Recently picked up a GSG-1911 -- it was an impulse purchase for sure. I paid $345. Unfortunately the pistol comes with only one mag, and extras don't seem to be in very plentiful supply. But that's the end of the bad news.
This gun is very enjoyable to shoot, for several reasons. First, it costs about $.08 vs. $0.34 per round to shoot (I'm comparing the price of CCI Mini-Mags to the Walmart price of Winchester White Box .45ACP). That's about 75% less ammo cost. If you're not lucky enough to find .45ACP at Walmart, the savings are even better.
The second feature that makes this a fun gun: It's reasonably accurate, i.e., no problem with an under-1" group at 7 yards. I haven't had a chance to test the pistol at greater distances (I rarely practice at anything beyond typical self-defense distances).
Third: The rear sight is windage-adjustable, and the height of the front sight is adjustable by selecting any one of three sights provided. They pop in and out with an allen wrench. It took some patience and fiddling to zero my sights (about 50 rounds), but, as noted above, I was pleased with the 7-yard accuracy when done. All adjustments, including swapping front sights, can be easily done right on the firing line, if your range allows it.
Fourth: The finish on the gun is pretty decent -- but there is more than the usual amount of text printed on the slide and frame. On the plus side, the text is tastefully done, nothing garish in annoying type styles.
Fifth: I had to call customer service with a couple questions, and the gunsmith handling the GSG-1911 at ATI is a real knowledgeable 1911 specialist and a super nice guy. This is a real plus!
CAVEATS: The recoil spring in this pistol is slightly tapered! The wider end goes in the plug. Reassembling with the spring in backwards results in a vicious lock-up of the slide. Be aware! Also, the manual (at least the one I got) makes NO reference to a hex screw that must be removed before the slide will come off the frame. I'm sure you'd see this right away, but it's worth a note. Also, the GSG-1911 requires high-velocity .22LR, so stick with Mini-Mags or the like. I had about 5 failures to feed in over 200 rounds of Mini-Mags, which, for now, I chalk up to normal break-in behavior. No other malfunctions.
MORE CAVEATS: I read a claim somewhere that 80% of the parts of the GSG-1911 are interchangeable with a mil-spec 1911. I detail-stripped the GSG-1911 and I think the 80% figure is high -- but no telling how that 80% was actually calculated! I'll also mention the trigger. It's unlike most 1911 triggers because it has ALMOST no "take up". Otherwise, it's crisp at about (I'm guessing) 4-5 lbs.
All in all, a very fun gun. Does it replace training with a .45 1911? No, for so many reasons. But if you have young sons, like I do, who are ready to begin shooting a handgun, this pistol is a perfect intro to the 1911!
tap n rack
This gun is very enjoyable to shoot, for several reasons. First, it costs about $.08 vs. $0.34 per round to shoot (I'm comparing the price of CCI Mini-Mags to the Walmart price of Winchester White Box .45ACP). That's about 75% less ammo cost. If you're not lucky enough to find .45ACP at Walmart, the savings are even better.
The second feature that makes this a fun gun: It's reasonably accurate, i.e., no problem with an under-1" group at 7 yards. I haven't had a chance to test the pistol at greater distances (I rarely practice at anything beyond typical self-defense distances).
Third: The rear sight is windage-adjustable, and the height of the front sight is adjustable by selecting any one of three sights provided. They pop in and out with an allen wrench. It took some patience and fiddling to zero my sights (about 50 rounds), but, as noted above, I was pleased with the 7-yard accuracy when done. All adjustments, including swapping front sights, can be easily done right on the firing line, if your range allows it.
Fourth: The finish on the gun is pretty decent -- but there is more than the usual amount of text printed on the slide and frame. On the plus side, the text is tastefully done, nothing garish in annoying type styles.
Fifth: I had to call customer service with a couple questions, and the gunsmith handling the GSG-1911 at ATI is a real knowledgeable 1911 specialist and a super nice guy. This is a real plus!
CAVEATS: The recoil spring in this pistol is slightly tapered! The wider end goes in the plug. Reassembling with the spring in backwards results in a vicious lock-up of the slide. Be aware! Also, the manual (at least the one I got) makes NO reference to a hex screw that must be removed before the slide will come off the frame. I'm sure you'd see this right away, but it's worth a note. Also, the GSG-1911 requires high-velocity .22LR, so stick with Mini-Mags or the like. I had about 5 failures to feed in over 200 rounds of Mini-Mags, which, for now, I chalk up to normal break-in behavior. No other malfunctions.
MORE CAVEATS: I read a claim somewhere that 80% of the parts of the GSG-1911 are interchangeable with a mil-spec 1911. I detail-stripped the GSG-1911 and I think the 80% figure is high -- but no telling how that 80% was actually calculated! I'll also mention the trigger. It's unlike most 1911 triggers because it has ALMOST no "take up". Otherwise, it's crisp at about (I'm guessing) 4-5 lbs.
All in all, a very fun gun. Does it replace training with a .45 1911? No, for so many reasons. But if you have young sons, like I do, who are ready to begin shooting a handgun, this pistol is a perfect intro to the 1911!
tap n rack