1911 comparison

[sprice]

I want to get a springfield mil-spec. Parkerized, and used. Is there another 1911 in this price range ($800 actually, but I'd like money to spend for holsters, ammo, etc. left over. Unless colt is that much better than springfield 'cause I'm just gonna beat the heck out of it ) that would be better for me to get?

Also; can anyone tell me any differences about the springfield mil spec's in the 90's vs. todays? What does "ILS" mean?

 

[Castrolr1]

You can look at a Rock Island Armory.. and i know of no difference in 90s/2000

 

[JTQ]

Springfield now has the ILS. I don't know when that went into service.

I also believe they have changed names and features over the years, so it is possible a Mil-Spec from the early '90's may have different features from current Mil-Specs.

 

[Canuck-IL]

I believe one feature that changed was the front strap on earlier models was more square cut - filled the hand more. IIRC the 3 dot sights, angled serrations and lowered ejection port were the same...those are the primary differences between the GI and Milspec models.
/Bryan

 

[mothermopar]

Hard to beat SA prices for what you get. Solid weapons, good customer service and SA overall is well respected.

If the gun is in decent shape, I'd take a used SA 1911 over a new, comprable 1911 unless the new 1911 was a Colt or MAYBE a Kimber. Colt doesn't offer anything in the SA Mil-spec price range, unless you look into a 1991, but that may be a bit more.

IMO: Colt makes the best 1911 (given the quality of the internals); SA is easily the 2nd best with Kimber right there at times.

 

[TXHORNS]

In that price range the Mil-Spec is tough to beat. I've shot that Para GI 1911 and several Rock Islands and liked them all but I'd rather have the Springer. I can't think of anything I'd rather have for that price.

 

[sprice]

I added some more info if that helps...

 

[Nowhere Man]

I don't know where you live but around here a used mil spec runs around $500 - $550.

Dave

 

[sprice]

kay I added more

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Ils is integral locking system- a lock in the mainspring housing to deactivate the firearm

 

[xring]

i was always a Colt guy, but recently acquired a S&W 1911 that I am extremely pleased with. Very doable in that price range. (used).

 

[HammerheadSSN663]

I recently handled a new springfield 1911. piece of garbage IMO. MIM, made in Brazil, and everything looked and felt just plain 'rough' complete with the slide step cuts not cut straight on both sides..... no thanks!

 

[mothermopar]

The only company not using a ton of MIM is Colt (only three parts - easily replaced, btw).

SA may use MIM and it may be made in Brazil, but it's still one of the better 1911 brands by far. Given that, imagine what you get in a sub-$500 1911!!!!

That's why I went with Colt. Still the best after all these years.

I've owned Springers and never had an issue though.

 

[Yo Mama]

I recently handled a new springfield 1911. piece of garbage IMO.

So you're reviewing a gun you never shot or owned, but just by how you felt...ok. :banghead:

made in Brazil

Wrong, the frame is made by Imbel in Brazil, that's it. BTW, great quality, and well respected name. Assembly and all other parts are USA.

just plain 'rough' complete with the slide step cuts not cut straight on both sides..... no thanks!

That's what we call milspec, it's not fancy smanshy here. Function. That's all you get.

 

[TXHORNS]

Okay now you changed your budget so I have a different answer. Get a Colt and buy a $10 uncle mikes holster until you can afford better. You can always buy accessories and ammo.

That said for $500 the Milspec is still a good deal but if you can get a Colt now do it. Like all purchases but especially 1911s, seeing in person is better.

 

[Mitch from LA]

Rock Island Armory, Taurus, and STI all have quality offerings around the 500-600 dollar price range. I'm a big fan of the Taurus.

I haven't heard too many bad things about SA, and I have a cousing who swears by them.

 

[JTQ]

Yo Mama wrote,
Wrong, the frame is made by Imbel in Brazil, that's it. BTW, great quality, and well respected name. Assembly and all other parts are USA.

The frame is made in Brazil, as is the barrel and slide.

If you are talking about the GI or Mil-Spec they come to the US, from Brazil, as complete pistols with all Brazilian made parts. For the most part. Some Mil-Specs may be assembled in the US of Brazilian parts.

Springfield does assemble some of their higher end pistols in the US, but still uses frames, slides, and barrels forged in Brazil.

None of that is necessarily bad. They do make a good product and have a very good customer service reputation.

They have a proprietary sized titanium firing pin and the ILS requires the use of a mainspring different from the standard.

 

[silversport]

slanted grasping grooves or vertical???...back in the day, Springfield has been known to call their G.I. model the G.I. Mil-Spec...if it has the angled grasping grooves, higher profile sights, larger ejection port...you probably have the true Mil-Spec...and as long as the grip safety and hammer don't bite...also look at the serial number and if it starts with NM (NOT National Match) it was finished in the States...if that's important to you...quality pistol...good luck,
Bill

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

para gi expert is great gun for $500. i've only had an issue with a malformed cast extractor. para's "gold medallion" customer service sux, by the way.

 

[Yo Mama]

I called Springfield Armory a couple days ago concerning this exact thing. The rep said all Springfield Armory 1911 slides and frames are made in Brazil and then they are shipped to the U.S. When they are here then all the internals are assembled here to complete the firearm. I was also told that only the slides and frames were made in Brazil and all other parts were manufactured here by Springfield. She also said that you might have two of the exact guns and one is stamped "Made in Brazil" and the other made in US. She said if 51% of the firearm is made in Brazil then it gets the "Made in Brazil" stamp. 49% or less made in Brazil then it is stamped " Made in USA". Therefore we have no need to worry Springfield Armory has always put out great 1911 pistols and will continue to do so no matter what is stamped on the slide.By the way mine says made in Brazil and the one I looked at that helped me decide to buy the model I did was stamped Made in USA.

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/m1911/145991-springfield-1911s-where-manufactured.html

 

[CoRoMo]

Norinco.

No MIM. No ILS. All steel. $500.

 

[smoothdraw]

Get a colt even used or maybe you can find a dan wesson.

Springfield, Smith and Wesson, Kimber uses boatload of MIM parts. They are good weapons but why use MIM parts? To save cost? What does it tells you? While Colt uses 3 i think and dan wesson doesn't uses MIM parts at all.

When you really get into 1911, you will start replacing those MIM parts so good to start not having them in the 1st place.

 

[gunnie]

before "MIM" was a buzz-word, people warned against buying the imbel/sprgfld SAR 48 [FN licensed FAL clone]. for accuracy, the very best of all of the FALs i ever owned was an imbel. {compared to FN, Heese, L1A1, Steyr}

they now blue book @ $1675/100%. i don't think many people have had MIM failures with them.

you don't EVEN wanna know how many MIM parts your life depends on are built into your automobile.....

gunnie

 

[03Shadowbob]

There are many good choices under $800 especially used.
I'd personally get a Colt Commander or New Agent.
That sad my Springfield GI 1911 has been an awesome firearm with no problems at all. I only paid $400 for it.

 

[Kingofthehill]

your price range

Springfield Loaded model. And be done with it

JOe