GSG 1911

[usmcpaul]

ITEM REVIEWED: GSG 1911

PURCHASED FROM / COST: I bought this gun from Michi-Gun about 5 weeks ago. $325 (it was normally 350, but it had a small scratch)

Background: My daughter and I have been going to the local range (CQT on 23 and Schoenner) for about 2 months now, and we are shooting on their "league night". Well long story short, .45 ACP was getting to be very cost prohibitive, since I absorb the cost of everything. So I needed a lower cost alternative, in order to keep shooting/practicing with her. I love the look and feel of the 1911 frame and wanted to practice with a gun that was similar in look, feel and operation to the 1911. (She has a Browning Buckmark and loves it, so no worries there)

After some research, I found 3 guns that fit into this category.
1. Kimber rimfire 1911
2. Chippea (spelling?)
3. GSG 1911

I absolutely love Kimbers, and own a couple .45's already, however the $800-$1200 start up cost was just too much for my budget right now. (although I am saving for another one:thumbup: )

The Chippea: It got fair reviews on-line and was priced pretty low, but I just did not like my 'gut feeling' about this one.

Anyhow, I called Michi-Gun and they had a GSG, so I went and looked at it. The reviews I have read were good, and I really liked the way it felt, and the build quality seemed pretty good for the price. It is certainly no Kimber, but it doesn't have the Kimber price tag either.

I now have about 5,000-7,000 rounds through it and I am pretty impressed. It is very accurate, as well as, reliable for the most part. The reviews I have read said that the barrel bushing's were cracking, so I knew that could be an issue up front. Well sure enough, mine cracked last week. The good part is that many of the parts (the company claims 80%) are interchangeable with regular 1911 parts. So I swapped it out with one of my Kimber 1911's bushings and it worked great. I have heard that they have recently fixed this problem, but I have no first hand knowledge about the new bushing.

I have since made my own bushing from some stainless steel stock I had laying around, and it works flawlessly. It really likes that bulk federal ammo from Wally World and has about 3-4 FTE for every 550 rounds. But in all fairness, most of them happen after about 1000 rounds and no cleaning.

Since we shoot side by side, I can say that this gun is just as reliable as the Browning so far, although the browning has far superior sights on it.

The rear sight is adjustable for windage, however; I overtightened it and it striped out, so I had to tap it for a larger set screw, it is plastic so it was not hard to tap, but that is probably the reason it stripped in the first place. I will probably make one this weekend out of stainless.

It also comes with 2 different height front sight posts, although I have not had the need to adjust my elevation.

All in all, this is a great gun, that is fun/cheap to shoot. I do see a little wear on the slide stop but not too bad, we will see.

I know about the Kimber 22 conversion kits, but I wanted a dedicated gun.
(I dunno, maybe I just wanted to buy a gun :shocked: )

PRO'S:

1. low start up cost
2. low ammo cost
3. above average fit and finish
4. many interchangeable 1911 parts
5. Fits all my current 1911 holsters to practice with
6. nice clean trigger break (for a cheap stock gun)

CON'S:

1. Barrel bushing cracked after a few thousand rounds
2. Rear sight stripped and is made of plastic
3. Wasn't free

In closing, I would definitely recommend this gun to a friend.:plasmagu:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Katiesbike020.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Katiesbike023.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Katiesbike027.jpg

[pkuptruck]

great review.... like the thourough part... not just...
"shoots good... buy it!" lol

might think about selling those "stainless bushings"... looks to be a good market for it!

thanks again...:banana:

[rjrivero]

Great review. You forgot to mention the GSG has a threaded barrel and can accept a suppressor......oh, wait. That's not important in Michigan......yet ;)

[usmcpaul]

might think about selling those "stainless bushings"... looks to be a good market for it!




Yea, but considering the time I have invested in it, I would have to sell them for about $1,495.99 each to make any money.(free ground shipping of course) :laugh: Brownells sell them for $20 + shipping.

I only made it because I wanted to see if I could actually do it.

[usmcpaul]

I have to post 10 times before I can post pictures so here it goes......4

[usmcpaul]

3 to go

[usmcpaul]

2 to go

[usmcpaul]

1 more to go.

