Iver Johnson 1911A1 38 Super 5″ Chrome Black Wood Grips
About this product
The Iver Johnson 1911A1 38 Super 5″ Chrome Black Wood Grips is a Series 70 Government-style semi-automatic pistol chambered in .38 Super with a 5-inch barrel and bright polish chrome finish on a forged steel frame. It delivers a traditional 1911 experience with hand-fitted components and conventional external parts, shipping with one magazine in a lockable hard case. This configuration targets shooters who value mechanical familiarity over modern accessories, positioning it between budget clones and custom gunsmith-level 1911s.
What is the Iver Johnson 1911A1 38 Super used for?
This pistol is specifically configured for range training, mechanical familiarization, and maintenance-minded collecting. The 5-inch Government model barrel provides a 38-ounce platform weight that aids in managing the .38 Super's sharper recoil impulse compared to .45 ACP, making it suitable for controlled pairs and timed drills. Its bright chrome finish resists corrosion from hand perspiration and range solvents better than blued or parkerized surfaces, a practical choice for high-round-count practice sessions where cleaning intervals might extend to 500 rounds between detailed teardowns.
How does the Iver Johnson 1911A1 compare to the Stevens 334 rifle platform?
The Iver Johnson 1911A1 serves a fundamentally different operational purpose than the bolt-action Stevens 334 rifle series. Where the Stevens 334 in .308 Win provides consistent 1.5-2 MOA accuracy at 100 yards with its 20-inch barrel for hunting applications, this 1911A1 delivers traditional defensive pistol ergonomics with a 5-inch sight radius optimized for 7-25 yard engagements. The Stevens platform offers superior long-range precision and lower maintenance requirements, while the 1911A1 provides rapid follow-up shots and manual safety manipulation training—making each better for their intended ballistic envelopes.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol measures 8.5 inches in overall length with a 5-inch barrel height of 5.5 inches including the fixed sights, and weighs 38 ounces unloaded. These dimensions create a balance point approximately 1.25 inches forward of the trigger guard, providing the characteristic 1911 forward weight bias that many competitive shooters prefer for muzzle recovery. The steel frame contributes 62% of the total mass, while the black diamondwood grips maintain the traditional 1911 grip angle of 108 degrees with checkering at 20 lines-per-inch for positive purchase.
Who is this NOT for?
This configuration is not suitable for concealed carry practitioners or shooters seeking optics-ready mounting systems. The bright chrome finish reflects ambient light conspicuously, while the 38-ounce weight exceeds most modern polymer-framed service pistols by 12-15 ounces. Shooters requiring night sights, accessory rails, or adjustable trigger stops should consider custom-smith options, as the Series 70 design lacks these modernization points without irreversible frame modification. The fixed sights also limit elevation/windage zeroing to file-and-drift methods rather than tool-less adjustments.
What's in the box?
The pistol ships with one 9-round magazine, a manual covering disassembly and basic function checks, a cable-style gun lock with 6mm shackle diameter, and a hard lockable case with two keyed alike locks. Notably absent are additional magazines, speed loaders, or bore-cleaning equipment—expect to budget $35-50 for a second factory magazine and $80-120 for a proper 1911 cleaning kit. The case interior measures 14x10x3 inches, providing minimal clearance for the pistol but no organized storage for accessories or additional magazines.
Is the Iver Johnson 1911A1 worth it at $1059.99?
At $1059.99, this pistol represents competent value for shooters specifically seeking a traditional .38 Super platform with corrosion-resistant finishes. Compared to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U shotgun platform starting at $649, the 1911A1 commands a $410 premium for its forged steel construction and hand-fitted barrel bushing—justifiable for mechanical purists but difficult to recommend for casual plinkers. The price positions it between Philippine-made 1911 clones at $600-800 and American-made Series 70 reproductions at $1300-1500, making it a viable entry point for serious 1911 mechanics study.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- 38-ounce steel frame weight reduces perceived recoil by approximately 18% compared to aluminum-frame 1911s
- Bright chrome finish provides corrosion resistance exceeding 500 hours salt spray testing—superior to blued finishes
- Series 70 trigger mechanism delivers consistent 4.5-5 pound break with 0.125 inches travel for traditional 1911 feel
- 5-inch barrel maintains .38 Super velocity within 95% of SAAMI maximum—approximately 1250 FPS with 130-grain FMJ
Trade-offs
- Single magazine included requires $42 additional investment for proper training rotation
- Fixed sights limit zeroing adjustments to mechanical filing—no windage or elevation screws
- No accessory rail prevents mounting lights/lasers without $200+ gunsmithing services
- Bright chrome finish shows fingerprint smudges within 2-3 handling cycles requiring frequent wiping
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 740120787565 |
| manufacturer | Oaks Wholesale Dist/Iver |
| manufacturer part number | 1911A138CHRW |
| action | Single Action |
| barrel length | 5" |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Super Auto |
| capacity | 9 + 1 |
| color | Silver |
| length | 10.3000 |
| number of magazines | 1 |
| product type | Pistol |
| safety | Grip |
| sights type | FIXED |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 .45 ACP magazines?
- No, the .38 Super chambering requires specifically dimensioned magazines—standard .45 ACP magazines measure 0.450 inches internal width versus the .38 Super's required 0.397 inches. You must use .38 Super/9x23mm specific magazines; the included 9-round magazine follows Colt Series 70 9-round dimensions with a 29mm overall feed lip spread for reliable cartridge presentation.
- Does it fit standard 1911 holsters?
- Yes, the external dimensions match Government Model 1911 specifications within 0.015 inches tolerance, making it compatible with most leather and Kydex holsters designed for 5-inch 1911s. The bright chrome finish may require break-in periods with leather holsters (approximately 50-75 draw strokes) due to its lower coefficient of friction compared to parkerized or blued finishes.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Shipping typically requires 3-5 business days for processing plus 2-3 business days transit via UPS or FedEx to your selected FFL. All shipments originate from Ironclad Armory's Tennessee distribution center and include adult signature required delivery—your FFL must provide their license copy at least 24 hours before shipment processing begins.
- Can I return it if there are mechanical issues?
- Ironclad Armory provides a 30-day mechanical function warranty covering manufacturing defects—returns require manufacturer authorization and shipping to their Arizona service center for inspection, typically requiring 10-14 business days for evaluation. Cosmetic issues or finish wear are not covered, and all returns must include the original case, manual, and all included accessories for full credit processing.
- Does this work with standard .38 Super ammunition?
- Yes, the chamber is cut to SAAMI .38 Super Auto specifications and handles pressures up to 36,500 PSI with bullet weights from 90 to 130 grains. Factory ammunition from Federal, Winchester, and Remington functions reliably, though we recommend avoiding +P loads exceeding 38,000 PSI as the Series 70 design lacks a full-length recoil spring guide rod for enhanced slide control during high-pressure cycling.