Rock Island Armory's GI Standard CS is a compact single-action 1911 in .45 ACP with a 3.5-inch barrel, 7.75 inches overall and 34.56 ounces of steel. The frame and slide wear a black Parkerized finish that cuts glare, the grips are smooth wood, and the sights are fixed and low profile. Capacity is 6+1, the thumb safety is single-sided, and the grip safety is the traditional 1911 part.

This is an entry into a carry-size 1911 for a Texas buyer who wants steel, a manual safety and the familiar single-action trigger in a shorter package. The low sights do not snag on a cover garment, the Parkerized surface shrugs off holster wear, and the six-round magazine keeps the grip short. At over 34 ounces it is heavier than polymer compacts, which steadies the .45 on the range and takes the edge off recoil.

Key features

• .45 ACP compact 1911, 3.5-inch barrel, 6+1
• Black Parkerized steel frame and slide
• Smooth wood grips
• Fixed low-profile sights
• Single-action with manual thumb safety and grip safety

The pistol ships to the Texas FFL dealer you choose, where you show photo ID, complete Form 4473 and pass the NICS check; you must be 21.