OA Defense just announced the OA 2311 Compact Pro Elite at SHOT Show 2026. They took the full-size Pro Elite and built a compact version with the same all-metal grip treatment. You can also get it with a ported or standard barrel.
This one caught my attention because it’s a feature-rich match pistol in a compact package you can actually compete with. It should run well in Carry Optics or Actual Carry Pistol divisions, and it gives you a legitimate dual-purpose setup where the same gun handles both carry and competition duties.
The OA 2311 lineup now includes the base 2311, Compact, Pro, Compact Pro, Pro Elite (full-size), and now the Compact Pro Elite. The gap in the lineup was obvious. Shooters wanted the Elite treatment in a carry-size gun.
Heather Eckhardt, OA Defense’s National Vice President of Business Development, introduced the pistol at booth 701438: “Everybody knows our Pro Elite full size, now we have the compact version. And it’s available in two different models. So whether you want to go with a ported barrel or a standard barrel, we’ve got the option for you. It’s got that nice aluminum aggressive textured grip and you’ve got your thumb rest on either side of the gun.”
The difference between this and the standard Compact Pro comes down to the grip. The regular Pro models use a polymer grip with less aggressive texturing. The Elite version has a CNC-machined 7075 aluminum grip with much grippier texture and interchangeable thumb ledges.
OA Defense hasn’t published final specifications yet. Based on the Compact Pro platform, here’s what we can reasonably expect:
Caliber: 9x19mm
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Overall Length: Around 7.75 inches
Height: Around 5.10 inches
Width: Around 1.40 inches (may vary slightly with the aluminum grip)
Capacity: 15+1, or 17+1 with Plus Kit, using P320-pattern magazines
Trigger Weight: 3.5-4.0 lbs (Pro-tuned trigger)
The aluminum grip will add weight over the polymer Compact Pro, which runs 25 oz unloaded. The full-size Pro Elite with aluminum grip weighs 33 oz. The Compact Pro Elite will land somewhere between those numbers.
No MSRP was announced. The full-size Pro Elite runs $3,149 ($3,299 in High Desert finish). The standard Compact Pro ranges from $2,349 to $2,549. I’d guess the Compact Pro Elite falls in the $2,700 to $3,000 range.
For shooters unfamiliar with OA Defense, the 2311 platform combines a double-stack 1911-style manual of arms with modern features. They position it as having “race gun DNA” with duty reliability.
Platform features across the 2311 line:
P320-pattern magazines (uses SIG/Magpul AMAG mags)
Fully ambidextrous controls including a patented right-side slide stop
External extractor requiring less tuning than traditional 1911 designs
Modular grip and magwell options
Linkless, bushing-free barrel system for tool-free takedown
Optic-ready slides with multiple mounting plates included
Night Fision tritium sights standard
The P320 magazine compatibility matters. Unlike some double-stack 1911/2011 platforms that use proprietary magazines, you’re buying into an ecosystem with readily available, reasonably priced options from SIG and Magpul. Competition shooters who need multiple mags in rotation will appreciate that.
Some context on where the company stands helps frame this release.
OA Defense recently moved to a new 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Robbins, North Carolina. They expanded machining and assembly capacity, added an on-site test range, and positioned themselves closer to military special operations communities and a skilled regional workforce.
They’ve also added notable industry talent across operations, product development, and business strategy.
Chris Moore, the new CEO, served 29 years in the U.S. Army including 12 years with the 75th Ranger Regiment and positions within USASOC and JSOC at Fort Bragg. That operational background shapes how they approach the “duty reliability” side of the 2311 platform.
Johnny Moffitt, Director of Product Development, combines over 20 years of Army Special Operations service with active competition in 3-Gun, 2-Gun, and multiple shooting disciplines. Having someone who actually competes driving product development tends to show in the final product.
Heather Eckhardt brings over 15 years of firearms industry experience with a competitive shooting background. Her dealer-focused approach to business development suggests OA Defense is serious about expanding distribution while maintaining quality standards.
Tony Pignato, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer, has over 20 years of Army service along with a track record of scaling firearms companies from startups to larger operations. He handles the business development and marketing strategy side, which becomes relevant as OA Defense pushes into broader market segments.
