Editor’s Note: Springfield Armory provided the Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911 pistol used by the author in this review. The opinions and evaluations expressed here are the author’s own.
I must admit something: I’m a Fudd at heart. I love carrying a full-size 1911 .45 ACP in a leather holster. It’s a classic setup that’s hard to beat. But like many, I’ve also become spoiled by modern, striker-fired 9mm polymer pistols.
For years now, I’ve carried a Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C comfortably in an IWB (inside the waistband) Kydex holster. The Echelon’s lightweight, slim profile makes it easy and comfortable for daily carry.
That comfortable balance between tradition and modern convenience might be shifting. Recently, I took up a challenge to carry a full-size .45 ACP 1911 in an OWB (outside the waistband) leather holster for an entire month. This wasn’t difficult for me. I have carried this exact setup for years. So, for me, returning to a beloved full-size 1911 setup is frankly more nostalgia than challenge.
This time, I wanted to bring the classic into the 21st century. I wanted a 1911 that was optics-ready, matched my accuracy and reliability expectations, and included a robust optic and a good holster. My goal was a practical yet modernized .45 ACP rig that met my specific needs.
After days of research and careful consideration, I spec’d out a kit that exceeded my expectations in every category.
The Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911 Pistol
The heart of this setup is the Springfield Armory Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911. This pistol is a collaboration between Springfield Armory and Hilton Yam, the founder of 10-8 Performance, a retired FBI Special Agent, SWAT team member, and highly respected firearms instructor.
This 1911 has everything a serious shooter could want:
- Forged frame and slide for strength and durability
- Forged 5” bull barrel for improved accuracy and balance
- Reverse recoil spring plug for easier disassembly and refined aesthetics
- Extended magazine release for quick reloads
- 10-8 abbreviated slide serrations
- Flat trigger for a crisp and precise pull
- Forged slide stop
- G-10 grips for durability and a solid grip
- 2-piece magwell to assist fast magazine changes
- DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) finish — hard, scratch-resistant, and corrosion-resistant
- Black serrated U-notch rear sight paired with a green fiber optic front sight for clear, quick acquisition
- AOS (Agency Optics System) optics-ready slide
- 20 LPI (Lines Per Inch) serrated front strap for improved grip control
- Accessory/light rail for adding lights or lasers
This is as close to a custom 1911 as one can get without paying custom prices. The build quality and attention to detail make it an outstanding carry gun. It is available in 9mm or .45 and has an MSRP of $2,099. I went with the .45 ACP version.
Aimpoint ACRO P-2 Optic
For the optic, I wanted something truly ready — a sight that could take it and keep working flawlessly. The Aimpoint ACRO P-2 fit the bill perfectly.
Yes, it’s larger and heavier than some optics, but the ACRO P-2 is tough, reliable, and easy to use. It’s not just an upgrade; it’s a game changer.
Galco Concealable 2.0 Holster
When it comes to leather holsters, there is a wide range available — from expensive custom masterpieces to cheap gun show specials. For this setup, I went with what I know and trust — a Galco Concealable 2.0 holster with an MSRP of $210.
I’ve used this holster on other pistols before, and it ticks all my boxes. It has the optics cut needed for the ACRO, solid build quality, and it doesn’t break the bank. Galco also makes a higher-end MasterBuilt line, but for this evaluation, I stuck with the standard Concealable 2.0.
Other Accessories
I carry everyday essentials alongside my pistol. For my light, I rely on the SureFire Stiletto — a rechargeable weapon light that I have trusted for years. It’s never failed me and has excellent build quality.
For my blade, I carry an LA Police Gear Rescue EDC folding knife with a black plain-edge tanto blade. It’s an inexpensive knife that has served me well for years Though it’s not fancy, it’s dependable — the ultimate measure for any EDC tool.
Setting Up the Pistol
Setting up the pistol was straightforward but thorough. I first familiarized myself with Springfield Armory Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911. This is the closest thing to a full-custom 1911 for those of us who appreciate quality without full custom pricing. The slide-to-frame fit was tight and crisp. The trigger pull was smooth and consistent — exactly what I want in a carry pistol.
