[The Reverend]

Well now that the Ruger is coming out with the MKIII, my .22 pistol issue has resolved itself. I will be picking up one of those new beauties as soon as one becomes available.:D

My next consumer dilemma is choosing which 1911 to buy. I thought I had made a decision to pick up a SA Mil-Spec in the parkerized format, but then I began to think about the possibility of a "Loaded" version. I made the mistake of heading down to my local commando shop to see what he had in stock. While he had no SA's on the shelf, he had a boat load of Kimbers. When I saw that I laughed quietly to myself as I formulated a way to see if the "commando" would try to sell me one. I asked to see a variety of the 1911s he had on his shelves, all except the Kimbers. Only once did he ask if I had heard of Kimbers, I answered, "Yes, I see them discussed frequently on internet forums like THR. "They seem to be having some quality control problems." I let that one float as I was looking at a Colt 70 series he wanted over $700 for.

In my search, I got to handle a S&W 1911. I have to say that I was uniquely impressed with this particular example. Wilson mags, Novak sights, good fit and finish... all very nice. He had no SA Loaded to compare so I wandered out more unsure than I was walking in. I know that this makes thread number 4,000,000 on 1911s in the last week, and I have done all the searches here and at TFL. Well, if you were in my predicament, what would you do? Do I spend the extra $200 to get the enhanced models and if I do which one do I get SA or S&W? OR should I stick with the SA MIL-Spec? Am I missing anything? PArkerized over SS?

I am a lost soul in search of my first 1911... Help! ;)

[45auto]

I won't comment on which "brand" to buy, since you can search and read countless recommendations.

But, for the extra $200, I would buy the "loaded" model without a doubt.
You will have a more comfortable gun to shoot and with better sights, compared to a mil-spec. You will spend a lot more adding the same features to the "standard" 1911.

Since this won't be your only 1911 purchase :cool: , you can always buy the mil-spec later when you want to bruise/ cut your hand, dent your brass and strain to see the sights. ;)

Springfield Loaded Parkerized. :D

Good luck and have fun.

[Plinkerton]

You may have seen this, but this is the thread I started inquiring specifically about the SA 1911's. Check the second to last post.

I think the Loaded model is definitely worth the extra money.

SA 1911's (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81206)

[McNutt]

I don't think you can go wrong with the SA Mil-spec. Unless you just want a fancier 1911 this is probably going to be your best bet. If you do want to spend a little extra you're probably have an easier time finding one you like than finding one you don't. Unless you just get a lemon you'll probably love a Kimber, Springfield Armory, Dan Wesson, Colt, S&W, etc. Despite what you might hear from some, none of these companies produce total crap. Just handle as many as you can. The SA Loaded should be very easy to find, so I'd look around a little more. The Dan Wesson is very good, but you might have a hard time finding them.

[Nightcrawler]

Makes you wonder how people even survived all those decades before the beavertail was invented! :neener:

Seriously, if you can find them, handle both, and find which is more comfortable to you. Then ask yourself if the loaded Springfield is worth $200.00 more than the Mil-Spec.

Note that the Mil-Spec should not be confused with the Mil-Spec-er, the WWII GI. The "Mil-Spec" has 3-dot sights and a lowered ejection port.

[Highland Ranger]

For every post on Kimber quality or customer service problems there is one for Springfield and S&W has a recall on the early 1911's they released.

That said, Kimber and Springfield both make good 1911's and the Smith looks good. May buy one myself . . . .

[Jim Watson]

"you can always buy the mil-spec later when you want to bruise/ cut your hand, dent your brass and strain to see the sights."

AY-MEN.
I do not understand the current retro GI fad.
The 1911 pattern guns I shoot regularly have beavertails and adjustable or high profile fixed sights, the ACE .22 included. My IDPA CDP and ESP competition guns have mag well funnels, too. Not to mention matched 3.75 lb triggers throughout.

These are ergonomic improvements that make the guns easier to shoot.

I consider them entirely separate from superfluous "safety" devices, easy to install, hard to adjust trick extractors, and "modern" (= cheap) manufacturing methods and materials.

I shoot my Commander with regular grip safety (but with King sights) only as needed for carry gun practice. I shoot my 1911 and Systema on what my Luger-owning friend calls "ceremonial occasions."

I can't make the choice between SA and S&W for you. They are assembly line products and you can search the www and read of jewels and lemons of either make. But I would go for the Loaded SA if that is your brand. I consider the S&W to be a nicer finished product, but am not entirely sure its mutations from real 1911 have proven themselves. The extractor is the same one they have used on their own guns for years and is probably ok. I would want to check the non-1911 firing pin block on the actual gun I was going to buy. If the trigger pull is unduly heavy, if it takes a hard squeeze to depress the grip safety, if the grip safety has to be depressed way, way down to release, there is something out of whack; look for another example.

[Boats]

I have been through all of the major factory players. My next 1911 is going to be a Colt NRM.

Will I be paying "extra" for the name? Yep, but at least I will always have the pony.

If they hadn't buggered up the rollmark for so long in the past, I'd have never strayed since I can work out almost any bugs myself if I at least buy a well made, and mated, frame and slide.

[shep854]

Occam's Razor and KISS. Which of the fancy features do you want/need to pay more money for, and how much will they cost to fix?

Regarding GI-type pistols, I can't speak for others, but for me, it's a nostalgia/history/wannabe thing. Much as I like it, if I were forced to choose between my AO "mil-spec" or my lightly customized Commander, I'd go with the latter.

[The Reverend]

I have done some checking at the S&W forum and the 1911 holds up well over there too. I guess it will come down to the deal I will be able to secure.

Any of you that have Loaded Springers, please give me your experiences and whether you would make the same purchase again if you had to do it all over again.

[Mr. James]

Hello, Reverend,

I have a "loaded" Champion Lightweight, parkerized, I bought three years ago. I love this gun and came shaky-hands close to buying another SA (a Mil-Spec) at a show last weekend. (Must...Not....Spend!!! Need...More...Air!!! Must...Leave....Now!)

I probably shoulda done it.

So, yes, I would definitely buy another. Mine has worked flawlessly, is a joy to shoot, and had - still has - a sweet, sweet trigger right out of the box.

Cheers.