springfield 1911 any good? [just got it!]
 

I am toying with the idea of getting a 1911 for plinking.
Is the Springfield GI45 a good first 1911?
Are there any problems with a Springfield high capacity 1911?
The high capacity model is only about $70 more.

Thanks,

Chris

Chris,

In my experience they are not bad guns at all. For plinking you should find them satisfactory. They are not tack drivers, but neither were the original 1911 they copy. I've shot the 1911 and the hicap and never experienced a failure.

I'd recommend as a good first gun, a decent platform to build from if you go in that direction. You can always send it off to someone like Clark and have it accurized.

glen

I have one of the Springfield 1911A1s and it is a nice pistol. As "trigger643" stated, it is not a tack driver out of the box, but a military type pistol.

Another 1919A1 that cought my attention is the Rock Island. This pistol was/is for sale thru SARCO for just under $300. I bought one from a friend in unfired condition and was I impressed! For the money, it is one heck of a buy. The accuracy is equal to the US Military 1919A1. I also have read nothing but good reports on the pistol too. This is just another to consider for a plinking .45 ACP pistol. At least the price is decent enough for not having to worry about those scratches, and dings from using the pistol. Mine also shoots hollow points just fine, but I have heard that some don't like them that much. All this pistol needs out of the box is to clean it real good, lubricate and shoot. I did polish the feed ramp on mine for the heck of it to make sure the hollow points feed OK. Check it out on SARCO's website.

I was thinking about the Rock Island 1911 at SARCO, but I can get a new OD green Springfield GI45 for $417 at a local gun shop. This shop also has a new parkerized Springfield GI45 widebody for $495. The Springfields both have a lifetime warranty.

These all seem like excellent deals. I am leaning toward the widebody but I was wondering if anyone here had any idea if the double stacked 13 round magazine has any negative effect on the reliability of the gun. So far it appears as if there is no negative effect.

One of these days when visiting family in north Jersey I plan to visit SARCO.

Thanks,


Chris

I picked up an Auto Ordnance 1911 A1 for about $300, after I replaced the front sight, staked the rear sight, polished the slide, smoothed out the trigger, and polished the feed ramp, it is an absolute dream to shoot. At 20 yds the bullseye disappears within 5-7 rounds. It has more time camping/kayaking/canoeing, and stuck in my belt than any other gun I have. Has a thick park job so getting wet doesn't bother it at all. I'm heading out in about five hours on a backwater kayak trip, its packed with three magazines ready to go.

rk

There is no ill effect to the wide body frame. They are the basically the same gun. I just never could warm up to the way the grip felt. Too much trigger time with those old slab sides I shot in the service I guess. If it feels good in you hand and you want the extra rounds,go for it. You could do a lot worse than the Springfield line. All that I've tried have been good reliable guns.

I called SARCO this morning to find out how much a Rock Island 45 would be from them retail. After being transferred to four people I was told that the retail price was $398.00. That is more than $100 over their dealer price! I went back to my local gun shop today and bought the Springfield GI45 in olive drab green. For $417 I don't think I can beat it.

The widebody felt different in the hand, and after thinking about it some more it did not have the look and feel of an original 1911A1. I think the olive drab green really makes the gun.

Here she is

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/1911right.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/left_copy4.jpg

I just got this Colt 1911 commercial 45
 

made in 1914. Like Ron says "if its not made before 1918........." :evilgrin:
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...de_1914_ls.jpg http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...de_1914_rs.jpg

Hugh,

You bought a great looking gun! I was comparing my reproduction to your original and just from the photos it appears that Springfield did a good job of copying the original gun.

Mr. Browning knew his stuff. In the end I am glad that I bought something that closely matches his original design without any of the newer bells and whistles.

Chris

1911forum.com
 

Chris,

You'll find just about as many enthusiasts over at www.1911forum.com

sections broken down by the wide variations and manufacturers, here's a thread on the new Springfield WWII http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=97065

You'll probably even see some familiar names over there.

Enjoy,
Fritz.