What's with Springfield using Brazilian frames?

[SP2000]

I'm no 1911 expert at all and I'm not putting down Springer 1911's. I just think that an American classic should be American made. I've never understood why Springfield uses Brazilian frames. When I think of Springfield Armory, I think of the USA. Its just one of those things that irks me.
Any idea why they do this? Same with the XD series being Croatian. Again, not knocking them, just wonder why a company as seemingly American as S/A doesn't make their big hits here?

 

[HexHead]

They're not the same Springfield as the former government arsenal you're thinking of.

 

[Texshooter]

They are a sales company, sadly not a manufacturing company

 

[SP2000]

They're not the same Springfield as the former government arsenal you're thinking of.

I actually didn't know that. Thanks!

 

[jfrey]

Several companies use imported parts to build their guns. Ain't no big deal. They still produce a quality product and that is what counts.

 

[SP2000]

I'm not questioning the quality. I'm just saying that I'm not buying a 1911 with "Brazil" stamped on the side of it. Taurus is different. Its a Brazilian company. I just don't get why a company that many see as an American icon, would use Brazilian frames in "the American gun".

 

[2wheels]

Because the Brazilians do a good job at forging steel, I'm guessing it's easier and cheaper to buy from them than develop their own forging capability. And as it has already been pointed out, Springfield Armory has no connection to the Arsenal you're thinking of, they just use the name. It's a marketing thing, some don't like it... It really doesn't bother me.

They are a sales company, sadly not a manufacturing company

Not totally true, while they do import entire guns (XDs and some of their 1911s) or parts of guns (1911s), they do have at least some manufacturing capability, although how much I am unsure.

 

[Sam1911]

Same reason Japanese car makers really build their cars here***. It helps them get a quality product on the dealers' shelves for a lower price point.


(*** And I'm pretty cheesed-off about that, too! When I buy a Japanese car, I want a gol-danged JAPANESE car! Not some flippin' American-built knock-off. Pathetic!)

 

[Fiv3r]

I'm not an expert on 1911s, but their high end models have enough domestic parts to have a New Mexico number stamped down the side. My Loaded model is tight, reliable, and the most accurate gun I have ever owned.

Then again, I don't really mind where a gun comes from as long as it shoots well.

 

[hAkron]

They are sort of a finishing company. For the higher end models, the fitting and assembly is done my craftsmen in the US. I think this was also the case when they used to import Tanfolgio pistols. Fitting and assembling 1911's who's parts were made elsewhere isn't so uncommon in the 1911 world.

 

[jmr40]

The current Springfield Armory company doesn't build anything. They pay other companies in other countries to make guns with their logo stamped on them. Some of their guns are well made.

 

[rcmodel]

U.S. Government Springfield Armory.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Armory

Closed in 1968.

rc

 

[Doug S]

Yes- as has been stated in this thread (and irregardless of any personal politics) the historical Springfield Armory and the modern company who purchased the name/trademark etc have no relation to each other. I think a lot of people are like you and do not realize this. I think Springfield benefits greatly from the fact.

 

[jjones45]

Wow, you learn something new everyday. I wondered what was going on when they turned the hs2000 into a xd. I found that weird and now it all makes sense. So the current Springfield armory isn't the oldest American gun company? I can care less where a gun is made as long as it's a quality product with the manufacturer willing to stand behind it and honor warranty work if need be. Look at how many good 1911s are made all over the world these days. It may have stared out American, but now it's world wide. We Americans are still the biggest fan of 45acp handguns though.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

As long as it's a quality product at a price I think is fair, I don't care where it's made.

 

[Warrior1]

Several companies use imported parts to build their guns. Ain't no big deal. They still produce a quality product and that is what counts.

To all you Taurus haters. They are the ones who makes the frames for the Springfield Armory 1911.

 

[RX-79G]

Imbel has always made Springfield 1911 and FAL parts. Did that change?

 

[tarosean]

To all you Taurus haters. They are the ones who makes the frames for the Springfield Armory 1911.

No they are not. IMBEL makes SA frames and other weapons. IMBEL is located in Setor Militar Urbano, which is approximately 2000 kilometers from Taurus home of Porto Alegre..

 

[PabloJ]

I'm no 1911 expert at all and I'm not putting down Springer 1911's. I just think that an American classic should be American made. I've never understood why Springfield uses Brazilian frames. When I think of Springfield Armory, I think of the USA. Its just one of those things that irks me.
Any idea why they do this? Same with the XD series being Croatian. Again, not knocking them, just wonder why a company as seemingly American as S/A doesn't make their big hits here?

Why? Most of clothing average American wears is from China along with just about anything made of plastic (except gun frames). Browning Arms have been doing this for many, many years. Unlike in some parts of Europe Americans did very badly when it comes to keeping high paying jobs here.

 

[PabloJ]

PS. Want American need to buy $1700 'Sand Spider' 1911 rail gun from Colt.

 

[mattk]

Wow lots of.incorrect information here. Springfield does get their slides and frames umbels but they do a large amount of work on their 2 production lines at their factory in Illinois.

 

[bannockburn]

My Springfield Armory M1911-A1, acquired new in 1988, was manufactured in Brazil and assembled here in the U.S. I believe the retail price was somewhere around $279 and at the time it seemed like a real bargain, compared to what Colt Governments were going for (that is if you could find them). Fit and finish were first rate, the gun itself was nice and tight with close tolerances, and it had a decent trigger right out of the box.

When I got it my first intention was to eventually have it customized by a leading M1911 gunsmith with all the bells and whistles. But the more I used it the more I came to appreciate it for its reliability and performance in its original stock configuration. So I left it as is and still continue to enjoy it just the way it came from Springfield Armory.

 

[Tony k]

It matters to me where things are made. Not caring where things come from is part of the reason there are fewer living wage jobs in our country. Also, losing our internal manufacturing base could put us in a strategic disadvantage in a war. Nations that cannot provide real goods for themselves lose a big part of their soverignty and self-determination.

I know we still have plety of domestic firearms manufactures, but don't take them for granted. Look what happened to the textile mills in the Southeast and all the manufacturing jobs in the Midwest. Losing those industries has made us more vulnerable to international turmoil. The same could be the case in firearms manufacture if all we care about is saving $100.

Now that I'm done with that rant, I go be a hypcite and shoot my Brazillian made Taurus! Yes, I'm a hypocrite, but my obsession with trying to by American Made products is newer than my Taurus.

 

[JO JO]

+1 to the above post

 

[jjones45]

Every time you shoot your xd's know you did your part in help feeding a family in Croatia. Unfortunately if we stick to just American made we lose out on some really good products. Are there any more tv's made in the USA? The key is to buy as much American made stuff as you can and limit the foreign merchandise if possible. Unfortunately the Germans and Czechs make some of the best guns IMHO so they will always get my money.