TriStar American Classic II 1911 9mm 5″ Blued — Superb Beavertail and Skeleton Hammer

Description

The American Classic II 1911 is TriStar’s upgraded take on the full-size Government pattern. Everything that makes the plain version worth owning is still here, an all-steel 5-inch 9mm with hardwood grips and a matte blue finish, but the frame now carries an extended beavertail grip safety and the gun wears a skeletonized hammer and trigger.

What the II Adds

Extended beavertail grip safety, which both protects the web of the hand from the hammer and gives a higher, more consistent grip.

Skeletonized hammer and trigger, lighter moving parts that also mark the American Classic II 1911 visually against the base model.

Stainless steel 5-inch barrel inside a blued serrated steel slide.

Blued steel frame, hardwood grips and multiple safeties in the traditional arrangement.

Full-Size Handling in 9mm

Overall length 8.5 inches, weight 2.47 pounds.

That weight against a 9mm cartridge is why this pistol is so easy to shoot for long sessions.

Mil-spec pattern front and rear sights, dovetailed so a taller or tritium front can be fitted later.

Single-action trigger with the full-length 1911 sight radius.

Ships with one magazine and a hard case.

American Classic II 1911 Specifications

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: TriStar lists this model at 9+1
• Barrel: 5 inch stainless steel
• Slide: blued steel, serrated
• Frame: blued steel with extended beavertail
• Hammer and trigger: skeletonized
• Sights: mil-spec pattern, dovetailed
• Grips: custom hardwood
• Overall length: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 2.47 pounds
• Included: one magazine and a hard case
• Model: TriStar 85614
• UPC: 713780856148

The beavertail is the single most worthwhile upgrade on a 1911, and it is the reason to pay the small premium for the II. A standard grip safety leaves the web of the hand exposed to the hammer spur, and a high thumbs-forward grip on a plain 1911 can draw blood after a box or two. The beavertail moves the hammer clear and gives a reference point that makes the grip repeatable, which does more for practical accuracy than most people expect.

Why it is worth considering

• Extended beavertail and skeletonized hammer as standard.
• All-steel construction with a stainless barrel.
• Full-size 5-inch sight radius.
• Hardwood grips and a matte blue finish.
• Hard case and magazine in the box.

Who it suits

Anyone buying a first full-size 1911 should look hard at this one, because the beavertail removes the most common complaint about the original design. The American Classic II 1911 in 9mm is also an economical way to shoot the platform often. If a shorter gun suits you better, the Commander length carries more easily. Browse the rest of the TriStar range for more.

Comparing the American Classic Family

TriStar sells the American Classic in three shapes that matter here. The base Government model is the plainest and least expensive, with a standard grip safety. This II adds the beavertail and the skeletonized hammer. The Commander shortens the slide to 4.25 inches and fits a Novak-style rear sight, which makes it the carry choice. Browse the full TriStar catalog or the wider handgun range. TriStar publishes model details at TriStar Arms.

Single-stack 1911 magazines are worth buying spares of early, since a range session goes quickly at nine rounds a magazine. For practice, 115-grain full metal jacket is the default, and a 124-grain jacketed hollow point suits defensive use out of a 5-inch barrel. All firearm orders ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer, and MAG5 Firearms will coordinate the paperwork with the dealer of your choice.

On break-in: all-steel 1911s often run tight for the first few hundred rounds, particularly around the barrel bushing and the slide rails. Keep the rails wet with a decent grease or heavy oil early on and the action will smooth out noticeably.