New Ithaca 1911

[American1776]

I wanted to upgrade to a 1911 that is hand-built /fit with all forged tool steel parts. I considered a new Les Baer, since it fits my price point. My LGS had this new in box Ithaca 1911. I've read up on these, and they are all forged, hand built. Not quite as tight as a Baer, but VERY tight and very smooth. Fit and finish looks just about perfect.

Now my two 1911's are from historical makers: I have a stainless Colt combat commander, and now this 5 inch Ithaca. Looking forward to shooting and carrying this nice piece of machine-art.

Anybody else have a new production Ithaca?

 

[epj]

Nice looking gun. My question, and I'm not trying to be negative, does it shoot any better than my $1000 STI Trojan? Just wondering if the higher price point models are better performing or just a pride of ownership type thing. No doubt the $2500+ guns are capable of superior performance, though some of the accuracy tests I see don't necessarily bare that out.

 

[American1776]

Nice looking gun. My question, and I'm not trying to be negative, does it shoot any better than my $1000 STI Trojan? Just wondering if the higher price point models are better performing or just a pride of ownership type thing. No doubt the $2500+ guns are capable of superior performance, though some of the accuracy tests I see don't necessarily bare that out.

I haven't shot it yet. I'll say that I can see a difference in feel and handling. This isn't a 2,500 dollar gun---I got it new for quite a bit under 2 grand. I believe it's the best deal out there for a custom quality 1911 without the huge price tag to join the club.

It's not quite as tight as the Nighthawks and Wilsons in the display case. But it is definitely more precisely fit than the Colts and Springfields. It's better fit than my former Springfield TRP.

While MIM/Cast parts are perfectly fine, I just wanted one of my 1911's to be special with all forged / machined parts and hand-fit.

 

[4barrel]

I have one from 1943 I put an early colt slide on and made a good shooter. First 45 I have owned for 35+ years & still have it. I would like to shoot a new one. The reviews look good. Your sights resemble the old Bomars. After the tune up and custom cross draw holster my saddle maker made for me I have about $1000 in it. The new one looks like they may do 1 1/2 inch or so @ 25 with a good hand load on the bench. I feel they are not going to be in the back of the pack for the price.

 

[epj]

I haven't shot it yet. I'll say that I can see a difference in feel and handling. This isn't a 2,500 dollar gun---I got it new for quite a bit under 2 grand. I believe it's the best deal out there for a custom quality 1911 without the huge price tag to join the club.

It's not quite as tight as the Nighthawks and Wilsons in the display case. But it is definitely more precisely fit than the Colts and Springfields. It's better fit than my former Springfield TRP.

While MIM/Cast parts are perfectly fine, I just wanted one of my 1911's to be special with all forged / machined parts and hand-fit.

Well put. I look forward to your further evaluation after shooting the gun. I'm just curious as to whether there is a significant difference in a $1000-1200 gun and a $15-1800 gun. I know that when you get to the Baers, Wilsons, Nighthawks, Browns, etc., there is a demonstrable difference in most cases. Durability may be one advantage, but I don't have time to shoot my guns enough to ever know.

 

[Texas Star]

The GI Ithacas I've seen, not many, were rougher than Rem-Rands. I didn't know the new Ithaca company was making pistols.

Do they have a more basic gun? I'm just not into paying as much for a service capable .45 auto as I'd have to give for a SIG P-210 of the former style.

And I want stainless, at a reasonable price. From what I see and read, Colt, Springfield, and probably Remington, are doing all I need or want in a 1911.

But your new Ithaca seems a good choice for those who want such a item. Thanks for posting. You can even spell "Ithaca", which many cannot. I think it's the gun brand that I most often see misspelled. Even by men who actually own a Model 37!

 

[American1776]

The GI Ithacas I've seen, not many, were rougher than Rem-Rands. I didn't know the new Ithaca company was making pistols.

Do they have a more basic gun? I'm just not into paying as much for a service capable .45 auto as I'd have to give for a SIG P-210 of the former style.

And I want stainless, at a reasonable price. From what I see and read, Colt, Springfield, and probably Remington, are doing all I need or want in a 1911.

But your new Ithaca seems a good choice for those who want such a item. Thanks for posting. You can even spell "Ithaca", which many cannot. I think it's the gun brand that I most often see misspelled. Even by men who actually own a Model 37!

