Yet Winchester, Kentucky based DoubleStar did not jump on the 1911 bandwagon, choosing to concentrate on its signature custom AR15 rifles until now.
When DoubleStar engineers began designing the PHD 1911. 45, their plan was to combine the craftsmanship of the old school one-at a-time 1911s with modern technology and offer them at a price close to the production line guns on the market today.
The result is a meticulously crafted piece of weaponry with attention to detail evident even before you pick up the gun. The case is exquisitely embroidered with DoubleStar’s trademark winged dragon and is fabricated using 1050D Nylon. It features loops for extra magazines as well as lockable zippers. There is also a separate compartment for the pistol.
Upon picking up the PHD, you will immediately note that something feels different. The difference is the slightly rounded butt of the gun. Most modern 1911s have flat backstraps much like the original WWl era Colt 1911, but with WWll on the horizon, manufacturers began issuing the next generation 1911A1 .45 with a rounded butt for the war effort and that design continued for decades until the recent trend came back to the flat backstrap. The DoubleStar PHD seems to compromise on the two backstrap styles by incorporating the best of both.
DoubleStar’s commitment to quality is also evident in the slide, designed with the cocking serrations on a wider rear section to facilitate gripping in adverse conditions. The top is textured to reduce glare on the black Parkerized finish. The barrel is stainless steel and the adjustable trigger is skeletonized with a 3.5 to 4.5 pound pull.
However, the best feature of the slide may be what is affixed to the top -- XS Tritium Express Sights. These sights had their origin with African big game hunters where quick sighting was critical. A round bead sight is mounted in the front which is then easily aligned in a “V” trough at the rear, making the weapon quick and effective.
During range testing, the DoubleStar PHD 1911 .45 was an outstanding performer. Muzzle velocity on various ammo types met or exceeded factory expectations. Accuracy and recoil were also on the mark as author Scott W. Wagner explains in his article “DoubleStar PHD 1911 .45: Custom Hand-Fitted Quality at Production Prices” at USConcealedCarry.com:
“Recoil of both the FMJ load and the V-Crown load were quite controllable. Both loads fed and cycled flawlessly. From 40 yards, 6-inch groups could be had without too much trouble, although XS Sights are designed to be at their optimum at 15 yards and in with a dead-center hold.” (Read more at USConcealedCarry.com)
DoubleStar’s entry into the 1911 fray is a welcome one. Its customized styling and well-conceived design is a breath of fresh air in a saturated concealed carry 1911 market. MSRP for the PHD 1911 .45 is $1364.