JTQ
Member
revals,
Both weisse52 and MAKster are right on in their recommendations. Somebody may be able to argue the quality of each company's product, but there is no argument about the market each pistol is designed for. The Colt 1918 is probably the most collectable 1911 currently produced by the most collectable producer of 1911's. It is designed and priced accordingly. The Springfield Mil-Spec is the "meat and potatoes" pistol from Springfield and is also designed and priced accordingly.
The 1991 Colt is a much better comparison to the Springfield Mil-Spec. The big difference is the Colt has the Series 80 firing pin safety and the Springfield uses a lightweight titanium firing pin and has an ILS (integral locking system, I believe is the term) in the mainspring housing that allows you to lock the pistol so it can't fire. They do have other differences such,
Colt - long trigger
Springfield - short trigger
Colt - flat mainspring housing
Springfield - arched mainspring housing
Colt - blued
Springfield - parkerized (though I believe both are available in stainless)
Because of the mainspring housing and trigger differences, they will probably feel different in the hand (though you could change both). The Series 70 Reproduction Colt would feel similar to the Springfield since it has the arched housing and short trigger, but it doesn't have the white dot sights. The Series 70 Repro, in my experience, typically sells for about a $100 premium over the Colt 1991.
Colt's will generally cost more than Springfield's with similar features. Admittedly, you are paying a premium for the Colt name, but also for the extra cost of US workers and generally better parts (Springfield GI and Mil-Specs have two piece barrels).
The prices are high, at least compared to the big on-line dealers, but then you typically need to add about another $100 to their prices to cover FFL transfer fees and shipping.
Either product will probably work perfectly well for you and outlast you and your children. I'd buy the one that feels good to you.
Both weisse52 and MAKster are right on in their recommendations. Somebody may be able to argue the quality of each company's product, but there is no argument about the market each pistol is designed for. The Colt 1918 is probably the most collectable 1911 currently produced by the most collectable producer of 1911's. It is designed and priced accordingly. The Springfield Mil-Spec is the "meat and potatoes" pistol from Springfield and is also designed and priced accordingly.
The 1991 Colt is a much better comparison to the Springfield Mil-Spec. The big difference is the Colt has the Series 80 firing pin safety and the Springfield uses a lightweight titanium firing pin and has an ILS (integral locking system, I believe is the term) in the mainspring housing that allows you to lock the pistol so it can't fire. They do have other differences such,
Colt - long trigger
Springfield - short trigger
Colt - flat mainspring housing
Springfield - arched mainspring housing
Colt - blued
Springfield - parkerized (though I believe both are available in stainless)
Because of the mainspring housing and trigger differences, they will probably feel different in the hand (though you could change both). The Series 70 Reproduction Colt would feel similar to the Springfield since it has the arched housing and short trigger, but it doesn't have the white dot sights. The Series 70 Repro, in my experience, typically sells for about a $100 premium over the Colt 1991.
Colt's will generally cost more than Springfield's with similar features. Admittedly, you are paying a premium for the Colt name, but also for the extra cost of US workers and generally better parts (Springfield GI and Mil-Specs have two piece barrels).
The prices are high, at least compared to the big on-line dealers, but then you typically need to add about another $100 to their prices to cover FFL transfer fees and shipping.
Either product will probably work perfectly well for you and outlast you and your children. I'd buy the one that feels good to you.
