Remington Arms sent me a sample of its R1 Ultralight Executive—a 1911 built for concealment. Featuring a 3.5-inch supported barrel and built on a lightweight alloy frame with a rounded heel, the gun also features low profile G10 grips, 40-lpi frontstrap checkering and an extended safety and high sweep beavertail. For carry comfort, Remington smiths remove all of the sharp edges. The entire gun is blacked out for a serious, no-nonsense look.
Remington ships the gun with two 7-round magazines. The R1 also uses a Series 80-style firing pin safety and extended ejector. It also features a strong-side, extended thumb safety. Despite the short barrel length, the gun uses a single, flat recoil spring and a full-length recoil spring guide rod. The bull barrel does not use a bushing. Sights feature a big dot tritium sight with a rear sight with a deep “U” notch. Together they combine to make a very nice sight picture.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
I fired the R1 Ultralight Executive for accuracy at 15 yards. It has one of the nicest triggers of the ten guns I tested with a crisp 3-pound trigger pull, and this made it possible to concentrate on sight alignment while adding the pressure necessary to break the shot. Its reset is also very firm.
I think if I were to spec out a 1911 for concealed carry it would look much like this gun. Remington got a lot right with the R1 Ultralight Executive!
