Auto-Ordnance has shipped the USA 250th Anniversary 1911, a commemorative edition of its classic stainless platform built to mark the nation's semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026. The Firearm Blog covered the release on May 18. The pistol carries an MSRP of $1,494 and is available through authorized Auto-Ordnance dealers.

The USA 250th Anniversary 1911, model 1911TCAC19, is chambered in .45 ACP on Auto-Ordnance's standard single-action-only platform with a five-inch barrel. The finish distinguishes this edition from the company's standard production: the slide is finished in matte gray with copper-colored infill used to highlight the engraved inscriptions on both sides. The left side carries "250th ANNIVERSARY" and the year 2026; the right side reads "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" with the founding year 1776. Controls are finished in black against the gray receiver. The grip panels are custom-engraved walnut depicting the Liberty Bell on the left grip and a bald eagle on the right, both set against a field of stars. Overall length is 8.63 inches and the pistol weighs 2.3 pounds. Sights are TruGlo Combat Day units and capacity is seven rounds.

Auto-Ordnance, a Kahr Firearms Group brand and the original manufacturer of the Thompson submachine gun, has been producing 250th anniversary commemorative editions tied to each of the U.S. military service branches throughout 2025 and into 2026 — including matched Thompson-and-1911 sets for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps milestones. The USA 250th Anniversary 1911 is the civilian-centric capstone of that series, timed specifically to the national birthday on July 4, 2026, when the United States turns 250.

At $1,494, the USA 250th Anniversary 1911 positions well above the standard Auto-Ordnance 1911A1. The premium reflects the custom engraving, the commemorative finish work, and the presentation packaging applied across the broader anniversary series. Secondary market values on comparable commemorative 1911s have historically held above retail when the pistols remain unfired, giving the model appeal to collectors alongside buyers who simply want a keepsake that will outlast the day. Guns.com and other retail outlets have begun listing the model, and dealer inventory is moving steadily ahead of the holiday.

Auto-Ordnance has not announced a production run figure for the USA 250th Anniversary 1911. Buyers who want one before the July 4 celebration should confirm availability with their dealer now; demand for the broader anniversary series has been steady through the first half of 2026, and stock across the branch-specific sets moved quickly when each was released.