It’s 2024, and we are still talking about and producing the famed M1911. Originally adopted by the United States Army in 1911, the gun has remarkable staying power.
Why does it remain so popular? The gun excels with excellent ergonomics, a great trigger, excellent sights, and countless customization options. Plus, modern versions go beyond the traditional 8-round magazine. Fortunately, an entire world of double-stack M1911s and 2011-style handguns now exists.
At first glance, many of these models can seem quite expensive, but you’ve come to the right place! Today, we are tackling budget-friendly 2011s and double-stack M1911s.
Understanding Budget 2011 and Double Stack M1911 Pistols
First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Staccato holds the rights to the term “2011” and it arguably applies to their designs in terms of marketing and pistol designations.
Additionally, there is an important distinction between a double-stack M1911 and a true 2011 design. A 2011 features a two-piece grip and frame system, while a double-stack M1911 has a single-piece grip frame.
The terms are often used interchangeably, so it’s understandable if the differences aren’t widely known. Today, we are highlighting the best budget 2011-style pistols as well as the best budget M1911s, but honestly, the double-stack M1911 really rules the roost as far as budget pistols go.
But what exactly does “budget” mean in this context? You won’t find one of these guns for $300, that’s for sure. Here, we’re focusing on budget 2011 options that fall under the $2,000 mark. While that may seem like a significant sum, it’s relatively modest for this category of firearm, where high-quality options can get expensive fast.
The Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra FS HC Series
The TAC Ultra FS HC series may have a mouthful of a name, but it’s fitting. “HC” stands for high capacity, “FS” means full-sized, and “TAC” indicates the addition of a rail. Rock Island Armory has packed this double-stack M1911 with tons of little bells and whistles, including large sights, a quality trigger, and ambidextrous safeties — all at an accessible price point.
The TAC Ultra FS HC series offers options for competition and home defense. While they may be a bit large for concealed carry, with the right jacket, anything is possible. At under a thousand dollars, it’s an easy way to dig your toe into the fat-bottom budget 2011 and double-stack M1911 world.
With a variety of calibers, it’s easy to find a model that suits your needs. Rock Island Armory also offers versions with threaded barrels, extended slides, flared mag wells, adjustable sights, and more.
Rock Island Armory offers the most affordable double-stack M1911s on the market, with prices starting below a thousand dollars. These pistols are available in a wide range of calibers, including the classic .45 ACP and popular 9mm, as well as 10mm and even RIA’s oddball 22 TCM round.
Girsan Witness2311
If you’d asked me who Girsan was in 2021, I probably would have shrugged. Today, however, I’d point to their popular Hi-Power clones and, of course, the Witness2311.
Starting at $999, the Witness 2311 is a true 2011 design, and the new Brat model is even more budget-friendly at $679. While prices can rise slightly with added features, the most expensive option tops out at $1,029 for the 10mm optics-ready version.
Yep, 10mm is an option, as is 9mm and 45 ACP. The Witness2311 comes in 4.25-inch, 5-inch, and 6-inch barrels, with some models being optics-ready.
These guns come with a rail system for mounting lights, lasers, or other accessories. Additional features include an aggressive magwell, ambidextrous safety, extended beavertail, and skeletonized hammer and trigger.
The Girsan Witness 2311 won’t break the bank and does give you a home defense or competition-ready option. You still get the great M1191 ergonomics, trigger, and accuracy without spending a couple of paychecks worth of cash.
Bul Armory SAS II
Bul Armory is not known for budget firearms; their 2011 models often range up to $5,000. However, they offer a more budget-friendly option in the Bul Armory SAS II, priced at around $1,400. The SAS II carves out a unique space as a subcompact 2011, featuring a 3.25-inch barrel and designed specifically for everyday carry and concealed use.
Weighing in at just 1.4 pounds, the SAS II lives up to its claim of being ultralight — especially within the 2011 category. The Bul Armory SAS II is a 9mm 2011 and holds 16 rounds.
The SAS II comes red dot-ready with a Shield RMSc footprint. It also includes a short rail for adding a light or laser. It’s certainly dressed to the nines and has a unique style that’s attractive and impressive.
The SAS II’s minimal recoil and flat-shooting performance make it easy to control, aided by its aggressive grip texture. The accuracy is impressive, and the stock adjustable sights are very nice. Overall, for less than $1500, the Bul Armory SAS II is one of the best EDC options on the market.
Springfield Prodigy
The Springfield Prodigy made waves in the 2011 market, surprising many with its feature-packed design. This true 2011-style pistol is available in both 4.25-inch and 5-inch bull barrel versions, with an additional option for a compensated model.
The Prodigy packs a ton of awesome features. It’s got a rail and is optic-ready, but it also comes with awesome suppressor height sights, aggressive slide serrations, a great grip design, and more.
The Prodigy handles well and delivers outstanding accuracy. The thick bull barrels certainly aid in helping you shoot straight, and so does the light and crisp trigger. The 2011 design and the hefty weight of the gun keep recoil quite low.
The gun handles like a dream, and unlike a lot of 2011 designs, the Prodigy is easy to find. Unlike many imported models that can be difficult to find due to limited batches, the Prodigy is consistently accessible in the market. Priced at around $1,500, it’s on the higher end of the budget spectrum but still represents significant value for a well-rounded 2011-style pistol.
The S&W CSX
This micro-compact 9mm brings the classic 1911 layout to a modern, ultra-small platform. Nestled in the gun’s grip is a ten-round magazine that’s a hybrid of single and double-stack designs, resulting in an incredibly thin magazine and an equally slender grip.
The CSX is small enough to drop into your pocket and nearly disappear. It’s designed for concealed carry, offering ten rounds of 9mm on tap in a very small platform. The gun keeps the single action trigger, the frame safety, and the fired design. It’s got nice big sights and a few polymer inserts to increase your grip on the gun.
The CSX is just big enough to fill your hand yet compact enough for IWB carry. It isn’t technically a 2011 but rather a double-stack M1911. Still, it earns its spot here as the most budget-friendly option, retailing for under $550. The CSX offers deep concealment and versatility while meeting the core requirements of this list.
Cashing Checks and Emptying Magazines
A budget 2011 or budget double stack M1911 allows you to save a little more money for what really matters — more ammo! Who doesn’t like to save a little cash?
Traditionally, the 2011 market has been dominated by pistols with price tags that reach into the thousands, demanding a serious investment from buyers. However, the emergence of budget-friendly 2011s and double-stack M1911s is changing the game.
This small but expanding category is making entry into the world of high-capacity, high-performance handguns far more accessible than ever before.
