Your standard, garden variety mil spec 1911 tips the scales at somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 ounces. A shorter, easier-carrying commander-sized .45 will bend your belt under about 30 ounces. Hence the motivation behind the just-announced FX-H Hybrid 1911 from American Tactical Imports. It’s a polymer pistol with “two metal inserts at the stress points.” That results in a five-inch .45 weighing about 26 ounces and an MSRP of $659.95 (probably between $550 and $600 street). We’ve requested one, but in the mean time, read their press release . . .
(Summerville, SC ) – American Tactical, pioneers of the Omni Hybrid MAXX Series of products, is pleased to add the first of its kind FX-H Hybrid 1911 handgun to the line-up of quality polymer-based firearms.
The FX-H 1911 is unique in the fact it has a polymer frame with two metal inserts at the stress points for premium quality construction, while keeping the overall weight of this full frame 1911 down to 1.6 lbs. The FX-H is believed to be the lightest full size 1911 on the market today. The FX-H includes features like a 5″ match-grade stainless barrel and a stainless steel slide that accepts Glock style sight systems and a removable plate to accommodate RMR style optics. The FX-H 1911 comes in .45 ACP with additional calibers coming soon. All milspec 1911 parts are interchangeable.
“The FX-H 1911 is an absolute ground breaking firearm,” says Tony DiChario, President of American Tactical. “We completely designed and manufactured this product for the ultimate shooting pleasure while giving the owner a lightweight solid 1911 platform like no other. We are excited about bringing this product to market.”
The FX-H Hybrid 1911 is currently available for wholesale and stocking dealer orders. With an MSRP of only $659.95, the FX-H Hybrid is sure to be one of the most popular firearms of 2016.
Price is kinda on the high side for a poly pistol, especially a ATI.
But also low if it is a well functioning accurate 1911. You have to pay over 800$ for one of those usually.
FNX .45
41.33 oz. Fully loaded 15 +1
$ 125.00 less expensive out the door.
Plus 3 mags and extra grips.
Has worked like a champ clean or dirty.
Love my FNX
And my FNP 45 USG is SA/DA has a safety AND a decocker. PLUS carries 15 rounds
And the 17.11 extra ounces are nothing to sneeze at, either. 😉
No……..just………… No!
Glad I’m not the only one.
I completely agree with you sir!
That’s just plain fugly…no thanks
If I remember correctly the TTAG review of the ATI Omni-Hybrid AR was no bueno…I hope it’s 1911 counter part has better results.
You are correct, sir.
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/04/foghorn/gun-review-ati-omni-hybrid-polymer-ar-15/
Glock sights and RMR cut, A+++
Finger grooves on a 1911 frame FFF
Great gun! Now go figure how to fit 4 fingers into 3 grooves. What? Just put the two pinkies into the same groove like every other gun? No thanks.
Do you have 6 fingers, or do you regularly put your index finger around the grip below trigger guard?
Yes i do. Cuz i’m not jerry miculek or rob leatham
I just thought we were being funny…
Sorry… The mere sight of finger grooves pisses me off so much that i dunno how to spell homur
And i cant seem to find a place to put my nondominant index finger when there is a light mounted, if i dont put it below the trigger guard
What? There’s room for the 4th and 5th finger on the last groove. Unless you’re Andre the Giant. And he’s dead.
The upside to a polymer frame is you can change it quite easily: File and sandpaper, dremal and a couple barrel sanders…
I’ll stick to my Colt lightweight commander.
What’s with the huge undercarriage on the frame ? To hang stuff on so one can destroy the weight advantage of the polymer ? The finger groves ? Glock Gen 4 are the only ones I’ve ever found that accidentally fit my raccoon-sizes hands. Just leave ’em off.
Zero improvement here over my Colt Officer’s. No thanks.
gimmick
As a die hard 1911 guy.
I was sort of interested till I saw the trigger guard and molded grips……..No way for me.
Big bucks for ATI too.
I like the idea and I like the trigger guard, but the finger grooves are a definite turn off. I’ll eagerly await the in-depth review that I know I’ll get here before passing final judgement on buying one or not.
Enough with trying to take this antiquated pistol design and make it something it wasn’t intended to be. I don’t want to see the classic all steel design of the 1911 turned into this… thing. Look at this! Skelotonized hammer, skelotonized trigger, vented slide, a fiber optic sight? WTF?
Hey, if you really want to save weight, why have the stupid grip safety? Remove that and you cut at least .2 ounces off the weight.
The 1911 isn’t a carry gun, stop pretending and accept that it’s 2015 and it’s been 104 years. Keep your 1911 as a range toy, that’s where it belongs.
You’re not my supervisor!!!
Not a carry gun but a range toy? My Colt Defender and I disagree.
