NRA Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive EAA Girsan MC1911S XLV

Girsan’s Turkish-built M1911s have gained popularity since their importation to the U.S., thanks to European American Armory Corp. (EAA) and currently, the company offers many variations, as seen here on AmericanRifleman.org. Despite the myriad options EAA supplies to the market, one model you won't find from the import firm is the MC1911S XLV, which is the product of an exclusive partnership with Davidson's.

Founded in 1932 as an auto-parts supplier, Davidson’s expanded into firearms distribution in the 1980s. Today, it’s one of the largest firearm distributors in the country. Due to its prominent position in the marketplace, Davidson’s can work with manufacturers around the world to develop exclusive offerings and specially finished models you’ll find nowhere else. One of those models is this MC1911S XLV. Watch the video above to see it in use on the NRA Tech Range.

The Girsan XLV model is a fullsize M1911 equipped with a 5" barrel and treated with Davidson’s Dark Earth Cerakote finish. Notice that the Davidson’s Exclusive XLV also only features slide serrations at the rear, unlike most of EAA’s other M1911 offerings. Completing the package is a set of unique polymer grip panels that stand out from EAA’s other offerings, providing an effective checkering pattern and the Girsan logo. The upgrades don’t end there, though.

At the top of the gun, there are beveled, low-profile sights dovetailed into the slide for future adjustments. A skeletonized hammer is included to shorten lock time. A flared and enlarged ejection port comes standard for increased reliability, while the nitride-treated barrel adds natural lubricity and provides corrosion resistance. The MC1911S XLV's frame houses features to improve the shooter's experience by enhanced control points; flaring on either side at the rear of the trigger guard for improve trigger reach, as well as a textured frontstrap and checkered mainspring housing for a solid grip. Protecting the user's hand from hammer- and slide-bite, while also enabling a high hold for improved control, the Davidson's exclusive MC1911S XLV provides a generous beavertail grip safety.

The MC1911S XLV offers an upgrade in the way of extended ambidextrous thumb safeties, but you’ll only find a single-sided slide-stop lever and push-button magazine release, in true M1911 fashion. A solid-body curved trigger offers a traditional feel for this upgraded platform. Shooting the Davidson’s Exclusive MC1911S XLV brought us back to Browning’s iconic platform in a positive way. Of course, XLV, in Roman numerals, means “45,” indicating the gun’s traditional chambering. Despite its classic chambering and standard frame size, Davidson’s ships each pistol with an eight-round magazine, giving you one more pull of the trigger over standard seven-round M1911 magazines.

Specifications
Importer: European American Armory Corp.
Distributor: GalleryofGuns.com
Action Type: single-action, semi-automatic centerfire pistol
Chambering: .45 ACP
Barrel: 5" nitride-treated steel
Frame: steel, Davidson’s Dark Earth Cerakote finish
Slide: steel, Davidson’s Dark Earth Cerakote finish
Sights: dovetailed; square-notch rear, post front
Magazine: eight-round detachable box
Overall Length: 8.75"
Height: 32.5 ozs.
MSRP: $629