The combination of operational and competitive shooting experience on the team tends to produce well-thought-out firearms. Every 2311 is built domestically in their North Carolina facility.
The Compact Pro Elite fits several shooter profiles:
Competition shooters who also carry. If you run a full-size 2311 Pro Elite in competition and want a similar manual of arms and grip for everyday carry, this fills that role. Training with the same controls, trigger characteristics, and grip angle for both uses has obvious advantages.
PCSL Actual Carry Pistol division shooters. This is where my interest lands. The ACP division requires a gun you can legitimately conceal. A Compact Pro Elite with the aluminum grip and a good holster setup could be competitive while meeting the concealment requirement. More capacity than a single-stack, better ergonomics than most polymer compacts, and the precision of a 2311.
Serious defensive shooters willing to invest in a higher-end carry gun that shoots like a race gun while remaining concealable.
Shooters who already own a full-size Pro Elite and want commonality between their competition gun and carry gun.
And, finally – if you’re coming from the Sig P320 line, it’s an easy transition over to a 2311 with a familiar grip angle. You’ll have more mags than you know what to do with thanks to the compatibility.
Not every shooter needs a Compact Pro Elite.
Budget-conscious buyers should look elsewhere. This will be a $2,500+ pistol. Capable carry guns exist at half that price. The Compact Pro Elite is for shooters with specific reasons to pay the premium.
Shooters who don’t need the aluminum grip can save money with the standard Compact Pro. The Elite treatment adds weight (which helps manage recoil but increases carry burden) and better grip texture. If you plan to stipple the grip anyway or prefer lighter carry guns, the regular Compact Pro might serve you better.
If you need a gun right now, the established 2311 models are shipping. New product launches often mean wait times.
Shooters unfamiliar with 1911-platform controls should consider the training investment. The 2311 runs a thumb safety. If you’ve trained extensively on striker-fired guns without manual safeties, switching to a safety-equipped pistol for defensive use requires deliberate retraining.
I bought my OA 2311 Pro Elite full-size for competition last year. I flat out tracked one down from a dealer (with OA’s help in locating), and paid full retail because I needed an optics ready competition pistol for The Tactical Games and 3 Gun, and wanted to see what the platform was capable of.
The full-size Pro Elite has performed well. The trigger is clean. The aluminum grip provides solid purchase even when my hands are sweating through a 3-Gun match in July. The P320 magazine compatibility simplified my logistics. The weight helps manage recoil for faster splits. The optic mounting system works well with my Vortex Defender.
I haven’t shot the Compact Pro Elite yet. I can’t tell you how the shorter sight radius affects accuracy at distance, how the weight reduction changes recoil characteristics, or whether the ported barrel option is worth the trade-offs (if you’re not careful, it’ll put you in a different division).
This was a SHOT Show announcement, not a full product launch with comprehensive testing. Several things remain unanswered:
Final pricing was not announced.
Exact specifications including weight and precise dimensions haven’t been confirmed.
Package contents are unclear. The full-size Pro Elite I purchased shipped with a range bag, five magazines (mix of 21-round and 17-round), four slide plates, and Night Fision sights. We don’t know if the Compact Pro Elite matches this or adjusts for the smaller format.
Availability timeline was not provided.
Ported vs. standard barrel trade-offs need testing. The ported barrel should reduce muzzle rise but may increase muzzle blast with a minimal velocity reduction. How significant these differences are in the compact format remains to be seen.
The OA 2311 Compact Pro Elite brings the all-aluminum Elite treatment to a concealable size. For shooters already invested in the 2311 (or p320) ecosystem or looking for a higher-end carry option with competition features, it’s worth watching.
OA Defense’s facility expansion and new hires suggest they’re positioned for growth. The continued development of the 2311 platform shows commitment to their flagship product line.
We’ll follow up with a proper review once units ship and I can put rounds through one under match conditions. Until then, this is what we know from SHOT Show 2026: a new compact Elite variant, available in ported and standard configurations, with the aluminum grip treatment that distinguishes the Elite line.
Photo and Video coverage from SHOT Show 2026 provided by F5 Productions.
