M-1911 Models : SVI |
SVI is producing several M-1911 models, based on their high-capacity polymer frame, which I somehow feel is very similar to that of STI. Someone just informed me that SVI has a brand new web site, so here are their models (please note that the thumbnail pictures do not correspond to the big-size image you will see, which is the one of the pistol described):
SVI Infinity Long Frame
This gun is also based on the SVI frame, but has a long dust cover, which reaches the front of the slide. I think this adds some weight in the front of the pistol, which helps tame recoil.
SVI Titanium Pistol
An ultra-light pistol in which metal part of the frame is made of titanium, which combined with the light weight of the SVI's plastic frame, results in a total wight of onlty 28 lbs. Excellent for carrying around all day.
SVI Modified Pistol
An Infinity with a ported Schuemann barrel, which greatly reduces recoil.
SVI Carry Compact Pistol
An Infinity with aluminum frame and slide, ideal for carrying.
SVI Special Ops Compact Pistol
An Compact Carry Pistol equiped with a ported Schuemann barrel, adjustable sights, ambi safety etc. It comes in either blue or hard-chrome finishes.
SVI Scoped Race Pistol
An full-featured race gun, with optical sight.
An interesting item I found in the SVI site, is their pattented "Interchangeable Breechface System", which includes a slide with a separate breechface, which can be changed quite easily, by unscrewing an Alen wrench screw. Actually, the screw is inserted from the firing pin tunnel, and attaches the breechface to the slide. In that way, the breechface can be changed to allow usage of a different caliber, or to save the cost of the slide, when the breechface becomes worn. That sounds like an interesting idea, however, I am not sure if it is not a "solution for a non-existing problem". In my experience, I've never seen an M-1911 with a worn breechface, but I may well be wrong. As for interchangeable calibers, I would prefer to have a whole top assembly, instead of screwing and unscrewing the breechface.
SVI is also producing some interesting, single-column M-1911s. Here are some pictures of them.