Update on the Springer 1911 Problems

[FullEffect1911]

Well for those of you who are following, I purchased a brand new springfield fully loaded 1911 that needed to go in for repair (loose rear sight, horrid accuracy, and hopefully they'll fix the weak parkerized finish). Well i talked to customer service, and without so much as an arguement they told me to sent it in for repair, and agreed that these are problems (at least the sight and accuracy). So at least i can say the people in springfields customer service dept are absolute gems to talk to. The gun will be going in on monday, hope i get it back soon.

I'll keep you all posted.


PS I would like to specifically thank 1911Tuner and Old Fuff, your knowledge and particiapation in this forum is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[nemesis]

horrid accuracy

A friend of mine owns and operates a gun store/gunsmith/indoor range business and I help out there, part time. This is a common problem with Springfields and something we see continually.

It is not at all uncommon for a new Springfield owner to have targets shot up corner to corner, with no defined groups. Truly abyssmal accuracy.

Most commonly, it is not due to the gun.

I carry a Springfield Ultra Compact, all the time, and carry an STI Trojan part of the time. When I shoot, and that is several times weekly, I sometimes get very good groups and sometimes shoot poorly.

I confess to you that I cannot blame the gun.

If the rear sight is loose, I expect that Springfield can tighten the allen-head hex screw that secures it. The allen key is usually included in the parts envelope. Parkerizing is a phosphate treatment and I am less familiar with that. I presume it is possible that they have crafted an inaccurate, loose sighted and poorly parked gun but, lacking first hand knowledge, can only speculate.

I can only wish that I had an accurate gun.

 

[Shear_stress]

Not sure if I want to bring this up again, but I had the same problem with a Springfield Loaded model. I just could not get the thing to group. On closer examination, the gun suffered from poor barrel-to-slide and slide-to-frame fit. It would rattle when shook.

I sent it back to the factory, and they were kind enough to replace the barrel and work their magic on the slide. It came back much, much tighter. Better yet, the service was free under warranty. I don't think they did all that work because I wrote them a nicely phrased letter.

As I have only had one Springfield, I cannot generalize from my experience. They sell a lot of these guns.

 

[Old Fuff]

Ya' know, in days long gone the manufacturers used to include a target in the box with the gun, usually shot at 20 yards off of a hand rest. Often the centered group was around 3/4" (,22's) to 3" (.44's or .45's). In the unlikely event that they did that again we'd know if a gun shot or not before any money got laid down ...

Maybe that's the reason they don't do it anymore ...

 

[FullEffect1911]

from what i understand wilson combat guns come with a nice proven target.... course they cost upwards of 3 grand

But the springfield aside, if i can't do better then 8 inch groups i should just stop shooting. i can get great groups with my 686, decent groups with my traded in sw1911, groups with a ruger p345, xd-40, etc... so somehow, saying that i can't shoot this particular gun, just seems silly? I'm not saying i'm good or anything, just saying 8" groups from a rest? I would hope/have done better.

Springfield seems like a great company to work with, they'll get it fixed, and i'll let ya'll know.

 

[Boss Spearman]

This is interesting, because I have owned or fired 5 different Springfields and have not had an accuracy issue with any of them whatsoever.

 

[FullEffect1911]

to whom is may concern...

well for those I said i would keep updated, here goes, I recently sent in my springfield 1911, and several weeks later (round 3 or 4) i got it back. Reparkerized, new sights, and an accuracy job. It works and looks as it should, and i am very pleased with it. Springfields Customer service is absolutely great and although is wasn't super fast i am very please with the company.

Adam.

 

[mattw]

I think it is nice to hear a story like this about a manufacturer that I like. Now I'm one step closer to a SA GI model .45

 

[Gunsnrovers]

Good news!

I haven't used their services as my guns were bought to be used for base guns, however their customer service was one reason I gave them my money.

 

[gbelleh]

I had to send a Micro Compact back to them. They paid all the shipping and had it back to me in 3 weeks with all the problems fixed. I have no complaints about their service.

 

[mpthole]

This is good to hear because I've got a similar problem with my Loaded model. Even off a rest it shoots about 3 inches low and left. The group isn't too bad, but could be better. Mostly I just want it to shot to point of aim!

When you sent it back to Springfield, did they send you a mailing (UPS/FedEx) label or something? I'd like to call Gander Mountain since they carry Springfields and see if they'd handle the return - but maybe its easier to do it myself...?

 

[FullEffect1911]

When i talked to springfield, they said all i had to do is put the gun in its case (preferrably with the orange chamber clear plastic thinger) and ship it normally thru ups or fedex. It all got to where its needed to go and all is well. I didn't have to go thru a FFL. YMMV.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

i got it back. Reparkerized, new sights, and an accuracy job.

Accuracy job?

What did they do exactly?

Have you shot it yet? Did it make a difference?

 

[Ala Dan]

I have Springfield's WW-II G.I. replica, and its been a great one right from
the box. Once these old eyes got adjusted to the tiny military sights, all
is well. Fit, finish, and function are surperb! I would buy another Springfield
product in a heartbeat~

 

[Old Dog]

Seven Springfield Armory 1911s for me since 1992 or so ... Aside from a minor extractor problem on one of my early Mil-Specs, ZERO problems on any of 'em ... including one of the routinely bashed Micro-Compacts. A buddy just got his Champion back (some FTF/FTE issues he wanted the factory to resolve) in two weeks ... it now functions beautifully and is quite accurate to boot.

 

[tc300mag1]

never had to use service on a 1911 i have one from them and soon to have 2 more

 

[XD Niner]

I now have about 4500 rounds through my Black Stainless. I use it for USPSA Limited 10 as well as the range, CCW and home defense. It is very accurate and has been 100.00% reliable. I haven't had to resort to their service yet but am sure it will be as good as nearly everyone who has used them says.

 

[FullEffect1911]

The accuracy job consisted of a slide to frame refit. It made a HUGE difference. I went from benching the gun and getting terrible groups 6" +, to geting around 2". Whether or not this is all in my head and i am just shooting better now... who can say, i just know i am much happier with it.

 

[Sean Smith]

Sometimes bad accuracy is the gun's fault. There is alot of variation in mass-production guns accuracy... some shoot 1" @ 25 yards from a machine rest, and some shoot 6"+ @ 25 yards.