Savage jumping into the 1911 game a few years back caught my attention. Recently, they reached out, wondering if anyone wanted to try one out, and I proudly raised my old soul hand. After more than a century since their Model 1907 in 45 ACP lost out to Colt in the Army trials, they’re back with a vengeance. I got my hands on their Savage 1911 Government Style Black Nitride with Rail, and here’s what I found after putting holes in paper.
Savage Arms Coverage on AllOutdoor
Specifications: Savage 1911 Government Style Black Nitride with Rail
It almost feels odd to review a 1911 these days. On the surface, they all look so similar. But as always, it’s what’s under the hood that counts. The Savage 1911 attempts to stand out with 12 different configurations across .45 ACP and 9mm, with various finishes and rail options. The premium materials, thoughtful features, and Savage’s build quality potentially justify the cost for buyers who want a serious, ready-for-duty 1911 without jumping into full custom territory.
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Caliber: .45 Auto
- Capacity: 8+1
- Barrel Length: 5″ (12.7 cm)
- Overall Length: 8.45″ (21.46 cm)
- Weight: 2.54 lbs (1.15 kg)
- Barrel Material: Stainless Steel with Nitride Finish
- Frame & Slide: Forged Stainless Steel with Black Nitride
- Grips: VZ G10 Operator
- Sights: Novak Lo-Mount Tritium Front (Mega Dot), Adjustable Tritium Bar Rear
- Safety: Ambidextrous Thumb Safety, Grip Safety
- Rail: Integrated Picatinny
- Magazine: Two 8-round single-stack included
This guy sits at a shocking $1,569 MSRP. I say shocking cause at face value, this pistol is very unassuming, and honestly, the price you see in the store will likely be much lower. This Savage 1911 is not without its quality of life features, good ergos, and thoughtful manufacturing, but most will probably be a little confused by the sticker price.
“After more than a century of evolution, John Moses Browning’s venerable single-action semi-auto is still standing strong. The gun that beat the Savage Model 1907 to become the US Military’s M1911 is now being given the Savage treatment. The Savage 1911 is built from stainless steel and has a dual recoil spring and machined sear and disconnector. While the look pays homage to the original, the Savage 1911 is built for hard use. From its nitride coated titanium firing pin, to the target crown on the barrel, this 1911 delivers accuracy and reliability. This is Savage.”
First Impressions: Savage 1911
The gun comes in a decent case with two magazines, a manual, and the usual paperwork. Right out of the case, this thing looks sharp. The black nitride finish has a businesslike appearance that’s not trying too hard to be tactical. The VZ G10 grips feel good in hand – textured enough for purchase but not aggressive. The ambidextrous safety is a nice touch and operates positively.
The Novak sights caught my eye immediately. The Tritium Mega Dot front sight has this bright yellow-green insert that’s easy to pick up, paired with a tritium bar rear. The sight picture is clean and intuitive.
Build quality appears solid. The slide-to-frame fit is tight without being excessive, and the barrel lockup feels precise. The ejection port is properly lowered and flared, and the slide serrations are deep enough to actually grip.
Range Time: Savage 1911
I ran this pistol with miscellaneous Winchester and some old Lake City .45 ACP from 1962 – yes, you read that right. Old military surplus with some visible corrosion on the cases. Despite the questionable ammo, the Savage performed admirably. I did experience one failure to feed on the second round during my initial session. The cartridge didn’t fully chamber, but a quick tap-rack cleared it. Given the condition of my test ammo, I’m not blaming the gun for this one.
Accuracy was impressive. At 15 yards, I was consistently putting groups under 3 inches, and that’s accounting for a couple of flyers that I’m attributing to the ancient ammunition rather than the pistol. The gun wants to shoot better than I can hold it. Recoil management is excellent thanks to the full-size frame and that dual recoil spring system. Follow-up shots come naturally, and the pistol tracks well.
The trigger broke clean and consistent. It’s not a match trigger, but it’s a solid single-action pull that does what it’s supposed to do. Reset is positive but noticeably lengthy. I handed it to two other range goers, and without prompting, both brought up what they called a “weird reset”.
The dual recoil spring is an interesting touch. I haven’t seen this setup on a Government model before, but it seems to contribute to the smooth cycling and reduced felt recoil. It didn’t make disassembly for cleaning any more difficult, so that is another plus.
I think the Savage 1911 delivers where it counts. The Novak sights are first-rate, the ambidextrous controls are well-executed, and the overall fit and finish justify a higher price point (maybe not the MSRP, though). The nitride coating should provide excellent durability, and the forged construction means this isn’t some cast parts-bin special.
My biggest gripe is the price. At $1,569 MSRP, this is competing in a crowded field with some very established players. While the quality is definitely there, you can find threaded, adjustable-triggered, and optics-ready 1911s for less money, and in today’s market, that matters. 1500 bucks is a huge dent in the wallet, so unless something makes this stand out, I fear for its sellability. The smooth front strap might bother some shooters who prefer the checkering or stippling you see on other high-end 1911s. I didn’t find it problematic, but it’s worth noting. For a gun at this price point, not being optics-ready at the very least feels like a missed opportunity. Red dots on pistols aren’t going away, and Savage should have considered this from the start.
Final Thoughts: Savage 1911
The Savage 1911 is a well-executed pistol that does everything you’d expect from a quality 1911. The craftsmanship is solid, accuracy is there, and reliability has been good in my testing. The problem isn’t what it is – it’s what it costs and what else you can get for the money.
Savage built a good gun, but they’re asking premium prices for a fairly standard 1911 (features-wise) in a market flooded with options. While there’s something to be said for being among those to own Savage’s return to the pistol game, most shooters may be better served looking at more affordable options or finding a model with modern features like optics cuts. If you’re a Savage collector or someone who appreciates the historical significance of this pistol, loves the brand, or wants a no frills high-end 1911, it’s worth considering.
In closing, I want to thank Savage Arms for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their 1911 Government Style. What do you think? Is Savage’s entry into the 1911 market worth the premium price? Would this be your show off gun? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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