[Marko Kloos]

I got a good deal on a Springfield Lightweight Loaded today, and I'm pretty excited about it. This is the 5" model with the alloy frame, Springfield model number PX9104L.

This thing has "carry gun" written all over it. It weighs 28 ounces empty, 36 ounces fully loaded. The gun has all the trick stuff I would have added anyway: Novak night sights, ambi gas pedals, nice slimline Cocobolo grips, titanium firing pin, memory hump on the grip safety, and a high beavertail. The only thing I had the gunsmith change right away was the replacement of the full-length guide rod with a standard stubby guide rod and regular plug.

The barrel on this gun is fully ramped, a big plus in an alloy-framed 1911. The action is smooth, and the trigger is crisp and light, the best factory 1911 trigger I've seen on a box-stock 1911 in a while.

The gun is "used", but it looks like the previous owner has not fired this thing before trading it in. The barrel crown is immaculate, and there is no trace of powder or copper anywhere in the barrel.

Price was $599, which is not bad at all considering the MSRP of the newer Springfield Loaded guns.

It's a pretty gun, too. Maybe life is too short to carry ugly guns...

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=616916

[cidirkona]

Wow, nice find.

-Colin

[VictorLouis]

The barrel on this gun is fully ramped, a big plus in an alloy-framed 1911. YES, and I don't WHY Kimber can't seem to grasp that.:confused:

[10-Ring]

All that & she's a good looker too! Congrats ;)

[Andrew Wyatt]

I wish i could get that in california. I've been looking for an aluminum framed mil spec for awhile now.

[Lone_Gunman]

Marko,

Why did you change to a standard guide rod?

[Skunkabilly]

She's purrrdy :o

How's the fit and finish, is that a current production model?

[Marko Kloos]

Why did you change to a standard guide rod?

The full-length variant adds no benefits to the operation of a 1911, but introduces several drawbacks instead. It makes press-checks impossible, requires the use of a tool for field-stripping, and adds another factor for malfunctions (in the case of two-piece FLGRs.)

How's the fit and finish, is that a current production model?

The slide is finished in a nice matte bead-blasting, and the frame is Armory Kote, which is Springfield's teflon finish. The gun itself is pretty tight, and very nicely put together.

[rblack]

Marko, Please let us know how it performs..........I've been interested in this gun also, but seem to never find one in stock anywhere.

[Schuey2002]

When are we gonna find out how she shoots?? :o

[Boondock Saint]

GOSH DANG YOU PRK

[Preacherman]

Hmmm... so that's what happened to my G31! :D

[Highland Ranger]

GOSH DANG YOU PRK

I don't get it . . .

[Lone_Gunman]

Highland Ranger,

I think the quote you don't understand is a vulgar admonition of the state of California. One can only assume the vocabulary of the original poster is so limited that no more descriptive terms could be brought into use to describe his sentiment.

[Kestrel]

Boondock,

That kind of language is highly offensive and uncalled for on this forum.

Steve

[Prodigalshooter]

Well, the Calif. DOJ lists the model Marko just got on their website as ok for sale, so I don't know what's got Boondock's dander up?

PS: Andrew, you can get it.;)

[George Hill]

Language issues corrected.
Keep it Family Rated guys, guys.

[Prodigalshooter]

Oops, forgot to say"nice blaster, Marko" !:D

[stv]

Nice blaster, Marko! ;) :D

[Andrew Wyatt]

it's okay for sale? WOO WOO.

the cz-52 just dropped off my list.

[sm]

Marko, congrats.
Yeah it has "carry gun" written all over it for sure.
Not gonna spoil anything, I've had the opportunity to shoot one similar.
Sigh...you'll just have to shoot it and find out for yourself ...sorry man...but thems the breaks ;)

[J.Bourne]

Marko, congrats! That is beautiful.

2 Questions:

1) How do the stock mags perform?

2) Where can I get one for near that price? I'm in Michigan.

Thanks,

J.

[Tamara]

Best gun purchase you've made since the P7. :cool:

That was definitely one of Springfield's better efforts. Heck, even the extractor's pretty well fitted. :)

[Brian Williams]

Nice find I wish I had the $$$$ so I could look for one but my Sistema works well enough for me,


beside I would rather have a Wheelie

[mattk]

They got the two tone wrong. Its black on top shiny on bottom. Jeez
;)
Nice Piece Have fun with it.

[buzz_knox]

So, when we going shooting bro? :) I'll bring the 220ST and M4gery.

[Marko Kloos]

Any time you want. I am free on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Took the little bugger out for a function test an hour ago, and it runs like a top. It even chugged through a few magazines of powder-puff 200 grain SWC, which are notorious 1911 chokers. No function issues whatsoever, and accurate enough to separate a dangling coke can at 15 yards without much effort. Recoil is just a hair more pronounced than an all-steel 1911, but it's an acceptable tradeoff.

