My First Firearm/Pistol on a Budget: ARMSCOR 1911 Compact CS PS in .45ACP (Officer's Model)

In my last posts, I had was looking at 2 types/models of handguns that I would most likely buy as my all around self-defense pistol on a budget. I initially wanted to get a commander (mid-sized) 1911 but due to budget constraints I thought of getting a revolver in .38 special instead, may it be a snub nose or a with a 4 inch barrel. So last November of 2013 I went to the 21st Defense And Sporting Arms Show Part II at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City to finally choose my first ever firearm. Though I was still not sure what particular firearm I would get. It could be a revolver in .38 special, a commander 1911 in 9mm or a 1911 GI in .45ACP but one thing was for sure, my first firearm would be an ARMSCOR. So I went to the booth of ARMSCOR/Squires Bingham and while checking the pistols and other firearms that they were offering at the gun show, I saw a 1911 CS PS both in 9mm and .45ACP which is the compact or officer's version of the 1911 and it was on sale for roughly 45% off! The original price of the pistol was Php25,300 (USD625) but they were now selling it for a promo price of Php14,000 (USD350)! Bargain right? So I ask the sales person in the booth why they were selling the firearm for that low price. I was told that it was because those pistols had some cosmetic damage that it did not pass the Quality Control of the company but the gun's function was 100% okay. Trusting the word of the sales person and the company he represents, I ordered that model.

ARMSCOR 1911 Compact CS PS

This was the actual photo that I took at the ARMSCOR/Squires Bingham booth.

Aside from the CS PS model, they were also selling other CS/compact variants in 9mm and .45 auto at the same price and even lower. The CS Tactical, with the standard slide serrations was also for Php14,000 and the CS GI with the standard serrations, GI sights and GI trigger was being sold for Php13,000 all chambered in both 9mm and .45ACP. I'm sure a lot of folks who were also in a small budget like me took advantage of the sale.

I wanted to get the ARMSCOR 1911 CS PS (compact) in .45ACP with two 7-round magazines included. Since I didn't have enough money yet, I settled for a downpayment of Php10,000 (USD250) so that I could reserve one and have the firearm license processed. That's right, most gun shops would have a lay-away promo during gun shows to attract more sales. Good thing is that the new IRR for RA 10591 (New gun law here in the Philippines) was not yet in effect so it was still easy to get a firearm license, and another good thing with ARMSCOR and Squires Bingham is that they will process the license application on your behalf, you just had to submit the complete set of documents that they would need including your pictures. (Yes, it is that hard to get a firearm here in the Philippines.)

The firearm license card was mailed to me in the latter part of January which means that the firearm was ready for pick-up at the Squires Bingham shop in Quezon City. But unfortunately, I did not have enough cash yet and I didn't want to borrow money just to pay for the firearm. I still had a balance of Php10,500 for me to get the firearm. And since I already had the license to own the firearm, the unit is just sitting in their warehouse waiting for me. Haha!

The PNP Firearm License Card

Well, I'm just excited to tell you about the pistol that is why I posted this entry even if I didn't have it yet. I'm hoping that I would have saved enough buy the end of March or mid April to pick-up the pistol. I've got bills that I need to pay you know. Anyway, I will certainly update you on the quality and show you some photos and talk about the specs of the firearm once I already have it.

For comparison

Left: ARMSCOR 1911 CS PS (Officer)

RIGHT: ARMSCOR 1911 MS PS (Commander)

Until then, it's best to have some preparedness measures done than non at all..