Springfield 1911's a few ?'s

[Brigrat]

So, I am about to break down and buy a 1911. I am looking at the lower price ranges (sub $700), and I live in California, so prices tend to be higher than everywhere else.

I was leaning towards the Mil-Spec, but am having a hard time figuring out what differentiates it from the G.I. model that is $140 less. Do any of you no of any differences other than cosmetic between these two pistols?

Also, would these pistols be worth customizing over time? What I mean is, can I upgrade parts over the next few years to make my "Dream 1911?" I would like to blow the bucks on a TRP right now, but my wife isn't going for it, so perhaps the overtime route would work best for me.

By the way, in my area, the only 1911 options in my area are Sprinfield, S&W, and Kimber. So as best I can tell, Springfield is the only option in my price range.

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[clipse]

Lanyard loop, lowered ejection port, sights, and grips are the only differences. My GI has been completely reliable. I have done a few upgrades that were just personal choice. Some upgrades will be more of an undertaking than others but either are great guns to start out with.

clipse

 

[rockstar.esq]

The mil spec is closer to what most everybody I know wants. The sights are horrible but replaceable. I wish somebody would get the message and just make a 1911 without any extras except for run of the mill three dot sights! Rock Island Arsenal has their mil spec at $385. in Colorado however the sights can push that up to $500. still a deal I guess...

 

[Brigrat]

Well I just broke down and bought the Full Size "Loaded" model. Now for my 10 day PRK waiting period.

 

[nico]

There might be a difference in the barrel too. Their site is kinda ambiguous about it, but I remember reading somewhere on the site that the Mil Spec has the same barrel as the Loaded model, which is stainless and supposed to be a match barrel.

As for upgrading, there's more than just parts that differentiate the TRP from the lower end models. The slide, barrel, and bushing also get a lot of gunsmithing iirc. Springfield will upgrade a lower end model to the specs of a higher end model though.

 

[..]

The sights on the GI models suck. But they sell like hotcakes, lots of folks want the old WWII reproductions w/o the price tag.

 

[Baba Louie]

The sights on the GI models suck.

Well, they might be kinda small compared to current 21st century type sights ... and they don't sport any white dots ... but they look just like the ones on my Dad's "United States Property" marked Colt (which may or may not be a good thing)... but do they really "suck"?
Even tho' it's a Brazilian product (so what?) it sure is a fine shooting handgun... even more so when you factor in the price... even made more amazing by those "suckey" sights (they sure are slow for 50 year old eyes to pick up in a hurry). The sights do make me tend to slow down and concentrate on my sight picture and as a result, some groups are quite small... once in a while.
But for the $389 I paid for the GI model... I'm not gonna complain. I'm gonna shoot it.
YMMV

 

[Brigrat]

Now that I am the proud owner of a Loaded Full Size 1911, I have a few questions.

1. Are they designed to handle +P ammo?

2. What types of accessories would you all recomend for a daily carry type 1911. I have expereince with 1911's as carry pieces in the past, so some refresher training will be in order, but my old issued 1911's were govt. issue, with no ability to customize. What do you all think about changing out the grips? Anything else right off the bat?

3. Is there anything else I should know abou this pistol, or custom 1911's in general?

Thanks all!

Brigrat

 

[Old Dog]

Congratulations on a great pistol choice. Yes, +P is not a problem through the loaded. Mine particularly likes the Remington Golden Saber 185 grain +P JHPs, but is even more accurate with the Golden Saber 230 grain JHPs. For range use, I use mostly Winchester white box 230 FMJ value-packs from Wal-Mart ...

The loaded requires no accessories other than a good leather holster (I recommend Milt Sparks, Brommeland or Kramer). I did put some nice Ahrends reddish double-diamond cocobolo stocks on mine, which look better to me and feel great. I also put an arched mainspring housing on mine, since the arched MSH fits my hands better. Also got rid of the SA internal locking system, which, in my view is not necessary.

Some would advise you to change out any MIM parts on Springfields; Wilson's and Ed Brown being the parts of preference.

 

[Technosavant]

To answer your 3 questions:

1) For +P ammo, you will likely want a stronger recoil spring, but I believe that +P is just fine in the steel-framed models (not my aluminum one).

2) Feel free to change the grips. I have fallen in love with Alumagrips- they look great and feel better.

3) Check out the 1911forum.com for all your 1911 fixes. The SA loaded is a good gun; make sure you put a few hundred rounds through it to break it in (you are going to want at least 200 failure free rounds of your choice defensive load before you REALLY trust it). If you have any problems that don't go away after 4-500 rounds, SA has great customer service; they will take care of it.

 

[Brigrat]

I am thinking that I will probably just stick with standard pressures loads. Either the Gold Dot 230, or the Ranger T 230.

 

[Lone Star]

Keep in mind that if you change the sights, you will not be able to use a GI holster, which is a factor to some nostalgia buffs. That's why many buy the GI model in the first place: to have a basic service type weapon like those issued from 1924-1985. (M1911A-1)

Lone Star