$515.99
6 in stock
Online inventory may differ from in-store availability.
Quick turnaround so you get your gear sooner.
Trusted checkout with industry-standard protection.
Keeping Traditions Alive Since 1953
Secure Transactions provided with 
There's something about picking up a full-size, all-steel 1911 with real wood grips that puts a smile on your face — and the TriStar American Classic II in 9mm does exactly that. Built on a blued steel frame and slide with custom hardwood grips, this is the kind of pistol that looks exactly like a classic Government-model 1911 should, but with a handful of thoughtful upgrades that put it well ahead of bare-bones mil-spec builds.
The American Classic II is manufactured by Metro Arms in the Philippines and imported by TriStar Arms. That's worth knowing because Metro Arms has a solid reputation for building 1911s with tight tolerances and smooth controls at a fair price. The controls on this pistol have a purposeful, well-fitted feel — the thumb safety engages crisply, the grip safety has a raised pad for positive contact, and the magazine release and slide stop all fall right where they should.
The upgrades that separate the Classic II from the base American Classic aren't just cosmetic. The skeletonized combat hammer and extended beavertail team up to keep your hand high on the grip while preventing hammer bite — a real quality-of-life improvement during longer range sessions. Front cocking serrations have been added to the slide, making press checks and chamber checks easier and more natural. The Novak-style rear sight paired with a dovetail-mounted front blade is a significant step up from mil-spec sights, with a clear three-dot picture that translates well at typical range distances.
Chamber it in 9mm and you get a few added benefits on top of everything else. The lighter recoil of 9mm in an all-steel pistol is genuinely mild, and 9+1 capacity puts more rounds on tap than the same gun in .45 ACP. 9mm ammunition is also widely available and more affordable for regular practice, which means this gun is easy to feed and easy to shoot well.
The NRA's Shooting Illustrated put the American Classic II through its paces and noted that every control functioned exactly as expected, with no rattling and no stiff levers — just a well-fitted pistol that runs. Accuracy at 25 yards turned in respectable groups, and up close the three-dot sight picture made it easy to stay on target during faster strings. For anyone who wants a 1911 that shoots like it should straight out of the box, this one delivers. It comes backed by TriStar's 5-year warranty and ships with a hard plastic case, one 8-round magazine, a gun lock, a cleaning kit, and an owner's manual.
The Classic II adds several practical upgrades over the base model: a skeletonized combat hammer, an extended beavertail grip safety, front cocking serrations on the slide, and Novak-style sights instead of mil-spec. The base American Classic uses a spur hammer and standard GI-style sights with no front serrations. If you want the more refined, carry-friendly version, the II is the one to get.
TriStar Arms imports the American Classic line, but the pistols are manufactured by Metro Arms in the Philippines. Metro Arms has been building 1911s for a long time and has a strong reputation for quality and tight tolerances in this price range. TriStar backs the pistol with a 5-year warranty.
The 9mm version gives you 9+1 capacity versus 8+1 in .45 ACP, noticeably softer recoil in the all-steel frame, and cheaper, more accessible ammunition for regular practice. Modern 9mm defensive loads perform extremely well, so you're not giving up anything meaningful for most uses. For a range gun or a first 1911, the 9mm is a great call.
Yes. The front sight sits in a standard dovetail cut and the rear uses a Novak-style cut, which is one of the most widely supported sight platforms in the 1911 world. Night sights from brands like Night Fision that are made for Novak-cut 1911s are a direct drop-in fit. Upgrade options are plentiful.
Like most all-steel 1911s, some owners find the first 100-200 rounds help everything settle in and run smoothly. Running a variety of ammunition early on — including 124-grain loads — can help the gun cycle reliably as parts wear in. That said, many owners report zero issues right out of the box after a good initial cleaning and lubrication.
| UPC | 713780856148 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 85614 |
| Action | |
| ATF Type | Pistol |
| Barrel Length | 5" |
| Caliber/Gauge | 9mm |
| Capacity | 9 + 1 |
| Length | 13.5 |
| Number of Magazines | 1 8 rd. |
| Package Height | 3.5 |
| Package Width | 12.0 |
| Product Type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| Safety | Grip/Thumb |
| Shipping Weight | 4.7 |
| Sights | Dovetail Front/Novak Rear |
| Sights Type | Dovetail Front/Novak Rear |
| Slide Description | Serrated |
You must be logged in to post a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.