Run-of-the-mill 1911s…I can’t say I love them.
I like them, but, let’s be real, they offer few advantages for the hefty weight and low capacity.
My little Sig Sauer P365 holds more rounds and is less than half the size.
This conversation changes whenever someone brings up double-stack 1911s, though. Now that is a gun I can get behind.
The single-action trigger combined with a butt-ton of ammo in an all-metal frame is a great idea to me.
Double-stack 1911s are a niche weapon compared to striker-fired plastic fantastics. Even compared to normal 1911s, they are rare.
However, we’ve gathered the best of the best in the double-stack 1911 realm.
But before we dive into which models we think you should add to your wish list, we’ll talk about why you would even consider a double-stack 1911.
So let’s get to it!
THE QUICK LIST
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Best All-Around
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Best Custom Option
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Best for Concealed Carry
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Editor’s Pick
Table of Contents
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Why a Double Stack 1911
The biggest reason to get a double-stack 1911 is because more bullets are better than fewer bullets, right?
Call it my machine gunner mentality, but I like having lots of rounds when the option is available to me.
Double stack 1911s can hold anywhere from 13 to 21 rounds compared to your normal 1911s 7 to 10 rounds. That’s a Grand Canyon-sized difference in capacity.
Now, you can say, well, other guns do that! Glocks, FNs, Walthers, you know all those big brand companies that produce striker-fired, polymer-frame pistols.
That’s true, but outside of CZ, who does it with a metal frame?
Metal frames mean more weight. More weight means less recoil.
1911s are well known for their outstanding ergonomics. Everything is placed in the right position for easy access.
Let’s not forget that sweet single-action trigger system. The single-action 1911 trigger is hard to beat, and the short pull and short reset make it oh-so-nice.
The wide grip may turn some off, especially if you are used to a classic 1911 grip or have small hands. To me, it’s just more 1911 to love.
So now that I have you convinced you need one of these in your life let’s talk about some of my favorite models.
Best Double Stack 1911s
1. Staccato P
STI was the company that really made double stacks a “thing.” Since then, they have rebranded to Staccato, but the company is still building fantastic guns.
The Staccato P makes the list as one of the most approved for duty-use double stacks 1911s out there.
The Staccato P series was adopted by the US Marshal’s Special Operation Group. The gun is approved for use by Las Vegas Metro, the Texas Rangers, and over 280 police agencies across the country.
Adorned with a 4.4-inch barrel and full-sized frame, the Staccato P is exceptionally handy. The all-metal frame eats up 9mm recoil like it’s nothing.
Capacity wise, the gun includes two 17-round magazines and one 20-round magazine.
Shooting a Staccato P is like shooting a dream.
It’s soft, easy to control, and the trigger is absolutely incredible.
It’s very easy to see why John Wick chose a Staccato for the third Wick flick. The Staccato P packs all the features of a 1911 you know and love with the capacity of a Glock 17.
The Staccato P comes in both optics-ready models as well as standard iron sight options.
Staccato’s optics-ready models utilize a plate system to work with several popular mini red dot options, including Trijicon, Holosun, and Leupold.
Don’t forget the Picatinny rail for adding all the lights and lasers you love.
A mix of classic 1911 design and ultra-modern features makes the Staccato P the gun to beat for duty and tactical roles.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Looking for the extreme competition Staccato guns? Look no further than the XC and XL versions.
You won’t believe how little the slide moves up and down even in rapid fire and with factory ammo. Check out some slow-motion here.
We have a full-on review and video of them in action.
Oh…but it’s going to cost you!
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Looking for their tinier versions made for carry…check out our full review of the C and C2 versions.
2. Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra Threaded 10mm
The MSRPs of the guns on this list are rather high — incredibly high, in fact.
They are priced high enough to drive many away from the concept.
Yet, Rock Island Armory is coming to save the day with its affordable line of double-stack 1911s in varying calibers.
