Welcome to the new Remington Model 1911 R1 Limited Series Double Stack.
Remington Arms announced the release of its new Model 1911 R1 Limited Series Double-Stack pistol. Quite a mouthful, huh! Well, the new Model 1911 R1 offers a mouthful of features, including a double-stack magazine to expand ammunition capacity for America’s iconic handgun.
In addition, the new Remington 1911 R1 pistol will also shooters three of America’s favorite pistol calibers: 9mm, .40 S&W, and the original .45 ACP.
[Editor’s Note: It appears that Remington discontinued this pistol. However, you can still purchase the single-stack Remington 1911 R1 Limited here. It is not known how many of these guns are left.]
The original Model 1911 handgun, designed by John M. Browning, was designed with a capacity of (7+1) rounds using a single-stack detachable magazine. At the time, when revolvers were still the most prevalent handgun offering only a 5 or 6 round capacity, the additional two rounds from the 1911 was a significant step forward.
Many originalists feel the only good 1911 is one following Browning’s original design, but more and more new 1911 enthusiasts are excited to see the Model 1911 expand into greater carrying capacity.
Overview of the Limited Series Double Stack
The new Remington Model 1911 R1 Double Stack pistol has features and engineering designed with competition shooters in mind, but could just as easily become an everyday carry (EDC) or on-duty sidearm as well. The 1911 R1 Double Stack stays true to the original Browning design offering the shooter a full 5.0″ barrel that is upgraded to match-grade and stainless steel. The match-grade barrel is paired with a precision-machined bushing for superior performance and dependability.
The new R1 Double Stack offers an adjustable, skeletonized trigger giving the shooter trigger pull weight options between 3.5 and 5.0 pounds. The trigger is described as offering a clean and crisp break, with the traditional straight pull-back motion of the original 1911 design. The skeletonized trigger helps to slightly reduce weight, provide an attractive appearance, all while maintaining the integrity of the 1911 trigger design. Though lighter triggers are sometimes favored for competition shooting, having the option of a slightly heavier trigger for on-duty or self-defense use is very important.
Overall the 1911 R1 Limited Series Double Stack is packed with nice features.
1911 R1 Limited Features
- Match-grade stainless steel barrel with precision machined bushing
- Machined stainless steel slide and frame for best fit and tolerances
- PVD finishing on slide and frame
- Wide front and rear slide serrations
- Extended beavertail grip safety
- Ambidextrous, extended thumb safeties
- Adjustable, skeletonized trigger
- Fiber optic front sight
- Fully adjustable LPA Target rear sight
- Full-length, one-piece guide rod
- VZ G10 grip panels
- Optional flared magazine well.
The Limited Series 1911 R1 Double Stack doubles traditional capacity.
Breaking from the traditional design in favor of improving ergonomics, the Remington 1911 R1 Double Stack will give shooters full advantage of a fiber optic front sight and fully adjustable LPA target rear sight. Perhaps one of the few valid complaints about the original 1911 design, was the diminutive stature of the original sights, rendering them almost useless outside of target practice. The fiber optic sight paired with adjustable rear sight dramatically improves the ability of shooters to hit targets close-up and even at longer ranges.
At the time Browning designed the original Model 1911 most revolvers had simple bead or post front sights with no rear sights. Handguns were truly believed to be a close-up personal defense weapons and not really considered for longer ranges. Today’s philosophy may still emphasize closer range pistol shooting, but more shooters understand accurate shooting at longer distances is not only desirable but more realistic as well.
The 1911 R1 Limited Double Stack has improved sights, trigger, magwell, and safeties.
Specifications
- Slide Material: Stainless steel
- Frame Material: Stainless steel
- Overall Length: 8.5 inches
- Barrel Length: 5.0 inches
- Width: 1.4 inches
- Height: 5.75 inches
- Weight: 2.56 pounds (41 ounces) with unloaded magazine
- Twist Rate: 1:10
- Caliber Options: 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP
- Capacity: 19+1 (9mm); 18+1 (.40 S&W); 16+1 (.45 ACP)
- MSRP: $1,399.00.
According to Remington, extra effort was made in machining the slide and frame to ensure the best fit and tolerances. The Model 1911 is famed for its smooth action, and this R1 Double Stack appears to improve even on that legendary feature. To provide superior corrosion and stain resistance, Remington PVD coats both slide and frame of the 1911 R1 Double Stack.
Additional features of this new 1911 include extended ambidextrous thumb safeties. These extended safety levers provide extra gripping surface for positive contact and control during competition shooting or on-duty use, regardless of which hand the shooter uses as primary. These extended safety levers are both longer, extending further forward towards the grips, and more pronounced, extending further from the frame.
This 1911 R1 Limited Series Double Stack is designed to improve shooting for a variety of shooters.
Final Thoughts
Though I have fired several Model 1911’s from a variety of manufacturers I have not had the chance to shoot the Model 1911 R1 Limited Series Double Stack. As such, I cannot speak first hand on the accuracy or enhancements the Double Stack offers. The features, precision machining, and enhanced sights and safeties sure make this pistol look like a winner.
The 1911 has a dedicated following. Many professional shooters claim the Model 1911 has the most ideal grip angle of any pistol ever made, a grip mimicked by many fine handguns today.
Despite these fantastic features, I’ve always swayed away from the Model 1911 for duty and even self-defense due to their limited capacity. I know many will say the 7 or 8 rounds of .45 ACP are just fine for any shooting needs, but the high-intensity shootouts police are facing today always made me more comfortable with a double-stack pistol in .40 S&W. However, this new double-stack 1911 answers that concern and so much more.