One element I particularly liked was the bull barrel feature combined with the absence of the full-length guide rod. Instead, the pistol comes with a standard USGI length spring guide from 10-8 Performance, along with a custom 10-8 reverse recoil spring plug. This enhances both the aesthetics and ease of field stripping.
Installing the ACRO-compatible AOS plate was simple. I removed the two mounting Torx screws and attached the correct AOS plate purchased from the Springfield Armory shop. For those unfamiliar, the AOS plate doesn’t mount straight down. The rear wedge fits snugly in a dovetail in the optics cut on the slide. Line it up, push down, and it’s perfectly positioned.
Mounting the Aimpoint ACRO only required tightening a single Torx screw on the side of the optic. Using my REAL AVID Smart-TORQ Precision Driver Set made this easier and prevented over-tightening, which could damage screws, the optic or the pistol.
Zeroing the Pistol
Zeroing was straightforward with help from a LaserLyte Laser Bore Sight. This bore sighter fits into the muzzle using various included inserts for all common calibers. It projects a laser dot at your zero distance, making sight alignment much quicker.
I was lucky that the distance from my desk chair to my house’s outer wall is exactly 10.4 yards. This made setting a 10-yard zero amazingly easy without leaving my home.
Of course, I took the pistol to the range to fine-tune the zero with live ammo.
I chose Federal HST 230-gr. ammunition for its proven reliability and terminal performance. To save cost during zeroing, I bought the Federal Practice and Defend Pack, which contains 100 rounds total: 50 rounds of 230-gr. HST ammo and 50 rounds of 230-gr. Syntech Training Match ammo.
I zeroed the sights with the Syntech training ammo, then fine-tuned with the HST rounds for accuracy and final carry settings.
To steady the pistol during zeroing without removing the human element, I used a Ransom International Multi-Cal Steady Rest. This solid aluminum rest provides a rock-solid platform while still allowing natural grip and recoil control.
Practice and Refinement
After zeroing, I focused on reacquainting myself with drawing from the 3 o’clock position holster — especially from concealment. This is a significantly different skill than simply drawing on the range.
Over several hours, I practiced dry-firing and live shooting. Drawing from concealment requires precision and smoothness to avoid fumbling the presentation. Practice sharpened this skill considerably.
Cleaning and Maintenance
After a full day of shooting and testing, the Springfield Armory Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911 received a detailed cleaning and lubrication.
I’m not obsessive about cleaning range guns, but my carry guns get meticulous care — even after one round. Clean, reliable function is non-negotiable. For cleaning, I chose Lucas Oil products, which I have come to trust for their quality and effectiveness.
The Carry Experience
Taking the final step, carrying the full-size 1911 in the Galco Concealable 2.0 OWB leather holster, was surprisingly smooth. I spent years carrying striker-fired 9mm pistols IWB. Moving back to a full-size 1911 OWB wasn’t as jarring as I expected.
The first few days I was somewhat self-conscious about printing the gun’s outline under clothing, even though Arizona is an open carry state. I like to keep my carry as discreet as possible, maintaining my tactical advantage.
However, I found that the pistol — while being a full-size, all-steel 1911, proved to be remarkably concealable. It’s one of the advantages of the slim, flat design of a single-stack 1911. In addition, I was quickly reminded of the appeal of carrying a high-quality 1911. This is a pistol upon which I knew I could count.
After carrying the Springfield Armory Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911 for well over a month, the experience was unexpectedly rewarding. The weight and holster position difference took a day or two to get used to, but soon felt natural. I hadn’t carried an OWB 3 o’clock rig in over two years, nor a pistol this large and heavy in over six years.
Conclusion
Will I keep carrying this setup? The answer is simple — I will. I like the Springfield Armory Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911 and the Galco Concealable 2.0 holster so much that the combo is now part of my regular carry rotation. I suspect I’ll carry it more often moving forward.
Even in Arizona’s hot summer weather, there’s no better feeling than the confidence of quality, reliability, and the power of a .45 ACP 1911, especially one as well-built and refined as the Springfield Armory Master Class 10-8 Performance 1911.
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