BHPshooter
Member
On October 6th, I took a big step in my gun career. I brought home my first 1911. It is an older Springfield Mil-Spec bought NIB from Larry Correia of FBMG.
Being an older model MilSpec, and doesn't have the ILS lock.
The ejection port is lowered a little bit, but not as much as newer models, and it is not flared. One of the things that drew me to this one is that it has an extended thumb safety... I wasn't aware that those came on any MilSpecs, but I am happy to have it.
The frame-to-slide fit is pretty good, with a little movement, but the barrel-to-slide fit is excellent at the hood and at the bushing. The trigger pull is what I would judge to be around 5.5 pounds with some creep.
I took it out for the first time on the 10th of October. I found that I could very easily hit what I was aiming at with this pistol. Recoil was also quite mild. I was shooting a few pieces of lumber that someone had left against the berm, and was very impressed at how easily that I could blow wood chunks all over the range.
My Dad said, "That'll come in handy if you ever have to cut down a tree."
I also noticed that a box of cartridged seems to go a lot farther when you're putting half as many into your magazine compared to a BHP.
I have put about 200 rounds through it so far, and am fairly pleased with the reliability for a range toy, but not enough to trust it for a carry weapon. Out of 3 range trips, I have had 3 malfunctions (1 on the first trip, 2 on the second, none on the last trip). The malfunctions are all a hangup when feeding that a small slap to the rear of the slide corrects. All the same, it's annoying and any malfunction is a little disturbing. I dont' know if it's something with the mags (have a bunch of new ones to try out), or if it's that the extractor needs tuning or replacing...
Even at that, there's something addictive about it. On the plus side, it feeds everything I've tried. FMJs, Golden Sabers, and Remington's 100-pack JHPs.
It came with Pachmayr wrap-around grips
which were promptly replaced with reproduction-style Hogue checkered grips. Still nothin' fancy, but I think it fits the utilitarian gun better while still having a touch of that "double diamond" elegance.
And today, I finally swallowed my fear and detail stripped the gun. It was simpler that I first imagined, but I will have to go out on a limb and say that (as far as the frame goes) the Hi Power is easier to strip and put back together.
I haven't really done any shooting for groups yet, but I am sure that this will hold some tight groups.
Yes, it's safe to say that I'm pleased, but a few other things:
- I already hate grip screw bushings.
- How in *$%# do you get the slide stop in without using a tool to push in the plunger?
- I'd appreciate any advice on how to get this thing running 100%. I have ~1000 rounds through my FN Hi Power, and almost 2500 through my Browning Hi Power (both of which I would consider to be of equivalent quality to the MilSpec) without so much as a hiccup. I trust them both completely, and I believe that a gun like the Springfield is capable of that kind of reliability as well. Any tips are welcome and appreciated!!!
I'll probably think of more questions, but until then, I'll just leave you guys with a portrait of the siblings:
Wes
Being an older model MilSpec, and doesn't have the ILS lock.
The ejection port is lowered a little bit, but not as much as newer models, and it is not flared. One of the things that drew me to this one is that it has an extended thumb safety... I wasn't aware that those came on any MilSpecs, but I am happy to have it. The frame-to-slide fit is pretty good, with a little movement, but the barrel-to-slide fit is excellent at the hood and at the bushing. The trigger pull is what I would judge to be around 5.5 pounds with some creep.
I took it out for the first time on the 10th of October. I found that I could very easily hit what I was aiming at with this pistol. Recoil was also quite mild. I was shooting a few pieces of lumber that someone had left against the berm, and was very impressed at how easily that I could blow wood chunks all over the range.
My Dad said, "That'll come in handy if you ever have to cut down a tree."
I also noticed that a box of cartridged seems to go a lot farther when you're putting half as many into your magazine compared to a BHP.
I have put about 200 rounds through it so far, and am fairly pleased with the reliability for a range toy, but not enough to trust it for a carry weapon. Out of 3 range trips, I have had 3 malfunctions (1 on the first trip, 2 on the second, none on the last trip). The malfunctions are all a hangup when feeding that a small slap to the rear of the slide corrects. All the same, it's annoying and any malfunction is a little disturbing. I dont' know if it's something with the mags (have a bunch of new ones to try out), or if it's that the extractor needs tuning or replacing...
Even at that, there's something addictive about it.
On the plus side, it feeds everything I've tried. FMJs, Golden Sabers, and Remington's 100-pack JHPs.It came with Pachmayr wrap-around grips
which were promptly replaced with reproduction-style Hogue checkered grips. Still nothin' fancy, but I think it fits the utilitarian gun better while still having a touch of that "double diamond" elegance.And today, I finally swallowed my fear and detail stripped the gun. It was simpler that I first imagined, but I will have to go out on a limb and say that (as far as the frame goes) the Hi Power is easier to strip and put back together.
I haven't really done any shooting for groups yet, but I am sure that this will hold some tight groups.
Yes, it's safe to say that I'm pleased, but a few other things:
- I already hate grip screw bushings.
- How in *$%# do you get the slide stop in without using a tool to push in the plunger?
- I'd appreciate any advice on how to get this thing running 100%. I have ~1000 rounds through my FN Hi Power, and almost 2500 through my Browning Hi Power (both of which I would consider to be of equivalent quality to the MilSpec) without so much as a hiccup. I trust them both completely, and I believe that a gun like the Springfield is capable of that kind of reliability as well. Any tips are welcome and appreciated!!!
I'll probably think of more questions, but until then, I'll just leave you guys with a portrait of the siblings:
Wes
