Metro Arms MAC Bobcut 1911 Deep Blue 45 ACP

The Bobcut came with a bumper-pad magazine that pretty much negated the Bobcut advantage. The Commander-size Bobcut gave up little to the Government Model pistols in performance. While the Bobcut is pricey, it has excellent features.

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Gun Tests Grade: A-

$902

Because this is a modern pistol intended for personal defense, we matched it up against the flashy Ronin. This gave us two steel-frame Government Model pistols, a steel-frame Commander, and an aluminum-frame Government Model. The Commander-size Bobcut was actually heavier than the full-length aluminum-frame Kimber Custom LW. The Metro was the most expensive pistol, but it offered good features, including a few the other pistols do not.

Metro Arms Mac Bobcut 1911 Deep Blue 45 ACP

Action TypeShort recoil-operated locked breech, single action
Overall Length7.8 in.
Overall Height5.4 in.
Maximum Width1.25 in.
Weight Unloaded34.6 oz.
Weight Loaded39.1 oz.
Slide MaterialForged Steel
Slide Retraction Effort20.8 lbs.
Receiver MaterialSteel
FinishBlued
Front Strap Height2.6 in.
Back Strap Height3.2 in.
Barrel Length4.25 in.
Grip Thickness Maximum1.25 in.
Grip Circumference5.35 in.
MagazineOne 8 round
Rear SightAdjustable
Front SightDovetailed post with fiber optic
Sight Radius5.75 in.
Trigger Pull Weight5.8 lbs.
Trigger Span2.8 in.
SafetiesSlide lock, grip
WarrantyOne year
Telephone(732) 493-0333
WebsiteEagleImportsInc.com
Made InPhilippines

Metro Arms is the brainchild of noted competitive shooter Hector Rodriguez. They are manufactured in the Philippines. The Metro Arms gun was notably well fitted and finished. The Bobcut is a standard-size steel-frame Commander with a 4.25-inch barrel. There are no forward cocking serrations. The pistol featured high-visibility sights and a fiber-optic front sight. The rear sights are adjustable for elevation and windage, a nice touch on a 1911. They appear to be rugged, and they are compact.

The ejection port was properly lowered and polished. The blued finish was nicely applied. The pistol featured an ambidextrous slide-lock safety, an improvement over both the Springfield and the Kimber pistols. The beavertail grip safety was nicely fitted and functioned properly. The grips had a dragon-scale-type treatment. (The rater owning the pistol added a set of imitation stag grips. Most of the testing was done with the original grips.)

We used the Jeffrey Custom Leather Professional holster, top, to draw the Government Model pistols from in the
combat shooting segment, and the Jeffrey Custom Leather Range Master, bottom, for the Commander length Metro handgun.

The pistol is called a Bobcut due to the frame modification. It is similar to the bobtail modifications that have gained popularity among concealed-carry shooters. The bobcut is usually found on expensive handguns. The grip frame is cut diagonally at the bottom of the grip to make for an easier handgun to conceal without compromising grip area.

The slide-lock safety, slide release, and magazine latch were nicely serrated. The trigger was steel. Slide-to-frame fit was tight, without lateral play. Trigger compression was a consistent 5.8 pounds. All raters liked the front-strap treatment. These scallops helped the shooters control the pistol. A 1911 pistol fits most hands well, and grip checkering allows good control. The Metro Arms pistol had the most secure grip of the pistols tested. We liked the balance of adhesion and abrasion a lot.

On the firing line, the Metro Arms pistol performed well in combat drills. We liked the easy point and rapid acquisition of the sights. The grip frame had a neutral pointing characteristic, and we did not fire low. This was an important point we had to clarify with the different-style grip frame.

The Kimber (right) pistols featured full-length guide rods.

We ran across a problem early on. We slammed a magazine home, released the slide, and the cartridge did not chamber. The 200-grain semi-wadcutter bullet hung up. We traced the problem to the ACT MAG magazine supplied with the pistol. With the SWC load and also JHP loads, this magazine would not feed properly — odd because this was the supplied magazine. The Bobcut grip was intended to aid in concealment, but the supplied magazine had a basepad which lengthened the grip — this is counter-intuitive. We rated the pistol down a half grade on this odd malfunction. We also discarded the magazine for use in any of the test pistols, but before this, it may have caused the Springfield’s odd malfunction.

The Metro Arms pistols had interesting and effective scalloping on both surfaces.

