New Sig Sauer M11A1!

[Guest Bassman17SC]

In an effort to help out economy grow, I bought a NIB SIg M11A1 pistol a few weeks ago.  I have taken it to the range twice and below are my observations and opinions.

 

 

The M11A1 pistol is based on the classic Sig Sauer P-series format in DA/SA, with an alloy frame and stainless steel slide.  It has a stainless 3.9 inch barrel chambered in 9mm.  Basically it is a rail-less P229 with some old school P228 grips, one of those mil-spec stickers, and a few internal parts coated against corrosion.  The pistol also comes standard with 3-dot sights with Tritium inserts.  The fit and finish (Nitron coating) are excellent on this pistol and not marred.  It balances well in my hand and as a result, it points naturally when I shoot it.

 

 

It came with three 15-round ("assault clips?") magazines in the box, the obligatory lock, and some paperwork.  I feel lucky to just get the three mags.

 

I've shot about 225 rounds through the pistol with out any failures of any sort at all, which is what I expected.  I've put through Remington Target 115 gr, Remington Kleen Burning 115 gr, Federal 124 gr., and Mag Tech 115 gr.  The defensive ammo will be tested at the next range session.  

 

The operation of the pistol, when shooting, has the expected smoothness.  The trigger is very smooth and clean (it has the SRT) in both DA (10 lb) and SA (4.4 lb).  And it is a soft shooter with less recoil than my P226, which was totally unexpected.  Accurate?  Yep; more than me.  The pic below is my first time at the range with the M11A1.  I split the ammo spent between 7 yds, 10 yds, and 14 yds.  I also did some double-tap and mozambique drills, which explains some of the flyers.  However, most of those in the 7 to 8 o'clock zone were from the first magazine.

 

When I first saw this pistol on the Sig Sauer web site a few months ago, I just knew I would end up owning one.  I am very impressed with the performance of the M11A1 so far and hope to keep it out of Mrs. Bassman's hands.  It is a soft shooter with very controllable recoil and is dead-on accurate.  I highly recommend this pistol for anyone who is in the market for a 9mm pistol.

 

And the obligatory dirty gun porn...

Edited March 16, 2013 by Bassman17SC

[hipower]

Thanks for the commentary. Pistol looks very clean of line and shape, like about all the Sig pistols. 

Edited March 16, 2013 by hipower

[Joe357]

Want to thank you for the review
I see my next Sig ;)

[BigK]

I love DA/SA pistols w/ decockers. I've been having a serious internal debate between this one and a P220. This makes the debate even tougher.

[Spiffy]

Gratz on the new toy.

 

I'd still rather have an old P228 than a P229 with 228 grips  :yuck:

[Kevo]

Typically boring Sig accuracy and quality. Thanks for the post :) Keep us updated as to round count and reliability. Edited March 16, 2013 by Kevo

[southernasylum]

I don't know if it'll accept the old style p228/p229 mags but I just recieved 2 more mec-gar flush fitting nickle 15rounders for about $26each plus shipping. I now have 4 total and love them more than the factory 13rd mag that is from sig. They should still have em in stock.

-southernasylum

[Steelharp]

Glad you enjoy it. I've just never become a "sigger." Owned several, have my son's P220 here at the house; they just don't do anything for me.

[rugerla1]

Nice, thanks for sharing.

[D3vo]

Thank you for the review. I have been looking very closely at this pistol. I have been trying to determine how it would fit into my EDC rotation to justify the purchase. I haven't been able to justify it yet so it might come down to "I just want one".

[D3vo]

Your review caused one to follow me home today.

[chances R]

Thanks for keeping the economy going..... :usa:

[Guest Will40-44-45-223]

I bought one about a month ago but have not shot it yet due to work schedules, but I looked at this and a 229 dark elite model about 60 dollars difference in the two but decided to go with the M11-a1. The salesman and I were checking out the features and testing different mags and the M11 took all of the 229, 228, 226, M11a-1 mags and the 229 did not, That caused my decision to buy the M11.... now to just go shoot the dang thing

[D3vo]

Have you found a holster that fits the M11A1. Reading seems to indicate anything made for the non-railed P228/229 should fit.

