My New 1911 - American Classic II $450

[FMJMIKE]

I have to admit I do not know much about 1911s. I previously owned two RIA 1911s and did not like the sights. Well I have been reading very good reviews on the Firestorm and American Classic II 1911s in 45 ACP. They are made by Metro Arms in Manila Philippines. I took a chance and ordered an American Classic II off Gunbroker.com. WOW !!! I love this thing. Great trigger and shoots extremely accurately. I'm so impressed I ordered another one. Pistol was $400 plus shipping and transfer fee. I feel like a kid. I can't put this gun down. Check one out guys !!!........

 

[jakk280rem]

looks like it has a decent blueing job. something lacking from many 1911 makers lineups. do they make a commander size?

 

[Grizfire]

Nice. Looks like a good deal considering the parts shown....beaver tail safety, lowered and flared ejection port, extended trigger, forward cocking serrations.

Usually you don't get those on a 1911 in that price range.

 

[Dr.Zubrato]

Great looking 1911!
Sure wish it was mine, lots of bells and whistles for the price!

Will it feed JHP?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

That looks like a nice polishing/bluing job, and the wood grips are attractive too. But what is up with that funky hammer?

 

[xring]

Blasphemy! "GOVERNMENT MODEL" stamping?
Shame, shame.

 

[doc540]

the hammer design is the company logo

 

[rbernie]

As far as I understand things, it's essentially the same pistol as the RIA/Citadel 'Tactical'. A few details are different - grips and hammer and slide serrations being the most obvious - but by all accounts the remainder is standard ARMSCOR.

 

[FMJMIKE]

It's not made by Armscor.............It is made by Metro Arms !!!

 

[Beagle-zebub]

I'm pretty sure it's blued, too, not parked. I think the trigger is even adjustable for over-travel....

 

[railroader]

I had an armscor tactical a few years back and it had plain black sights which were kind of hard to see. It looks as though the American classic went with 3 dot sights which I would think would be an improvement. Overall that is a very nice looking gun except for the hammer looks kinda goofy. Mark

 

[Cards81fan]

Does the "II" mean it has a firing pin block?




I keeeeed, I keeeeeeeed

Here's the distributor's website: http://www.americanclassic1911.com/index.php

I like the Deluxe, but think I'd get new sights for one pronto. They ruin the lines of that gun, in my humble opinion.

 

[c919]

Yep, That's definitely on my short list.

They just look great, especially for the $$$

 

[rbernie]

It's not made by Armscor.............It is made by Metro Arms !!!

Ok, let's put it differently - the Armscor and the Metro pistols reportedly use many of the same parts that have been sourced from the same vendors. They may be two different corporate entities, but their end products are reasonably synonymous because they share common bits. That's not a bad thing - I think well of my Phillipino 1911s....

The Metro's slide/frame flats are clearly finished better than their Armscor counterparts.

 

[smartshooter.45]

i own a RIA tactical and i am noticing some other key differences as well. the metro arms has an extended slide release and also a wider thumb catch on the manual safety. the slide release on my RIA always felt good, but i think i would prefer the metro style thumb safety. i also would much prefer metro's finish. wow! also agreed that the "government model" marking is an eye sore. overall shes a beauty for that price range.


The RIA Tactical with some custom grips

 

[eatont9999]

That looks like a really good deal. $400 for all that is amazing. How is it with feeding and reliability?

 

[FMJMIKE]

I have only fired a couple mags so far without a problem. This 1911 is much nicer than the RIA Tactical I owned. The three dot sights are nice !!! The slide is also extremely smooth....................

 

[M&PVolk]

How's the trigger pull? Does the safety have a very positive engagement?

 

[.45&TKD]

Does the "II" mean it has a firing pin block?

That's a good question. Anyone know?

 

[BigO01]

Just Dloaded the manual for the Deluxe version and it is Pure series 70 without any kind of a Firing Pin "Block" in the schematic .

Now if they would just come out with a true Commander copy in Nickle .

 

[FMJMIKE]

The trigger pull on my first AC II is close to 4 - 4 1/2 lbs. The second one is even nicer. I would guess 3.5 - 4 lbs. The II stands for their ( Metro Arms) second model. They have a standard model without all the bells and whistles. The safety engagement is positive but not overly difficult to engage. I read in another review that another owner wished the safety engagement was a bit stiffer. Hope this helps....................

 

[berkbw]

If you're concerned if it has a ser. 80 block, just look at the FPS.

b-

 

[Silent Bob]

It is called the American Classic "II" because the first American Classic is a more or less GI pattern gun:

http://www.americanclassic1911.com/

 

[doc540]

$450 gun with $80 grips

 

[Troy308]

I own Glocks, CZ's, Ruger's, and many surplus pistols. I've never owned a 1911 and always wanted one. I bought the Firestorm like the one being discussed for $369, plus $25 shipping off of Gunbroker. It was refurbished but in like new condition. I have no other 1911's to compare it to, but for a 1911 under $400, I love it. It will be used mainly for plinking. I've shot a couple hundred rounds of ball ammo through it and so far no jams or malfunctions whatsoever.