Triggs' - Colt 1911 Guide
Mar 2, 2011 15:15:08 GMT -5
Post by triggs (SABR) on Mar 2, 2011 15:15:08 GMT -5
This is a VERY quick overview of the various types and brands of the numerous Colt M1911 variants available; I will be attempting to keep it up-to-date if possible.
Like the M9 there are a large number of variations available:
M1911A1 = The original US Military 1911 with fixed sights
M1911 MEU = An improved variation of the 1911A1 with adjustable sights and minor changes
1911 HICAPPA = A modified 1911 that uses double stack mags allowing for a high capacity but has a wider handgrip
There are also a number of different length slides available for 1911’s
5.1 is considered a standard length 1911
4.3 is a shorter compact with a normal length hand grip
3.8 is the shortest slide with a shorter frame for the smallest size while still allowing for a full size mag.
Kimber, Wilson Combat, and Caspian all make similar 1911’s to the MEU. Airsoft variations come with trademarks for certain brands.
ARMY 1911MEU Gas Blow Back Pistol (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $65 - $100
FPS: 290 - 330
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- 100% compatible with Tokyo Marui upgrade parts and replacements
- Kimber trademarks available
Cons:
- Only full size 5.1 length slides available
- Cheaper quality pot metal means things break quicker and easier
The ARMY 1911’s are not to be confused with the WETTI 1911’s as they are two separate designs. That said, for the entry price of an average $80 USD they are a decent starting place
Airsoft GI 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $150 - $170
FPS: 350 - 370
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
- ASGI adds a custom tight bore barrel
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
The only particular difference between the ASGI and SOCOM Gear 1911’s is the addition of a long inner barrel. The only problems that really arise from the modification is the silencer must stay attached to prevent the tight bore from being damaged.
Bell A1/MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $45 - $65
FPS: 260 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Tokyo Marui compatible
- Cheap
Cons:
- Cheap pot metal externals and internals
Bell is probably the cheapest of the TM clones, but the price comes at a cost of durability. In comparison to the ARMY the Bell is similarly priced, with probably very similar quality. They are TM compatible however, so aftermarket upgrades abound.
Caspian A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $105 - $130
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- The HICAPPA line comes in both 5.1 and 3.8 length slides
- The 1911 line comes in only 5.1
- Same as WETTI
- Caspian trademarks
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
- Not as many color options as WETTI
Caspian, is virtually a WETTI 1911/HICAPPA with Caspian trademarks on the slide. There is virtually no difference between WETTI and Caspian Prices so it’s simply a matter if you want the trademarks or not.
G&G MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $95 - $110
FPS: 400 - 550
Mags: Proprietary G&G 16rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- None particularly
Cons:
- CO2 only with an extremely high FPS
- Expensive for the usefulness
The G&G 1911 bears a very similar resemblance to the Win Gun line of CO2 pistols, so there is a possibility the two are cross compatible, but this is untested. As far as the usefulness of the pistol, it is extremely limited due to the high FPS (400+) and many fields may not allow the use of the G&G. For the price there are many better options for a secondary.
KJW A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $100 - $140
FPS: 330 - 360
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Both HICAPPA and standard 1911’s available
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- 100% Tokyo Marui compatible
- Virtually any type of variant available including the HICAPPA double stack, M1911A1, and MEU
- Green gas and CO2 mags available
Cons:
- Not more readily available
Like most of the KJW series of pistols the 1911 line is a solid TM clone. The overall quality is good, with readily available parts. Unlike the G&G and WG CO2 powered pistols the KJW CO2 mags are well regulated and fire in a safe ~330FPS~ so they are still suited as a secondary.
KWC 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $40 - $55
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary KWC 13rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Cheap
Cons:
- Cheap externals and internals
- Proprietary internals
KWC is not to be confused with KSC or KWA, KWC is a completely separate company. Their products and generally not TM compatible, and once broken are not repairable.
KSC/KWA A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $130 - $180
FPS: 330 - 350
Mags: Proprietary KSC/KWA 14rd (1911) and 27rd (HICAPPA) midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal internals and externals
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- Solid construction with good recoil and performance
- NS2 and PTP lines are now available
- Offer a 2011 double stack line
Cons:
- Expensive in comparison to KJW
- Early model KSC/KWA non NS2/PTP parts are not compatible
- 1911A1 NS2 parts will not fit the Mk I-V PTP series
Like the rest of KWA/KSC’s recent updates, the 1911 NS2 and PTP series are some of the best in production. Unfortunately they come at a higher price than others, but the quality is also that much higher.
