Savage now in the 1911 market

sabbfan

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Received an e-mail today from Savage, looks like there is a new player in the 1911 market. Looks nice, haven’t seen any info on pricing. I’m kind of surprised this is what they picked for a new product, if I had to guess I would have thought they’d have gone after the new Hi Power market but they must have figured the 1911 market still has room for a new player. https://savagearms.com/1911
 
What's the overall consensus on Savage handguns? I played with a new blinged out 9mm at Sportsman's a few months back and liked it but for some reason I've always associated them with cheaper quality.
 
I guess actual pricing will come in somewhat lower.

I sort of like the slide contour near the front— a rounded top. And… it comes with railed & rail-less slide options. It will be interesting to see what hands on reviews say.

I have questions about the dual recoil springs. However, specs state “gi type” recoil spring guide.
 
Lots of introductory hyperbole at the link…. Guns and Ammo staff say Savage is now known for building high qual 1911’s….I would propose that remains to be seen as currently there is NO TRACK RECORD to substantiate that statement. I do hope they sell. The gun does look good on the outside.

Added: Are they homegrown or imported? Can’t determine that from their website.
 
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Well, okay. I've got nothing against Savage and hope them success.

Another new "tactical" 1911, though, gets me in about the same way as another new striker-fired polymer 9 mm, which is to say "not at all". I'd be intrigued by a high-quality "military" gun, without all the slots and grooves and glowing-in-the-dark, but that may just be me.
 
Given the number of commercially available on the shelf parts for 1911, how Sage could not leverage those into a product with a less than US$1500 MSRP is confusing me. My only thought there is that they are trying to get "into" the high-end 1911 market. But, that seems odd, too, as the folks in those waters are spending US$2000-2500, and would probably look down on a mere US$1500 firearm.

I'm still not convinced there is a "new wave" of High Powers just waiting to come ashore either--there are only like 10 or 20 million GP35s out there after all.
 
There probably isn't one as I think this is their first.
First since their rotating barrel pocket autos from the early 1900s and the single shot .22 Model 101 SAA clone.
As far as this new thing....meh, not interested. Might look again if they introduce a GI model.
Would rather they had come up with an original DA metal pistol.....(shrugs).
 
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I'm happy yo see Savage expanding their handgun line, only makes sense for them to now that we have 50 state conceal carry.

That said, Savage better deliver in quality at that price and how heavy the competition is in what is an already oversaturated 1911 market.
How old is the 1911 design! ! !

more 1911’s the better
 
I like it. I like the various slide and frame milling accent cuts.

I'm guessing it will go well under the MSRP moreso than most firearms. Sub $1000 I would hope if it wants to compete.

I tried to look up some small batch brands to see if Savage was using them (like when Savage ripped off that Honor Guard with their own Stance model).

Looking quickly at Devil Dog and Christensen (last 1911 that had interesting milling that I could remember that was asking semi premium prices). Couldn't find any similarities with pictures.

But hey, I'm a corporate conspiracy theorist.

I'll have to check with Savage's parent's portfolio.

Anyways, like I said, I like it so far just not for the money

Oh, and Guns and Ammo is a paid advertisement.
 
Competition in the 1911 market is tough right now.

Tisa's (Turkish) and Taylor's (Phillipines/ARMSCOR) are selling some really nice 1911's - and in a wide variety of configurations for well below $500 right now.

Several models with all the bells and whistles for "modern carry" configuration.
No "National Match" models (yet).

I picked up the Taylor "1911-A1" model in 45 ACP (parkerized) and the Tisas "Tank Commander" in 9mm (Cerakote) recently for $300 and $420 respectively. Not a lot of rounds through either so far. No malfunctions, and good accuracy, in a small range test last weekend.

In the past, I've had real bad luck with 1911's hitting me in the head with spent brass. The Tank Commander 9mm was awful with Remington 115-grain. Almost every case hit me right in the forehead. But it behaved with my 124-grain handload and a factory 124-grain load. It almost hit me - almost - with steel case 9mm Wolf 115-grain. I only had a mild 200-grain handload available for the 45. None of those 45 ACP cases landed anywhere near my head.

So that's the primary thing I use to judge a 1911:
Does it hit me in the head with brass?

IMG_5546.jpg
 
My only thought there is that they are trying to get "into" the high-end 1911 market. But, that seems odd, too, as the folks in those waters are spending US$2000-2500, and would probably look down on a mere US$1500 firearm.

"High-end" without checkering? Hard Pass. Esp. with the quality issues seen on their site. About the only thing I like abut it is the undercut trigger guard.
upload_2022-12-22_9-10-40.png

PS Those buyers are also spending a whole lot more than 2-2.5k now-a-days.
 
Given the number of commercially available on the shelf parts for 1911, how Sage could not leverage those into a product with a less than US$1500 MSRP is confusing me. My only thought there is that they are trying to get "into" the high-end 1911 market. But, that seems odd, too, as the folks in those waters are spending US$2000-2500, and would probably look down on a mere US$1500 firearm.

I'm still not convinced there is a "new wave" of High Powers just waiting to come ashore either--there are only like 10 or 20 million GP35s out there after all.

If they use no MIM parts and execute it reasonably well, they could slip in between the Colt/SA/Kimber price point and the Dan Wesson one.
 
I don't care for the hinky-dinky cuts on the slide and I do not want the rail thingy underneath the barrel. Curmudgeon I may be but I prefer the cleaner, slicker 1911s of old. All the glamorizing does nothing to make the gun better. Also there is no way I would pay it's price when there are so many proven offerings available for the same or even less money. I do hope they make a go with it but I won't be of any help..
 
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