My Platypus arrived

[mreed911]

Overall, I'm incredibly impressed.  It's definitely a hand-fit 1911 vs. one machined with tolerances such that you could swap slides between them, etc.  A couple of really small nitpicks likely attributable to being a new manufacturer of full firearms (they sold 80% kits before) - NOTHING wrong with the gun or that detracts from the purchase.  Based on this, I'd strongly consider a custom 1911 single-stack from them when/if they start offering that, too.

 

Having a 1911 that takes Glock mags is going to be fun. 

 

Full notes and initial thoughts here (no rounds downrange yet, just picked up today):

 

 

 

[floater]

I'm listening 

[mreed911]

The text from my reddit post:

 

My Platypus came in to my FFL and I picked it up today. I’m attaching quite a few pictures for folks that are curious, as well as a little information on holsters. Initial thoughts are below - mostly great, a few small (very, very small) misses and things that could catch a new owner off guard. It's modeled after Galvatron, my favorite Transformer.

 

My ordered configuration

• trident slide w/DPP optics cut
• square trigger guard, 2.25-2.5 lb flat trigger (before 2.5 was an orderable option)
• threaded barrel
• magwell
• three different e-series Cerakote colors (see prior post on e vs h series coatings, e are slightly heavier/more durable, which may play into a few comments below): E-320 (Rebel), E-310 (Fire), and E-160 (Concrete)

 

I’ve added a TLR-1, DPP and NDZ Performance red thread protector to “finish off” the build and intend to use the gun for the new Limited Optics category in USPSA where I’m a B-Class Carry Optics shooter today.

 

I had to call and ask - the Government ships with a 14 lb recoil spring, the Commander ships with a 13 lb recoil spring.  I'll definitely be testing down to 9/10 with 150gr syntech and 124gr FMJ.

 

Holsters

• I have a Safariland 6280 made for a Springfield 1911 w/full rail + TLR-1. The Platypus fit this holster perfectly WITHOUT the DPP. The holster is NOT made for an optic so once I mounted the DPP, it no longer fit. Since this is only for competition use (no duty carry, no retention), I'll be able to Dremel that existing holster.
• I have a Prodigy 4.25" + TLR-1 and Adam's Gear holster for this combo. It WOULD fit this holster if I didn't have the threaded barrel. The holster, as designed, is tapered at the bottom and not meant for threaded barrel use.
• Depending on how I like the dremeled Safariland, I may or may not order an Adam's Gear holster made for a full-rail 1911 + TLR-1/threaded barrel/optic. I expect it would fit (and would likely fit any "full rail 1911 + TLR-1 + optic" since they index on the light and the trigger guard shape behind it doesn't matter.

 

Initial thoughts

 

Great/Awesome

• As soon as I picked it up out of the box to inspect at the FFL: "Wow, this thing is light and slim!” Significantly lighter than my STI DVC/Edge guns, as thin as my favorite 1911’s. Exactly what I wanted in terms of grips/ergonomics.
• Includes a really nice soft case with their embroidered logo, two Glock OEM 17rd 9mm mags (gen 4?) and the rear sight for use with an optic instead of the iron sights plate. Rear sight came with needed hex wrench to remove the set screw (more on this later).
• The cerakote work on mine is excellent. I have no issues whatsoever and it absolutely matched my expectations based on the build-a-bear picker.
• Pistol came well oiled and slightly dirty. I knew from watching videos that they did more than the 1-2 round test fire at the factory and I’m absolutely fine with this. It’s clear it was test fired and not sent out the door hoping it worked - it was sent out proven to work. I appreciate this vs. a pristine pistol someone claims they tested but may or may not have.
• The slide-to-frame fit is excellent. It’s very clear that it’s hand-fitted (confirmed based on RGG’s new interview with them earlier this week where they said sending “extra” slides wasn’t likely to happen because they’re hand fit vs. “machine tolerances”). The slide moves like it’s buttered, with no grit, burrs or hangup.
• The optics cut was an exact, perfect fit for the milled slot and the threads on the factory-included screws from Leupold were a perfect fit - no separate screws required.
• I don’t have a trigger pull gauge but the trigger is appropriately light based on my “make it light” request. It has a little bit of takeup and pulls to a crisp, clean break with a normal-to-1911’s short reset. I can’t detect any real overtravel but there is no overtravel set screw so if I did it wouldn’t be adjustable. This is easily on par with my STI triggers and better than the gunsmith-tuned competition trigger in my single-stack Para. It’s not inconceivable that a USPSA GM would do something like drop in an Atlas trigger with pretravel and overtravel adjustments to tweak things I simply can’t feel yet at my skill level.

