1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Now that Springfield has re-entered the arena with the USGI repro...or something close to that format...There are a few things that I've noticed over the years about that particular company. Obvious things like cost-cutting in order to remain competitive notwithstanding...Springfield has
produced a pretty damn good pistol for the money, and one that lends itself nicely to upgrading if that is the wish of the buyer.
There has been some concern over the Brazilian Pistoles being dimensioned to metric standards, which causes problems with standardized
American parts not being compatible...but this isn't exactly the case. The specs are there...in standard measurements...and if you ignore the blocky
radius on the front strap and dust cover...the guns slides and frames are
spec-ed out to match original blueprint dimensions. I'm not sure what the reason was for the incorrect radii in those areas, but they seem to have taken steps to correct that. I've seen the WW2 GI Mil-Spec pistols with both dimensions. Demand does change things if we scream about it long enough and loudly enough.
The truth about Brazilian Springfields: (Quoted from an independent source)
Before and during World War Two, Brazil was an important ally in the war against Germany. When Argentina aligned itself with the Axis Powers, Brazil’s support became even more critical. While Uncle Sam was more then willing to send military supplies to Brazil, doing so was difficult and dangerous because of German U-Boats. Even so, Brazil was one of the few South American countries that received regular shipments of USGI 1911-A1 pistols through Lend-Lease.
Following the war in 1945-46, the U.S. Government decided that it would be advisable if Brazil could produce it’s own pistols in case another re-supply issue developed in the future. Surplus manufacturing machinery, along with Colt and Government engineers set up the program, and besides the machinery provided drawings, jigs and fixtures, material specifications – in other words the whole ball game. Springer buys their frames from the successor to this program, and they are still made to those original USGI drawings and dimensions.
As to the blocky front straps:
Is it just me... or has anybody else noticed that the pistols are more comfortable and ergomically suited when a flat mainspring housing is used than with the arched housings? And...that the ones with the correct
frontstrap radius are about equally as comfortable and shootable with either arched or flat housings?
I'm really in the dark about the reasons for the odd front strap radius that Springfield opted for. Maybe easier/cheaper to machine...Maybe better suited for use with the flat housings that were gaining in popularity at the time...still not sure. If anybody has any insight on this, I'd appreciate the input.
Cheers all!
Tuner
produced a pretty damn good pistol for the money, and one that lends itself nicely to upgrading if that is the wish of the buyer.
There has been some concern over the Brazilian Pistoles being dimensioned to metric standards, which causes problems with standardized
American parts not being compatible...but this isn't exactly the case. The specs are there...in standard measurements...and if you ignore the blocky
radius on the front strap and dust cover...the guns slides and frames are
spec-ed out to match original blueprint dimensions. I'm not sure what the reason was for the incorrect radii in those areas, but they seem to have taken steps to correct that. I've seen the WW2 GI Mil-Spec pistols with both dimensions. Demand does change things if we scream about it long enough and loudly enough.
The truth about Brazilian Springfields: (Quoted from an independent source)
Before and during World War Two, Brazil was an important ally in the war against Germany. When Argentina aligned itself with the Axis Powers, Brazil’s support became even more critical. While Uncle Sam was more then willing to send military supplies to Brazil, doing so was difficult and dangerous because of German U-Boats. Even so, Brazil was one of the few South American countries that received regular shipments of USGI 1911-A1 pistols through Lend-Lease.
Following the war in 1945-46, the U.S. Government decided that it would be advisable if Brazil could produce it’s own pistols in case another re-supply issue developed in the future. Surplus manufacturing machinery, along with Colt and Government engineers set up the program, and besides the machinery provided drawings, jigs and fixtures, material specifications – in other words the whole ball game. Springer buys their frames from the successor to this program, and they are still made to those original USGI drawings and dimensions.
As to the blocky front straps:
Is it just me... or has anybody else noticed that the pistols are more comfortable and ergomically suited when a flat mainspring housing is used than with the arched housings? And...that the ones with the correct
frontstrap radius are about equally as comfortable and shootable with either arched or flat housings?
I'm really in the dark about the reasons for the odd front strap radius that Springfield opted for. Maybe easier/cheaper to machine...Maybe better suited for use with the flat housings that were gaining in popularity at the time...still not sure. If anybody has any insight on this, I'd appreciate the input.
Cheers all!
Tuner
I have the G.I. version, and the one with the flared ejection port, and larger three dot sights, and they both shoot equally well. I haven't done a thing to either one, other than keep em clean, and well lubed. I do prefer the flat main spring housing. The arched MSH tends to beat up my palm after 200 or so rounds. I don't plan on changing a thing, unless something breaks. Both weapons have approx 6,000 rounds through them combined. All I shoot is 230 gr FMJ ammo, and I haven't had a single malfunction with either weapon. Springfield has to be doing something right. They are finding it difficult to keep production up with demand. In fact I may buy a couple more, just because