Magnum Research 1911U (undercover) opinions

[Jim NE]

Does anyone have the Magnum Research 1911U Undercover pistol in .45 ACP? Or have you shot one? What do you think of it? There was a review by GunsAmerica on youtube, and they presented it as a well made gun, but one with some reliability issues. I've heard that short barreled 1911's can have reliability issues. It wouldn't work for me as a defensive weapon without close to 100% reliability. Especially for a gun that lists over $900.

Bud's reviews are very good, but there are only four of them for that gun. Let me know what you think.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I've never heard of or seen that gun before.

I know this doesn't answer your question but I'm curious what it claims to offer over similar guns that are priced less. Around my parts you can get a new Defender for $700 ~. I've seen used ones in the $5-600 range.

And then there are of course much cheaper imports of the same size available even cheaper.

 

[AZAndy]

Never seen that one. Is it a 3.5" barrel?

I have two short barreled 1911s and have had no trouble with either. They can be reliable. One's a Colt Compact and the other's a Sig Ultra.

 

[Jim NE]

It has an alloy frame, though other compact 1911's may have that, too. The barrel is 3", I believe. One other thing I like about it is that it doesn't have the standard 1911 barrel bushing. I think the idea is that it makes disassembly easier.

 

[AZAndy]

It has an alloy frame, though other compact 1911's may have that, too. The barrel is 3", I believe. One other thing I like about it is that it doesn't have the standard 1911 barrel bushing. I think the idea is that it makes disassembly easier.

The bull barrel is common on short 1911s, though takedown differs quite a bit between manufacturers. Sometimes there's a tool involved, sometimes not.

It looks like it comes with two six-round magazines, but seven-rounders would be available from all the usual people (McCormick, Wilson, etc.). Kahr is handling the importation from Israel, so maybe they're handling any warranty work as well, but I don't know that for sure.

I found a couple of positive reviews on this pistol, so I think you should buy it so you can let us know what you think. The lowest price I've found for a new one locally is 839, and that's a stainless model, so the one you're looking at may be a little less. If you do a search for reviews on it, you'll find some, including some YouTube material. I read two that mentioned a 2" group at 15 yards off a rest.

An alloy-frame small 1911 is easy to carry and won't beat you up when you shoot it. They're certainly snappier than a full-size steel one, but it's not horrific.

 

[Jim NE]

Hi Andy. The price I found for the non-stainless version is $604 from Bud's which I think is a great price for a gun that lists at about 950. That's kind of a clearance price, so I'm going to have to make a final decision soon...before that great price goes away.

 

[AZAndy]

Hi Andy. The price I found for the non-stainless version is $604 from Bud's which I think is a great price for a gun that lists at about 950. That's kind of a clearance price, so I'm going to have to make a final decision soon...before that great price goes away.

Ooooh, that's a good price!

 

[bannockburn]

Jim NE

One thing I have found shooting compact 1911s in .45 ACP is that there's less felt recoil and muzzle flip shooting 185 or 200 gr. bullets. Let us know if you decide to get one.

 

[Jim NE]

Jim NE

One thing I have found shooting compact 1911s in .45 ACP is that there's less felt recoil and muzzle flip shooting 185 or 200 gr. bullets. Let us know if you decide to get one.

Thanks for the tip. I have a few other .45 ACP's, but I almost always use the 230gr., so I'll try the other ammo in this small 1911.

Well...I went ahead and put the gun on layaway, so I guess it's a done deal. I'm a little surprised I didn't encounter any people at the forums who own one, but it'll be fun owning and trying something new and different. I'll be happy to post a range report when I get it...but that won't be til mid-October. Thanks for the input, guys.

 

[bannockburn]

Jim NE

Looks like it has all the bells and whistles that you could want in any 1911. Hope everything goes well with it when you get it out of layaway and of course, full range report when the time comes.

 

[RPRNY]

I don't know the Magnm Research U1911. It's a good looking pistol. And $600 seems like a value for it.

As an alternative, if you are interested in one, I do have in RIA Compact. It's 3.5" (bull barrel, no bushing) and all steel, so not as light. Standard mag is 7 rounds and there's a Chip McCormack 8. It is not as undercover as the MR. It is, however, utterly reliable. It will digest anything that roughly resembles a 45acp cartridge. Doesn't seem to care about shape, alloy or even COAL very much. In about 2500 rounds thus far, I have had one stove-pipe on a reload. It is also remarkably accurate.

The "parkerized" version is available for $400. Quotation marks because while it may be parkerized, it looks like a Rustoleum rattle-can finish to me. I bought the Lipsey's special Cerakoted in FDE (more like desert tan).

An option to consider.

 

[Jim NE]

....I do have in RIA Compact. It's 3.5" (bull barrel, no bushing) and all steel, so not as light. Standard mag is 7 rounds and there's a Chip McCormack 8. It is not as undercover as the MR. It is, however, utterly reliable. It will digest anything that roughly resembles a 45acp cartridge. Doesn't seem to care about shape, alloy or even COAL very much. In about 2500 rounds thus far, I have had one stove-pipe on a reload. It is also remarkably accurate...An option to consider.

Sounds like a great gun with great reliability.

I'm not sure where I heard that small 1911's had an issue with reliability, but I'm starting to think I either imagined it...or it fit's in the "urban myth" category. Most of the reviews for the Desert Eagle say the thing is reliable, but there was one review where the guy had some probs. I think that any gun can have issues now and then, and with luck, my Desert Eagle will be as reliable and accurate as your Rock Island.

I'm excited to get it, but now I'm sort of wishing I ordered the stainless version...but that's $200 more, so nah. Even with the great price I got, I'm spending more than I usually spend on guns.