Thinking about a SA Mil-Spec. In need of advice.

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CPshooter

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Hi guys. I just sold a gun in my collection and have some money for something new. I'm looking for something chambered in .45acp. I'm debating between a USP.45f and a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911. I don't currently own a 1911, so I'm leaning towards the Mil-Spec.

I like the Mil-Spec for its "all business" appearance. I don't like front cocking serrations, ambi safeties, etc. If I go with the Mil-Spec, I would definitely upgrade some things over time. 30lpi front strap checkering, heinie sights, a refinish after the machine work, new trigger, hammer, etc. It will be pricey in the long run, but my goal is a very clean-looking, functional 1911. I want a Baer TRS w/o FCS, but I don't think I'll be able to afford one for awhile, so starting with a $600 Mil-Spec seems like a good idea right now. (Btw, how much can I expect to pay for a Baer TRS???)

I have a few questions though. Is the Mil-Spec a worthy platform for high-end customization and gunsmithing? Also, would paying an extra $60 for the stainless finish be worth it if I'm looking to put a high-end black finish on it in the end anyhow?

Thanks in advance guys!
 
I'd just start with a high end 1911 that has more of the features your after. Or pick up Wilsons 1911 build/detail strip DVD and build a Fusion Kit.



I don't really like modding milspecs into high end 1911's the lettering on the slide will still allways scream "SA milspec".
 
fwiw i traded my mil-spec 1911 for a usp compact .40. i liked the mil-spec alot and i kick myself for getting rid of such a good dependable shooter but i have absolutely no regrets about getting the hk. if the hk 45 is anything like the .40c i would go with that and look into the mil-spec later on or vice vesa they are both great guns.
 
I think I would start out higher end if I were in your shoes. That said, yeah, I think the milspec is worthy.
 
Search through all the threads that 1911Tuner created in this sub-forum (Handguns: Autoloaders). Read everyone of them that has to do with the Springfield and Norinco pistols that he's studied. Afterward, you'll know exactly what you want.
 
Thanks for the input guys.

The gun I sold was actually a stainless USP.40c! Great (and pretty) gun, but I could always get another one. I definitely love H&K handguns and my daily carry is a P2000sk 9mm LEM. I sold the .40c because I already have a compact .40 that I shoot better (CPO Sig P229) and wanted to replace the .40c with a full-size pistol.

The problem with starting out high-end is that I don't have $1500+ to blow right now, but I do have $600.:)

I was just wondering if the Mil-Spec was a solid platform worthy of upgrades.

The Mil-Spec doesn't actually say "SA Milspec" on the side, does it? I thought it was a pretty generic "1911-A1 .45 cal" or something like that...I'd like that, but wouldn't like "milspec" too much.
 
I searched for threads 1911 Tuner started, and none popped out as "Springfield 1911" pistols. I don't have very much time to spend searching right now...is it going to make me want a Springfield 1911??? lol

I'll have to call CDNN. I was going to go with Buds @ $575 shipped. I'll have to see what CDNN wants for the same thing.

Thanks again guys.
 
The Springfield Mil-Spec is a good gun

no doubt about it, but upgrading is gonna cost a bundle. I have a nicely upgraded Mil spec that I bought used for $650. It has a high ride beaver-tail, skelotonized hammer and trigger, Target sights and a few internal parts. In addition to that I just bought an extended safety for it. I will probably have a new bushing and link fitted in the not too distant future as well. Between the cost of the base gun, parts and, milling for the new sights, there has probably been over $1,000.00 put into this gun and it doesn't shoot as well as either of my Taurus 1911's, yet. So if you want a good gun with a bunch of bells and whisltes you could get the Taurus. If you want something close that will serve you well and you could upgrade later, you might want to look at a Rock Island Tactical. Again the Mil-spec is a fine gun but I think you need better sights pretty much right off the bat. FWIW, my next gun is a Rock Island Tactical or compact tactical.;)
 
Unfortunately, I can't link to Tuner's 'autoloaders' threads. You'll have to pull up all the threads he's authored in this sub-forum and check out the ones that are titled to your interest. I also can't tell you what you'll learn from them, but it is information that is worth more than the usual stuff found on this site.
 
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Consider a parkerized Springfield Loaded. It's got most of the add-ons you want for maybe a couple of hundred more than you're looking at for the Mil-Spec.
 
My Mil Spec is a fantastic pistol for what it is. A GI with a few modern upgrades.

If you want a high end 1911 save more money and buy one. Don't try to make something into something its not.
 
