I looked at one of these yesterday. Similar in price to the Springfield armory Garrison, but way better featured, and apparently better attention to detail paid during assembly.
I bought this same 45 about 6 months ago or so for $799. What a bargain price for this 1911!! Man does this thing look great, shoot extremely accurate, and is built really tight. Nothing I don't love about this! Great review David
I've this exact one for USPSA. Never a single malfunction. It runs and runs. A detail strip and polish made it feel like a doubly expensive pistol. And I got it new for $700.
BUL armory drives me crazy for the lack of US sales. The Cherokee striker fired is everywhere. Anything else is a giant PITA of thinking you found something, only to realize you’re in a foreign sight.
I must say I love my SIG SAUER 1911 Scorpion 4.25. Aggressive checkered front grip. Hogue G10 piranha grip. Super light trigger and extremely accurate.
Bul is KILLING it in the last couple years. The value you get in this 1911 along with the new line of 2011s are unbelievable. I wish they could somehow get more guns here (no idea of the logistics in that, just wishing) but I think it’s very important for folks to support companies like Bul, and of course any company, who is pushing the envelope in terms of how affordable quality guns can be.
I’ve got the Bull 1911 Government model and the Commander model, both in 9mm. I don’t think you can beat them for the price. The triggers are nothing short of amazing. I got the Govt. Model used from a friend and I bought the Commander direct from Bul USA.
I picked up the Magnum Research 1911g, which looks to be pretty much this gun. I know it is made by Bul and it is outstanding. It has the barrel and bushing set up. It is wonderful and have had it two years. 100% reliable so far. My friend who shoots pistols better than I found I can hang with him when I use this gun. He tells me, "That's your gun." I just picked up a "c" model with the 4.25" barrel.
Saw a BUL Commander in a store just before Christmas. Held it in my hand, dry-fired it, and that was it. Ran to the bank, got the cash and took it home. I added a Wilson Combat clip-on magwell and replaced the front sight with a fiber optic front sight I bought from the BUL website. The magwell took a little force to get into place. I'm not a gunsmith or even a metal worker, so there is probably a better way to do it, but I just brute-forced it into place with a wooden mallet. I used a Dremel tool to carve out the G10 grips a bit to fit the magwell hooks. The grip screws are T-10 Torx head. The sights are Novak cut and push out from right to left, like almost all 1911s.
Great review again. I’m a huge fan of all the BUL products. Once I found these I’ve gone crazy, traded in my Springfield, S&W, RUGER etc. and now have 12 of the Classic 1911 and 6 of the EDC 1911’s. Plus a few SAS II through in. I have Government and Commanders. They are so easy to shoot and fit my hand perfect. Have a mix of Bull and Bushing Barrels, as well as different finish’s solid and two tone plus different G-10 colors. Different calibers 9, 45, 40 & 10.. They check ✅ so many features your looking for in a 1911 style pistol. The fit and finish is second to none. Trigger is fantastic. Like you I like all steel pistols. I can’t say enough great features of these guns. I would highly recommend these pistols for any level of shooter. It also helps to have have Gilbert Perez with GP Arms a half hour away in TN. Super great to deal with. Highly recommend. 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review about a 10 ⭐️ pistol.
I have wanted a 1911, .45 for a while. Your video convinced me to get this Government model without breaking the bank. Hope to have it this week. Thanks, Al
I purchased one of these back in Feb. 2022 for $700 and love it! I might be one of the 3 guys he was talking about though that likes 3 dot sights, because I swapped mine out for those. LOL! But, super easy to do. Did away with the aluminum main spring housing by getting a SS one with magwell. Overall, I've been impressed with it for the money.
Reminds me of my Series 1 Kimber. Personally, I’ve gone back to traditional 1911 guide plugs. I never found the full length guide rod to do anything and the plug is easier to take down.
