The 2011 market has exploded with talent. Shoot any polymer frame gun side by side against a 2011, and you'll immediately understand why. When built right, they are reliable, have good capacity, less felt recoil, and are built off the popular 1911 design. Mix a high-quality 2011 with good ammunition, and you'll have a workhorse that's hard to beat.
About Legion Precision
A custom 2011 builder you should be aware of — if you aren't already — is Legion Precision Weapon Systems. The company has served the military, law enforcement, and civilian markets for years providing general gunsmithing services, Cerakote, CNC machining, and full 2011 gun builds.
What LPWS does differently than any 2011 manufacturer is announcing a "drop" of five pistols on a specific date, themed with a specific Cerakote design. These pistols have about a 5-month lead time from the order date. If you've ever ordered a 2011, this is a blink of an eye compared to others. These variants are anything but ordinary — in my opinion, works of art.
Note from LPWS: The Chiraq reviewed here is one of our limited drop variants. Five guns per variant. Once they're gone, they're gone. Check our current builds for what's available now.
The Chiraq at First Sight
When I picked up the gun from my FFL, he opened the box and thought I had lost my mind. All he could see was pink. My honest initial reaction was how cool the gun looked from a custom 2011 standpoint. I've seen the artwork of Infinity Firearms and the Cerakote jobs Nighthawk Custom can do — this is no different. Even though pink is not my color, this badass pistol design speaks volumes about what LPWS can make a reality.
Features That Matter
Slide & Grip Texture
When it comes to 2011s, grip texture is everything. The Cheely Custom Gunworks E2 grip on this gun is one of my favorite grips on the market. The Cerakote work is flawless, and the texture is aggressive without destroying your hand.
The tri-top slide is texturized where it matters. The slide on the LPWS is so light and smooth it's easy to rack using the front serrations — the preferred method on a 2011. This texture is strategically placed to aid with that process.
Optics Cut with Co-Witness Iron Sights
The LPWS Chiraq comes outfitted with a Trijicon SRO red dot and suppressor height night sights. The Trijicon adapter plate fits the RMR, SRO, and Holosun 407c or 507c models. Every handgun should be optic-ready today — this one is.
The Trijicon SRO is one of the best competitive pistol red dot optics ever made. Its giant window makes it ideal for competitive shooters who need fast target acquisition. It comes in 1 MOA, 2.5 MOA, and 5 MOA options with eight brightness settings including night vision modes.
Flat Competition Trigger
The Red Dirt F5 flat trigger installed in the LPWS Chiraq is one of my favorite triggers on the market. Lightyears better than stock triggers on other platforms. Red Dirt Triggers are designed to fit Staccato pistols, the Prodigy, and many other 2011 pistols. The F5 version is for trigger fingers measuring 3.5 inches and longer.
Range Test: Ported Barrel
The difference between a non-ported and ported barrel is astronomical. The LPWS Chiraq has a 3-port system that redirects gas upward to push the gun downward — better recoil control, increased accuracy, slightly decreased barrel velocity.
Shooting doubles and Bill drills with this pistol is a true pleasure. I can almost guarantee all skill levels can achieve great results. If you ever compete in 3 Gun, 2 Gun, or Open Division USPSA, this pistol will give you every competitive advantage you need.
I Tried to Make It Fail
I threw the book at this pistol. Cheapest and oldest ammunition I had — FMJs, hollow points, Federal Syntech flat-nosed bullets. Varying overall lengths to test feeding. Zero malfunctions. I was genuinely surprised by how little difference there was between ammunition types.
Even with the ported barrel, my lowest power factor was 135 with 115-grain 9mm running 1180 fps. The USPSA minimum is 125. You're well above the threshold.
Accuracy & Velocity
Average of five rounds chronographed using a LabRadar. Groups at 15 yards.
| Ammunition | Velocity (Avg 5 rounds) | Accuracy (Best 5-shot group) |
|---|---|---|
| Super Vel 147gr FMJ | 945 FPS | 0.5 inches at 15 yards |
| Fiocchi 124gr FMJ | 1,102 FPS | 0.5 inches at 15 yards |
| Turan 115gr FMJ | 1,180 FPS | 0.7 inches at 15 yards |
LPWS Chiraq 2011 Specs
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Barrel | KKM Bull Barrel, 5" Government Length (4.25" options available) |
| Trigger | Red Dirt F5 Flat Trigger — 2 to 2.5 pound pull |
| Slide | LPWS Tri Top Slide (hand blended) with Chiraq cut, 3-port ported system |
| Frame | LPWS Frame, 416 Stainless Steel (hand blended) |
| Grip | Cheely Custom Gunworks E2 Aluminum Grip |
| Cerakote | Depends on variant/model |
| Sights | Trijicon SRO 1 MOA red dot + suppressor height night sights with Trijicon mounting plate |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs with optic, no light |
| MSRP | $3,999.98 – $4,999.98 |
| Magazines | Atlas 17-round and Atlas 26-round magazines (Note: As of June 2024, LPWS has moved from STI/Staccato to Atlas magazines for all builds) |
Included Features
- 8-pound guide rod spring (15-lb for 4.25" barrel)
- Non-functional grip safety
- Ambidextrous guarded safeties
- Lightened hammer
- Flush cut, hand-blended barrel with 45° deep crown
- Double undercut trigger guard
- Heavy-duty extractor
- One Atlas 17-round magazine
- One Atlas 26-round magazine
- Light rail compatible
The LPWS Verdict
LPWS is one of the most underrated 2011 manufacturers out there. The company is doing unique builds that aren't just beautiful — they're functional. From the Candyland editions to battle-worn and camouflage designs, LPWS makes it look easy to have a custom gun that fits every person.
With just five guns of each variant made, you can be almost like an art collector — but with custom firearms that shoot. Pictures don't do them justice.