The absolute sweetest variant is the TAC Ultra Threaded 10mm.
This slick-looking blaster features a full-length rail, a 5.5-inch fluted and threaded barrel, G-10 grips, and an aggressive style that is all its own. Plus, it comes in everyone’s favorite round, the 10mm.
The 10mm is a potent cartridge with a lot of power behind it.
In the TAC Ultra Threaded double stack 1911, you get 16 rounds of 10mm per magazine.
Popping a can on is ultra simple with the threaded barrel, and 10mm subsonic rounds exist.
Alternatively, a compensator allows for more control over the mighty 10mm. Lots of powerful 10mm loads exist, and taming them is often challenging. A comp can help!
The TAC Ultra threaded is built on a series 70 design for a crisp trigger pull and satisfying reset.
Additionally, the TAC Ultra threaded packs a low-profile adjustable rear sight and a high-visibility front sight.
The TAC Ultra threaded 10mm is a hefty 2.7-pounds unloaded. As you’d expect, that weight helps keep the gun controllable.
The Rock Island Armory series presents an affordable option for those looking to dive feet first into double-stack 1911s.
If you want a modern but within-reach design, the TAC Ultra Threaded 10mm is a great route to take.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Have you tried the Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra? If so, tell us how you liked it by giving it a rating below.
3. Nighthawk TRS Comp
The Nighthawk TRS Comp was the first Nighthawk to work around a double-stack frame.
Nighthawk tended to stick to traditional 1911s, but the TRS Comp was a welcome departure.
TRS stands for Tactical Ready Series, and predictably, Comp stands for compensator.
The compensator is something special. It’s based on the Firehawk comp and integral to the frame and barrel.
Comps typically add some length to your gun, but this design keeps the length of a government slide with an integrated compensator. The compensator does not reciprocate with the slide.
Since the front sight is attached to the compensator, it doesn’t move. Tracking the front sight of your gun has never been easier with this setup.
An 18K gold bead makes up the front sights, and it’s highly visible in nearly all lighting conditions.
Plus, gold on a gun is always baller.
As a fan of the Firehawk, I’m an instant fan of the TRS Comp. The compensator design is truly brilliant and delivers an excellent degree of control.
Shooting it feels almost unnaturally easy, and the advantage is evident.
A 9mm 1911 is already easy to control. Make it a wider, heavier-bodied design and add a comp, and you get a real kitten at the range.
The TRS Comp packs 17 rounds of 9mm, Heinie rear sights, a slab side design, and a unique dimpled grip system.
Nighthawk’s slick TRS Comp is perfect for a wide variety of roles. Home defense, competition, or just showing off at the range.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Chambers Custom PHAT WMG R Model
Chambers Custom is likely the smallest shop on this list, but that’s far from a bad thing.
Small shops are often innovative shops, and the crew at Chambers Custom proves that with each design.
PHAT WMG is a mouthful and sounds like early 90s slang, but it’s an acronym.
PHAT WMG stands for Pretty Hot and Tempting Working Man’s Gun.
Joe Chambers builds these guns on his 2019 wide-body frame. This frame design is one of the innovative features Chambers has developed.
Chambers makes geometry changes to the classic 1911 double-stack magazine frame.
I’m not gonna have you doing the math, but these geometry changes make for a longer-lasting gun that’s soft shooting and more reliable overall.
The PHAT WMG comes in either 9mm or .38 Super.
Its R Model is optics-ready and features the sexy slab side design that I personally adore.
A rail allows for mounting lights, and a unique iron sight system co-witnesses with your optic of choice. Chambers Customs hand bevels the frame slide, and it presents a unique look you won’t see anywhere else.
The PHAT WMG is a true custom gun outfitted with Chamber Custom parts almost exclusively. You get all the custom features you could desire.
Chambers Custom produces some outstanding 1911s, and the 2019 wide-body frame is tough to beat.
