Description

The Colt Government 1911 .22LR is a rimfire rendition of the full-size 1911 Government Model pistol, with a 5-inch barrel. Umarex offers three versions: The Government 1911 (our test pistol); a version of the Colt Rail Gun (with integral tactical light rail); and a Colt Gold Cup version with adjustable sights. The rimfires are made of metal. The alloy used is proprietary; it is heavier than aluminum, but probably not ordnance-grade steel. Whatever it is, the test pistol felt like holding a normal 1911 in terms of perceived “heft,” and the weight of 2.25 pounds (without magazine) is right on the money compared to an all steel 1911 in .45 Automatic caliber. For critical parts, however, Umarex informs us that all parts of the lockwork are made of steel. As we’ll see once we peek under the hood, this only makes sense on this pistol.

The test pistol is the basic Government configuration, sporting GI-style fixed sights; a plain, solid trigger; a GI-style grip safety (no beavertail); and a conventional spur hammer. Both the Rail Gun and the Gold Cup add an upswept beavertail, elongated loop “combat” hammer, and lightened trigger pad. The Rail gun wears tapered “combat” sights, and the Gold Cup is equipped with adjustable target sights.

The finish is an eggshell black, very well executed with no runs or sags, and no machine marks showing through the finish on the exterior of the pistol. The Colt rollmark is highlighted in white on the side of the slide.

The pistol arrived in a plastic gun case, along with an instruction book, a brown envelope containing a fired case, and a small plastic bag holding a pair of open-end wrenches. The interior of the case is filled with eggcrate foam rather than having a blow-molded liner shaped to hold each specific item. The case has tabs with holes for a padlock, but the lock is not included.