The stock 7-round Metalforms work fine. I think I'll stick with 7-rounders for now, since all the magazine troubles I've ever had in 1911s was with 8-round mags.

Carry rig will be a DeSantis Inner Piece IWB. The whole package feels just right on the hip, and the gun feels just right in the hand.

[TN-popo]

I've got an SA full-sized lightweight Loaded as well. Had a great trigger straight from the box and runs like a top...I really like the fully-ramped barrel.

[Lane Mullins]

I have seen TN-popo's gun in person. Those lightweights are very impressive. I also saw a new O.D. green Springfield yesterday that was fitted and finished as well as or better than anything in the production classes. They have got their feces consolidated over there at S.A.

[19112XS]

Great catch Marko! A slightly stiffer recoil spring and a Shok Buff (opaque ones are best) if you so desire may tame the recoil. Some like Shok Buffs, some don't. Please note that a stiffer spring will slow the recycle time. Maybe you'll find some nice accessories this weekend. Happy shooting!

[Tamara]

Shok Buffs? Icky poo! ;) :neener:


You gonna be at the show this weekend? Come say hi! :cool:

[19112XS]

I'll be there.

I've read the posts, extra part to fail, wimps only etc. Also read about the old guy who had to sell out, his wrist couldn't take the pounding any more. I admit here in public to using one, yes first thing in the morning and even when I'm alone. So there.

[TN-popo]

...and thanks to you Lane, mine now has an even better, fitted, short STI trigger! (and other little do-dads):cool:

[hnm201]

Am I correct in assuming that replacing the full-length guide rod with a stubby GI rod, spring and plug was just a drop in replacement? I have never shot a 1911 with a full-length guiderod or disassembled one.

I'm loving my Springfield Milspec now that it's broken in and the extractor is tuned. I think that in a few months I am going to buy one of these Springfield Loaded Lightweight GMs. I handled one today briefly at a store. It was priced $725.00 new. Whew.

The ramped barrel on the aluminum frame makes sense to me.

[Marko Kloos]

Yes, the GI-type guide rod and bushing plug are drop-in replacements, no fitting required. As an extra bonus, swapping the FLGR with a GI setup will shave an ounce or so off the weight of the gun. Not a big deal for steel guns, but on this alloy-framed GM I want to see just how many ounces I can shave off the factory configuration. Next on the list are slimline grips and a polycarbonate STI trigger.

[Will Fennell]

Marko,
If putting your new 1911 blaster on a diet is your plan, look into CASPIAN's Aluminium alloy mainspring housing[could go with a Colt nylon part] and their alloy grip safety.

I had WILSON include those parts on my STEALTH conversion of a SA lightweight compact[4" barrel], and its 23.5 oz[!] on the postal scales.

Also, just keep in mind, the BEST thing you can do for your alloy framed 1911 is change the recoil springs OFTEN. With the nice, long recoil stroke that your 5" 1911 has, I believe I would run a shok-buff......jsut change it even more often than the springs;)

[Tamara]

Don't tell him stuff like this! He accidentally blurted out today that he was using a plastic stubby guide rod, but it was in the gun store in front of customers, so I'll have to wait until I see him again to give him a ration of crap about it. ;) :p



*mutter, mumble* Plastic guide rods... Aluminum frames... Hmmph! When I was your age we all carried lead 1911's! And we were thankful! ;)

[Will Fennell]

Tam,
Quick call his home phone! He may not survive the night with such an abomination in his blaster!

Marko,
When the dreaded "plastic stubby guide rods" go, and they will go, its a mess, and quite possibly a seriously jammed pistola. Spring for the steel part.....its hollow, and doesn't weigh enough to matter. If you are shooting alot....and it sounds like you do, buy a pack of shok-buffs, change them often, and let that do the protecting of your gun, not a plastic guide rod.

-or-

At least that is what I would do:cool: before Tamara gets upset with you........:uhoh:

[Marko Kloos]

Hey, it was her gunsmith who gave me the part. I traded a perfectly good FLGR for it, and a GI bushing plug. Shoulda admonished Shannon for putting substandard junk into a customer's main CCW piece, Tams.

Oh, and I am running a Shok Buff in this 1911, against my usual 1911 habits. Alloy frame, and all...prolly can't hurt to have it in there.

[Tamara]

Shoulda admonished Shannon for putting substandard junk into a customer's main CCW piece, Tams.

Hey, I didn't look at it! (I wonder if Shannon did?) It seems to have gone straight from the Brownell's box to you. I'll grill him about it tomorrow... :uhoh:

[Prodigalshooter]

Marko, which buffer are you using? I tried the Buffer Technology buffers, but had failure of slide to lock open on an empty magazine. That's not good, I prefer to know when I'm empty (just in case I lose count;) )
Also had an occasional failure to go fully into battery, pulled it out - no problem thereafter.
So, I'm a little wary of them.

