The Turkish-based company Girsan got its start in manufacturing pistols with models based off the Berretta M92 family of semi-automatics. In 2010, the company expanded its pistol lineup to include what is probably John Moses Browning's most famous and popular pistol design, the M1911, which has since grown in available models. In 2020, American Rifleman staff had the opportunity to test out one of these renditions imported by European American Armory Corp., specifically the MC1911 Match Elite chambered in .45 ACP.
The EAA imported Girsan MC1911 Match Elite chambered in .45 ACP.
Geared as a high-end competition pistol, the MC1911 Match Elite comes with several enhancements and added features out of the box. It is a full-size, all steel, government model styled pistol measuring 8.75" long, 5.90" high and weighing in at 43 ozs. unloaded. The carbon steel slide and frame are topped off with a matte hard-chrome finish, which adds nice contrast against the all the smaller matte-black components. It has a 5" barrel with six-groove rifling at a right-hand twist rate of 1:16" for the classic .45 ACP chambering, though the MC1911 Match Elite is also offered in a 9 mm Luger version.
A closer look at the grip frame and controls on the left side of the MC1911 Match Elite
The MC1911 Match Elite, like most other government model M1911 pistols, feeds from single stack box magazines, with the included magazine containing eight rounds. Unlike traditional M1911s, the Match Elite uses a bushing-less design with conical muzzle lockup and a full-length guide rod. The controls are largely similar to other M1911s, with a standard slide catch and magazine release. The others are enhanced, with the trigger shoe and hammer being skeletonized, the addition of an extended beavertail to the grip safety and the inclusion on elongated, bilateral thumb safeties.
Testing out the MC1911 Match Elite on the range.
For grip purchase on the pistol, its wears gray and black colored checkered G10 stocks along with machined-in serrations on the front strap and flat mainspring housing. At the bottom of the frame is a flared magazine well extension to assist with reloading. There are also angular serrations machined into the front and rear sides of the slide for better grip on it when racking. On top of the slide, a black serrated front sight post and an adjustable serrated, notched rear sight are dovetailed in. For more information on the EAA imported Girsan MC1911 Match Elite, along with the other M1911 styled pistols offered by EAA, visit eaacorp.com.
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