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If you read any news relating to the firearms industry, you have seen a myriad of companies releasing double-stack 1911 pistols in 9mm. When seeing all this, my first question was “what’s the big deal?” I had only put time into traditional 1911’s in .45 and while I enjoyed shooting them, I didn’t really see what all the fuss was about. I know this is big statement for a lot of you. Before you vow to never read an article from me again, hear me out.
My only real pistol trigger time had been put in on my Glock 34, Smith M&P Pro and the hundreds of pistols I shot working in the industry for 23 years. There wasn’t a time where I had the opportunity to sit behind a $3,500 pistol and really get to know it. Brands like Staccato (STI when I was heavy into shooting), Atlas, and a few others were really all that was out there and I didn’t have the budget for that kind of equipment. The supporting gear like magazines and accessories tend to be on the more cost-effective side for polymer pistols too, making it that much better for my wallet so that’s the pond I swam in.
Fast forward to about a year ago when I got my hands on a Military Armament Corp. MAC 9 DS. With a retail price of $1,099.99 I could finally get into a nice double stack 9mm at a reasonable price. After years of being told I should make the jump, I caved. I planned to use it in an upcoming 3-gun match, the Mountain State 3 Gun Championships in Beckley, WV so I went to work getting it ready for the match.
I found a level 3 holster from Blackhawk and a Safariland ELS competition belt in red because red is faster. Everyone knows that. I was able to get a handful of magazines from TISAS to go with the pistol, so I was set there as well. I had a couple mag pouches that were universal, so I rigged everything up with Safariland’s quick lock system, or QLS for attaching everything to my belt. It makes getting holsters and pouches changed between stages much easier, especially when you jump in your truck. Just squeeze the sides and your holster will slide right out. It’s super convenient and another thing I waited way too long to get.
The only modification I made to the pistol was adding a Trijicon RMR that I had picked up from the prize table at the Mountain State match the year before. I had always shot irons to this point, but with my aging eyes and the mounting platform right there, I decided to make the jump. I’ll be ordering my bifocals soon to go with it.
My first shots with the pistol were at 10 yards standing. As you can see, no complaints. To push the test of this gun even further, I ordered 1000 rounds of Blazer Aluminum 115 gr. 9mm. Yep, aluminum cased ammunition for my brand-new, barely fired pistol to go to a match. Is this recommended? Not really. Did I do it? You bet. I believe in testing under pressure, so I went whole hog, and I was not disappointed.
During the match, I was very impressed with the performance of the pistol. I had zero malfunctions, even when shooting one full day and 5 stages in a torrential downpour and the next under a blazing sun. The bigger profile of the pistol took some getting used to, but by the end of the match, the MAC and I were one. The Trijicon RMR was visible on both days with no problems, and the gun went bang every time I pulled the trigger. I didn’t win the match, but it’s not the pistol’s fault. That match brings out some of the best in the world and if you have an open spot in August 16-17 this year, get over to Practiscore and get signed up.
Final Verdict: I love this thing. I have been bitten by the bug, and I am ashamed it took this long. The smoothness of the action is more than noticeable over my polymer guns, and I was able be more accurate with it faster than other pistols I had used. There are a lot of double stack 1911s out there, but if you are “Double Stack Curious,” you should give MAC or its sister company TISAS a try. They are always releasing new versions and even have a 5” available. I’ve been eyeing some of those too. I guess it’s part of the game.
-Nick
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