New Springfield Loaded - My thoughts and impressions.

[malakili]

Hello, all. I've owned a few 1911s in the past, but they've all been the basic GI style. Three I owned weren't very reliable (Para USA GI Expert, a High Standard-branded Armscor, and a Rock Island GI), and two more (both Springfields) were quite dependable but I stupidly let them go in favor of other stuff that was catching my fancy at the time.
Well, lately I've been regretting letting go of those fine, fine Springfields and had the urge to get another one and hang on to it. This time I wanted one with tritium night sights though, to make it a little more useful as an HD or carry option. My options were to get a basic Milspec and pay to have Trijicons added or get the upgraded "Loaded" model that comes with them standard. Looking at prices, it would have cost about the same either way, so to save time and complexity I ordered the Springfield Loaded Parkerized model on 8/10.
I received the pistol on 8/13 and having handled it and shot it a bit since then I've decided I'm quite impressed with it. It feels great in the hand, has a nice businesslike finish and has an excellent trigger. Not a perfect trigger, there's barely perceptible creep before the light, crisp break, but still very easy to shoot accurately. I put 50 rounds of WWB through the gun on the 14th and was able to shoot ragged one-hole groups at 20ft and keep all the shots in an IDPA -0 circle at 50 ft. Recoil isn't harsh, not surprising with a gun that's 40oz empty. Operation is 100% reliable so far, as expected with this manufacturer. I have never seen a Springfield malfunction when using the factory 7-round mags.
The pistol came in a very nice hard case with internal foam padding. Inside was the gun (luckily), two mags, a basic polymer paddle holster, a double mag carrier, a cleaning brush, lock, and assorted paperwork.
I see the included holster knocked a lot in reviews, and it's not ideal, but for free equipment it's not bad either. It has adjustable tension and holds the gun very securely, it's fairly comfortable to carry all day, and conceals pretty well. I like the mag carrier a lot too.
In addition to the upgraded sights, my Loaded came with some other "enhancements" over the vanilla flavor Milspec. I use quotations because some things I could take or leave, or don't really prefer.
Upgrades I like: The Trijicon night sights (obviously), the extended beavertail which allows a higher grip on the weapon, and the little bump on the grip safety which makes deactivation a little more sure. I also like the flat mainspring housing with nice, rough checkering.
Neutral: The shiny three hole trigger (needless bling) and the forward slide serrations. I do find myself using them to press check though, so they are functional. The pistol also is fitted with an ambidextrous safety, which I don't really need but doesn't seem to cause any issues so far.
Not so good: The full-length, two-piece guide rod. Why? I don't know what the advantage of this is, but I do know that it adds needless weight and that I have to unscrew the rod with an allen wrench to field strip the gun. I'm "downgrading" to a GI short guide rod and spring plug as soon as the parts come in the mail.
Overall though, I'm very happy with my purchase and feel that the gun was worth the extra money over the basic Springfield. I've got some Lee .45 dies on the way and am itching to crank out some rounds and really break this pistol in! Thanks for reading.

 

[Fiv3r]

Lovely gun and congrats
I loved my Loaded. It's the most accurate pistol I own. Mine is stainless and has the target sights, which I may eventually have a Smith swap out for some combats.

Wonderful pistol.

 

[bannockburn]

Good write-up on a very nice looking and well equipped 1911. I also like the all-business appearance of the parkerized finish.

 

[200Apples]

.
I too am a devotee of the SA Loaded. Mine is also parkerized. Had one failure to feed during the first 100 rds, none since and I've put about 2000 rounds of mostly hardball (with the occasional 50 rounds of JHP for a function test) through it so far. It feels smoother all the time. I use Hoppe's oil and Ballistol when cleaning and reassembling it, and although I don't run it "wet" I'm not afraid of applying an extra drop or two upon reassembly.

I agree with you on the trigger as well as with your other points. You may rethink the ambidextrous thumb safety if you ever have to shoot it weak-hand. I purchased two additional factory 7-rd magazines, but in stainless. I'm so happy with this pistol's accuracy, function, feel and reliability that I cannot see my changing anything whatsoever about it.

I am interested, then, on your pistol's progress and would like to catch up with you for a function report after you've run another several thousands rounds through it using your GI short guide rod and spring plug modification.

Thanks for a great post about a great pistol!

 

[malakili]

I loved my Loaded. It's the most accurate pistol I own.