I have come full circle. Started on revolvers in the 1970s. Moved to 1911s in the '80s-90s. Da/sa's (USP, Sig p226) were my thing in the 2000s. I was seduced by striker fired pistols for a little while. From the later 2010s to today I am back to all hammer fired guns and probably will be until I'm too crippled or demented to shoot.
Front checkering at $800ish 1911? Front serration, G10 grips, mag bumper pad, and extend beavertail? And a bull barrel? That's some deal! Still not crazy of the full length guide rod, but I understand based on choosing a bull barrel.
I have the SS Magnum Research 1911G made by Bul in .45. What an amazing and beautifully made fun. Have put a few hundred rounds through it with zero malfunctions. And, it’s crazy accurate and easy to shoot.
I wanted to get a 1911 in 9mm and handled a number of them before picking the Bul Trophy Saw 1911 - Bul paid attention to the details - lots of value in these guns - most accurate pistol I own
Bul makes some nice pistols the tac ultra light series is a sub 1500 double stack 1911 that has a lot of nice features for the price point and very good fit and finish
You should get the HC Tac Ultra, or HC Tac Ultra Match... either in 9mm or even 10mm. They are 2011 style with double stack mags and they are even cheaper than these.
Another great review. Hilarious, I'm exactly the guy your're talking about. A couple of polymer guns, and ready for a 1911. Homework and research, done!!
The MSRP on my RIA 1911A1 FS ULTRA TAC was $799, however I paid new $660 It came with G10 grips, front & back stippling, fiber optic sights, full length guide rod, no paperclip needed & According to Martin T. The CEO no break in period necessary out of the box. Seems like the BUL is loaded with BUL Versus the ROCK solid reliability of ARMSCOR. The BUL Cherokee is almost an exact copy of my SAR B6C 9mm. From Turkey, However I wish I owned a few IWI pistols from Israel, like the MASSADA or JERICHO. All top quality.
I am always Leary of a budget 1911, since I walked into an armed robbery of an Eckerds drug off duty in 1983. My then first 1911, was a Colt Officers that jammed on the first shot and could not be cleared quickly by me; who at the time was new to 1911’s; this one was in .45,and after that ; I was happy to have not been shot by one of the three. Armed robbers . I then got rid of that officers model , and bought a Les Baer Commander ; then over the years , A wilson combat ULC; then a Night Hawk Carry Plus in .45; then my last and favorite ; a NightHawk, ShadowHawk commander in .45. I have read about Bul armory . 1911’s which appeared pretty reliable compared to other budget prices 1911’s
Yes I’m over wanting yet another striker fired pistol. And yes, who doesn’t want an all metal hammer fired budget 1911 pistol in 9mm? But if it’s one without an optics cut, please count me out. My Flux-Capacitor is broken and the DeLoren is in shop. Another great product for the previous Millennium.
I have the Magnum Research 1911G which is the very same gun and it's fantastic.. Just like the IWI Zion 15 AR I own, the Israeli's KNOW how to make a damn fine weapons. It's a much higher quality gun than any of the other 1911's I have owned with the exception of an STI I had years ago. To me, this is the gold standard for any 1911 until you reach the "boutique" market and then you just over pay for the name.
I know it’s probably a different class of gun in most peoples eyes, but I bought an RIA Tactical back in 2013, for less than $600 OTD, and the only thing it’s missing from this gun, is being stainless. And front checkering, BUT, it does have a long scallop on the front strap with vertical lines in it to aid in gripping it. Maybe not as productive as front checkering, but it does work! Only thing I changed out on it, was I run CMC PowerMags of the 10rd variety. G10 grips, check. Ambi-safety, check. Non-spongey as well. Decent trigger, checked and weighed, consistently 4.2-4.5lb. Funnel’d magwell, check. 1-piece guide rod, check. No bull barrel, so it is a bushing version. I have THOUSANDS of rounds through that gun with NO problems, whatsoever. Just because it’s “cheap”, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Unless it’s a Hi-Point, then, just walk away and save up for something better. Haha
I’m very interested in all the Bul Armory pistols, the challenge continues to be accessibility! When you do find them the price is $200-$500 more than MSRP
go to Bul Armory's website and buy direct - you'll get MSRP every time. if it's out of stock - sign up for alerts - they get new shipments pretty regularly.
