One of these is not like the others...
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I've only got 100 rounds through the Platypus, but pulled out some of my other 1911's to compare.
My Platypus is basically an $1800 double-stack 1911 with a $500 Cerakote paint job. It's inferior in fit/finish to the Wilsons (ACP and Experior) and Nighthawk (Talon 2) and Dan Wesson (PM9).
The Platypus is 1/3 the price of the more expensive Wilson and Nighthawk, so it's probably not fair to compare against them too much.
The Dan Wesson PM9 MSRP's for the same as the Platypus. At the same price point, the DW PM9 is stainless steel vs. carbon steel and aluminum on the Platypus. The Platypus has worse blending on the beaver tail/grip safety, thumb safeties and slide stop. The Platypus has better carry-blending than the DW on the slide.
Stealth Arms got barrel lock up tight, the slide-to-frame fit is tight and all the controls are positive and smooth.
My Platypus has the normal-prickle grip texture. This would probably be too aggressive against bare skin AIWB. The tool-cut metal serrations on the other 1911's give a better hold (except for the Wilson ACP which is horrible). The Platypus prickle grip is good enough for EDC. I would only get the less aggressive Platypus grip texture if you're carrying AIWB - it offers very poor hold.
The Platypus has the worst trigger. All these guns are in the 3-4 pound range, but only the Platypus has creep before the break. I like to shoot fast, so it really doesn't matter to me (I'm going to mash right through the creep), but if you like to stage the trigger, this is going to be an issue. Here, more money means more time spent fitting at the factory. Trigger feel gets better linearly amongst these five guns as price increases.
The Cerakote is Cerakote which means it's tracing paper delicate. The ejection port is already chipping, the magwell is scraped up and it's only been 100 rounds and I haven't even started stuffing it into a holster yet.
Shooting wise... I haven't shot these back-to-back. Comparing by memory, these guns are all about the same for the shooting I like to do (fast drills under 25 yards). More recoil with the aluminum frame and no shock-buff, the commanders point faster than the government. They are all solid guns and more similar than dis-similar. Like any well built 1911, shooting the Platypus is like the familiarity of shaking the hand of friend you haven't seen in a while.
Objectively, striker fired guns have improved so much. I can shoot my compensated Glock-45 better than any of my 1911's. It's not until the high-end 2011's that the hammer guns perform significantly better than the striker guns.
But the 1911 platform is an emotional thing for me. For example, I'll rack and dry fire the Nighthawk because it's just such an exceptionally well built gun with an exquisitely fitted trigger. Experiencing that level of machining is like enjoying a fine meal or feeling the warmth of the sun on a cold day.
The Platypus is in the colors I like, making it the most personalized of my 1911's. It's light because of the aluminum frame and after I confirm reliability with another 1,000 rounds, I'll carry it for my winter EDC.
My initial impression is that the Platypus build quality is in-line with it's base price. It's better built and finished than significantly cheaper guns. It cannot compare with more expensive guns. You are not getting Wilson/Nighthawk levels of fit/finish. The Platypus price increases as you add more colors and options. I think this is what you're paying for - extreme color customization (and Glock mags). It's a good shooter. It's a 1911.
I've only got 100 rounds through the Platypus, but pulled out some of my other 1911's to compare.
My Platypus is basically an $1800 double-stack 1911 with a $500 Cerakote paint job. It's inferior in fit/finish to the Wilsons (ACP and Experior) and Nighthawk (Talon 2) and Dan Wesson (PM9).
The Platypus is 1/3 the price of the more expensive Wilson and Nighthawk, so it's probably not fair to compare against them too much.
The Dan Wesson PM9 MSRP's for the same as the Platypus. At the same price point, the DW PM9 is stainless steel vs. carbon steel and aluminum on the Platypus. The Platypus has worse blending on the beaver tail/grip safety, thumb safeties and slide stop. The Platypus has better carry-blending than the DW on the slide.
Stealth Arms got barrel lock up tight, the slide-to-frame fit is tight and all the controls are positive and smooth.
My Platypus has the normal-prickle grip texture. This would probably be too aggressive against bare skin AIWB. The tool-cut metal serrations on the other 1911's give a better hold (except for the Wilson ACP which is horrible). The Platypus prickle grip is good enough for EDC. I would only get the less aggressive Platypus grip texture if you're carrying AIWB - it offers very poor hold.
The Platypus has the worst trigger. All these guns are in the 3-4 pound range, but only the Platypus has creep before the break. I like to shoot fast, so it really doesn't matter to me (I'm going to mash right through the creep), but if you like to stage the trigger, this is going to be an issue. Here, more money means more time spent fitting at the factory. Trigger feel gets better linearly amongst these five guns as price increases.
The Cerakote is Cerakote which means it's tracing paper delicate. The ejection port is already chipping, the magwell is scraped up and it's only been 100 rounds and I haven't even started stuffing it into a holster yet.
Shooting wise... I haven't shot these back-to-back. Comparing by memory, these guns are all about the same for the shooting I like to do (fast drills under 25 yards). More recoil with the aluminum frame and no shock-buff, the commanders point faster than the government. They are all solid guns and more similar than dis-similar. Like any well built 1911, shooting the Platypus is like the familiarity of shaking the hand of friend you haven't seen in a while.
Objectively, striker fired guns have improved so much. I can shoot my compensated Glock-45 better than any of my 1911's. It's not until the high-end 2011's that the hammer guns perform significantly better than the striker guns.
But the 1911 platform is an emotional thing for me. For example, I'll rack and dry fire the Nighthawk because it's just such an exceptionally well built gun with an exquisitely fitted trigger. Experiencing that level of machining is like enjoying a fine meal or feeling the warmth of the sun on a cold day.
The Platypus is in the colors I like, making it the most personalized of my 1911's. It's light because of the aluminum frame and after I confirm reliability with another 1,000 rounds, I'll carry it for my winter EDC.
My initial impression is that the Platypus build quality is in-line with it's base price. It's better built and finished than significantly cheaper guns. It cannot compare with more expensive guns. You are not getting Wilson/Nighthawk levels of fit/finish. The Platypus price increases as you add more colors and options. I think this is what you're paying for - extreme color customization (and Glock mags). It's a good shooter. It's a 1911.
