Is this a decent 1911A-1?

[Brenainn]

I was just hoping you all could give some input on this pistol. It is a 1911-A1 Springfield .45ACP, for around $600. I am not very knowledgeable with them either, but this is a nice looking gun. I am considering buying it, but haven’t decided on it yet.

Supposedly it has a Nolan barrel, Les Baer guide rod and bushing, and either a Les Baer or Nolan mainspring. He said it shoots 2 inch groups at 75 yards????

 

[average_shooter]

Is this something you found on the internet or can you actually get your hands on it to check it out before dropping the cash?

Its one thing if a trusted friend is selling it to you, but another thing if it is somebody you haven't dealt with before claiming 2" groups at 75 yds.

From those pictures the finish looks pretty good, but the grips aren't original. Don't know if that would matter to you or not.

 

[Brenainn]

Yeah, I have already handled it and all that good stuff. It's solid. Didn't shoot it, but will not be able to before purchasing. I just want to know opinions on the gun and the extra after market additions. I am not worried about the seller. I don't really care about the grips. I'll replace them with Hogue if I decide to go with the pistol.

 

[funnelcake]

That's not an original wartime 1911. Looks like a Springfield GI model. Check their web site: www.springfield-armory.com.

Springfield's are good guns, but the GI's are well less then $600 new. Regarding any supposed custom work...doubt first. Caveat Emptor for sure especially when someone tells you a 1911 will shoot 2" groups at 75-yards...............

Funnel

 

[average_shooter]

I'll say this much, I picked up a used 1911 without field stripping it and checking things out. Turns out the barrel lugs are beat all to hell and I need to replace the barrel. So it's now an expensive paperweight until I get the money up to get the barrel replaced. At which point it will be a beat up used 1911 that will have cost me as much as a new basic 1911.

So if possible I'd say field strip it and make sure the lugs don't look deformed or anything. And while you have it apart just check to make sure all the important bits are in good shape.

In all honesty, I got my SA "Loaded" with the full-length guide rod and appropriate plug, ended up putting in a standard length guide and standard plug from Ed Brown. The standard parts make maintenance much easier and I didn't notice any negative effect on accuracy or reliability.

The other part I changed was the firing pin stop. I put in an oversize EGW stop to keep the extractor from clocking. You may not have that issue.

If it looks good, feels good and is the right price then go for it. I can't wait until I have enough money to expand my 1911 collection some more and the SA "Loaded" I carry has worked pretty well.

ETA: Is it possible to get the original parts? If so I would and try it with the original parts first, then see if putting in the custom parts makes any difference.

 

[BigO01]

2 inches at 75 yards is either a complete custom rebuild by one of the Big names or a Smith well on his way to becoming a big name in the 1911 smithing game .

I've shot a couple that might make that but they were made by guys like Clark and if you offered the owner $600 he would laugh till he died .

Just putting in a even a custom barrel and bushing wont get you those kinds of groups , not at 75 yards and a guide rod and mainspring wont do diddly to help accuracy .

I think the seller is telling you a nice story to see how gullible you are .

 

[Pompa Mike]

I'm suspicious of the accuracy story and the price seems on the high side.

 

[Defensory]

I wouldn't pay that much for it.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm a little suspicious too about the accuracy claims. Why would you put in a new barrel and other custom parts, but still leave everything else box stock? If you're going for a super accurate pistol (2" at 75 yds.?), you probably would have had a trigger job done, maybe even replaced the trigger, replaced the original sights, had the slide fitted to the frame, barrel fitted to the slide, etc. Just from the pix and your description, it doesn't seem like those things have been done to it. I would definitely want to take it to a range before I did the deal.

 

[XavierBreath]

The 1911 pictured is a Springfield GI45, five inch parkerized. These pistols still sell for under $500 new.

The accuracy claims are dubious in the extreme, especially with the sights on the pistol. By the way, the barrel manufacturer he is laying claim to is apparently Nowlin. They don't even make accuracy claims like that. If this pistol has a Nowlin barrel, the seller should have reciepts for the barrel and installation. At the very least, it should be a stainless one piece barrel, with Nowlin rollmarked across the top of the chamber. I have to wonder why you were not provided with a photo of the barrel. Even the photo of the left side of the pistol has the pistol tilted so you can not really assess whether the barrel is stainless or blued.

The dubious accuracy claims make me suspicious about the other claims. If a man will embellish one claim he will embellish another, as well as conceal faults to make a sale. Dishonesty is dishonesty. The supposed Les Baer additions would not help accuracy at all. The pistol looks as though a kitchen table gunsmith screwed on some cheap Philipino grips and stuffed an aftermarket magazine in the magwell. I would not be surprised if he went after the feed ramp with a Dremel.