There is an old joke among B-52 drivers that when the last B-2 gets delivered to the Boneyard they will pick crew up in a B-52.
Long after Glock has gone out of business and the world has moved to hand held directed energy weapons they will retain the 1911 for those threats that require led.
Thanks for the suggestion Dingus, but I think I’ll keep carrying my steel gov’t model 1911.
I’ve managed it for nearly ten years now, so I doubt very seriously that your “considered” opinion will be changing that.
And your Model T Ford still works just fine, right? No additional refinements/modifications required?
Actually TruthTellers, my 1911 is a carry gun & has been for almost half a century.
Yah, guess I’d better get that Commander out of my holster and tie it up on the range where it belongs!
As much as I’d like to poo-poo it here and now, I shall actually wait for the TTAG torture test and review before I pass any sort of adjustment.
Looking forward to the gory half-hand pictures that will circulate of the Ka-booms after this hits the street.
So far most attempts at Poly 1911’s have failed miserably in the marketplace including Wilson Combats. I suspect the appeal of an all metal gun is part of the allure of 1911’s. And while this is light for a full size 1911, the reality is a Kimber CDP Pro weighs in at 28 oz. The alloy 1911’s appear to me better alternatives. OTOH, ATI is doing some nice value stuff for the money right now and this gun is considerably cheaper than it’s competition.
It could be a good gun depending on quality. I had an ATI commander that I could never get to run correctly no mater what I did to it.
If I want a plastic .45 I’ll get a glock brand glock.
Ummm… Yuck, but OK.
Why would buy that when EEA Witness all ready came out with “WITNESS 1911P 45ACP POLY ” at lower price point $435.00 dollars. Witch is same thing polymer frame 1911 with out strange grip frame thing ATI did with there version.
I could wax most pompous on this effort, but I shan’t. There are a couple of things tho, that do need to be questioned:
1. I understand the desire for a lighter 1911 carry pistol. But along with the weight reduction, the 1911 benefits from dimension reduction. The Commander idea is a very sound one – nick the barrel down to 4.25″. Now add a Ed Brown-style carry cut to the rear lower aspect of the grip, a set of night sights that is de-horned from the get-go.
If one wants a lighter 1911 for carrying, there has been the aluminum framed, and now titanium framed, 1911’s in the Commander form factor for years.
2. When you get this light in a pistol, you’re going to start seeing the FTF and FTE issues that you see in polymer pistols which become quite light as they empty the magazine. What was the point of this exercise again? One of the advantages of the 1911 platform over the polymer pistols is that the 1911 has much less sensitivity to the “limp wristing” issue, owing to the higher empty mass of the all-steel 1911.
So I’m confused: What problem was this pistol attempting to solve?
Dyspeptic Gunsmith agree about all most ever thing you said. Like some have state there comes little thing called cost when make 1911 out aluminum or titanium in most cases those 1911 cost more than all steel versions. You see when go look cost between aluminum version ruger Sr45 Commander that price point is $707.61 Retail price compare all stainless steel version witch $678.77 Retail price. Brand new Colt Commander blue steel $738.51 retail price Colt xse lightweight commander 45 ACP $1,370.93 retail price. Than there add cost getting charge for gun smith do these thing you want add a Ed Brown-style carry cut to the rear lower aspect of the grip, a set of night sights that is de-horned from the get-go. Buy time you spent have gunsmith do all those thing have wait for him to do. You could gone out bought any Glock in 45acp family or any Springfield Armory Xd in 45acp or even Ruger Sr45 at lower price as gun above you could get FNX-45 at same price offer more firepower . If have money higher price point Hk45 family there Sig 220 and sig227 family. Only point I make there a lot great lower price polymer frame 45acp handguns out on gun market that work just fine with out getting over charge for aluminum frame or titanium framed 1911 that spend more money on from some gunsmith can make good what out there. Here thing never under stand if your using firearm in self defense you spent more than grand you know first thing police are gone do take that handgun toss in evidence locker after you use for self defense. In what ever shape that firearms in covered in blood finger print not gone get back after ever thing sort out that that can take ever thing from few months to few years. So can see where polymer frame handgun would be very handy special if my all metal handgun be toss in police locker bunch other all metal handgun scratch neck frame handgun.
Guys, Cookie Monster is drunk again, and he’s posting as “John Doe”.
Look 1911 troll who posting under silly name called Stinkeye.
Ground breaking???
Neither the price nor the gun is ground breaking.
Wilson Combat has been making a polymer 1911 for a while now, and as others have commented EAA make the Witness Elite Polymer 1911 at about the same price point. Probably wouldn’t buy the EAA with out see several reviews and shooting one myself, but I have been eyeing the Wilson Combat polymer 1911.
To me it has the same “ugly-beautiful” to it that a Chiappa Rhino does.