I have not found a holster manufacturer yet who lists this model.

[BryanP]

My first semi-auto was a P220 (since sold to someone here on TGO a few years back). They're very nice.  Congrats on your new gun.

[Guest Bassman17SC]

Your review caused one to follow me home today.

It's funny how that sometimes works, eh?  They seem to somehow be on your person when you leave the LGS.  LOL!

 

Congratulations on your purchase.  Once I get some more rounds through mine, she will become part of the carry rotation.

[Guest Bassman17SC]

Typically boring Sig accuracy and quality. Thanks for the post :) Keep us updated as to round count and reliability.

I took the M11 to the range a few weeks ago when I and a few fellas from work took our lunch break to go to the Armory.  Another 100 rounds or so - another session of "failure-free" shooting.

 

This is my third Sig (still have the P226 EE, but traded my P220 SSE on an Ed Brown 1911).  My 226 has not experienced any failures in almost three years.

 

Last Sunday, my mother passed away and it has been a complete whirlwind since then.  We buried her in the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Pegram yesterday.  The headstone should be ready in "about 60 days" - just in time for Memorial Day.

 

I am taking the new pistol to the range this morning for some serious "putting-some-holes-in-paper" therapy.  You know, so my mind can focus on something anything else for a while.

Edited March 23, 2013 by Bassman17SC

[Guest Bassman17SC]

Had a horrible range session this morning.  Put another 50 rounds of Remington Kleen 115 gr. FMJ, 50 rounds of Lellier & Beloit 115 gr. FMJ, and 36 rounds of Black Hills 124 gr. JHP through the pistol this morning.  Very difficult to concentrate with all of the funeral stuff still rattling around in my skull.  No failures, though.

[nightrunner]

Have you found a holster that fits the M11A1. Reading seems to indicate anything made for the non-railed P228/229 should fit.

I have not found a holster manufacturer yet who lists this model.

I had an older p229 w/out a rail. I tried a galco combat master ( i prefer OWB carry) for a p229 w/ rail and it fit perfect. I suspect all leather holsters would be the same. Kydex may be different but who would want one of those anyway lol

[D3vo]

Have you found a holster that fits the M11A1. Reading seems to indicate anything made for the non-railed P228/229 should fit.


I have not found a holster manufacturer yet who lists this model.


I had an older p229 w/out a rail. I tried a galco combat master ( i prefer OWB carry) for a p229 w/ rail and it fit perfect. I suspect all leather holsters would be the same. Kydex may be different but who would want one of those anyway lol

I purchased a Safariland OWB from The Armory for the 229 and it fit perfectly.

[Guest dont_tread_on_me]

Anyone know if they are going to the long extractor on all the classic series pistols?

[D3vo]

The Siglite night sights that come standard are nice, but they have about half the brightness of the TFO's I put on my Glocks.

[TrickyNicky]

Had a horrible range session this morning.  Put another 50 rounds of Remington Kleen 115 gr. FMJ, 50 rounds of Lellier & Beloit 115 gr. FMJ, and 36 rounds of Black Hills 124 gr. JHP through the pistol this morning.  Very difficult to concentrate with all of the funeral stuff still rattling around in my skull.  No failures, though.

Sorry for your troubles. Often times even when it seems as though you can't concentrate on what you do to take your mind off things, its actually helping more than you think. You weren't able to focus 100% on the range but you also probably weren't focusing 100% on what's ailing you.

All the best to you and yours in these trying times.

[willis68]

Nice pistol! I will get one

[D3vo]

Did I devalue my gun because I pulled off that silly UID sticker? I don't care because IMHO it looks so much better without it.