Reviews MAC 9 DS-D Comp: The “Turkkato” We Needed, Improved David Lane June 17, 2025 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Affectionately named one of the “Turkkatos” we need, the original MAC 9 was an impressive foray into the double-stack 1911 world. This new version has updated features, improved parts, and a whole lot of swagger. While the MAC 9 DS-D isn’t perfect, it’s a lot of gun for not a ton of money and only improves on a pistol that was already a really great buy.SPECS & FEATURESAction Type: Semi-Auto Operation: Single Action Caliber: 9MM Frame/Receiver – Slide Finish: QPQ Tenifer Sights: Fixed – Black Serrated Rear and Front Optics Ready/Cut: AOS Plate System Capacity (w/ Included Mags): 17+1 Barrel Length: 4.25″ Threaded: N/A Barrel Finish: QPQ Tenifer OAL: 7.6″ Height: 5.8″ Width: 1.5″ Weight: 2.06 lbs. MSRP: $1,160PROS Runs well, no failures Feature packed Budget price point Comp works great CONS AOS mounting screws are too short Grip isn’t perfectRed Team Armory$950Guns.com$1,050KYGunCo.com$1,100RANGE TIMEStart to finish, the MAC 9 DS-D has been flawless, except for one failure to feed with one specific and uncommon ammo brand that has given me an FTF with three other guns as well, so that’s on the ammo. The rest of the ammo was Sellier & Bellot 124gr provided by AmmunitionToGo.com. Huge thanks to them for the rounds!It wasn’t very long ago that the idea that a mass-manufactured 1911/2011 pistol working flawlessly out of the box was crazy-talk, but here we are. The first generation of MAC double-stack 1911s was equally impressive in terms of reliability, but substantial changes have been made with this second generation that really help improve the overall function of the pistols. The largest change was adopting the Agency Arms Optic System (AOS) for mounting optics to the pistol. More subtle changes that make a big difference include an extended magazine release, an extended slide release, and a redesigned hammer.The single-port comp is cut into the barrel and slide, so there is nothing extra to detach, and it doesn’t require a threaded barrel of any kind since the barrel is the comp. This style of comp is pretty common because it just works, and the MAC 9 DS-D is no exception. Granted, this 5” duty model is heavy and has a long slide, but the comp is still doing a lot of work to keep the recoil mitigated, so follow-up shots are extremely fast and precise. On the clock and going for speed, stacking rounds isn’t hard.PCSL, 2Gun-ACM, and a BRVO Tactical training class, this budget blaster has been smoking. AOS Optic PlateMaybe this is just a pet peeve of mine, but it feels like almost every firearm or firearm product I’ve touched in the last two years that has had issues has had an issue because of screws. Sadly, the MAC 9 DS-D wasn’t immune to this trend. The AOS plate mounts to the gun using two screws provided with the pistol. These screws suck.Problem? They are too short. There isn’t much thread engagement between the screw and the gun and this leads to the plate becoming loose every ~200-300 rounds or so. Even with fully cured blue Loctite, the screws still came loose. Looking around online, this isn’t a problem that was unique to me. While it looks like issues with the MAC 9 are not common, the problem that comes up the most is the AOS plate screws. Aftermarket screws are avaible, but what I used are screws that came with my Springfield Prodigy that also uses the AOS system. While it’s nice that I had these laying around, it’s pretty frustrating to know that Springfield was able to source good screws when MAC wasn’t. Hopefully, this will be solved ASAP.Using the Springfield Prodigy screws and no Loctite, the AOS plate has remained firmly in place for over 800 rounds.LEAD & STEEL PANDORA PB-3 V2Barely a year and a half ago, I reviewed the original Pandora, and since then, put at least 3,000 rounds down range using that red dot. It remains one of my favorite red dots and currently lives on my PSAK-102. This year, Lead & Steel released their updated version of the Pandora, and I’ve been excited to test it. Arriving just a few days after the MAC 9 DS-D Comp did, it was a perfect pairing. Quick background on the Pandora: designed in Ohio by Lead & Steel, this isn’t another white-label Chinese