In accuracy testing, the Metro pistol was not expected to be as accurate as the 5-inch-barrel guns, but it was close. The best groups were never below 2 inches. On average, the pistol exhibited accuracy that was not as good as the Kimber or Springfield. Generally, Commander-length barrels show velocities of 50 to 60 fps less than 5-inch-barrel guns. This one was in that range with standard loads, but it was a 85 fps slower with the Gold Dot +P load. The Gold Dot probably uses medium-burning powder. Faster-burning powder isn’t as affected by barrel length.

Our Team Said: In the end, we liked the Metro Arms pistol a lot. It featured an ambidextrous safety, an adjustable rear sight, and front-strap texturing that worked. While it may not appeal to those on a tight budget, we feel the pistol was worth the money. We rated it down a half grade on a defective magazine and another half grade on accuracy, grading on the curve against the other pistols. There were no malfunctions related to the handgun itself. In this case, a quality Commander-length handgun held its own in combat shooting, but not in bench accuracy, against 5-inch Government Model 1911 handguns.

45 ACP Range Data

All groups were fired at 25 yards from a solid benchrest position using a Bullshooters pistol rest. The first chronograph screen was 10 feet from the muzzle of the firearm. We used a Competition Electronics Pro Chrony to record velocities.
Black Hills 200-grain LSWCTisas DutyMetro Arms BobcutKimber Custom LWSpringfield Ronin
Average Velocity877 fps854 fps860 fps884 fps
Muzzle Energy342 ft.-lbs.324 ft.-lbs.328 ft.-lbs.347 ft.-lbs.
Small Group2.5 in.2.3 in.2.0 in.1.9 in.
Average Group3.3 in.2.7 in.2.3 in.2.3 in.
Hornady XTP 200-grain JHP 9112Tisas DutyMetro Arms BobcutKimber Custom LWSpringfield Ronin
Average Velocity987 fps960 fps980 fps959 fps
Muzzle Energy433 ft.-lbs.409 ft.-lbs.426 ft.-lbs.408 ft.-lbs.
Small Group2.5 in.2.3 in.2.0 in.1.5 in.
Average Group2.9 in.2.8 in.2.3 in.1.9 in.
Speer Gold Dot 230-grain JHP 23966GDTisas DutyMetro Arms BobcutKimber Custom LWSpringfield Ronin
Average Velocity899 fps814 fps908 fps903 fps
Muzzle Energy413 ft.-lbs.338 ft.-lbs.421 ft.-lbs.416 ft.-lbs.
Small Group2.8 in.2.4 in.2.1 in.2.2 in.
Average Group3.4 in.2.9 in.2.5 in.2.5 in.