I've broken 5 of those 1911 plastic base pads. I just replace them with the Wilson Combat steel ones. Other than that, the gun has the important features that I look for. I don't even look at 1911s that don't have front strap checkering anymore. I really wish that IDPA and USPSA allowed bull barrels on 5" 1911s, though. Great review.
I love mine! I want to compete with mine! I agree about the safety and the magwell. Mine came with a fiber optic front. It’s a hoot to shoot! I’m going to get another. At any price point you want to compare 1911s, this gun brings much-wanted features and quality!
FWIW: I puechased both the Government in 45 ACP and the Commander in 9mm (both BUL Armory). The Commander had a very crisp safety the Government was mushy. I contacted BUL and they authorized a return for warranty work. That gave me a nice crisp safety. The Government trigger was very crisp and was right around 3# +/- a couple of ounces (30 consecutive pulls with a Wheeler pull gauge). The Commander was right at 2.5# trigger pull, again 30 consecutive pulls average with the same pull gauge. My only issue was the blackout Novak style sights. At 77 they did not work too well for me (still shot great). The change out to a fiber optic front sight from BUL did the trick. Out and out the best 1911 I have purchased especially for the price point. The Israelis have done it again with these guns.
I own the 5” and 3” 45 acp 1911 desert eagles made for magnum research by bul armory. Both are excellent handguns, the 5” is my most accurate 1911 that I own, have owned seven.
Got the 4.25 version and the sas ii light 4.25 with the slide milled for red dot. Swapped the slides back and forth for single/double stack are really fun😂 ❤ Bul 1911/2011. Grrat videos btw.
My Springfield Garrison punches way above its price point. MIM small parts, but tight fit and beautiful finish. Safety isn’t even mushy. All for $769 at LGS.
I'm looking to buy my first firearm, and would love a 1911 .45, but after checking prices on .45 ammo...wow! I'm going to have to consider a 9mm 1911. 😐
Springfield you cant get into a checkered front strap for $1,200 rediculas , my best low priced 1911 was a ruger I payed $540 never had a issue they are now going for a little over $900 , today I would definitely give this a try for $800 it's pretty much has everything you need and leaves you enough money to play around with to improve it a little, I have picked up a couple and both were very tight felt like a higher priced firearm.
Not that my opinion means much to anyone other than me... So here's mine anyway 😂 I have been a P320 tinkerer, builder, religious shooter (for the past 2 years) striker fired only owner. I have a Comped P320 that I built (zero recoil tac driver) AXG Combat and an X5 Legion(which I cut down so all my 3.9" slides fit flush) and switched the slides to basically run an AXG PRO(with LOK grips added) The 3 above pistols are as good and as accurate as any pistols on my local indoor range in RVA, VA. I say all of this because next to the 6-8k rounds down range and shooting every member's personal guns and there have been more than 20 and less than 100 including Staccatos, Para's and 2011's including a Fire-hawk that cost more than my Yukon 😂 I CAN NOT OUT SHOOT MY SELF IN SPEED(accuracy a given) WITHOUT MOVING TO A HAMMER FIRED 1911 PLATFORM AND MY FIRST ONE WILL BE NOT ONE BUT 2 MATCHING BUL ARMORY GOVERNMENT 1911's One in 9 and one in 45... they are that damn nice at any price point. Happy shooting 🙌🏼🇺🇸🙌🏼 Great channel Grasshopper 👍🏼👍🏽
Got the tac sas2 ultralight. Not optic ready but $1,300 for an 18 round double stack 1911 can’t be beat. It shoots better than I so worth every penny. Thanks for the vids.