I have owned a milspec lightweight 4 inch gun for a couple of years or more, now. I like it, for what it is. It's a light commander size carry gun, that I carry most often, when I carry a 1911, even though I have much more expensive 5 inch guns. I even like the tiny sights, for their no snag qualities.

What I do not like is the odd ball Springfield only spring set up, internally the gun is anything but milspec, compared to an original colt. And you can't just change over to a regular recoil spring, without doing some machine work on the frame. However, I do like the ramped barrel.

I have owned and customized several 1911's over the years, and I will tell you, buy the milspec if you want and shoot the heck out of it, but plan on saving up and getting another gun, later. And when you do, you are better off to buy it, set up the way you want it, to start with, even if you have to get a loan from the bank and pay it out over time. I am not kidding, I have been down the customization road a few times, and you are better in the longrun to order a Wilson, or some other custom maker's gun, although some of the higher end Kimbers and Springfields, do look pretty attractive, and even at over a thousand or more, are still a lot cheaper then a new Wilson.

If you can, find someone that will let you shoot a Wilson or Ed Brown, etc, and compare it to a nice Kimber or high end Springfield. I think you will still see a difference, but might not be worth the extra bucks. However, it was to me.
 
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CPshooter said:
Thanks for the input guys.

The gun I sold was actually a stainless USP.40c! Great (and pretty) gun, but I could always get another one. I definitely love H&K handguns and my daily carry is a P2000sk 9mm LEM. I sold the .40c because I already have a compact .40 that I shoot better (CPO Sig P229) and wanted to replace the .40c with a full-size pistol.

The problem with starting out high-end is that I don't have $1500+ to blow right now, but I do have $600.:)

I was just wondering if the Mil-Spec was a solid platform worthy of upgrades.

The Mil-Spec doesn't actually say "SA Milspec" on the side, does it? I thought it was a pretty generic "1911-A1 .45 cal" or something like that...I'd like that, but wouldn't like "milspec" too much.
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no it does not say mil-spec on the side. left side- MODEL 1911- A1 CAL .45, right side- SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (springfield logo). i agree with the posts that say spend the extra money on a Loaded model and get the upgrades you want. i bought mine because i wanted the simplicity of the mil-spec model.
_________
when guns are outlawed, then i will become an outlaw
 
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I and many others have built some very fine match grade 1911s from a standard mil spec SA. I still shoot two of them that were built in 1980, one has over 50,000 rounds through it. I would put them up against any gun from the SA custom shop. Not bragging, understand, they're just high quality platforms to build on. Assuming that's what you want to do. If you intend to pay someone else to do the work you probably could save money buying one of SAs upgraded models. But if you want to learn how to do it yourself over time with quality aftermarket parts the mil spec is definitely worth it. If you're wanting a black finish just buy a parkerized model and have it refinished however you like when you're done tweaking it. With a match grade barrel properly fitted and a trigger job they are very competitive.
 
I went the route you are thinking about and it was EXPENSIVE! Save your money and buy the Baer TRS when you've got the cash, you won't be sorry. I LOVE mine!
 
I packed a 1911A1 for most of my time in the Corps. I still have a soft spot for the beast. (Satisfied by my Colt Series 70 from 1976.) if I was looking for a new 1911 and was looking for a tack driver, I'd buy a turn-key system. Going down the upgrade road is long, bumpy and expensive! With most of the off the shelve models. You can get more out of them when or if you sell them. Harder to do with a project gun..
 
Thanks for all your input! I'm still unsure though...

How much is a Les Baer TRS (didn't see pricing on the website) and would ordering one without front cocking serrations and machined for Heinie night sights delay the process of getting one significantly???

That's kind of why I'm afraid to go the semi-custom route. I'm afraid I'd still want to customize them to my liking, so starting from the ground up with a cheaper-priced 1911 seems more logical to me. I would definitely need the Heinie Straight-8s that are machined lower into the slide towards the hammer. Heinie charges $200 for the machine work and $130 for the sights! Expensive, but I must have them on my 1911.

It would be nice if I could simply buy the sights from Heinie, ship them to Baer, and have them configured on a TRS (sans FCS) right at the Baer facility. If I could do this for less than $1600 I'm all over it, but considering I don't know how much Baers go for when ordered directly from the factory, it seems like a long shot.

I might just need some Baer guys to come in here and point me in the right direction!
 
What about a step down to the Springfield GI? It's cheaper by 50-100, at least, last I checked, and, since you were going to customize it anyway, you could put those savings into the customization.
 
Hey guys,

Does the Mil-Spec have a two-piece barrel? I found a review article online that mentioned his Mil-Spec having a two-piece barrel. Does this matter at all? Do other manufacturers use a two-piece barrel?

Thanks.
 
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