I first met Gilbert Perez sometime in 2010 at one of the USPSA Indiana Section Matches. I would always keep an eye on the other guys who were beating me in the same division at matches, and this was a usual occurrence with Perez. He has played this game for more than 25 years and has been in gunsmithing all along the way. Around 2018, Perez set up GP Arms and was importing and distributing for another company making 2011-style competition guns. He and I talked again about where he was headed with his company in 2021, and I was excited to see the offerings that GP Arms was going to bring to the market.
I love high-cap 1911s. When you pick them up, they just feel right to me. At GP Arms, Perez saw an opportunity to fill a gap in this market and started manufacturing 1911 widebody frames and parts to build new guns in East Tennessee. There are two models offered, the Forza 3.1 and the Patriot evaluated here. The Forza is a compact carry style that has several features and options that you can build out on the GP Arms website.
The Patriot series is available in multiple configurations, each tailored to meet the demands of different shooters. The base price is $1,950 and comes with either a 4.1-inch bull barrel or a ported barrel. The other barrel option is the 4.8-inch threaded bull barrel. The 4.8-inch threaded bull barrel model in particular stands out for its precision engineering and versatility. This variant is ideal for those who want the option to attach a suppressor or other muzzle devices, making it a popular choice for tactical applications and competition.
The GP Arms Patriot 4.8-inch model chambered in 9 mm Luger is packed with features that enhance both its performance and aesthetic appeal. A 4.8-inch threaded bull barrel is designed for superior accuracy and compatibility with muzzle devices. Optics-ready, the Patriot 4.8-inch also has a rear sight integrated RDS plate system that accommodates various popular red-dot sights, including RMR, RMS-C and DeltaPoint Pro footprints. Additionally, you can choose from a durable hard anodized black or sleek black nitride finish, offering both durability and style.
This pistol can also be configured with a tactical black anodized aluminum magazine well or a more robust steel magazine well.
As for the frame, the Patriot is available with either a 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum frame for a lighter feel, or a 416 stainless steel frame for those who prefer the additional weight and stability.
The ergonomic, injection-molded polymer grip ensures a comfortable and secure hold, even during extended shooting sessions.
The flat skeletonized aluminum trigger has a crisp pull that weighs between three and 3½ pounds, with a short pre-travel and a positive reset.
The Patriot 4.8-inch model comes standard with a 20+1 round capacity, using the MBX Extreme 9 mm Luger 1911 double-stack magazine. Optional 22-round magazines are also available for those who want extra rounds.
These features combine to make the Patriot a formidable firearm, whether you are participating in a USPSA shooting competition or using it for self-defense.
For USPSA competition shooters, the Patriot 4.8-inch model offers a compelling combination of speed, accuracy and reliability. With the optics-ready slide, the gun is set and ready for the extremely popular USPSA Limited Optics division, for which the double-stack slide-mounted optics were specifically created. The co-witness sights are a nice feature as well. The heavy threaded bull barrel and lightened slide make for a great combination when pushing the Patriot at speed. This setup, with the Eley 147-grain 9 mm Luger Competition load, made it easy to track the Vortex Defender-XL red-dot optic.
Perez informed me that their grip would feel different from other styles of widebody grips. He was right, and actually, the way they have designed the polymer grip is similar to how I have had all of mine prepared on my Limited gun. The front is rounded off like a 1911, not blocky like you find on many other styles. The trigger has a high and nicely rounded undercut to match the beavertail for as high a grip as possible. The texture on the grip is not overly aggressive but provides a secure hold, and since it's polymer, it allows for aftermarket stippling or tape to set it up how you like it. The overall feel of the grip is a little thinner and has no blocky feel to it. It feels great in the hand and made gripping and ripping the gun extremely easy.
AT THE RANGE
A quick range session to get the Defender-XL sighted in and then a run through some different target presentations was a blast, pun intended. Using the supplied MBX Extreme magazines plus a few other 141 mm MBX 23 rounders, I ran through a variety of 9 mm Luger ammunition, including 115-, 124-, 135-, 147- and 150-grain bullet weights from factory to handloads for the first initial break-in of the Patriot. I was impressed with how easy the gun was to shoot quickly and track the dot. At 15 yards, I could easily keep 10-round groups in the upper A/C of the USPSA target. I also had 1/3-size USPSA steel set up from seven to 15 yards and spread from side to side about 20 yards to run through transitions with ease.
When a new company hits the ground and starts building guns, one of the things that you should keep in mind is service after the sale. The big guys have 1-800 numbers and customer service folks that put you on hold and you wait for weeks if you have to send something back, if you are lucky. The one-person custom shops are just that—a one-person shop, answering phones, emails and trying to build guns. During one of the range trips, the hammer followed on the Patriot, and the trigger would not reset. I took a video of it and emailed it to Perez. By the time I got home, a return label was in my inbox, and the gun was sent back that day. Perez had the gun repaired and back to me by the end of the next week. He gets that you don’t have time to wait, whether it's your competition gun or a defensive carry gun.
The Patriot that was built for this review has the 4.8-inch threaded barrel, stainless-steel slide and frame with the steel magwell. I stuck with the stainless finish and black Nitride barrel, which gave the gun a very classy look. The Vortex Defender-XL was mounted to the supplied plate, and the final cost was $2,300. This is a feature-packed high-cap 1911 at a reasonable price point that is ready to hit your next match right out of the box. The GP Arms Patriot 4.8-inch model is a testament to the company’s commitment to quality, performance and innovation. With its precision engineering, versatile design and American-made craftsmanship, this pistol is an excellent choice for both competitive shooters and firearm enthusiasts. Gilbert Perez is one of us when it comes to competition experience and knowing what we need to perform our best without going overboard.
Whether you’re looking to up your game in USPSA competitions or seeking a reliable and customizable firearm for personal defense, the GP Arms Patriot 4.8-inch model delivers the features and performance you need.
For more information about GP Arms and their full line of Patriot pistols, visit the website.
Article from the September/October 2024 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
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