 

Things to know

• Tolerances on the Platypus are tight. Very tight. Especially, I suspect, with e-series Cerakote.
• I had to wrap a towel around the thread protector AND use pliers to get it to start coming off. It’s almost like it was attached with an impact driver - I could not budge it. Once it came off it re-attached well, no slop, and appropriately tight threads.
• The barrel bushing was also incredibly tight. Even when turned such that the groove was completely disengaged, it would not slide forward. I had to use the “tap the barrel forward against the bushing like a light hammer” to get it to dislodge (it did NOT, however, require an actual hammer). Putting it back on was just as tight. Note: This is NOT a complaint - it’s just something to note if you’re used to “commercial” 1911’s vs. hand-fit parts. I also expect it to break in a little as I get to put rounds through it.
• I have big hands so I can reach the mag release just fine. For other folks this might not be the case. This is likely not a part interchangeable with other 1911 parts since the Glock mag geometry is significantly different. A factory option for an extended mag release would be nice but, for me, this works just fine (and avoids me accidentally compression it while firing/moving).
• The included magazines fit nearly “under” or “inside” the magwell. With the magwell, you’ll want to use base pads, even if only the Glock +2 OEM ones. Shipping OEM +2 base pad mags would be a nice touch, but everyone is going to have personal preferences on mags, base pads, etc., so it’s probably a no-win game for SA to try and please everyone. Coming with two OEM Glock mags in and of itself is awesome and the OEM mags do seat just fine.

 

Misses

• Did not include an appropriate hex wrench for the two-piece guide rod. I have a hex wrench set and had one, but if you don’t have a hex wrench already that fits you won’t be able to disassemble the upper completely.
• No o-ring in/on the thread protector. Threads/mating surfaces only, which could allow it to walk if not appropriately tight. I planned to replace it with the red NDZ one anyway, and that one has an o-ring. I also keep a bag of o-rings on the bench and would have put one behind it if I weren’t replacing it.
• The optics plate removal instructions have a typo, telling you to push in the firing pin to remove the slide stop. That should read push in the firing pin to remove the firing pin stop. The parts diagram is on the opposite page and correctly labels the piece as the firing pin stop.
• The optics plate removal video QR code links to Stealth Arms channel on Youtube but there is no video about the removal/install process, which is slightly different since it involves a set screw behind the firing pin stop. This isn’t a huge problem
• The screw for the replacement rear sight when an optic is in use didn’t have any loctite it from SA, unlike most other screws that ship with attachments. This is an incredibly minor nitpick and adding a little vibra-tite on my own is the norm.

 

Open questions

• I have not yet pulled the guide rod to measure it with calipers and determine if a standard 1911 guide rod is a drop-in replacement. I suspect it is but I can’t yet confirm that.

Edited April 11, 2023 by mreed911

[boatdoc173]

very interesting build and a great write up. I think your  build came out  great

 

 they should review your review for ways to improve what they offer including adding the proper hex wrench for  disassembly

 

I have had issues with their site--viewing pics, options--how did you come to your specs?  did the site work for  you?  was there another way?

 

congrats on the new  toy

[regor]

23 hours ago, mreed911 said:

It's definitely a hand-fit 1911 vs. one machined with tolerances such that you could swap slides between them, etc. 

 

Are the rails polished after the Cerakote? I'm curious if they are actually hand fitting or just relying on the coating to take out some slop on delivery and assuming most customers won't notice as it wears in. I'm a fan of cool concepts in the industry even if they seem silly at the onset, but it seems like a miss to me that they are not offering more performance driven coatings even if it'd stretch out their delivery timelines. 

[mreed911]

On 4/11/2023 at 6:26 AM, boatdoc173 said:

very interesting build and a great write up. I think your  build came out  great

 

 they should review your review for ways to improve what they offer including adding the proper hex wrench for  disassembly

 

I have had issues with their site--viewing pics, options--how did you come to your specs?  did the site work for  you?  was there another way?

 

 

I built this gun specifically for Limited Optics, so I spec'ed it out for full rail, etc. to put weight in the front, add the magwell, direct optics cut, etc.

 

They've been VERY good at communicating and updating their offering.  Going from one mag included to two, etc.

 

On 4/11/2023 at 2:37 PM, regor said:

 

Are the rails polished after the Cerakote? I'm curious if they are actually hand fitting or just relying on the coating to take out some slop on delivery and assuming most customers won't notice as it wears in. I'm a fan of cool concepts in the industry even if they seem silly at the onset, but it seems like a miss to me that they are not offering more performance driven coatings even if it'd stretch out their delivery timelines. 

 

Rails are polished - doesn't appear they were ever part of the coating.  Talking to them, they are hand fitting each individually. There's zero slop.

 

Delivery timelines stretching are a problem for them now - I think the coating time and customization took them off guard.  What do you consider more durable than E-series Cerakote?  Something like DLC?

[regor]

On 4/12/2023 at 1:07 PM, mreed911 said:

Delivery timelines stretching are a problem for them now - I think the coating time and customization took them off guard.  What do you consider more durable than E-series Cerakote?  Something like DLC?

Yes, any PVD coating. Cerakote is going to show wear very quickly. 

[Norther]

These have a one piece aluminum frame, if I’m not mistaken. 
 

I wonder how well those rails will hold up to high round count. My sole aluminum 1911 got pretty loose pretty fast. 