I feel the same way. I want them both!
There is a niche role to be filled by a poly government model though, in jurisdictions where sport shooting is permissible but carry is not this could satisfy the LooksLikeATargetGun requirement – while being slim & light enough to tuck in should the state ever say, “Due to budget cuts you’ll have to be your own police.”
I don’t mind polymer, and I own plenty, but I expect 1911s to be steel. As they were intended. IMO.
I suspect that the real purpose of this dog-ass-ugly gun is the free and limitless energy that can now be harnessed off of John Browning’s body spinning in his grave. ATI may have just eliminated our dependence on fossil fuels.
I guess idea Stinkeye was give people handgun most people could afford considering cost what steel version same handgun cost more than average person could buy with those desire features . How all 1911 trolls know this handgun is gone be 100% reliable wait none you shot yet been out on market yet???? EEA Witness Elite Polymer 1911 been test been more reliable than all new steel version Rock Island Armory GI Standard FS 1911 at same price point that was test here buy Jon Wayne Taylor. Stinkeye you must be one those Glock 17 hate trolls claim Glock would do well because they look ugly because made polymer nobody ever want beside all most ever police department military round world use them.
With no punctuation, and every fourth word or so missing, I can’t even tell if you are agreeing or disagreeing with my comment.
Is this some kind of secret message? Do I win a prize if I can decipher it?
You do get prize you prove my point thanks for play your 1911 troll loser game over thanks for playing Stinkeye.
This new pistol appears to have too many bells and whistles for a carry gun, though I’m sure it will appeal to some shooters if it performs well. They may have cut the weight to that of a Colt Commander, but it appears a might bulky to me. I freely admit that I am no fan of hooked trigger guards, as I prefer to keep my support hand wrapped around my strong hand. I rarely find finger grooves fit me well, and even when they do, they prevent me from altering my grip. As to judging performance, I’ll leave that to TTAG’s elite test staff (no, seriously). I still own a few LW 45s, including an early Para aluminum frame that I’ve rebuilt several times. It’s currently sporting a 5″ barrel, and is about the size and weight of the FX-H, but as others have pointed out, the closer it gets to empty, the greater the recoil becomes. There is no free lunch, and as I continue to age (better than the alternative, for now), I find myself gravitating more toward 9mm for concealed and 10mm for field. This leaves my much beloved 45s out in the cold (well actually warm in the safe) until the wild hair (or is it wild hare?) strikes my fancy again.
I am all about smaller and/or lighter carry pistols in .45acp—preferably both. I am sure cutting almost a pound off the weight of a single stack .45 is nice. The challenge I see is that ATI doesn’t exactly have a great reputation for reliability. When you start monkeying around with the weight of the 1911 you introduce a potential fail point for limp wristing in a fairly substantial form factor. Lighter is not always better—especially when we are talking about a self-defense firearm.
My usual points of comparison are the glock 36 and the M&P/XD compacts—all of which are industry standard offerings with slim form factor (36) or higher capacity (M&P/XD.) I could be wrong about this, but it is my experience that there is a very small population that is willing to accept the plasticification of the 1911 over aluminum/titanium frames without going to the glock/M&P/XD. I would love for this gun to work, but short of scortchingly good market reviews, I would rather spend the extra mula on a Wilson Combat poli 1911 where I can be assured of a quality product—and even then it is going to have to be a balls out dependable performer.
Now, if someone would come out with a 5 shot .45 carry revolver like the lcr (Ruger are you listening?) I would be a happy camper.
Interestingly, all the critics maligning progress, innovation and evolution, posted their scat on the InturWybs(tm) instead of writing it out on parchment with a quill pen and nailing it to the town hall door.
When will this fuckery cease?
I know polymer frames and parts as just as durable as any metal frames, but I just can’t get on the poly framed train. There is something about an all metal pistol that just feels better in my hands. I have shot my share of Glocks, M&Ps, and Sigs, and they all shoot just fine, but they just don’t feel right. But I’m all for innovation, and actually run a New Frontier Armory poly lower on my AR and trust it with my life, and like seeing the old war horse 1911 being taken into the next century.
I just bought this pistol today. Let me tell you, it’s shoots great. Little recoil for a .45. Trigger is light and fairly crisp. Pistol weighs about the same as my springield xd mod 2 sub compact in 9mm. I’ve been wanting a 1911 style platform for a long time, and even though I only put 25 rounds through this today, I am pleased and excited to get out and shoot it some more.
John Doe, “Stinkeye” is right ….your post looks like something a malfunctioning “bot” might have produced. Were you drunk or on heavy duty pain killers when you came up with that drivel? It makes no sense at all. Your post look like a random collection of words that have no relation to each other. Have you gone back and tried to read that crap you wrote? Really? Smmfh…
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