Marushin 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $130 - $170
FPS: 170 - 250
Mags: Proprietary Marushin 8rd GBB low cap mag
Pros:
- Shell ejecting
Cons:
- Hard to find stateside
- No aftermarket upgrades or replacements
- Not full metal
Marushin is a well known Japanese manufacture. Their 1911 line features a full shell ejecting system with realistic capacity. The downside with this is that it’s nearly impossible to find replacement parts should anything break. The Marushin shell ejecting line is more of a wall hanger than a field pistol.
Maruzen A1/MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $130 - $140
FPS: 230 - 300
Mags: Proprietary Maruzen 12rd midcap mag
Pros:
- Maruzen quality
Cons:
- Aftermarket parts are hard to find
- Not full metal
Maruzen should not be confused with Marushin, but the quality is very similar as is the aftermarket upgrades available (in short about impossible). Maruzen is a top quality company but is more of a collector’s item than a field pistol.
SOCOM Gear 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $130 - 170
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
- Includes a pistol lanyard and silencer
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
SOCOM Gear like the rest of their products are simply rebrands. As is with their other pistols, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is WETTI. The addition of a silencer and pistol lanyard as well as “SOCCOM” trademarks is the only difference between the SOCOM Gear and WETTI pistols.
Tokyo Marui A1/MEU Spring and Gas Blow Back (GBB) and Automatic Electric Pistol (AEP) = Original Design
Price: $30 - $175
FPS: 230 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Both 1911 5.1 and 4.3 slides available
- 100% aftermarket upgrades and replacement parts available
- Electric powered 1911’s available as well as Gas powered
- Railed and unrailed frames available
Cons:
- Not full metal to start with
Like any other Tokyo Marui product their 1911’s are top quality ABS GBB’s. The downside is they are ABS stock, but there are many full metal kits to turn them into solid feeling and performing replicas. Tokyo Marui also manufactures an AEP 1911 line as well as their well known GBB line.
TSD A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $110 - $120
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Caspian marked 1911 5.1 available
- Caspian marked HICAPPA 5.1 and 3.8
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- Same as WETTI
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
TSD like SOCOM Gear, Caspian, and ASGI is simply a rebrand of the WETTI 1911’s. So the same pro’s and con’s apply. Like Caspian, it’s simply a matter if you want the trademarks or not as there is no price difference between the TSD and WETTI.
Western Arms A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $230 - $600
FPS: 240 - 330
Mags: Proprietary Western Arms 21rd (1911) and 33rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Some of the finest 1911 GBB’s on the market
- Many aftermarket upgrade parts available
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- M1911A1, MEU, HICAPPA (INFINITY SV) series available
- 5.1, 4.3, and 3.8 size slides available as well as similar sized frames
Cons:
- Proprietary design
- ABS plastic bodies
- Extremely expensive
Western Arms is considered the king of 1911’s. Unlike their M9 series, the 1911 line is one of the best in the world. The slides and frames are made of a mixture of plastic and metal particles to allow the use of green gas and propane without breaking. However, it is still highly recommended that a metal slide is purchased before considering green gas or propane.
WETTI A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $90 - $145
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Many 5.1, 4.3, and 3.8 variants available
- A1, MEU, and HICAPPA variants available
- Ranging from affordable to mid-price
Cons:
- Cheap WETTI pot metal
- Low WETTI quality
- Blow back units break commonly
- Not TM completely compatible
Like the rest of WETTI’s products, their 1911 series is decent, but not the best by any means. The bodies and internals are made of a low quality pot metal that breaks frequently. The pistols are also not TM compatible. However, many variants are available, and for the price, is a decent starting point for 1911’s.
Wilson Combat 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $130 - $150
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
- Wilson Combat trademarks
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
Like the rest of the rebrands, WC is similar to Caspian in both price and features. The only difference between the WETTI and WC are fully trademarked slides. The cons are still the same however, but increase in price for nice trademarks.
Win Gun 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $35 - $80
FPS: 400 - 550
Mags: Proprietary Win Gun 16rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- None
Cons:
- CO2 powered with an extremely high FPS
The Win Gun 1911 shows a striking similarity to the G&G. With the same high FPS this pistol is not well suited as a secondary, and may not be allowed on some fields due to the 400FPS+. It’s probably best to avoid such high FPS in a secondary pistol.
