12. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY EMISSARY 1911

Bridging the gap between duty and custom handguns, the new Emissary 1911 is a bold and capable 1911 pistol with defense-minded features intended for serious use. The new Emissary blends form and function seamlessly in a fire- arm built for defense but loaded with custom-grade features. It’s constructed with a forged stainless-steel frame and forged carbon-steel slide, with a beautiful two-tone finish. The blued carbon-steel slide pairs with a stainless-steel frame featuring a distinctive squared trigger guard with additional room for ease of operation with a gloved hand.

The slide’s Tri-Top cut gives the Emissary custom styling while a flattened top strap is finished with 40 LPI serrations to diffuse light and reduce glare. On top, the tritium and luminescent front sight pairs with a Tactical Rack U-Dot rear sight for easy target acquisition in all lighting conditions.

Inside the slide, a bushing less heavy stainless-steel bull barrel delivers maximum accuracy while reducing felt recoil and muzzle flip. In addition, the Emissary’s skeletonized hammer delivers ultra-fast lock times and combines with a solid-body, flat-faced trigger for top-end performance.

The forged stainless frame’s front strap and mainspring housing are wrapped in a grenade-pattern texture for firm engagement in adverse conditions, which are matched with slim line grip panels by VZ Grips machined from G10. At the front, a Picatinny accessory rail is integrated into the steel of the frame and is ready to accept a light, laser or combo of your choice.

Each pistol comes with two top-quality eight-round stainless-steel magazines with base pads. SRP: $1,279. (springfield-armory.com)