Had been thinking of buying a Commander size 1911 for awhile. So, when I ran across this NIB ATI 1911 made by Shooters Arms Manufacturing company (SAM) at the Macon, GA, gun show I negotiated a deal; OTD for $390. The S.A.M. manufacturing plant is in a Northern suburb of Cebu City on Cebu Island in the Southern Philippines. I was stationed there - actually Mactan Island, a 20 minute ferry boat ride from Cebu City - in 1967.
The first thing I did was replace the grips which I found to be too thick for my taste. The bordered double diamond grips are much nicer. Out of the box, the trigger is crisp and breaks like glass. I estimate it's about 4 1/2 - 5 pounds. Lock-up is very tight and all controls have just the right amount of tension. Fit of the slide to frame is excellent. Finish is a fairly standard gray phosphate. Not as nice as the Tisas finishes but nice enough.
On the range I had to drift the rear sight slightly left... no big deal. The sights are better than most GI models I've shot. Accuracy is like any other 1911 which is to say pretty darn good. So far, I've put 135 rounds down range with one unusual failure to eject; the case rim got stuck in the square opening at the back of the ejection port. Not your typical stove pipe and easily cleared. That was at round number 64 and the case is one that has been reloaded 10 times or more.
IMO, this is a fantastic value that doesn't break the bank and the quality is impressive inside and out.
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