springfield 1911 any good? [just got it!]

shadow · 06-15-2006, 11:45 PM

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

trigger643 · 06-16-2006, 07:28 AM

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

Marvin · 06-16-2006, 12:31 PM

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.

shadow · 06-16-2006, 07:49 PM

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

Roadkill · 06-17-2006, 11:30 PM

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

pipeman45 · 06-18-2006, 12:57 AM

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.

shadow · 06-19-2006, 02:09 PM

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

Hugh · 06-20-2006, 12:22 AM

made in 1914. Like Ron says "if its not made before 1918........."

shadow · 06-20-2006, 02:22 PM

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

Fritzer · 06-20-2006, 08:58 PM

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.

06-15-2006, 11:45 PM	#1
shadow User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down The Shore Posts: 245 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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 __________________ The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. George Washington

06-16-2006, 07:28 AM	#2
trigger643 User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Murfreesboro Posts: 502 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	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 __________________ "There are three reasons to own a gun: To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face." Ã¢?? Krusty the Clown

06-16-2006, 07:49 PM	#4
shadow User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down The Shore Posts: 245 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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 __________________ The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. George Washington

06-18-2006, 12:57 AM	#6
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	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. __________________ Dave

06-19-2006, 02:09 PM	#7
shadow User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down The Shore Posts: 245 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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 __________________ The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. George Washington

06-16-2006, 12:31 PM	#3
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

06-17-2006, 11:30 PM	#5
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	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

06-20-2006, 12:22 AM	#8
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts	I just got this Colt 1911 commercial 45 made in 1914. Like Ron says "if its not made before 1918........." __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

06-20-2006, 02:22 PM	#9
shadow User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down The Shore Posts: 245 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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 __________________ The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. George Washington

06-20-2006, 08:58 PM	#10
Fritzer User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 134 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.