They don't have a GI style model as of now. They offer this model with the bomar sites, a model with novaks, a hard chrome, and a commander length. All of them are carbon steel. Very basic, but has good upgrades. The front strap checkering, extended thumb safety, beaver tail grip are all that I really need. I don't like serrations up front, I'm not a fan of a rail, and I don't need a magwell or laser.

While ~1,800 is a lot of money to put into a single pistol, I'd say for what this gun actually is, it's a pretty darned good deal. (It all depends on what one wants though)

 

[alwslate]

My understanding is that guns assembled in the US from imported
parts can be labeled as " Made in the US". I'm not familar with the
new Ithaca 1911s but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the guns
or components were made in the Philippines like most other 1911s
sold today. And most 1911s are machined, CNC machined, rather than
made from castings or MIM components. The Kuhnhausen manuals
on the 1911 reveal that the only production standards and blueprints
are the originals from the early days of the 1911 as the US service
pistol. There is no all new production standards for the 1911 even
though some manufacturers have made some changes in materials
used. A bit of research should quickly reveal the origin of the Ithaca's
components. As far as "tool steel" being used the original specs
included steel and hardness specifications and all 1911s from day one
have been made of heat treated steel, not soft low carbon steel as
many seem to think.

 

[6string]

When it comes to a 1911, I want to know who really makes it. I mean the frame, slide, etc. All the bells and whistles don't mean a thing. A 1911 is easy enough to modify, but it doesn't matter, especially at this price, if the foundation is lacking! Springfield Armory 1911s are made from basic materials sourced from Brazil (Imbel). That's a fact. SIG arms get their components from Caspian. But, in both cases that's a much lower price point.

So, what does Ithaca do? Did they really "tool up" for 1911 production? Or, do they just buy a bunch of parts (from who knows where, and apt to change to suit the bottom line?), and assemble them?

Addendum:
A quick check seems to confirm that, surprisingly(!!!!), they do pretty much everything in-house, including the barrel!

 

[Collo Rosso]

Springfield Armory 1911s are made from basic materials sourced from Brazil (Imbel). That's a fact

Springfield Armory ended its relationship with Imbel about 2 years ago. According to S.A. all their 1911's are forged frames sourced from and all assembly in the USA.
The first Sig 1911's used Caspian frames and slides, but that was many years ago. I don't know who is doing there 1911 frames and slides now. Some say Ruger other claim Sig bought it in house.
The modern manufacturing world moves very quickly these days.

 

[6string]

Collo Rosso,
Thanks for the correction. Glad to hear of the change at SA. Last time I looked at their 1911s was at the NRA convention in Charlotte. They were pretty bad, even the custom shop ones!

Maybe I have to give them a fresh look.

Nothing wrong with the Caspian stuff, it's just a bit disquieting sometimes when major manufacturers like SIG fluidly and suddenly change their outsourcing. I'd prefer it if all these makers were more up front about this stuff.

Thanks again,
Jim

 

[American1776]

All the research I've read on the new production Ithaca 1911:

1) Frames and slides are cut from billet steel in house at the Ithaca factory in Ohio.

2) All the firing control and small parts are machined by CNC in house at Ithaca plant

3) Barrels are machined in house at the Ithaca plant in Ohio.

4) From what I've read, there are two gun smiths who hand fit each gun individual, then they are tested and adjusted as necessary.

As far as I can tell, EVERYTHING is made in the USA at Ithaca. I don't know where they source their blocks of billet steel. There's a very good write up in guns digest dot com. Handgun Review: The Ithaca 1911s - Gun Digest

 

[4barrel]

I am a target shooter & don't see anywhere the trigger pounds. All of mine are under 4. What is yours? Do you order the lbs when you order?

 

[American1776]

I am a target shooter & don't see anywhere the trigger pounds. All of mine are under 4. What is yours? Do you order the lbs when you order?

These pistols are made 'stock' by their custom gun makers. They are made, and then sent to distributors.

I've read that the triggers measure in the 4 pound range. From my own estimate, I'll say this: I've owned Colts, Springfield TRP, Sig 1911's, and this Ithaca, BY FAR, has the lightest and most crisp trigger I've felt. 4 pounds FLAT sounds about right. It's a light trigger!

 

[DWalt]

About 10 years ago I was fortunate to find a brand new Ithaca M1911A1 military slide and barrel, still in the wrapping paper, for $100 at a gun show. It fit on my M1911 Colt frame like it was made for it - no fitting needed. So I guess I have a sort-of Ithaca M1911 myself.