[usmcpaul]

0 to go, I hope there is no secret handshake that I need to know.:bash:

[usmcpaul]

Here are some pics of the old and new bushings, It's not perfect, but I am happy with the result. The original looks bigger, but I assure you it is within .001 of the original. Also if you look closely at the original bushing you can see the crack in it.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Katiesbike033.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Katiesbike032.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Katiesbike034.jpg

[lotusexige]

how accurate is it at extended ranges? such as 40 yrds?

[usmcpaul]

how accurate is it at extended ranges? such as 40 yrds?

I have never shot it that far. The furthest was 75 feet, but it did reasonably well. The target was a knock-down style about 12 inches in diameter, and I used 'Kentucky windage', so I don't have any reference like MOA.

[tech2b9]

Thanks for the great review!!! Since you were comparing side by side, how is the trigger of the GSG compared to the Buckmark and how about accuracy compared to the Buckmark?? The GSG looks like a really nice gun for the money.

[usmcpaul]

Thanks for the great review!!! Since you were comparing side by side, how is the trigger of the GSG compared to the Buckmark and how about accuracy compared to the Buckmark?? The GSG looks like a really nice gun for the money.

I like the trigger pull a little better on the Buckmark better than the GSG, however I like the GSG trigger better than the Ruger, but none of them are "far and away' better than the other.

The accuracy is about the same, but saying "accuracy" is a little deceiving because IMO it depends mostly on the shooter and ammo variables need to be considered. I have never tested any of them with a shooting stand.

I can tell you that I have not noticed enough of a variance at 15 feet to make any real meaningful judgment. But the Ruger seems to have the edge at longer distances( i.e. 40-75 feet), I would imagine it is because of the longer barrel. However, I rarely shoot that far anyway.

If someone wants a hunting style gun, for longer ranges, I would choose the Ruger. But its a real toss up between the GSG and the Buckmark. I would imagine that there are many more accessories available for the Buckmark and I know the Mags are cheaper. Mags for the GSG are about $35 each with tax.

I bought the GSG for the express reason of duplicating the feel of a 1911, and it does that way better than any of the others listed, it seems to be just as accurate at most normal distance I shoot, and it has been fairly reliable, and the price fits my budget.

One other thing I like about the GSG, because of the price, is that I am not afraid of taking it apart and experimenting with it as far as gunsmithing goes. So to that extent, I have completely disassembled this thing and as a result, I know have a much better understanding of how a 1911 works. Which is something I was skeptical of trying with my $800-$1200 Kimbers.

[mikeb32]

Great review and looks like a pretty good machining job too!!

[usmcpaul]

As an update, I called American Tactical importers on Thursday and told them about the cracked bushing and the guy said that I must have gotten an early model and that they have since switched to a steel one. He took my shipping info and said he would ship one out to me that day.

I also told him that the little rubber washer on the recoil spring was toast. He said that he would ship out a "handful" with that order also. He reminded me that I have a 2 year warranty and to call them if I have any other concerns.

It went very smooth, no questions asked, I expect my stuff next week. I will update when I get them.

The guy was real nice and I had another question so he transferred me directly to the gunsmith.

I have found that cleaning this gun every 1000 rounds really reduces the amount of FTE's to about 1 per 1000.

So far I am still very happy with this gun.

[rjrivero]

As an update, I called American Tactical importers on Thursday and told them about the cracked bushing and the guy said that I must have gotten an early model and that they have since switched to a steel one. He took my shipping info and said he would ship one out to me that day.

I also told him that the little rubber washer on the recoil spring was toast. He said that he would ship out a "handful" with that order also. He reminded me that I have a 2 year warranty and to call them if I have any other concerns.

It went very smooth, no questions asked, I expect my stuff next week. I will update when I get them.

The guy was real nice and I had another question so he transferred me directly to the gunsmith.

I have found that cleaning this gun every 1000 rounds really reduces the amount of FTE's to about 1 per 1000.