[Racinready300ex]

I'm wondering how well these will hold up to competition use. I know Cerakote wears pretty quickly. And if the frame is aluminum, and the cerakote wears off you'll just have a steel slide rubbing a aluminum frame. Won't that show wear pretty fast? I think most aluminum framed guns have a much harder finish on them. 

 

It'll be interesting to see how these things make out.  

[mreed911]

3 minutes ago, Racinready300ex said:

I'm wondering how well these will hold up to competition use. I know Cerakote wears pretty quickly. And if the frame is aluminum, and the cerakote wears off you'll just have a steel slide rubbing a aluminum frame. Won't that show wear pretty fast? I think most aluminum framed guns have a much harder finish on them. 

 

It'll be interesting to see how these things make out.  

 

We'll see, and they have a lifetime warranty.

[Acespeedy]

I just started looking into them, they look pretty promising.  Have you shot any groups with it? 

[Maximis228]

I ran a cerakoted 2011 from Don at Venom for many years. I made GM with one actually. It does not hold the gun back at all. Excessive recoating can cause issues long term (Blasting and recoating over and over can cause unneeded wear), but Ive shot open guns up to 70-80K with Cerakote without issue. 

[Racinready300ex]

9 minutes ago, Maximis228 said:

I ran a cerakoted 2011 from Don at Venom for many years. I made GM with one actually. It does not hold the gun back at all. Excessive recoating can cause issues long term (Blasting and recoating over and over can cause unneeded wear), but Ive shot open guns up to 70-80K with Cerakote without issue. 

 

Was that a aluminum frame gun? I have a few steel handguns that are ceakoted but haven't done aluminum. 

[mreed911]

13 minutes ago, Acespeedy said:

I just started looking into them, they look pretty promising.  Have you shot any groups with it? 

 

Only on sighting in.  Was adjusting the dot, shooting groups, etc.  Then shot Roundabout yesterday at the end of a Steel Challenge match to verify zero (didn't compete with it).

 

Yes, there are pasters on this.  Those are previous groups.  This was 10 shots at 10 yards at a moderate rate of fire (not benchrest, not stormtrooper-blasting).  Enough to make the final change to the dot and get final zero,

[Maximis228]

1 hour ago, Racinready300ex said:

 

Was that a aluminum frame gun? I have a few steel handguns that are ceakoted but haven't done aluminum. 

Mine were on steel frames. Aluminum will 100% wear faster, so maybe dont recoat it at all unless you need to.

 

Im under the impression these guys are planning to go with a steel frame moving forward. No idea if this is true, but the story I heard was they were a 80% lower company that needed to pivot after changes in legislation. This was the route they went and only had tooling for aluminum at the start. Take all the grains of salt with that as it is from the grapevine. 

[MikeBurgess]

I wonder if they are having Caspian make the frames for them or did they just copy their style?

Other than taking a GLOCK mag I would have identified that as a Caspian DS frame, if it is I wonder if the EGW Caspian magwell would fit on it, also alumagrips makes grip panels for Caspian DS. 

[mreed911]

5 minutes ago, MikeBurgess said:

I wonder if they are having Caspian make the frames for them or did they just copy their style?

Other than taking a GLOCK mag I would have identified that as a Caspian DS frame, if it is I wonder if the EGW Caspian magwell would fit on it, also alumagrips makes grip panels for Caspian DS. 

 

Stealth?  They make their own frames.  They got started in the 80% game and make custom 1911's too.

[Arakisk]

How is the recoil impulse on a gun like this with an aluminum frame and bushing barrel?

[mreed911]

23 hours ago, Arakisk said:

How is the recoil impulse on a gun like this with an aluminum frame and bushing barrel?

 

Not bad at all.  I have a TLR-1 hanging off the front and used a Wolff pack to determine it likes a 10# spring.  I also run EGW shock buffers.

 

It does require good grip, though.  I learned that the hard way today.  Went from six alpha on one target to not six alpha on the other after a reload where my grip shifted.

Edited May 8, 2023 by mreed911

[SwedishMoose]

Great write up. I've been looking at them hard the past few weeks but now even moreso. 

 

I'm assuming the mag release isn't metal?

[mreed911]

Mag release is metal.

[SwedishMoose]

Is there any concern over wearing the magazines down over time as a result?

[mreed911]

With $20 Glock mags?  No.

[Npoulson]

Keep us updated on performance and woes

i really am considering one of these for carry due to the price and the fact it uses glock mags

id get two if they are good

[mreed911]

2 hours ago, Npoulson said:

Keep us updated on performance and woes

i really am considering one of these for carry due to the price and the fact it uses glock mags

id get two if they are good

 

So far, the gun runs great.  Closing in on 1500 rounds in.  I'm still learning the gun after shooting Glocks for years.

 

I'm using my Prodigy as a backup LO gun, and if I needed it I'd use my CO Glock as a backup in LO as well.

 

Very, very pleased with the Platypus.