I would not buy this pistol unless I shot it first and was pleased with the result. If I was pleased, my offer would be $300 with bargaining to $350, tops. If the Nowlin barrel was present and the pistol shot reliably and held 2 inch groups at 25 yards, I might allow myself to go up to $400, assuming the wear patterns on the pistol showed me it was fitted correctly.

Bottom line, his price is to high, his story is suspicious, and I would pass.

For more on checking out a used 1911, go here.

 

[blgoode]

I got my new Parkerized loaded for just under $700. For the G.I. version I'd expect to pay around $500.

 

[Baneblade]

I own three SA 1911's, a GI, and two MIL-SPEC. They are good guns... but not 2 inch accurate at 75 yards. With a custom barrel it MIGHT be 2 inch accurate at 75 feet. Plus, the original sights are close to useless.

Just so you know. I paid $350 and $400 for each of the used MIL-SPEC pistols. Each had custom parts. Personally, I would pay $450-$500 for what you are looking at.

 

[eflatminor]

You need to find determine approx how many rounds have been through the gun and when it was made. To me, if looks like a relatively new GI, Springfield's most basic 1911, which can be had for around $500 new. If it's a slightly used GI, it might be work $400 or a bit more.

You can absolutely use such a gun in IPSC, though it will take a ton of mods to make it truly competitive. You'd likely shoot Single Stack or maybe Limited 10 with extended 10 round mags.

The accuracy claim is bullcrap or the result of one lucky three shot group.

 

[10X]

When someone puts in custom parts and then wants to sell it is a red flag to me that the gun didn't work right or shoot well to begin with. The previous owner tried to fix it and failed. He now wants to dump the gun and get of a problem.

Custom parts do not add to a gun's value. They will generally take away from value because of the above suspicions.

2" groups at 75 yards. Not likely. Les Baer will guaranty 1 1/2" groups at 50 yards. Baer guns are fitted to the extreme and cost $1,600 and up.

I would say the gun is not a good deal. Save yourself problems and walk away.

 

[average_shooter]

I think if you know the seller fairly well it wouldn't be inappropriate to politely grill them a little about the pistols history. Where it's from, when it was bought, round count, why things were changed (did it not work initially, was it bought as a project gun, were the parts replaced just for fun, etc.).

I was going to mention the sights but Xavier beat me to it. If that were a race gun it wouldn't have those GI sights.

Personally I might go with asking for the original parts then talking the price down into the $300-$400 range. Or talking the price down even with the existing parts. But only after verifying that things haven't been royally messed with (i.e. feedramp grinding).

 

[Slamfire]

He said it shoots 2 inch groups at 75 yards????

Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Rock River will sell you a "Limited Match" M1911 guranteed to shoot 1.5 inch groups at 50 yards. That should equal 2" at 75 yards.

Oh yes, price? $2,185.000


Ha, Ha, Ha.

 

[Defensory]

Maybe he meant to say two inch groups at 75 FEET.

Two inch groups at 75 yards? BWAHAAAAHAAAA!

 

[loop]

I've only known one guy who can shoot 2-inch groups at 75 yards consistently with a 1911. You'll find his name at the top of the list of Camp Perry record holders.

I was fortunate enough to have him for a shooting coach for more than a year. The most important thing he taught me that improved my technique I will pass along. Exercise the wrist of your shooting hand until you can keep the sights on target shooting one-handed with standard military hardball 230-grain ammo regardless of recoil. I never saw the guy he didn't have one of those hand exercise things nearby.

I don't do that anymore, OTOH I have half-wild horses and fence stretching to exercise with every day.

 

[SamTuckerMTNMAN]

not 75 yards

I am not the seller, but I know the seller, and he didnt say 75 yards he said 25! Just wanted to clear it up . . . so 75 feet is a little more reasonable.







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[Brenainn]

he didnt say 75 yards he said 25!

I don't know what he told you, but that's what he told me... I guess that's what I get for being a female who looks about 12 years old, without much experience in 1911s. He knew I wanted a competition gun, so I guess he fed me whatever he thought he could in order to persuaded into buying it.

 

[Brenainn]

I fell for it. But I'll know better next time

 

[Mad Magyar]

Bottom line, his price is to high, his story is suspicious, and I would pass.

I agree...They do sell for less everywhere....

 

[mballai]

Lots of good guns go cheap and $600 is not a lot for a customized Springer. I've gotten a couple of custom 1911s for less than the typical $1000+ price tags one might expect to pay.

 

[berkbw]

Ma'am - - might I suggest you ask your friend to demonstrate the accuracy? If friend can indeed shoeotsuch groups at 75yd, get it or keep it. Simple, really, IF it does what friend says it will, you are a winner.. The base pistol is strong and, usually, well fitted. If it does not fulfill the promises, it is time to bargain - or hunt anew. Do not fear coming back and asking for our (not really) collective opinion.

b-