I managed to find one of these rare gems unfired. I’m a big fan of Salient products, but their short lived 1911’s have proven difficult to find. They only offered them a year or two and that was over a decade ago. Unfortunately, they were the same price as a Wilson Combat Super Grade at the time (as in $4500 in 2013), so needless to say, they did not sell well at all. That’s certainly understandable, being an unknown 1911 and costing as much as some of the best on the market.

Now all these years later and finally finding one, I see why they were priced as they were. The build is very robust and very tight. The Red weighs in at 45oz empty. The fit and finish and overall quality and attention to detail is befitting a 1911 in the Red’s price range. The trigger is extremely crisp and at 1.5lbs, also extremely light. The reset is short, even by 1911 or 2011 standards. The TiN finished bull barrel offers a nice contrast to the black nitride slide and frame and black Alumigrips with the Salient logo.

The frame is undercut to allow a higher grip and, therefore, a lower bore axis. The front and back strap are finely checkered at what looks to be 30LPI. An ambi safety, magwell, and light rail are all standard features on the Red.

This is #13. I don’t know exactly how many Salient built, but I’m thinking well under 100. I’ve been collecting many, many years and have a lot of connections. This is the first one I came across.

Salient did brand a lot of Airsoft versions of this pistol, but very few real Reds exist. Being it’s unfired, I doubt I’ll shoot it. I barely have time to take all the guns I do shoot to the range as it is.

Anyway, I wanted to share some pictures.

Please enjoy…

I’m not usually a fan of TiN components, possibly because they are usually on pistols that are far too “over done” or gaudy but in this rare case I find that to be a very good looking gun.

I hear you on that. I like TiN barrels on black pistols only. I’m also not big on TiN small parts and accents. The barrel is enough for me.

Nice!

I had shopped for one of these as well, but couldn't find a hint of a RED for sale.

I did happen across a BLU. That is their Glock clone. I could immediately tell that it was way more than a 'fake Glock'.

Later I found a gentleman who had an extra BLU-C frame, a TiN barrel, and three trigger assemblies for about a grand.

For those that are unaware, the BLU (17) and BLU-C (19) are cast with an undercut, brass counterweight grip reduction,

revised grip angle and just about the closest tolerances I have ever seen using Glock architecture.

Every time it goes to the range, it starts off with 'lipstick on a pig' and ends with 'I want one'.

Congrats on finding a RED in such great condition!

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Nice!

I had shopped for one of these as well, but couldn't find a hint of a RED for sale.

I did happen across a BLU. That is their Glock clone. I could immediately tell that it was way more than a 'fake Glock'.

Later I found a gentleman who had an extra BLU-C frame, a TiN barrel, and three trigger assemblies for about a grand.

For those that are unaware, the BLU (17) and BLU-C (19) are cast with an undercut, brass counterweight grip reduction,

revised grip angle and just about the closest tolerances I have ever seen using Glock architecture.

Every time it goes to the range, it starts off with 'lipstick on a pig' and ends with 'I want one'.

Congrats on finding a RED in such great condition!

Thank you. I have handled a BLU and it’s a very nice pistol.

That's one of the very few Salient guns I've found rather attractive. How does this compare to the Wilsons and the Nighthawks?

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:
That's one of the very few Salient guns I've found rather attractive. How does this compare to the Wilsons and the Nighthawks?

Thanks Dan. It’s hard to find good data on the Red’s construction, but build quality appears outstanding. It’s tighter than any of my Nighthawks or Wilsons. It’s also heavier with a more robust feel to it. The trigger break is just as crisp and half the weight with a shorter reset. Fit and finish is every bit as good.

Honestly, it feels like a nicer 1911, in my opinion.

Now I shoot all my Nighthawks and Wilsons. This is different in that regard.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bac1023, April 12, 2025 11:06 AM

I usually don’t comment on your posts as your tastes are vastly different than mine, but that is a very nice looking 1911.

quote:

Originally posted by Oaklane:
I usually don’t comment on your posts as your tastes are vastly different than mine, but that is a very nice looking 1911.

Thank you sir. Glad you like it.

As for my tastes, I simply enjoy the finest, most collectable, and best shooting pistols. Some are clean and classy, some are brash and flashy, and some are pretty ugly, but they always follow that criteria.

I enjoy reading your posts and seeing pictures of the pistols you have in your collection. Unfortunately, here in Maryland, we are restricted in what we can buy; if the pistol is not listed on the Handgun Roster we aren't allowed to purchase it. I particularly admired your Redback pistol, but no go here in our nanny state. Keep posting your pistols...it's the nearest I'll get to many of them, unless I can talk my wife into moving to a more gun-friendly state (maybe when hell freezes over, and she's a shooter herself).

quote:

Originally posted by Just Plain Cliff:
I enjoy reading your posts and seeing pictures of the pistols you have in your collection. Unfortunately, here in Maryland, we are restricted in what we can buy; if the pistol is not listed on the Handgun Roster we aren't allowed to purchase it. I particularly admired your Redback pistol, but no go here in our nanny state. Keep posting your pistols...it's the nearest I'll get to many of them, unless I can talk my wife into moving to a more gun-friendly state (maybe when hell freezes over, and she's a shooter herself).

You have my sympathies. I travel to Jersey often and it makes me appreciate PA that much more.

The Redback is an amazing handgun.

Very nice pistol. As always, thanks for sharing. How does it compare to your Cabot 1911?

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
Very nice pistol. As always, thanks for sharing. How does it compare to your Cabot 1911?

It’s a good deal heavier than any of my Cabot 1911’s except the double stack Insurrection.

Hard to really compare them, but I take it over any of my Cabot models. It’s not that’s necessarily a nicer gun, because it isn’t. It’s just a lot cooler.