So far I am still very happy with this gun.
That's good info. My local dealer has a couple of these in stock, and I MAY, just MAY have to pick one up!

[usmcpaul]

Still another update.

I got the parts they promised me today, about 2 business days after I talked to them.
His idea of a handful of rubber washers was a little different than mine(he sent 6). No biggie, besides they last for about 7,000 rounds, and it has a 2 year warranty.

[usmcpaul]

That's good info. My local dealer has a couple of these in stock, and I MAY, just MAY have to pick one up!

For the amount of fun I have had with this gun, and since all the controls are exactly like my 45's , I would recommend getting one. They are not perfect, but still a hell of a value when you consider I would have burned up thousands of dolllars worth of 45 practicing.

Currently 7,000 rounds of 22 would is about $250 from Wally World. My goal is to shoot 100,000 rounds through this thing. I have never worn out a gun before, but I am damn sure gonna try with this one.:bigun2:

[rjrivero]

ROFL. Best of luck in your quest. Wearing out a gun takes a little bit of doing. Wearing out a .22LR is darned near impossible, so far as I can tell!!

Best of luck in your quest.

I may pick one up as a host for my next .22 Suppressor........the Stainless Steel Sparrow from Silencerco.

They should be shipping by the end of the month, and I should have it at my Class III by mid to end January. Then the ATF wait begins again!

[stroo]

I may pick one up as a host for my next .22 Suppressor........the Stainless Steel Sparrow from Silencerco.

They should be shipping by the end of the month, and I should have it at my Class III by mid to end January. Then the ATF wait begins again!

Damn Ohioans!

[Funk55]

No fair flaunting the fact those lucky people in OH can own suppressors!
Does look like a decent gun. Great review. Thanks

[PorkChopsMmm]

Nice review. I have been wondering about these. I hear bad things about the Chiappa. Did you see the new M&P22 that was recently released?

w w w.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/12/20/sw-mp22-22-pistol

[suitslinger]

If you do buy one of these, get ready to have to get a paint job done in less than a year. The finish literally fell off my gun after a range run 2 weeks ago. When I started to shoot there was finish on it... After there was bare metal under the trigger guard. Called ati and they told me to go buy alumahyde black and re finish it myself. This is after my buffer melted, and my bushing cracked. Less than 2k total rounds through it and on problem 3 already

[Tyler]

I have probably 3000 rounds through mine... It jams occasionally with the hollow point bulk packed rounds, but I haven't had a single jam with cci. It is fun to set out some clay pigeons and step back to ~40 yards and see how long it takes to shoot them. I enjoy shooting this gun more than any other I own. The occasional jam is no big deal to me, as it is just a little plinker. I would recommend it to anyone who wanted a fun range gun!

The jams I encounter most often is the nose of the round catching above the chamber.

Now just to buy more mags!

[usmcpaul]

If you do buy one of these, get ready to have to get a paint job done in less than a year. The finish literally fell off my gun after a range run 2 weeks ago. When I started to shoot there was finish on it... After there was bare metal under the trigger guard. Called ati and they told me to go buy alumahyde black and re finish it myself. This is after my buffer melted, and my bushing cracked. Less than 2k total rounds through it and on problem 3 already


Yea I agree, my finish is pretty well trashed, however the gun still shoots great and it is way cheaper than shooting .45. For $300'ish, and closing in on 10,000+ rounds, I still love that gun. Oh... and I use it to practice drawing from my holsters, so it has probably 2,000 to 3,000+ draws on it. It almost looks like polished Aluminum now. :cheers:

[suitslinger]

Or I coulda kept my ruger, used the 300 for a pos 1911 and been happier

To each their own, but when the manufacturer blithely says oh well the finish sucks deal with it..... Sorry not my bag. Let me know if ya need another to get to polished finish... I might have a deal for ya

[usmcpaul]

... I might have a deal for ya


I live very close to you (Macomb), so PM me if you want to sell it.

[USJudo]

Thanks for the thorough review. Every where I turn these seem to be getting thumbs up reviews. Finally made the jump when Palmetto State Armory went to $299 price tag. I see this and my other .22's getting lots of play time this summer.