Being new to the 1911 platform within the last month I spent a lot of time trying to figure out which 1911 I should consider buying. I was willing to spend a few thousand on a decent pistol, but was recommended a Remington R1 Carry Commander and it got me hooked; that gun with the Crimson Trace grips, shoots extremely well and had me looking at 1911 number 2.
Sylvestre Sports, like many shops around Christmas, was having a blowout sale on the Armscor Citadell 1911a1s in both 9mm and .45acp. I have no interest in anything 9mm, let alone a 1911, but for the low price of $450 (down from $700) it grabbed my attention. Searching other gun reviews from across the border, the reviews on these pistols was surprisingly quite good. Armscor also manufactures Rock Island and some of the Tanfoglio Witness 1911s, both also having good reviews.
Anyways, I thought CGN should have a little write-up on these pistols, so here goes based on my little knowledge thus far, but I will update down the road.
Sylvestre was good to deal with, as usual. Their site may not be the latest and greatest, but their service has always been good regarding communication, willingness to answer any questions, and quick shipping.
The pistol came in a large foam pistol case, similar to the basic Plano pistol cases except larger and deeper. Inside the case was the pistol in bubble wrap, two Armscor 8 round mags, a cable lock, and a chamber plug. There was neither a manual nor a bushing tool included.
The pistol was smothered in grease/oil and it took some time to clean. I find that the Parkerized texture makes it difficult to clean with paper towels and patches alike, as little bits of wet paper or cloth will stick a little to the rougher finish. The slide fit was tight with no rattle when shook, as was the barrel bushing - I needed to use my other bushing tool to remove it. I saw no noticeable tool marks inside the slide or frame - that surprised me a bit.
The pistol has: front and rear serrations on the slide, skeletonized trigger and hammer - the trigger also has a set screw to take up over travel. There is a full length guide rod, ambi safety, and checkering only on the mainspring housing and none on the front strap. The mainspring housing is flat and not rounded like some other 1911a1 models. Grips are thick and wooden - which fit my large hands well. One of the grips has a crack near the mounting screw and Sylvestre is sending me another. The sights are fixed and all black, I will be marking the front sight with nail polish soon. Trigger pull is 4.3lbs with no sear creep.
Regarding the ambi safety - I find the ridges are sharp and the right side of the safety slides in a groove from the roll pin that holds the disconnector and sear into the frame. So, you need to take the left side off first and then rotate the right side up and out of the groove. When reassembling, you need to make sure to rotate that roll pin correctly to install the safety back on.
Here is what was delivered:
Slide, beaver tail, and hammer fit is good
The brand Citadel is lightly etched onto the slide
Minimal markings on the other side
At the range, no matter how I tried to control the trigger, this pistol was shooting right. I could shoot tight groups with my Remington, but when I went back to this pistol, it was always to the right, and usually low. I will give it some time before I decide if I need to drift the sight. I got 2 FTF using the Armscor mags within the first 50 rounds. After those first 50, there were no issues whatsoever with the next 150 shots.
Typical groups, after I switched to the thumb safety hold. Before holding it this way, groups were all over. Did I mention the grooves in the safety are sharp? They will meet a file soon. Groups shot from 11 metres, standing freehand.
I completely stripped the gun when I got home and other than the trigger bow needing a little polishing the internals were all clean without tool marks. I also polished the sides of the sear and both sides of the blades on the disconnector. I tested trigger pull after the cleaning and polishing and it didn't seem to make a difference - I think perhaps I wasn't racking the slide and only cocking the hammer when I first tested the trigger pull, making it seem lighter. It cleanly breaks at 4.3lbs right now and I am okay with it.
200 rounds down the pipe. So far, I think this was a good deal and with how little I paid, it leaves room to modify and try new things.
Sylvestre Sports, like many shops around Christmas, was having a blowout sale on the Armscor Citadell 1911a1s in both 9mm and .45acp. I have no interest in anything 9mm, let alone a 1911, but for the low price of $450 (down from $700) it grabbed my attention. Searching other gun reviews from across the border, the reviews on these pistols was surprisingly quite good. Armscor also manufactures Rock Island and some of the Tanfoglio Witness 1911s, both also having good reviews.
Anyways, I thought CGN should have a little write-up on these pistols, so here goes based on my little knowledge thus far, but I will update down the road.
Sylvestre was good to deal with, as usual. Their site may not be the latest and greatest, but their service has always been good regarding communication, willingness to answer any questions, and quick shipping.
The pistol came in a large foam pistol case, similar to the basic Plano pistol cases except larger and deeper. Inside the case was the pistol in bubble wrap, two Armscor 8 round mags, a cable lock, and a chamber plug. There was neither a manual nor a bushing tool included.
The pistol was smothered in grease/oil and it took some time to clean. I find that the Parkerized texture makes it difficult to clean with paper towels and patches alike, as little bits of wet paper or cloth will stick a little to the rougher finish. The slide fit was tight with no rattle when shook, as was the barrel bushing - I needed to use my other bushing tool to remove it. I saw no noticeable tool marks inside the slide or frame - that surprised me a bit.
The pistol has: front and rear serrations on the slide, skeletonized trigger and hammer - the trigger also has a set screw to take up over travel. There is a full length guide rod, ambi safety, and checkering only on the mainspring housing and none on the front strap. The mainspring housing is flat and not rounded like some other 1911a1 models. Grips are thick and wooden - which fit my large hands well. One of the grips has a crack near the mounting screw and Sylvestre is sending me another. The sights are fixed and all black, I will be marking the front sight with nail polish soon. Trigger pull is 4.3lbs with no sear creep.
Regarding the ambi safety - I find the ridges are sharp and the right side of the safety slides in a groove from the roll pin that holds the disconnector and sear into the frame. So, you need to take the left side off first and then rotate the right side up and out of the groove. When reassembling, you need to make sure to rotate that roll pin correctly to install the safety back on.
Here is what was delivered:
Slide, beaver tail, and hammer fit is good
The brand Citadel is lightly etched onto the slide
Minimal markings on the other side
At the range, no matter how I tried to control the trigger, this pistol was shooting right. I could shoot tight groups with my Remington, but when I went back to this pistol, it was always to the right, and usually low. I will give it some time before I decide if I need to drift the sight. I got 2 FTF using the Armscor mags within the first 50 rounds. After those first 50, there were no issues whatsoever with the next 150 shots.
Typical groups, after I switched to the thumb safety hold. Before holding it this way, groups were all over. Did I mention the grooves in the safety are sharp? They will meet a file soon. Groups shot from 11 metres, standing freehand.
I completely stripped the gun when I got home and other than the trigger bow needing a little polishing the internals were all clean without tool marks. I also polished the sides of the sear and both sides of the blades on the disconnector. I tested trigger pull after the cleaning and polishing and it didn't seem to make a difference - I think perhaps I wasn't racking the slide and only cocking the hammer when I first tested the trigger pull, making it seem lighter. It cleanly breaks at 4.3lbs right now and I am okay with it.
200 rounds down the pipe. So far, I think this was a good deal and with how little I paid, it leaves room to modify and try new things.
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