rear sight so far forward?

 

[VA27]

I like it! Now I've got to find me one!

 

[Buck Kramer]

This maybe a noob ? but why is the rear sight an inch or so forward?

 

[WC145]

The rear sight position is a Detonics thing carried over from the first generation guns. The most repeated reason for it was to allow for easier thumb cocking when carried in Condition 2 but if you look into Detonics history there's a couple of other reasons/influences that I can't recall at the moment.

One of your guns relatives:

That's what my CombatMaster looked like before I had it worked over.

 

[Prosser]

Gun was designed to be carried with the hammer in position 2, that's the slight cock right?, with a loaded chamber. I have owned 3 Mark Vi's, 1 Mark VII, and this combatmaster. For those that like a front site, and rear site, Detonics found they could move the back sites forward, with little loss, if any in accuracy. The trade off was in C2 the gun is much easier to carry, without the hammer sticking you in places you don't want, and the trade off is you just have to cock the hammer.

The Mark VII had no sites, and was a point and shoot, with smoothed edges.
It was pretty much THE design they wanted for a CCW gun, at combat ranges. No sites, train, point shoot.

The sick part is I paid about 470 each for the first four guns, and kept one.
I had no idea that this screwed up state would make it impossible to own these guns.

Good part is I sold the guns to my friends, and they still have them.