dot. Instead, this was designed from the ground up to be better than what is already out there, and in my book Lead & Steel has done it in a lot of ways. Enclosed red dot using the ACRO footprint with a 21x17mm window (30% larger than the ACRO P-2), IPX8 rated, 30,000+ hour runtime, AuraWake, lifetime warranty, and a lot more.Upgrades over the first generation include a more robust lens mounting, new 3/32 MOA dot/ring reticle, a beveled edge for easier reholstering, and so much more. Basically, the new version improves on everything from the already pretty great original version. The design changes are noticeable and are all improvements. After over 1,000 rounds, I can safely say this is an impressive optic. Ghost Plate RMR To ACRO MountLead & Steel didn’t settle for just designing a totally new optic, they also designed a new method of mounting it. One of the worst things about modern optics is how everything seems to have a different footprint. Plates on plates are never a great plan, but it’s what we end up having to do much of the time. But the Ghost Plate is different. Instead of adding more height over bore to an already tall system, the Ghost Plate fits snugly between the ACRO mounting of the PB-3 and the RMR mounting of the plate under it. Adding no extra height to the optic, the Ghost Plate is pretty awesome and allows the PB-3 to cleanly mount to almost any RMR optic cut. If you don’t have a direct-mounted ACRO cut on your pistol, and most of us don’t, this is a great way of mounting the PB-3. BRVO TACTICAL ACTIVE HOME DEFENSE CLASSNot satisfied with only testing the MAC 1911 DS-D Comp on the flat range, the Turkkato came with to the BRVO Tactical Active Home Defense class in Heber, Arizona. Taught by former Phoenix PD SWAT snipers, the class gave a great rundown of skills needed in case of a home invasion and what to do. 360 range at BRVO Tactical set up with shoot (white) and no-shoot targets (brown)CQB drills, room clearing, 360 range blind courses, this class had a taste of everything and helped all of the students be more prepaired to defend their castle.The MAC 9 DS-D Comp performed wonderfully during the entire weekend. About 300 rounds through it during the class with zero malfunctions or stoppages of any kind. Holster used for the class was the Safariland 6354RDSO. While Safariland doesn't offer a holster specifically for the MAC, this holster is technically the Staccato XC/Prodigy 5″ model, and it fits perfectly with the MAC. LESS COST, MORE VALUEFor the price, I don’t see any other double-stack 1911/2011 on the market that delivers as much value as the MAC 9 line of pistols. At the time of writing, the lowest I can find the MAC 9 DS-D is $806, but around $900 is more common. Personally, the only other “budget” 2011-style pistol that actually works is the Springfield Armory Prodigy, and the lowest price for a 5” Comp model (at time of writing) is $1,260. Both pistols use the AOS optic mounting. The Prodigy has a better grip, but the MAC 9 has an oversized magazine release, an extended slide release, and comes with a magazine well. Prodigy comes with one 17-round and one 20-round mag made by Duramag, while the MAC 9 comes with two Tisas-branded 17-round mags made by Check-Mate. Both OEMs for the magazines are well-known and make great magazines. In my book… the MAC 9 has more features I want and costs $300-450 less. But that doesn’t mean the MAC 9 was perfect. I still don’t love the grip and the short AOS screws are a big miss on MAC’s part. That said, the screws are an easy fix with aftermarket options and the grip isn’t bad. For long-term use, I would upgrade the MAC and Prodigy grips to MJD Villain.LOOSE ROUNDSI’m still not totally converted to the cult of 2011-style pistols, but the MAC 9 keeps bringing me back more than anything. Made to the quality standard that it works out of the box without worries, but still inexpensive enough that there is room to play with aftermarket upgrades if you choose to. That Goldilocks mix is rare these days, but MAC keeps hitting it.Red Team Armory$950Guns.com$1,050KYGunCo.com$1,100I plan to keep running this for at least another few thousand rounds, so check back for updates. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. 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