The end result is a superbly accurate, reliable, and easy shooting system for the most discerning of shooters.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. Wilson Combat eXperior Compact Double Stack
All the guns on this list have been full-sized models. So, let’s toss in a compact variant.
A Government sized 1911 is a hefty piece for concealed carry, but the Wilson Combat eXperior Compact Double Stack gives you a shorter and easier-to-carry option.
The eXperior compact comes in both 9mm and .45 ACP options. I’m personally gonna roll with 9mm if I had to choose.
The compact version features a 4-inch barrel and an unloaded weight of 30.5 ounces. The eXperior system uses the EDC 9 magazine that Wilson developed for their modern carry pistol.
You get 15 rounds of 9mm, and 18-round magazines are also available.
The eXperior compact is outfitted with a WC concealment hammer, carry cuts, and an accuracy guarantee of 1.5 inches at 25 yards. That’s quite the claim for such a little gun.
Wilson Combat developed the TRAK texture and its lives on the eXperior compact as well. This sunburst-style grip gives you a nice tight grip that delivers a comfortable but aggressive grip texture.
What you can’t see are the WAVE frame rail clearance cuts.
These Wilson Combat proprietary cuts are designed to add a boost to reliability. They hold lubrication and allow the weapon to function when it’s full of dirt, sand, and carbon.
As far as carry guns go, this might be one of the more effective and efficient options for shooters in the double-stack 1911 realm.
Wilson Combat has proven to be winners in the 1911 realm, and the eXperior compact gives you double-stack capacity in a compact platform.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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6. Dan Wesson DWX
Wildcards are most often my favorite gun to include on these lists, and this wildcard is one of my favorites of all time.
The Dan Wesson DWX captured my heart and imagination from the moment I set eyes on it.
Dan Wesson is now owned by CZ (CZ owns Colt now, too) and this alliance allows for some neat products.
The DWX is a combination of Dan Wesson’s innovative 1911 resigns outfitted to a CZ 75 frame.
Both guns are flagship firearms that are legendary in their own right. CZ and Dan Wesson’s DWX is not technically a 1911, but it’s technically not not a 1911.
CZ 75s typically use 15-18 round magazines, and the DWX makes use of the 75’s double-stack frame.
As good as 1911 ergonomics are, the CZ 75’s are better. The DWX fits your hand like a well-worn glove.
On the inside, the gun uses a locked-breech barrel instead of the 1911 link system — this design simplifies disassembly for maintenance purposes.
The top of the gun is all 1911. A slab slide 1911 slide mates perfectly with the CZ 75 frame which features a full-length accessory rail.
It is currently available as a full-sized version that utilizes standard P-09/P-10 magazines. A compact version of the gun is expected to release in the near future.
In terms of action, it’s all 1911.
1911s are known for their single-action-only design with crisp triggers and short resets, and that’s at play here as well. A light 3-pound break is followed up by a shockingly short and forced reset. This trigger is fast.
Dan Wesson and CZ’s little baby is a helluva sweet shooter that makes use of the best parts of two legendary platforms.
(Plus, unlike other double-stack 1911s, the mags are affordable.)
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Final Thoughts
Double-stack 1911s are interesting firearms and exist in a somewhat niche category.
For the longest time, they were relegated to competition guns and rarely saw action beyond that realm. Since then, the industry has grown, and double-stack 1911s are seeing acceptance in all realms.
Shooters who like the 1911 for its awesome trigger and ergonomics will enjoy the slightly wider double stacks and the extra capacity — bringing the platform into a more modern world. Although some may think changing John Browning’s design is sacrilege…
What say you? Are you a fan of double-stack 1911s? Let us know below. If these are too rich for your blood, check out the Best 1911 Pistols for the Money for some more affordable options!
36 Leave a Reply
Why hasn’t anybody done a review on the SAR USA k2-45 double stack pistol
How does the Springfield Armory Prodigy compare to these?
