Bersa M2XI
- Graham Baates
- Jul 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 3
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At SHOT 2025 show we covered Bersa's expansion into US manufacturing, including the B1911 which really impressed me. There was also talk of a doublestack 1911, the cleverly-named M2XI which is finally here. Pricing slightly above the varying-quality imports, but below some other American-made options has me curious to see how the Bersa M2XI performs.
What is it? The Bersa M2XI is a steel-framed, full-length American-made doublestack 1911 that comes optics ready and accepts the common "2011" pattern of magazine now being made by more magazine makers.
Who's it For? As a 5" steel-framed gun, the Bersa M2XI is best suited as a competition or range gun. While some may find it suitable for carry, especially with the front night sight, I mention competition or range because that is where the full advantage of a bull barrel, full-length dust cover and steel frame can be most enjoyed. This nose weight, in combination with the full-length guide rod and lightened slide, should make for a very flat-shooting pistol.
Another doublestack 1911? Yes, and there are more coming to GBGuns. I realize that it may be getting confusing, so I'll start the Bersa M2XI with a breakdown of features and my thoughts in a simplified format to help you identify what differentiates one from another.
5" 9mm: Extra muzzle energy on target, slower-moving slide for gentler recoil impulse, longer sight radius for those who use iron sights.
Full-length dust cover: This add more non-reciprocating mass at the end of the gun and counters muzzle flip.
Bull Barrel: Further shifts the weight balance to the non-reciprocating side for smoother recoil impulse.
Full-length guide rod: Another trick for weight distribution.
Steel Frame: Another attribute for weight. The more the non-moving part weighs in relation to moving parts the softer the recoil.
Weight reduction at the front of the slide: This can also help reduce muzzle rise and dip.
Extended Slide Release: One complaint many shooters have about 1911s and doublestack 1911s is not being able to reach the slide release with their firing hand thumb. Forgotten wisdom is to release the slide with your support side thumb when inserting a magazine, but the Bersa M2XI has an extended release lever that many shooters should be able to reach with their firing hand.
Take a Look at the Bersa M2XI and what all is included in the box in the tabletop video below. Rumble Link
Specifications:
SKU: M2XIO5BBFN
Color: Matte Stainless (also available in black)
Barrel Length: 5 in
Action: SAO
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 18/23+1
Frame Material: 416 Stainless Steel
Frame Size: Full Size
Optics Cut: Holosun K Series
Front Sight: Tritium Night Sight
Rear Sight: Standard Iron Sights
Safety: Ambi Manual Safety
Series: M2XI Double Stack 9mm
Weight: 30 oz
Slide: 416 Stainless Steel
Model: M2XI Stainless
Finishes: Brushed Stainless
MSRP: $1,479
Prices around the web as of 23JUL25
Click links for current pricing and inventory
Eager to get to the range, and curious about the included MecGar magazines (I know the brand well, but had never tried their doublestack 1911 magazines) I opted to shoot the gun as it comes out of the box to enjoy that Night Fision front sight and be fair to viewers. Keeping things fair for the gun, I of course had to follow the GBGuns Range Protocol:
Cold Shots: Truly my first shots through the Tisas PX-9 Duty Comp.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
Multi-Mag: While "2011" pattern of gun has been around for a long time, it's only recently that more-affordable magazines have become available. A sampling of Checkmate, DuraMag, and the included MecGar magazines are to be tested for fitment and function in the Bersa M2XI.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
95gr Magtech JSP $21.85 / 50 at Widener's
100gr Federal BallistiClean Frangible (no longer listed by Federal)
100gr Blazer Reduced Recoil $17.89 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory
115gr Sig 365 JHP $19.99 / 20 direct from Sig
124gr Hornady American Gunner $22.85 / 25 from Widener's
124gr Federal Premium HST $39.95 / 50 from Widener's
124gr PMC SFX JHP $24.85 / 50 from Widener's
135gr Hornady Critical Duty $29.85 / 25 from Widener's
147gr Winchester Defense JHP $25.85 / 50 at Widener's
165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $21.25 / 50 at Target Sports
Standard range ammunition was Winchester Target & Practice 115gr $11.50 / 50 at Target Sports USA
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12 yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of the shooting experience and time for to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
See the process yourself from my very first shot as I explore the Bersa M2XI in the shooting impressions video below. Rumble Link.
On the Range I had two challenges with the Bersa M2XI, both both can be easily dismissed. My eyes refused to focus on the front sight, and just once, early one and before proper break in, the slide didn't go fully into battery. I'm not concerned about the slide as that is to be expected on a new tightly-fit 1911. My vision is a personal matter that the gun can't be blamed for. Aside from that everything rang great.
I've been mentioning a lot lately my renewed appreciation for the comparatively slow rocking feeling of the recoil impulse a 5" 9mm like the Bersa M2XI creates. Everything feels slower. Of course a shooter can still shoot quickly, but the recoil impulse is more of a soft ride than a jarring snap. The nose weight of this gun adds to that, and the texture of the grip permits for all-day comfrot though some may want something more aggressive.
The Bersa M2XI is just plain easy to shoot. Comfortable in hand, soft-recoiling, even controls are easier thanks to the new-to-1911/smaller-hand friendly extended slide release that I had to remind myself to take advantage of.
When I bought this gun I was curious to see where it lies among the competitions. Being US-made and affordably-priced could have meant a variety of things. After spending the day with the M2XI I think Bersa has created a "sleeper". This is a pistol that is not likely to get noticed much, or possibly ignored by those who dismiss the brand name, but they will be mistaken for not jumping on a chance to get something that is not only affordable compared to the competition, but out performs much of hte competition too.
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