Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine

The Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine is a new rifle that appears to mate a 1911 pistol to a AR-style rifle. It is chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge and looks like it retains all of the normal 1911 controls, grip safety and more.

The gun has a M4-style stock. Additionally, it looks to have a removable carry handle, removable front sight and a single Picatinny rail on the top of the rifle upper. From the photo, you can see there is a charging handle on the left side of the weapon. The barrel appears to be about 16″ in length. Pricing is already listed as $623.95 on some websites.

The same general thing has been tried before with kits that convert various pistols to carbines. Those kits include the Hera-Arms CPE, SIG Sauer ACP, and the CAA Tactical RONI. The Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine looks like it goes a step farther and makes the unit appear more permanently attached. Of course, that may not be accurate.

Iver Johnson did not immediately respond to an e-mail inquiry. When I obtain more information, I will share the details here.

So, what do you think? Is this something you would buy…or burn with fire?

Update 1: That Guy from the Rock in a Sea of Chaos blog sent us a link to the MechTech site. MechTech sells a carbine conversion unit (CCU) for the Glock and 1911 pistols. The MechTech units look exactly like the new Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine. See the photo below.

I am guessing that Iver Johnson is securing a quantity of the MechTech conversion kits and selling them as assembled units with their 1911 frames.

For comparison, the MechTech 1911 basic unit (no sights or rails) goes for $359.95. A monorail and M16-style sights will cost you an additional $119.85. Plus add in the cost of the M4-style stock, and a total price of about $625 for the Iver Johnson doesn’t sound bad at all. That’s assuming you would like one of these.

Update 2: I received an e-mail from Iver Johnson about the new carbine. According to the company, the gun will not come with the M4-style stock, full-length Picatinny rail or sights. Those items will be sold separately by the company. Additional details on the gun as provided:

• Upper unit is U.S. made by Mech-Tech Systems & the lower is an Iver Johnson model 1911A1
• 16.25″ stainless steel barrel chamber in 45acp (other calibers soon to follow)
• Lower unit is a GI military style frame with GI style parts
• Overall weight as shown in picture: 8lbs 6ozs
• Overall length with M-4 collapsible stock: Min. 30.75″ & Max. 34.50″
• Gun includes:
  •  1 8rd. magazine
  • Walnut, large diamond, checkered wood grips with engraved logo
  • Synthetic, sure-grip, ribbed forend
  • Short 6 notch picatinny rail, as pictured below, for mounting optics:

• Sold separately:
  • M4 collapsible stock & stock adapter
  • M16 style adj. frt. sight
  • M16 carry handle adj. rear sight
  • Full length picatinny mounting rail for sight attachments
  • Many other accessories available through Mech-Tech Systems