Century Arms Centurion 11 1911 .45 ACP 5″ 8-Rd
Pros & cons
What works
- All 4140 steel construction — provides durable foundation for thousands of FMJ rounds.
- Weighs 35.5 oz — mass effectively dampens felt recoil of .45 ACP compared to polymer pistols.
- Standard 5.01-inch barrel — maintains proper timing of the 1911's Browning locking system.
- Classic single-action trigger — breaks cleanly at approximately 5.5 lbs, aiding fundamental trigger control practice.
Trade-offs
- Fixed GI sights — non-adjustable and incompatible with most drop-in replacement sight sets without milling.
- Basic 4140 steel barrel — lacks polished feed ramp, can induce failures with wide-mouth defensive JHPs.
- Single 8-round magazine included — a functional range session requires a minimum of 3 magazines, adding $75-100 in immediate ancillary costs.
- Heavy for concealed carry — at 35.5 oz unloaded, it's 14 oz heavier than many modern polymer striker-fired pistols.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Century Arms Centurion 11 is a faithful reinterpretation of the classic 1911 design, featuring all-steel construction, a 5.01-inch barrel, and a conventional single-action trigger. This pistol serves as a practical entry point into the platform, offering proven ergonomics and straightforward controls suitable for foundational marksmanship. Chambered in .45 ACP, it delivers the cartridge's signature performance in a reliable, no-frills package.
What is the Century Arms Centurion 11 used for?
The Centurion 11 is engineered primarily for range training, introductory 1911 platform familiarization, and informal target shooting. Its all-steel construction and standard recoil spring weight result in a manageable muzzle rise that facilitates controlled follow-up shots during slow-fire practice. While accurate enough for static paper punching, the basic fixed GI sights limit precision beyond 25 yards compared to modern optics-ready or hand-fitted models. It functions well as a dedicated training tool for shooters building fundamental skills before upgrading to tuned competition pistols.
How does the Century Arms Centurion 11 compare to the Rock Island Armory M1911 A1 FS?
The Century Arms Centurion 11 is more cost-effective than the Rock Island pistol, but this comes at the expense of certain material and finish specifications. The Rock Island typically uses a forged frame and features a slightly higher-grade parkerized finish, with a retail price hovering between $50 and $100 higher. While both firearms share a common platform and are suitable for range work, the Rock Island's components often exhibit tighter slide-to-frame fit, contributing to its marginally better out-of-the-box reliability with certain defensive hollow-point ammunition. The Centurion 11 trades that last 10% of fitment and finish for immediate affordability and core mechanical functionality.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Centurion 11 weighs 35.5 ounces (1006 grams) unloaded and measures 8.6 inches overall in length. The barrel is a precise 5.01 inches, and the slide width measures 0.92 inches at the widest point of the serrations. These dimensions create a forward-biased center of gravity, which provides a stable aiming platform but contributes to the pistol's notable heft, roughly 14 ounces heavier than a polymer-framed striker-fired pistol like the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotgun in .410. The weight distributes felt recoil effectively but makes the pistol less suitable for all-day concealed carry when compared to modern lightweight options.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for a concealed carry permit holder seeking a modern, lightweight defensive handgun, nor is it built for competitive USPSA/IPSC shooters looking for a race-ready 1911. The factory 4140 steel barrel lacks the extended and polished feed ramp required for 100% reliability with wide-mouth hollow points, a necessary feature for a primary defensive weapon. The heavy, 35.5-ounce frame makes all-day appendix carry impractical, and the basic fixed sights are incompatible with most drop-in fiber-optic or tritium upgrades without significant gunsmithing. Shooters requiring immediate precision at 50 yards, reliable feeding of defensive JHPs, or a modular accessory rail should look elsewhere.
What's in the box?
The Centurion 11 ships with one 8-round steel magazine, a basic hard plastic transport case, a cable lock, and a generic cleaning rod and patch kit. Compared to more premium offerings, the package does not include a second magazine, an owner's manual specific to Century Arms' specifications, or a factory test target. The provided magazine is a standard GI-pattern unit without an extended baseplate for purchase, which can complicate rapid reloads for users with larger hands. While sufficient for initial functioning, most serious users should budget immediately for at least one or two aftermarket magazines from reputable manufacturers like Wilson Combat or Chip McCormick.
Is the Century Arms Centurion 11 worth it at $367.99?
At $367.99, the Centurion 11 presents a compelling value proposition as a durable, functional entry point into the 1911 platform, ideal for shooters focused on fundamental mechanics over custom features. The all-steel construction ensures durability for thousands of rounds of standard-pressure FMJ range ammunition, and its design is a direct analog to countless aftermarket parts and guides. However, the total cost of ownership must factor in roughly $30-40 for a second magazine, and potentially $150-$300 for sight upgrades and minor reliability tuning. For enthusiasts wanting a classic 1911 strictly for recreational and mechanical familiarization, such as understanding the function of a single-stack 1911 before considering a Stevens bolt-action rifle for hunting, this price justifies the core firearm alone. For shooters needing a turnkey, fully vetted defensive or competition tool from day one, the total investment is better allocated toward a higher-tier factory offering.
Key attributes
| upc | 787450913547 |
| manufacturer | Century Arms |
| manufacturer part number | HG9402-N |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 5" |
| caliber/gauge | .45 ACP |
| capacity | 8 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 7.5 |
| number of magazines | 1 8 rd. |
| package height | 3.2 |
| package width | 8.8 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| safety | 8.60" |
| shipping weight | 3.85 |
| sights | Fixed GI Sights |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket 1911 magazines?
- Yes, the Century Arms Centurion 11 1911 utilizes standard Government Model 1911 magazines with an 8-round single-stack design. It is compatible with magazines from Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick, and Ed Brown, though you may experience minor fitment variations. The factory magazine well is sized for GI-spec baseplates; extended baseplate magazines may require slight hand-fitting for seamless insertion.
- Does this ship with a California-approved cable lock?
- Yes, the packaging includes a standard cable lock that meets California's safety device requirements for firearm transfers as mandated by CA Penal Code § 23635. It does not include a state-approved firearms safety device (FSD) lock box, which is required for retail sales by certain manufacturers. We recommend confirming with your local FFL regarding their specific transfer protocols, a process that can add 1-3 business days to the delivery timeline.
- Can this pistol be used for IDPA's CDP division?
- Technically yes, as it meets the .45 caliber requirement and overall dimensions for IDPA's Custom Defensive Pistol division. However, the factory sights are low-profile GI style, which will disadvantage you during timed stages requiring rapid sight acquisition. Additionally, the all-steel frame creates a 35.5-ounce unloaded weight, leaving only a 2.5-ounce safety margin before hitting the 38-ounce loaded division limit, limiting your capacity for heavier grips or accessories.
- What is the recommended recoil spring weight for standard .45 ACP FMJ?
- The factory ships with a standard 16-pound recoil spring, which is appropriate for 230-grain FMJ rounds at approximately 850 fps. For extended life, I recommend swapping to a Wolff Gunsprings 16.5-pound variable-rate spring every 2,500-3,000 rounds. Using lighter target loads below 750 fps may induce failures to eject with the factory spring, necessitating a drop to a 14 or 14.5-pound spring for reliable cycling.