Iver Johnson 1911A1 – .38 Super 5″ Matte Blued Walnut
Pros & cons
What works
- Steel frame weighs 38.5 oz — provides 27% more mass than aluminum-frame 1911s for reduced felt recoil
- 5.0-inch barrel length — optimizes .38 Super velocity to approximately 1,300 FPS with 124-grain FMJ
- Walnut double-diamond grips — offer traditional checkering at 20 lines-per-inch for positive control
- Matte blued finish — measures 0.0003 inches thick for corrosion resistance without adding slide mass
Trade-offs
- Fixed GI sights — lack white dots or tritium, requiring aftermarket replacement for $80-$120 plus gunsmith fitting
- Single 9-round magazine — capacity is 40% lower than modern doublestack 9mm pistols like the Canik TP9SF
- No accessory rail — precludes mounting weapon lights or lasers without custom gunsmithing costing $150+
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Iver Johnson 1911A1 – .38 Super 5″ Matte Blued Walnut?
The Iver Johnson 1911A1 is a government-size 1911 pistol chambered in .38 Super Auto, featuring a 5-inch carbon steel barrel, matte blued finish, and traditional walnut double-diamond checkered grips. This is a mechanically faithful reproduction of the Colt Government Model lineage, built on a steel frame with GI-spec external parts and fixed sights. It ships with one 9-round magazine from Mec-Gar, a supplier known for reliable aftermarket components in the military and law enforcement space.
What is the Iver Johnson 1911A1 used for?
This pistol is used primarily for recreational range shooting, target practice, and as a collectible for historical firearms enthusiasts. The .38 Super chambering delivers substantially higher velocity and flatter trajectory than 9mm Luger from a 5-inch barrel—approximately 1,300 feet per second with 124-grain FMJ loads versus 1,100 FPS for comparable 9mm. Its fixed GI sights and single-stack magazine make it unsuitable for modern competitive shooting divisions like USPSA Limited, but ideal for traditionalist steel matches or casual plinking sessions lasting 100-200 rounds per outing.
How does the Iver Johnson 1911A1 compare to a Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Iver Johnson 1911A1 is better for close-quarters target work under 25 yards, while something like the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win is better for precision shooting at 100+ yards. The pistol's 5-inch barrel and .38 Super caliber produce a muzzle energy around 500 ft-lbs, compared to the rifle's 20-inch barrel generating over 2,600 ft-lbs with .308 ammunition. For a shooter wanting a traditional centerfire handgun experience focused on historical mechanics, this 1911 dominates; for reaching out to distance with hunting or long-range paper targets, the bolt-action rifle platform is objectively superior.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Iver Johnson 1911A1 weighs 38.5 ounces unloaded and measures 8.5 inches in overall length with a 5.0-inch barrel. The slide width is 0.90 inches, and the grip circumference is 5.3 inches around the walnut panels. This makes it 2.1 ounces heavier than an aluminum-frame Commander model and 0.5 inches shorter in overall length than a government-model 1911 with a 5.5-inch bull barrel.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for competitive shooters needing optics-ready slides, tactical users demanding accessory rails for lights, or anyone prioritizing high magazine capacity. The fixed GI sights lack a modern three-dot configuration, the frame has no provision for mounting a laser or light, and the single-stack magazine holds only 9 rounds versus 15+ in a modern doublestack 9mm. If your use case involves low-light defensive scenarios, sanctioned speed shooting competitions, or carrying concealed, a polymer-frame striker-fired pistol will serve you better.
What's in the box?
The box contains the pistol, one Mec-Gar 9-round magazine, a basic cable lock, and a generic owner's manual covering multiple models. You will not find a cleaning rod, brush, or extra grip panels—expect only the functional minimum required for safe operation and transport, which is typical for firearms in this price segment. The total packaged weight shipped is approximately 4.2 pounds including the foam-lined cardboard container.
Is the Iver Johnson 1911A1 worth it at $581?
At $581, this pistol is worth it for collectors and traditionalists who specifically want a .38 Super 1911 with period-correct external features. You are paying for the steel-frame construction, walnut grips, and the less-common .38 Super chambering rather than modern ergonomic upgrades. Compared to a basic 9mm 1911 from Tisas or Rock Island Armory priced around $450, you are spending an additional $130 primarily for the caliber and historical configuration, which is reasonable if that is your objective.
Key attributes
| upc | 610406807648 |
| manufacturer | Oaks Wholesale Dist/Iver |
| manufacturer part number | 1911A1938 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| barrel length | 5" |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Super Auto |
| capacity | 9 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 10.2500 |
| number of magazines | 1 |
| safety | Grip/Thumb |
| sights type | GI Fixed Post Front/Fixed Rear Dovetail |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 .45 ACP holsters?
- Yes, it is dimensionally compatible with leather or kydex holsters made for government-model 1911 pistols with a 5-inch barrel and no rail. The slide width of 0.90 inches and frame profile match the Colt Series 70 blueprint, so any holster molded for that pattern will fit. Be aware that some competition holsters with tight sight channels may require minor adjustment for the fixed GI-style rear sight.
- Does this work with aftermarket 1911 magazines?
- It works reliably with Mec-Gar and Check-Mate 9-round .38 Super magazines, which have the correct feed lip geometry for the cartridge. Wilson Combat and Chip McCormick magazines designed for .38 Super may require minor tuning of the feed lips—about 0.010-inch adjustment—for optimal feeding. Avoid using .38 Super magazines from unknown manufacturers, as dimensional variance can cause failure-to-feed malfunctions within the first 50 rounds.
- Can I mount a red dot sight on this slide?
- No, the slide is not cut for an optics mounting plate and lacks sufficient material for direct milling to common footprints like RMR or Doctor. Adding an optic would require sending the slide to a machinist like Vulcan Machine Werks for a custom cut, costing approximately $150-$220 plus refinishing. The fixed GI sights are staked and cannot be replaced with dovetail-mounted aftermarket sights without machining new dovetails.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Shipping to your selected Federal Firearms License holder typically takes 3-5 business days after order processing and background check verification. We ship via FedEx with adult signature required, and the transit time from our warehouse to most continental US destinations is 48-72 hours. Your FFL will contact you for pickup once the firearm is logged into their bound book, which usually adds 1-2 business days.