Value Guide 45 ACP 1911 Handgun Rankings

Gun NameIssueGradeComments
SIG Sauer Ultra Compact W1911U-45-BSS 45 ACP, $949May 2021AOur Pick. Has a flared and extended ejection port, extended ejector, and a very nice trigger pull.
S&W SW1911 Pro Series 178020 45 ACP, $1249May 2021A-We liked the recoil impulse and movement of the S&W the best. Function was 100% with all ammo.
Colt Defender Lightweight Stainless O7000XE, $999May 2021B+We want our frames to last for years, so we are not great fans of aluminum feed ramps as on the Colt.
Ruger SR1911 Officer Stainless 06762, $979May 2021BAll-steel construction and slightly longer slide-barrel combo resulted in the softest recoil impulse.
Springfield Loaded Operator PX9105LL 45 ACP, $1162July 2020ABest Buy. If you need a personal-defense handgun rather than a show piece, this is the trick.
Guncrafter Commander 45 ACP, $3285July 2020AOur Pick. The fitting is excellent, the sights are ideal for combat, and the trigger is superb.
Nighthawk Custom Falcon 45 ACP, $3699July 2020AAn excellent production/custom grade handgun. Very smooth, excellent finish. Best combat ability.
Dan Wesson 1911 Heritage RZ-45 01981 45 ACP, $1227July 2020A-The Dan Wesson Heritage offers good fit and finish and outstanding accuracy. Had break-in malfunctions.
Devil Dog Arms 4.25 Standard DDA-425-BO45 45 ACP, $1150July 2020A-Of this set of five, this gun makes the most sense for real-world concealed carry.
Desert Eagle 1911C 45 ACP, $695August 2019ABest Buy. Reliability was good and accuracy was the best of the test.
Kimber Pro Carry SLE 45 ACP, $750August 2019AGood reliability, excellent sights, the best trigger of the test, and more-than-acceptable accuracy.
Taurus 1911 Commander 1-191101COM 45 ACP, $500August 2019B-We did not like the fit of the beavertail safety. Less accurate than the previous 2018 test gun.
Iver Johnson Arms Polished Hawk Commander 45 ACP, $570August 2019CPoor attention to detail in feed-ramp finish, trigger-pull weight, and selection of the proper-size slide lock.
Taylor’s & Company Compact 1911 51469 45 ACP, $450June 2019A-Had good sights and a good trigger. We would have liked a textured front grip strap.
American Tactical Firepower Xtreme GI 1911 45 ACP, $398June 2019A-This a traditional GI-style Commander with a nice trigger and good sights.
Taurus 1911 Officer 1-191101OFC 45 ACP, $459June 2019B+Had all the right features, but it did not shoot to point of aim. Would need a new rear sight.
Colt Gold Cup NM O5870A1 45 ACP, $1190May 2019AOur Pick. The National Match Colt is the most accurate of the five handguns tested.
Colt Series 70 01970A1CS 45 ACP, $865May 2019ABest Buy. The least expensive tested, but it could be the best carry gun for the money.
Les Baer Concept VI 45 ACP, $2290May 2019A-It wasn’t faultless; we dinged it for a sharp edge on the safety.
Colt Bright Stainless Gov. O1070BSTS 45 ACP, $1549May 2019B-Flawless fit, finish, and build quality. Slippery grip isn’t easily addressed.
SIG Sauer Match Elite 1911T-45-TME 45 ACP, $1050May 2019DIf you’re willing to do some light gunsmithing, move the grade up to B.
Remington 1911 R1 Enh. TB 96339 45 ACP, $675February 2019AA well-outfitted gun for the money. Consider the threaded-barrel model over an R1E.
Kimber 1911 Warrior SOC 3000253 TFS 45 ACP, $1309February 2019B-The Bobcut offers a crisp trigger pull and bobbed grip for better concealment.
American Tactical Imports ATIFGX45 45 ACP, $525February 2019FWe had ongoing function problems when the suppressor was fitted to the gun.
Metro Arms MAC 1911 Bobcut 45 ACP, $746October 2018AThe Bobcut offers a crisp trigger pull and bobbed grip for better concealment.
American Classic ACC45C 45 ACP, $568October 2018A-Our only ding on this gun is the lack of a serrated front grip strap.
Taurus 1911 Commander 1-191101COM 45 ACP, $459October 2018A-The trigger was a bit too heavy, but the sights are good. Great fit and finish.
RIA Tactical 2011 w/TruDot Night sights 45 ACP, $590April 2017ABest Buy. Light rail, good barrel fitting, TruDot night sights, ambi slide-lock safety.
Springfield Armory TRP PC9108LP 45 ACP, $1347April 2017A-Good fit and finish. The Match Grade barrel lived up to its name. Reliability was faultless.
EAA Witness Elite 1911P 600347 45 ACP, $470April 2017B-Least accurate pistol off the bench. Magazine latch could cause dire consequences.
ATI Firepower Xtreme Hybrid FXH-45 45 ACP, $600April 2017DWe could not convince the pistol to fire without a trip back to the factory.
Kimber Gold Match II 45 ACP, $1311June 2016AOffered an excellent trigger action and was more accurate than the Springfield.
Springfield Armory TRP PC9108LP 45 ACP, $1347June 2016ABest Buy. The Springfield offered excellent reliability and good accuracy.
Colt Rail Gun 01070RG 45 ACP, $1199April 2016AAn all-stainless 1911 with Novak sights, ambi safety, and a rail. Excellent.
Springfield Armory TRP PC9108LP 45 ACP, $1347April 2016AOur Pick. This is a first-class 1911. Excellent reliability, accuracy, and night sights.
Springfield Loaded PX9109LP 45 ACP, $790April 2016BBest Buy. A good choice for home defense, carry, IDPA, and as an all-round handgun.
Colt Combat Elite 08011XSE 45 ACP, $1015April 2016BWe rated it down based on the lack of an ambidextrous safety.
Colt’s Mfg. Co. Series 70 O1970A1CS 45 ACP, $953August 2015AExcellent trigger action, good accuracy, relatively light weight for a steel-frame 1911.
Colt’s Mfg. Co. 1991A1 No. O1991 45 ACP, $745August 2015B+Accurate and reliable. Some of the 1991A1 pistols have a nicer trigger than ours.
Colt’s Mfg. Co. Gold Cup Trophy O5070X 45 ACP, $1249July 2015A-Excellent trigger action, good accuracy, and sights that offer good adjustment.

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