The hotly-anticipated CZ 1911 A1 is now available in stores and at an eye-popping price. Announced at the 2015 SHOT Show this 1911 has all the look and feel of the classic G.I. design with improved modern materials, built to CZ’s demanding standards.

The idea behind the CZ 1911 A1 was to take the sort of changes made to the original 1911 when it received the A1 upgrades, and apply the same degree of tinkering to the A1 design while keeping it true to Browning’s vision, still worthy of the A1 name.

The improvements are subtle and some are completely invisible. Others will stick out to the trained eye. The CZ 1911 A1 is a much tighter pistol with a snug fit between the forged carbon steel frame and slide and stainless steel match-grade .45 ACP barrel for the type of lock-up and accuracy you’d expect from a semi-custom 1911.

Some of the more visible changes include raised dovetailed sights that are taller and easier to acquire. The shrinking plastic grips have been replaced with checkered walnut grips that match them in texture and hue. And the ejection port has been slightly lowered for improved reliability.

Out is the lanyard loop and in goes a serrated slide stop. The solid, short trigger is aluminum and set at a creep-free but service-weight 5 pounds. The frame and slide have a satin black oxide finish and the aluminum trigger is anodized and dyed to match. Each pistol ships with two flush seven-round magazines.

Other than that they should be very familiar to friends of Browning. The CZ 1911 A1 has a spur hammer and short beavertail grip safety, 5-inch long barrel, and an unloaded weight of 39 ounces. Detailed specifications are on the CZ website.

CZ 1911 A1 pistols are made right here in the USA and are the first U.S.-made guns to bear the CZ brand. They carry an MSRP of $849 and are already showing up in stores in the mid-$700 range. CZ Custom made the announcement that they have the guns in stock and we expect to see them listed in their online store soon.

The CZ 1911 A1 is a quality handgun but it’s not designed to be a collector’s piece. It’s at a price shooters everywhere can appreciate and it’s intended to be a workhorse, not a show piece. With this new handgun CZ is saying don’t put extra wear and tear on your historical firearms. Shoot this instead, and shoot the hell out of it.