LAR Grizzly: A 1911 on .45 Winchester Magnum Steroids

Published on August 24, 2017
Duration: 11:48

The LAR Grizzly Mark I is a significantly oversized 1911-style pistol chambered in .45 Winchester Magnum, designed for handgun hunting and metallic silhouette competition. Despite its massive size, many internal 1911 parts are interchangeable. Later models offered calibers like .44 Magnum and .50 Action Express. Production ceased in 1998 due to rising insurance costs.

Quick Summary

The LAR Grizzly Mark I is a large-frame, 1911-style semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 Winchester Magnum. Designed for handgun hunting and competition, it features interchangeable 1911 small parts. Production ran from 1983 to 1998, ending due to rising insurance costs.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the LAR Grizzly Mark I
  2. 00:53Target Markets and Use Cases
  3. 02:15Design Origins and Ballistics
  4. 03:55Size Comparison and Part Compatibility
  5. 05:46Grizzly Models and Caliber Variants
  6. 08:20Handling Characteristics and Performance
  7. 09:47End of Production and Scarce Parts

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the LAR Grizzly pistol designed for?

The LAR Grizzly was primarily designed for handgun hunting of large game, metallic silhouette competition requiring long-range accuracy and power, and for enthusiasts who desired an exceptionally large and powerful handgun.

What caliber is the LAR Grizzly Mark I chambered in?

The LAR Grizzly Mark I is chambered in the potent .45 Winchester Magnum cartridge. Later variants, like the Mark IV and Mark V, were offered in .44 Magnum and .50 Action Express, respectively.

Are LAR Grizzly parts interchangeable with standard 1911 parts?

Remarkably, many small internal parts of the LAR Grizzly, such as the magazine release, grip safety, and fire control components, are interchangeable with standard Colt 1911 parts, despite the pistol's significantly larger overall dimensions.

Why did production of the LAR Grizzly cease?

Production of the LAR Grizzly ended in 1998. The primary reason cited was the escalating cost of liability insurance for handgun manufacturers in the United States, making continued production financially unviable.

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