SA Mil Spec 1911

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JTQ said:
My experience with GI feed lipped mags is limited, CheckMate's only, and I find they hold the rounds less securely than wadcutter feed lipped mags. I have less inertial feed issues with wadcutter feed lipped mags than with anything else.

With GI and hybrid lipped mags, I find rounds will not only inertial feed, but will also occasionally pop out of the mag if carried loose in a pocket or bag, or when pulled from a mag pouch. I typically don't have these issues with wadcutter feed lipped mags. I primarily shoot ball ammo, and while the GI mags (and hybrids) feed smoother (logical in my mind because they hold the round less securely), I don't have any problems with ball ammo out of wadcutter mags.

To me, the real downside to GI feed lipped mags is you limit your options. Other than perhaps third world construction, I believe CheckMate is the only current producer of GI feed lipped mags. If you can reliably source them (Top Gun Supply, Thunder Mountain Custom, and CheckMate are probably the only places to find them), it may not be an issue. However, my mag of choice, the 7 round, full size Wilson 47 is fairly easily sourced, and my back up choice, 7 round wadcutters from CheckMate are available in multiple options. If you don't like those, you can get wadcutter feed lipped mags from just about every manufacturer out there in 7 round, 8 round (both 7 and 8 rounders in fixed base plate and removable base pad versions), 8 round extended tube, and 10 round options. Conversely, GI mags are only available as 7 rounders and with a fixed base plate and in either stainless or blue. Manufacturers, sources, and configuration options are limited.
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I have found the Wilson 47D, having wad cutter feed lips, to be a very reliable performer in my R1. My stock hybrid mags were fine when new, but later caused inertial feed problems due to feed lips eventually spreading out of spec on hybrid magazines (7 rd mags that are stock issue for the base model R1; have welded steel baseplate; I believe mecgar makes them). Remington was kind enough to send me 2 new magazines which have been working fine to date. However I prefer the wadcutter feed lips, particularly the Wilson 47D, not just because it’s been flawless, but because it is easy to periodically check for feed lip spread with calipers. It is much harder to detect measure feed lip spread on a hybrid or GI feed lip design, you don’t know your mag is going bad until you start getting jams. I recall reading an excellent article on the subject that stated that wadcutter feed lips should measure.378-.382”; if the lips start to spread beyond that you can expect inertial feed jams at some point. My 47D measures .379”, and the hybrids measure .381” at the rear where they are most narrow, .394” in middle, and .492” in front. I measure them for spreading periodically, especially the hybrids, because they seem more prone to spreading.
 
There are many like it, but this one is mine :)

I love the classic GI look; so least external modification beyond the flat mainspring housing.

But it does wear a match trigger pull set from Cylinder and Slide, a Nat'l Match bushing, and 16 lb. ISMI springs and solid plug. And of course, a 'happy trigger' nylon grip from amazon.

The cross-cannon wood grip is a little thick for me, and the plastic black cross cannon grip is too ninja. I'm also fond of the slanted slide grip. Its a SA, not a Colt ;)


SAmilspec1911.png


I also load my rounds w bullseye or vitavuhri N310 topped with mainly 185gr bullets. Softly shooting, accurate pistol!
 
Garandimal said:
No, it just slows the slide a bit, to reduce battering, but still has enough dwell time to cycle reliably.

May even cause a slight "dip" going forward into battery.

Don't notice it.




GR
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Don't mean to beat a dead horse, but putting an 18 1/2# recoil spring in a 1911 doesn't do the pistol any favors. It is a good way to crack the barrel lugs. It may slow the slide's rearward travel but it speeds it up in the opposite direction. When those lugs crash into the slide stop it is with more force than they were designed to withstand. It isn't the link that pushes the barrel upward into battery, it is the lugs bearing against the slide stop pin. The link's only job is to pull the barrel down out of battery. When I worked for Les, I lost count of the number of RMAs that came in with cracked barrel lugs. Every one of them had a heavier than standard recoil spring.

The risk isn't great if the gun isn't fired extensively, but it is there. If your pistol cycles reliably and it is, say, a carry gun that doesn't get shot a lot......Enjoy your heavy spring. But keep the preceding paragraph in the back of your mind
 
Use the spring Browning designed for the gun - 14 - 16 lbs. It works better than a heavy recoil spring that slams the slide shut hard. I shot and built race 1911s for a few years and Mr. Tark is absolutely right.
 
+Ditto on 16 lbs spring for 1911.

The only instance I installed an 18lbs spring was when firing .45 super out of an HK USP. But when firing 45 ACP rounds, the slide motion/timing was so abrupt that it reduces reliability. For the first and only time, my HK USP stovepiped, then FTFeed. Now it wears the original 14 lbs spring it came with.
 
maryo_hutasoit said:
+Ditto on 16 lbs spring for 1911.

The only instance I installed an 18lbs spring was when firing .45 super out of an HK USP. But when firing 45 ACP rounds, the slide motion/timing was so abrupt that it reduces reliability. For the first and only time, my HK USP stovepiped, then FTFeed. Now it wears the original 14 lbs spring it came with.
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Welcome to the monkey house ! :)
 
IMG_0463.JPG

Bought new in '93. Wouldn't trade it or sell it. The sights are 3 dot, bigger than the standard military, mag well is beveled but other than that as GI as you get.
 
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I am no fan of the shiny stainless bushings and slanted “cool guy” slide serrations on these modern 1911s.

Ruins the classic look of the gun and makes the final result end up looking confused.

I shall stick with my Remington Rand.
 
Evidently "mil-spec" does not mean "GI clone." In fact "mil-spec" in this context is almost meaningless.

If you want a "GI clone," I found that the best place to start is with a Kahr / Thompson, although that one has the Series 80 firing pin safety. You can remove those parts and substitute GI parts, and at least all the traces are internal.
 
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AlexanderA said:
Evidently "mil-spec" does not mean "GI clone." In fact "mil-spec" in this context is almost meaningless.

If you want a "GI clone," I found that the best place to start is with a Kahr / Thompson, although that one has the Series 80 firing pin safety. You can remove those parts and substitute GI parts, and at least all the traces are internal.
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Yea, the SA Mil Spec is not a GI clone. You’re exactly right. Slide serrations, lowered ejection port, stainless bushing, and sites are different than a GI clone.

Still, it’s a great basic 1911 with a few upgrades that many people like. It’s a keeper in my book!

But if you want a GI clone then you’re right. Definitely need to consider other options.
 
Why Colt or Springfield, or other brand worthy of consideration (no foreign budget brands please and thank you) doesn’t come out with a correct GI pattern M1911A1 clone is a mystery to me.

You’d think Colt would sell a whole bunch of Series 70s parkerized and kitted out like the proper GI guns. I’m talking vertical slide serrations, proper or close to original roll marks, correct GI grips, etc. These “75% there almost kinda sorta GI” guns sort of grate my gears.
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
Why Colt or Springfield, or other brand worthy of consideration (no foreign budget brands please and thank you) doesn’t come out with a correct GI pattern M1911A1 clone is a mystery to me.

You’d think Colt would sell a whole bunch of Series 70s parkerized and kitted out like the proper GI guns. I’m talking vertical slide serrations, proper or close to original roll marks, correct GI grips, etc. These “75% there almost kinda sorta GI” guns sort of grate my gears.
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Thank you! I've warmed up to slanted serration now, but did take a long time. Now anyone who wants to sell their remington-rand, pls pm me :)
 
I wished the SA Mil Spec came with vertical serrations and without the lowered and flared ejection port.
 
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