M-Arms Kratos...possibly the finest modern pistol available

bc1023

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
1,577
Its definitely in my top three anyway and if it shoots like I've heard and expect it to, it could easily be #1. I say modern, because its hard to compare the older guns. It was a different era, with different materials, technology, and processes. I have some extremely fine older pistols that are hand built works of art, but the metallurgy and machining precision are way better today.

This pistol is a tour de force of precision and quality. The M-Arms Kratos is a joint effort between M-Arms of Slovenia and Phoenix of Switzerland. It is based lightly on the M1911, but has significant differences and improvements. It debuted in Europe in 2023 and made it into the states late last year. The importer brought in five to start and I was lucky enough to get one. All parts large and small, are machined from billet steel. Truthfully, it’s one of the most impressive pistols I’ve ever seen. It’s very tight, yet extremely smooth. The Kratos has been known to shoot 70,000+ rounds without a single part replaced. Initial factory ransom rest accuracy testing has yielded sub 1” groups at 50 meters, which would instantly make it one of the most accurate handguns in history. The Kratos reminds me of Cabot due to its extreme precise machining, but its also beefier and heavier than any of my Cabot 1911's or 2011's.

Shaking the gun, even with an empty magazine inserted, makes no sound. It feels like one solid piece of steel. The Kratos weighs over 3lbs unloaded. The slide and frame are stainless, with the slide finished in black DLC for a nice two tone look. The Kratos is loosely based on the 1911, but has several upgrades to make it stand out. I expect it to shoot better than any 1911 I own. It's as precise as a Cabot, as tight as something like a Les Baer, yet glass smooth like maybe a Pardini GT. Its extremely impressive. I have yet to shoot mine, but plan to soon. If it shoots like expected (and I have zero reason to think it won't), it will actually be a bargain at $7000+. That's how good it is.











 
Its definitely in my top three anyway and if it shoots like I've heard and expect it to, it could easily be #1. I say modern, because its hard to compare the older guns. It was a different era, with different materials, technology, and processes. I have some extremely fine older pistols that are hand built works of art, but the metallurgy and machining precision are way better today.

This pistol is a tour de force of precision and quality. The M-Arms Kratos is a joint effort between M-Arms of Slovenia and Phoenix of Switzerland. It is based lightly on the M1911, but has significant differences and improvements. It debuted in Europe in 2023 and made it into the states late last year. The importer brought in five to start and I was lucky enough to get one. All parts large and small, are machined from billet steel. Truthfully, it’s one of the most impressive pistols I’ve ever seen. It’s very tight, yet extremely smooth. The Kratos has been known to shoot 70,000+ rounds without a single part replaced. Initial factory ransom rest accuracy testing has yielded sub 1” groups at 50 meters, which would instantly make it one of the most accurate handguns in history. The Kratos reminds me of Cabot due to its extreme precise machining, but its also beefier and heavier than any of my Cabot 1911's or 2011's.

Shaking the gun, even with an empty magazine inserted, makes no sound. It feels like one solid piece of steel. The Kratos weighs over 3lbs unloaded. The slide and frame are stainless, with the slide finished in black DLC for a nice two tone look. The Kratos is loosely based on the 1911, but has several upgrades to make it stand out. I expect it to shoot better than any 1911 I own. It's as precise as a Cabot, as tight as something like a Les Baer, yet glass smooth like maybe a Pardini GT. Its extremely impressive. I have yet to shoot mine, but plan to soon. If it shoots like expected (and I have zero reason to think it won't), it will actually be a bargain at $7000+. That's how good it is.











You shoot these bad boys or just drew over them!
 
I laughed a little when I read modern pistol and then saw a 1911, but I get what you mean. That does look like a masterpiece of machining precision. Congrats, that is a beautiful pistol.
 
I laughed a little when I read modern pistol and then saw a 1911, but I get what you mean. That does look like a masterpiece of machining precision. Congrats, that is a beautiful pistol.
Yeah meant modern production, not so much the design. Modern production of maybe the past 20 years or so.
 
So other than the external extractor, what differences does this have vs the 1911?

Beautiful pistol by the way!!
Thanks. It’s certainly based on the M1911, but has some notable differences. Breaks down differently, the barrel is different, the barrel lugs are different, has an accurizing bushing, among several other things. It’s also a lot heavier and more robust.

Ziga explains it well here.

 
Last edited:
I saw an M Arms pictured on FB by Anthony Lombardo.

1742739277331.png

I assume it is an Aion. What caught my eye is where he says:
"Very innovative hi-cap 1911 out of Slovenia from M-Arms that takes Tanfoglio magazines..has some other unique attributes-cylindrical barrel, external extractor, titanium one piece trigger....it's almost like they are paying attention?"

Is that so? Not mentioned one way or another on M Arms www where they wax lyrical over "A revolutionary 2011 handgun,."
It would sure be convenient in Europe. Even here with good distribution of Mec Gar magazines.
But it seems like "2011" is getting to be as elastic a term as "1911."

Lots of ESL stuff in M Arms literature. I wonder what the author thinks he is describing by "The barrel is a fully cylindrical rifled bul barrel". It sure has a lot of lumps and bumps to be called a cylinder. But WAIT! Maybe he means inside, that the bore was cylindrical, not the wallowed out mess of a "polygon" barrel.

Re Kratos. I know that heavy guns are the current fashion, but for my liking three pounds is at least half a pound too much on a gun derived from a 38 ounce 1911.
 
I saw an M Arms pictured on FB by Anthony Lombardo.

View attachment 1256623

I assume it is an Aion. What caught my eye is where he says:
"Very innovative hi-cap 1911 out of Slovenia from M-Arms that takes Tanfoglio magazines..has some other unique attributes-cylindrical barrel, external extractor, titanium one piece trigger....it's almost like they are paying attention?"

Is that so? Not mentioned one way or another on M Arms www where they wax lyrical over "A revolutionary 2011 handgun,."
It would sure be convenient in Europe. Even here with good distribution of Mec Gar magazines.
But it seems like "2011" is getting to be as elastic a term as "1911."

Lots of ESL stuff in M Arms literature. I wonder what the author thinks he is describing by "The barrel is a fully cylindrical rifled bul barrel". It sure has a lot of lumps and bumps to be called a cylinder. But WAIT! Maybe he means inside, that the bore was cylindrical, not the wallowed out mess of a "polygon" barrel.

Re Kratos. I know that heavy guns are the current fashion, but for my liking three pounds is at least half a pound too much on a gun derived from a 38 ounce 1911.
They are both pretty far removed from the 1911 or 2011, Jim. They use those terms to relate to the American market. They are a good deal different.

The Kratos is over 48oz. The Aion is supposedly 56oz
 
I know they are considerably departed from the originals, I was wondering specifically about the magazine.
Tanfoglio magazines would be a good choice if they did not want to replicate the original STI 2011.
Heck, even Staccato, corporate descendant of STI, is getting away from 2011 magazines.
 
Is anyone still using the front of the triggerguard for anything but protecting the trigger? It's just jarring, on an otherwise handsome pistol, to have that right angle triggerguard.
Fear that there will be 'gas pedals', long after the high speed/low drag guys have moved on to some other gadget.
Browning's original design was 'just right' in so many ways; add a Pic rail if necessary, and provision for an optic. But let's try to restore grace to gun design.
For the OP, quite a gun.
Moon
 
Back
Top