© Copyright triggs 2010
Like the M9 there are a large number of variations available:
M1911A1 = The original US Military 1911 with fixed sights
M1911 MEU = An improved variation of the 1911A1 with adjustable sights and minor changes
1911 HICAPPA = A modified 1911 that uses double stack mags allowing for a high capacity but has a wider handgrip
There are also a number of different length slides available for 1911’s
5.1 is considered a standard length 1911
4.3 is a shorter compact with a normal length hand grip
3.8 is the shortest slide with a shorter frame for the smallest size while still allowing for a full size mag.
Kimber, Wilson Combat, and Caspian all make similar 1911’s to the MEU. Airsoft variations come with trademarks for certain brands.
ARMY 1911MEU Gas Blow Back Pistol (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $65 - $100
FPS: 290 - 330
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- 100% compatible with Tokyo Marui upgrade parts and replacements
- Kimber trademarks available
Cons:
- Only full size 5.1 length slides available
- Cheaper quality pot metal means things break quicker and easier
The ARMY 1911’s are not to be confused with the WETTI 1911’s as they are two separate designs. That said, for the entry price of an average $80 USD they are a decent starting place
Airsoft GI 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $150 - $170
FPS: 350 - 370
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
- ASGI adds a custom tight bore barrel
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
The only particular difference between the ASGI and SOCOM Gear 1911’s is the addition of a long inner barrel. The only problems that really arise from the modification is the silencer must stay attached to prevent the tight bore from being damaged.
Bell A1/MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $45 - $65
FPS: 260 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Tokyo Marui compatible
- Cheap
Cons:
- Cheap pot metal externals and internals
Bell is probably the cheapest of the TM clones, but the price comes at a cost of durability. In comparison to the ARMY the Bell is similarly priced, with probably very similar quality. They are TM compatible however, so aftermarket upgrades abound.
Caspian A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $105 - $130
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- The HICAPPA line comes in both 5.1 and 3.8 length slides
- The 1911 line comes in only 5.1
- Same as WETTI
- Caspian trademarks
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
- Not as many color options as WETTI
Caspian, is virtually a WETTI 1911/HICAPPA with Caspian trademarks on the slide. There is virtually no difference between WETTI and Caspian Prices so it’s simply a matter if you want the trademarks or not.
G&G MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $95 - $110
FPS: 400 - 550
Mags: Proprietary G&G 16rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- None particularly
Cons:
- CO2 only with an extremely high FPS
- Expensive for the usefulness
The G&G 1911 bears a very similar resemblance to the Win Gun line of CO2 pistols, so there is a possibility the two are cross compatible, but this is untested. As far as the usefulness of the pistol, it is extremely limited due to the high FPS (400+) and many fields may not allow the use of the G&G. For the price there are many better options for a secondary.
KJW A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $100 - $140
FPS: 330 - 360
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Both HICAPPA and standard 1911’s available
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- 100% Tokyo Marui compatible
- Virtually any type of variant available including the HICAPPA double stack, M1911A1, and MEU
- Green gas and CO2 mags available
Cons:
- Not more readily available
Like most of the KJW series of pistols the 1911 line is a solid TM clone. The overall quality is good, with readily available parts. Unlike the G&G and WG CO2 powered pistols the KJW CO2 mags are well regulated and fire in a safe ~330FPS~ so they are still suited as a secondary.
KWC 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $40 - $55
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary KWC 13rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Cheap
Cons:
- Cheap externals and internals
- Proprietary internals
KWC is not to be confused with KSC or KWA, KWC is a completely separate company. Their products and generally not TM compatible, and once broken are not repairable.
KSC/KWA A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $130 - $180
FPS: 330 - 350
Mags: Proprietary KSC/KWA 14rd (1911) and 27rd (HICAPPA) midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal internals and externals
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- Solid construction with good recoil and performance
- NS2 and PTP lines are now available
- Offer a 2011 double stack line
Cons:
- Expensive in comparison to KJW
- Early model KSC/KWA non NS2/PTP parts are not compatible
- 1911A1 NS2 parts will not fit the Mk I-V PTP series
Like the rest of KWA/KSC’s recent updates, the 1911 NS2 and PTP series are some of the best in production. Unfortunately they come at a higher price than others, but the quality is also that much higher.