Same here. Only handgun I've shot more accurately very first try was a Ruger MkIII

You may rethink the ambidextrous thumb safety if you ever have to shoot it weak-hand.

You might be right about that, sounds like some weak-hand only drills are in order.

I am interested, then, on your pistol's progress and would like to catch up with you for a function report after you've run another several thousands rounds through it using your GI short guide rod and spring plug modification.

No problem. I would expect it to run well since the GI guide/plug is original 1911 spec, but I'll let you know either way.

I'm a serious fan of this outdated overweight hunk of steel, honestly it hasn't left my right hip since I test fired it other than during sleep, LOL.

Thanks, all.

 

[arizona98tj]

Thanks for taking the time to supply some in-focus pics of your new 1911 along with your review comments. Always good to hear input from a shooter who isn't making a living writing reviews. I like the Springfield line.

 

[frankiestoys]

I owned a Stainless version a few years ago very nice pistol ran well w/o issues ,sold it off for a STI Trojan

 

[Robert101]

Yep, my SA Loaded is a keeper. I've got maybe 1,200 rounds thru it and have loved every shot. I just this past weekend qualified with it for CCW in CA. Don't ask, it's a complicated process.

By the way, SA customer service (if you should ever need them) is great. I lost my recoil spring plug and had to order a new one.

 

[CWL]

That is a fine pistol and the one I typically recommend for anyone wanting to buy a M1911 pistol. Plenty of bells & whistles, yet still keeps to the reliable design philosophy.

I wouldn't be too upset if the SA Loaded was the only pistol I owned.

 

[Captain33036]

I have owned several 1911 framed .45 acp pistols. RIA, Kimber, STI, Colt, SIG and SA. For some reason, I just cannot leave well enough alone and have to tinker with them.

The SA's have been the only brand that consistently allow me to add or replace whatever component I wish, without any issue whatsoever. I think there is something very positive to be said about that...and so I am saying it.

Good purchase. All the best.

J
ps - If you would like, you can make the trigger amazing. Drop in a Les Baer Sear/Trigger set, and Cylinder&Slide leaf spring. For under $150, you will have a trigger that is as good as it gets.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

I've got a lightweight loaded that I bought used(built in 2003). It's a great gun and extremely accurate. In fact it is the only .45acp I have as my Colt government is a .38 super. Just had it cerakoted and Trijicon HD sights on it and VZ grips. It looks great.

 

[malakili]

Chocolate Bayou, I'd love to see a pic of that Springfield! Post one if you can.

This afternoon I changed a couple of things on the pistol and fired it a bit more. From Midway I got an Ed Brown GI guide rod and spring plug, and some Magpul grips. All parts swapped out easily and I headed to the range.

A friend and I fired another 126 rounds of Winchester White Box 230gr FMJs with no issues. No noticeable performance/accuracy difference after replacing the stock full length guide rod.

I do really like the Magpul grips. They are nice and slender, have a very grippy yet still comfortable texture, and have a neat little cutout for more easily reaching the magazine release. For 20 bucks you can't go wrong.

On another subject, 30 out of the 126 rounds were fired in a fairly low-key shooting league match I participate in most Tuesdays. I scored a bit lower this week than usual. I always get a bit of adrenaline pumping and shaky hands during these matches. I happen to use a double action .38 revolver most times. I found the light, short trigger on the 1911 harder to control under the stress of the match than the long DA trigger. Certainly not the Springfield's fault, but it definitely took me greater effort to stay calm and squeeze rather than slap the trigger during the match. Yet under calm, no-stress conditions I shoot the 1911 better than the revolver. Dagnabbit!

Here are some updated pics of the pistol showing new grips and Ed Brown GI spring plug.

 

[Water-Man]

I've had my Loaded for twelve years and it has never missed a beat.

Hope you're as happy with yours as I am with mine.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Congrats.
I too, have a Loaded. It's the lightweight version. STS slide with a black aluminum frame. Very nice gun. I immediately swaped out that useless FLGR for the GI set up. By immediatey I mean before the gun left the gun shop. I also went to an arched MSH. The gun has been flawless. It gets carried quite a lot.

 

[NGIB]

This Loaded Longslide Target is one of the few guns I bought new as I could not find one on the used market. It likely has 3000+ rounds thru it without issue and is my favorite "bowling pin" gun...

 

[Quags]

That parkerized Springfield Loaded was my first 1911. I love mine. Haven't changed anything on it. I will change the grips eventually but I love it just the way it came out of the box. Nice honest review!