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Similarly to how the "SAS II TAC 4.25" model nomenclature was shorted to the EDC for the aluminum option and TAC for the steel option, BUL Armory took advantage of some updates to also simplify the naming of their compact doublestack 1911 from the "SAS II UL 3.25" to "Ultralight". We first got a peek at this new model at the IWA Outdoor Classics show in Nuremburg, Germany, but had to wait for availability in the US.
What Is It? The BUL Armory Ultralight is a compact doublestack 1911 for concealed carry. This new model is an evolution of the SAS II UL 3.25 that I carried all summer long and used at the Guardian Conference. A shorter 3.25" barrel and slightly-shorter stock makes the pistol easier to conceal while still providing more muzzle energy and capacity than most micro compacts. Weight-saving materials and construction techniques have been applied so that while the Ultralight provides 1911 handling, it does not feel like a 1911 boat anchor while carrying.
Who's It For? Have you ever wanted the predictable trigger of a 1911, but higher capacity and less weight? The BUL Armory Ultralight fits that bill. Given BUL Armory's competition pedigree, this is not your basic "import" 1911. The fitment and trigger show expertise in BUL Armory's craft, but that also means I recommend this pistol for the more-serious shooter who has had good training and understands that quality 1911s have a higher maintenance schedule than your standard striker-fired plastic gun. If you've taken the time to gain some skills, the Ultralight will reward you with performance you're unlikely to find in other carry guns.
What's New? Like so many of BUL Armory's pistols, the older SAS II UL 3.25 model was hard to get ahold of (more on that at the end), but if you're curious about differences there have been a few changes made:
New recoil assembly (see in tabletop video)
Enhanced grip traction and slight change to grip geometry to more closely match the full-size guns.
A slight weight change (0.6oz increase) to further enhance weight balance and recoil control.
Silver accent parts replaced with black PVD parts.
BAO optics plate system integration.
Included magazine well option.
Take a Look at the BUL Armory Ultralight and what all comes in the box in the tabletop video HERE. (After the recent attack by YouTube on journalism Rumble links are now used on this site.)
Specifications:
USA MSRP:1750$ direct from BUL Armory USA
Platform: SAS2
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.25” Bull barrel
Frame: Aluminium
Grip: Compact
Optic system: BAO Micro (Holosun K / RMSc)
Sights: Adjustable rear / Fiber optic front
Capacity: 16+1 (three magazines included)
Trigger weight: 3.0-3.5lbs
Finish: Black (PVD) & Black anodize
Weight (unloaded): 670g / 23.6oz
Optional magazine well included
I was already a fan of the previous version. When first handling it I expected such a light and short-barreled pistol to be a handful on the range, but was so pleasantly surpirsed I not only began using the gun as a summer carry pistol, but also used it in training courses, a testament to how controllable it was. My only complaint about the older version was that while the grip's traction meant it wouldn't shred my belly during carry, it also didn't provide the best traction with sweaty hands. Is that fixed with the new version?
To find out, and also to avoid personal bias influencing the review the GBGuns range protocol was applied including:
Cold Shots: Truly the first rounds through the gun. No warm up, no practice.
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.
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
70gr Federal American Eagle Lead Free $32.99 / 50 direct from Federal
110gr Koenig JHP $49.69 / 50 at Optics Planet
115gr Hornady American Gunner $20.99 / 25 at KYGunCo
115gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $39.99 / 50 direct from Sig
124gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $44.99 / 50 direct from Sig
124gr Federal Premium Tactical HST $39.99 / 50 at Target Sports USA
130gr Federal Syntech PCC $29.99 / 50 direct from Federal
147gr Sig Elite Defense V-Crown $44.99 / 50 direct from Sig
147gr Fiocchi Defense Dynamics JHP $20.36 / 50 at Global Ordnance
165gr AMMO, Inc Stleth FMJ $26.21 / 50 at KYGunCo
Range Ammo Magtech 115gr FMJ $234 / 1000 at TrueShot
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 our shooting experience and time for us to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
See how the BUL Armory Ultralight fared in the Shooting Impressions video:
Ammunition seen in our Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared.
On the Range I faced some decent rain that really tested what traction is like on the new grip of the BUL Armory Ultralight. Impressively, I had no challenge controlling the lightweight and compact pistol. The rear sight wasn't adjusted from the factory which lead to some missing until I realized on paper that it was off. A few easy turns with a screwdriver and we got to really see how accurate the little gun can be.
The new grip certainly enhanced traction and shootability with probably the easiest follow up shots I've taken with a barrel this short. The new grip does also slightly change the geometry of the grip which had the web of my hand butting up against the abbreviated beaver tail in a less-than-ideal way, but that's how my hand fit the gun on that one day and it wasn't uncomfortable enough to make me not want to shoot more.
Overall, it is my opinion that the new BUL Armory's Ultralight has taken a previous favorite of mine and made it even better. If there was one thing I'd change it would be a wider/rounder beaver tail purley to fit my hands better. Otherwise this is an excellent pistol.
How Can You Get One? BUL Armory does not sell through classic distribution. If you want one you'll need to order directly through their website. The US is not the only market they sell to and competition guns for IPSC shooters across the globe is their main market, so don't be surprised if you see "out of stock" on a model you want. Sign up for the in-stock notification and be ready to purchase within an hour of receiving that email. BUL Armory shipments have historically sold out within hours of availability despite new shipments coming in every couple of weeks.
These are hand-fit guns by skilled smiths. BUL Armory refuses to cut corners in order to keep up with demand so we consumers just have to be more aggressive.
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