Absolutely love your spirit! Times were definitely different than the current generation. The
Loved the reviews! My fave was Dan Wesson DWX!!!
still the best, 1911, all steel
Thank you for this great information.
Gold on a gun is baller?
What are you, Lil Wayne?
I stopped reading after that.
What a load of crap. The average Joe can't afford these.
The nerve to call a $6300 pistol the "Working Man's Gun" is unreal
Your P365 doesn't shoot a large enough caliber. If you need more than 8 rounds, you need to suck less or bring more friends.
If gun a manufacturer XxxxX (pick one) produces an affordable and reliable performing double stack 1911, for under $900, the world will beat a path to its door!
What about for $1000. SA DS Prodigy 1911. Never see that gun in any Pew Pew best 1911 or handgun reviews. Does it have issues?
Recently purchased a double stack that deserves to be high in the list. Bul Armory makes several excellent shooting double stack 9mm 1911’s at very reasonable prices when compared to the Staccato’s. I purchased a SAS II Air and having shot a couple Staccato’s I don’t think you can tell the difference, at about roughly half the price.
Frankly, don't give a rat's ass about 9mm; not that it's a bad round, but everybody has gone over the wire like lemmings for the round. 45acp was the order of the day when I served during President Reagan's term, and it was used- in a defensive, not OFFENSIVE- role; the fact being nines have very good velocity, but a good and comparable 45 acp round WILL drop you. I also was a sheriff's deputy a few years after my 214 was received. I sent a few downrange.
My, Lord, Son, how about some guns the average Joe can afford? Outside of the RIA 10 mm in your list folks would need a producing oil well.
Ahh my thoughts exactly Sir, these firearm prices are a joke and utterly ridiculous.
Wayyy back in the day, as a Canadian professional pistol smith, I built some of the first Para Ordnance double stack alloy framed pistols on the West coast of Canada. These originally came as conversion kits, with ONLY frame and magazines. Some assembly required.
As a pistolsmith and an IPSC competitor, I loved them.
I built a compensated match pistol for IPSC competitions, and immediately found the flaw in the alloy framed version. When used with a compensator, the added downward stress on the slide caused the widened trigger bow in the alloy frames to crack at the rear.
OOPS!!
Para sent me a replacement steel frame which I built into my IPSC match pistol, and it worked flawlessly for two seasons of .45 MAJOR competition. 14 plus one rounds of .45 gave me a distinct advantage on high round count stages, minimizing reloads and boosting my scores significantly.
After enjoying the Para Ordnance double stack .45 ACP advantage I was then attracted to the plastic framed BUL double stack design. The BUL plastic frame felt better in my hands, and the build quality of the complete pistol was exquisite.
This was my last of many, many 1911 type pistols, and one of the few I regret selling.
These days there seems to be an abundance of 1911 double stack type pistols, but only a few in .45 ACP. While I have owned and built 1911 pistols in various calibers, from .22lr all the way up to .45 SUPER, to me .45 caliber and 1911 just go best together. I realize this may be an unpopular opinion in this modern world, where 9 mm seems to dominate. But NOSTALGIA is still a viable marketing strategy. And just holding any old 1911 .45 pistol still gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.
These days I own only GLOCKS, which in many ways are more practical than the 1911 designs. But holding a Glock does not make me as happy as holding a good ol Govt 1911 type.
YOMMV
Anything on the springfield 1911ds?