I enjoy your thorough and honest reviews i always learn something with each vid you make so I just wanted to say thankyou and i always look forward to all your future reviews/vids
Agreed. These are excellent values. I have trigger time with their 2011 models. As good or better than similar Staccato models for a lot less money. I wish they'd offer a 10mm model.
I first saw these pistols at a gunshow a couple of months ago for the prices you mentioned and picked it up to, well, fondle it and was impressed. As a guy who has only Colt M1911A1's because of fortuitous timing, I have to say I was very impressed with the Bul line. Sadly, I'm faced with a mountain of medical bills at the moment and even that modest price is out of my range but hopefully soon I'll add one or three to my Harem of .45ACP pistols just because. I've been carrying liliputian sized 9mm for my EDC as of late but I still miss not having a solid .45ACP on my hip, megarounds in the mag be damned. There's just something about having an M1911A1 at hand when the SHTF that inspires confidence. WYKYK, am I right? Great review, BTW, so thanks for that and I look forward to many more with all your new and improved bitchin' cameras. Overnout.
Good choice:) I generally carry Semi Autos but, the King Cobra Target is a thing of beauty in a fantastically versatile cartridge. I lust like looking at mine.
I have kept the Bul M1911-A1 in my mind for my collection of M1911-Al’s however I have yet to run across one. I do have to say, I really enjoy taking the Rock Island M1911-A1-FS basic gun, and rebuild it with Evolution Gun Works internals, Wolff Chrome Silicon Springs, either an Apex National Match Hammer or Spur Style Colt Gold Cup series 70 Hammer. Hand fit a match barrel and bushing, and I like to top it off with Maryland Gunworks .190” high Fixed 3 dot sights because they happen to be excellent and an easy install; or install 3-dot Tritium with about a .180” tall front sight.
I recently purchased a BUL commander which had never been fired. Got it for approximately-$200 under new. Keep an eye out in FFL... some get them but then don’t like the 1911 platform or need the cash. You can get a deal when they crop up as trade ins or ‘used’.
You check out some of the Tisas 1911's. They've got quite a few options under $500 and some of them are pretty nice. I have two including the Stingray carry model.
I bought a Kimber custom 2 put some stainless parts on it to look cooler, vz grips, I’m in California so no bul armory for me! My Kimber has been good to me though.
Just looked up the price of these here in Australia $1800us, (2600 Australian)possibly cheaper if you can find one, thats probably the RRP recommended retail price. Glocks start around $700us (1000 Australian)
My only complaint is the 10 round magazines the 9mm comes with. It has caused some issues like stopping the slide and failed to feed. I bought some chip McCormick mags and they work awesome!
Have several 1911 oldest being a Colt with 4 digit serial number newest is my Baer definitely not a budget gun but now all my others just sit in the safe because once you have it "fired in" like the shop owner said if you miss your aim point it's you not the Baer. Please bring me more large primers Santa.
Your thoughts are pretty much on par with other reviews I've seen on Bul Armory. I'm surprised the same thoughts aren't shared about the Magnum Research 1911s. Obviously different specs
First I've heard of this company. The blacked out ledge rear sight and front strap checkering out of the box in a sub $1000 stainless steel 1911..... finally!
Yessir, completely agree! My first BUL Government purchase was six years ago (.45), it was such a superior firearm to the mediocre 1911s I was shooting, it became a primary Bullseye gun. Three years ago, I purchased the Government 9mm. It is even better looking, in my opinion, and I was quite surprised at the just under three pound trigger. (At that time the gun had to be produced-was that the reason?) The bull barrel of current production is not present on either of mine, but the 9mm is a transition barrel that requires the paper clip for disassembly but still has a bushing.The .45 has over 15K rounds (that's when I quit logging them) and the 9 has only about 8500. I also shoot a prepped Dan Wesson PM-9, you have to have a LOT of practice to see any real difference. ------granddad1911(before youtube assigned the new name)