Marushin 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $130 - $170
FPS: 170 - 250
Mags: Proprietary Marushin 8rd GBB low cap mag
Pros:
- Shell ejecting
Cons:
- Hard to find stateside
- No aftermarket upgrades or replacements
- Not full metal
Marushin is a well known Japanese manufacture. Their 1911 line features a full shell ejecting system with realistic capacity. The downside with this is that it’s nearly impossible to find replacement parts should anything break. The Marushin shell ejecting line is more of a wall hanger than a field pistol.
Maruzen A1/MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $130 - $140
FPS: 230 - 300
Mags: Proprietary Maruzen 12rd midcap mag
Pros:
- Maruzen quality
Cons:
- Aftermarket parts are hard to find
- Not full metal
Maruzen should not be confused with Marushin, but the quality is very similar as is the aftermarket upgrades available (in short about impossible). Maruzen is a top quality company but is more of a collector’s item than a field pistol.
SOCOM Gear 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $130 - 170
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
- Includes a pistol lanyard and silencer
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
SOCOM Gear like the rest of their products are simply rebrands. As is with their other pistols, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is WETTI. The addition of a silencer and pistol lanyard as well as “SOCCOM” trademarks is the only difference between the SOCOM Gear and WETTI pistols.
Tokyo Marui A1/MEU Spring and Gas Blow Back (GBB) and Automatic Electric Pistol (AEP) = Original Design
Price: $30 - $175
FPS: 230 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Both 1911 5.1 and 4.3 slides available
- 100% aftermarket upgrades and replacement parts available
- Electric powered 1911’s available as well as Gas powered
- Railed and unrailed frames available
Cons:
- Not full metal to start with
Like any other Tokyo Marui product their 1911’s are top quality ABS GBB’s. The downside is they are ABS stock, but there are many full metal kits to turn them into solid feeling and performing replicas. Tokyo Marui also manufactures an AEP 1911 line as well as their well known GBB line.
TSD A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $110 - $120
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Caspian marked 1911 5.1 available
- Caspian marked HICAPPA 5.1 and 3.8
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- Same as WETTI
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
TSD like SOCOM Gear, Caspian, and ASGI is simply a rebrand of the WETTI 1911’s. So the same pro’s and con’s apply. Like Caspian, it’s simply a matter if you want the trademarks or not as there is no price difference between the TSD and WETTI.
Western Arms A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $230 - $600
FPS: 240 - 330
Mags: Proprietary Western Arms 21rd (1911) and 33rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Some of the finest 1911 GBB’s on the market
- Many aftermarket upgrade parts available
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- M1911A1, MEU, HICAPPA (INFINITY SV) series available
- 5.1, 4.3, and 3.8 size slides available as well as similar sized frames
Cons:
- Proprietary design
- ABS plastic bodies
- Extremely expensive
Western Arms is considered the king of 1911’s. Unlike their M9 series, the 1911 line is one of the best in the world. The slides and frames are made of a mixture of plastic and metal particles to allow the use of green gas and propane without breaking. However, it is still highly recommended that a metal slide is purchased before considering green gas or propane.
WETTI A1/MEU/HICAPPA Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $90 - $145
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) and 30rd (HICAPPA) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Many 5.1, 4.3, and 3.8 variants available
- A1, MEU, and HICAPPA variants available
- Ranging from affordable to mid-price
Cons:
- Cheap WETTI pot metal
- Low WETTI quality
- Blow back units break commonly
- Not TM completely compatible
Like the rest of WETTI’s products, their 1911 series is decent, but not the best by any means. The bodies and internals are made of a low quality pot metal that breaks frequently. The pistols are also not TM compatible. However, many variants are available, and for the price, is a decent starting point for 1911’s.
Wilson Combat 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI
Price: $130 - $150
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 15rd (1911) GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
- Wilson Combat trademarks
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
Like the rest of the rebrands, WC is similar to Caspian in both price and features. The only difference between the WETTI and WC are fully trademarked slides. The cons are still the same however, but increase in price for nice trademarks.
Win Gun 1911MEU Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $35 - $80
FPS: 400 - 550
Mags: Proprietary Win Gun 16rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- None
Cons:
- CO2 powered with an extremely high FPS
The Win Gun 1911 shows a striking similarity to the G&G. With the same high FPS this pistol is not well suited as a secondary, and may not be allowed on some fields due to the 400FPS+. It’s probably best to avoid such high FPS in a secondary pistol.
© Copyright triggs 2010