[Will Fennell]

Marko,
While I hope to ALWAYS have a alloy frame 1911 around as a daily carrygun, I have learned their limitations firsthand. After 5 years as my main CCW, and I'll admit...quite a few thousand rounds downrange, my Springfield Compact/Wilson Stealth custom conversion cracked its frame in 3[!] places.

While I'm pretty good about replacing worn recoil springs, I firmly believe that I could have extended the life of the frame by changing them more often......springs are cheap, frames are not. Its my opinion that its more important to run an appropriate recoil spring weight, and change it often, than to use an heavy "extra power spring" that batters your gun on the forward stroke as well. I don't run a shok buff in the compact 1911's because of the short recoil stroke, but I would in an alloy full size gun....again, cheap insurance.

Now the good news it that it was still running fine when I found the cracks......but it sure is not confidence inspiring. The even better news was that WILSON COMBAT stepped up and warrantied the frame[remember, this was a SPRINGFIELD ARMORY frame] by replacing it with a WILSON COMBAT alloy frame free of charge.:D

[Marko Kloos]

Marko, which buffer are you using?

Wilson Combat.

Its my opinion that its more important to run an appropriate recoil spring weight, and change it often, than to use an heavy "extra power spring" that batters your gun on the forward stroke as well.

Good observation. Not too many people are aware of the fact that a too-heavy recoil spring can beat up the gun just as much as a too-light one.

[denfoote]

Carry rig will be a DeSantis Inner Piece IWB. The whole package feels just right on the hip, and the gun feels just right in the hand.

Marco,
If you intend to carry that IWB, I suggest you lose those grips!!
On second thought, carry the little bugger for a day under a shirt and you will see (or feel) what I mean!! ;)

[Tamara]

He does carry it IWB every day, and has for about a month now. Also, this ain't his first Springfield rodeo, neither... ;)

[buzz_knox]

He does carry it IWB every day, and has for about a month now. Also, this ain't his first Springfield rodeo, neither...

Probably won't be his last, or have you broken him of the "this is the perfect gun, I'm never going to part with it . . . hey, that's pretty. Let me trade for that. This is now the perfect gun I'm never going to part with . . . hey, this sounds familiar. Where did that other gun go?" syndrome?

[Marko Kloos]

Today, I had the 'smith install a nylon MSH, a short steel guide rod, and a synthetic Colt factory trigger with smooth trigger face. The whole gun now weighs 27.3 ounces empty...not too shabby for a service-sized 1911. It was closer to 29 ounces out of the box.

buzz,

like a friend once said...if it wasn't for all the trading I do, I never would have been able to own 200+ guns, and it would have taken me much longer to figure out what works for me. ;)

[VictorLouis]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its my opinion that its more important to run an appropriate recoil spring weight, and change it often, than to use an heavy "extra power spring" that batters your gun on the forward stroke as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Good observation. Not too many people are aware of the fact that a too-heavy recoil spring can beat up the gun just as much as a too-light one.



I've always thought pretty highly of accessory number 307
http://www.kingsgunworks.com/newcatalog/page04.html

[hnm201]

VictorLouis,

How often you do you need to replace that King's recoil buffer/guide & plug setup?

[VictorLouis]

to find out.:D Seriously though, with a proper recoil spring for your ammo, you probably shouldn't encounter the shock-plunger. When you do, and you can feel it to a certain extent, then you know it's time for another recoil spring.

[George Hill]

Carbon Fiber grips might lighten up even more.

[zahc]

Why does everyone keep saying that the shorter guns have a shorter recoil stroke? They shoot the same shells right? I can see how the fullsize has more mass, but it should have the same momentum.

[PCRCCW]

Its dependent on the gun. But....typcially, when you shorten the slide/barrel length, you shorten the amount of room for the recoil impulse/slide movement also.
You also have less room/thus a shorter recoil spring..it all adds up to a shorter recoil stroke............The momentum IS the same so typically a heavier weight recoil spring is in order.
My fullsize CZ 9mm's use a 16-18 lb recoil spring, the same gun in the Compact uses an 18-20 lb recoil spring.......same momentum in a shorter space needs a stronger spring to stop compared to the longer movement offered by the fullsize gun.
Shoot well.

[19112XS]

I've had good luck with the sorta beige shok buffs. They seem a bit denser than the blue ones and last longer too. Check and replace often. They're cheap.

How's the accuracy on yours, Marko? Do you notice more muzzle flip than with a standard weight? (Are follow-up shots a bit later?)

Edit>>Guess it would help if I read all the thread before I post. Please ignore above.<<Edit