IMBEL 9 GC MD1
ESPECIFICAÇÕES
Calibre: 9x19 mm
Acabamento: Pintado, cor preta
Comprimento: 219 mm
Peso sem carregador: 1.120 g
Funcionamento: semiautomático em ação simples
Armação em aço carbono
Ferrolho em aço carbono
Cano do tipo leve e rampado com raiamento por forjamento a frio
Comprimento do cano: 128 mm (5”)
Raiamento: 6 raias sentido horário (6 H) com passo de 254 mm (10”)
Carregador do tipo cofre metálico bifilar
Capacidade do carregador: 17 cartuchos
Quantidade de carregadores por arma: 3
Opções: com ou sem sistema armador e desarmador do cão (ADC)
I HAVE A PARA 14 RD 1911 WITH A ED BROWN BARREL AND A 70 SERIES SLIDE.. ONE HELL OF A GUN !. I BEEN CARRYING 1911"s FOR OVER 40 YEARS. SHE RUNS DAMM GOOD.... THE TRIGGER AND RESET ARE AMAZING....OF COURSE I'M AN O.G..... AND I'M STUCK IN MY WAYS....I WANT TO THANK PEW PEW FOR ALL THE INFO THEY SHARE WITH ALL US GUN NUTS !
I have a 14-45 Limited in Stainless. I am having some serious feed issues with it, and was wondering if you have ever run into the issue yourself?
This is 1 you should have mentioned ARMSCOR Rock Island Baby Rock 51577 BBR 3.10 45 ACP 3.10" 10+1, great 1911 dead accurate that I can carry anywhere with 11 rounds and less than 2 pounds. Not all have to be competition shooters to be worthy, when it's the Carry that's going to save your life.
I have the RIA in 9mm, it's a great gun, but the biggest problem is that it only comes with one mag and getting more is damn near impossible. Nobody ever has them in stock, even getting after market ones that fit are a pain in the ass. they take mec-gar p18s but you have to swap out the base plate with either the proprietary Advanced Tactical that comes on the factory mag or Springer Precision base plates.
Hey bud check out gunmagwarehouse dot c o m they may have what you're looking for and usually have a cheaper price on some mags, I got a few 10 rounders for my 45 single stack when nobody has then locally. Hope that helps bro
Whatever happened to the Para 1445 light double action I had one but tough times came along and I had to sellit but it made me look good at the range.
Ahhh yes, loved my Para as well. They were bought out by Remington years ago, who continued a few of the designs until they basically went bankrupt and reverted to the single stacks only, which I think was a huge mistake. They said they were going to start making the high caps again, but I have yet to see one surface.
Para ceased operation brother, it sucks ass because I had a Canadian made expert 1911 that I dropped 600 bucks into extra goodies into it like an Ambi safety because I'm a lefty, I had some truglo nite sights, and a custom set of laser etched witched grips dot com for it. I too had to sell mine when I broke my shoulder and was out of work for 6 months...I got a Ruger P85 and 600 cash. I paid 500 for it brand new... I still regret selling that gun to this day. They moved from Canada to the US and then we're bought up by Ruger or Remington I think and they ceased operation soon after... If you find one they'll be high but worth it.
Left out the Kimber polymer, early ones and Israeli BUL frames and Kimber reliability, pre series II with no firing pin safety blocks.
Also consider SPS, SV, and Para ordnance.
I own Staccato P, C2 duo, & XC. Also have the WC Xperior and EDC X9 double stack. All fantastic double stack 1911’s. My favorite though is Atlas Gun Works NYX v2. My dream EDC carry weapon. Its flatter shooting than the staccato XC Any freaking day of the week. Staccato XC is second best in personal opinion. The Atlas NYX V2 just checks all the boxes for me.
I'd like a double stack 1911 but not at these prices. I'll do the mag changes.
There are always "legacy" guns (nice way to say used) from Para-Ordnance available if one knows where to look. I still have a P10 sub-combat in my safe; It's the size of a sub Glock but weighs enough to shoot better. Full sized Paras were stuffed with 15 rounds of 45ACP.
I'm pretty sure that the Dan Wesson DWX has not gone into production yet.
Nice article, but you missed discussing what's possibly the most accurate 2011 out there: The Atlas Gunworks Athena.
just read reviews of 50 caliber.. would buy me rifle before i dropped the amount on some of these pistols..
I must admit, "Working Man's Gun" would not be my first description for a gun that costs over six thousand US dollars.