1911 parts interchangability

[Corelogik]

I am in the market for a basic no nonsense 1911. I do not plan to enter competitions, I probably will never carry it concealed, in short I do not need, want or afford all the bells and whistles.

My questions are these;

How would you rate the Sprifield Armory Mil-Spec 1911?

Are there sources for 8 rnd mags instead of the standard 7's?

and which other 1911's can interchange parts with this model?

Anyone have any info on the Armscor 1911?

Are they decent?

thanx in advance for the info.

 

[dsk]

I can answer some of your questions:

>>>How would you rate the Sprifield Armory Mil-Spec 1911?

I have one I bought a couple of months ago. I think it's a very good gun for the price. Colts are better, but also at least a hundred dollars more.


>>>Are there sources for 8 rnd mags instead of the standard 7's?

Wilson and Shooting Star are the two most popular, and they will both work in a Mil-Spec.


>>>and which other 1911's can interchange parts with this model?

Springfields use a smaller-diameter firing pin and medium-tenon front sight, and of course have a new style of mainspring housing with an internal locking device. All other parts are interchangeable with other full-size 1911s lacking a firing pin safety (non-Series 80 or Kimber Series II).

 

[sm]

I like and recommend. I recently shot another another 200 rds from this gun which is a year old. Owner bought it, then was called out of the country. He asked that the ILS be removed, and be replaced,( smith and alexander)smooth trigger a bit (breaks at 4#), and since he will use for CCW, commander style hammer,CMc grip-safety with the bump, skateboard tape the frontstrap.

Gun has never missed a beat, I have run 1k since last clean, 2k or so total since I was asked to assist in babysitting and testing.

I used his metalform 7rd mags which he prefers to carry, and tested with Wilson 7 and 8 rd mags, 8rd Powermags, and some old GI mags...gun ran them all. I/we did put the AL thin basepads on the metalforms-for carry.

This is a work gun: CCW, target, hunt, plink,IDPA--He is getting another set up same way, he believes in knowing one gun well and having another exactly like it.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat,set it up the same way... as I have done myself.

 

[CWatson]

I have a MilSpec Springfield full size.Extractor troubles that were compounded by the worst customer service of any company in America.I had to fix it myself with a Chip McCormick extractor.I learned that the Springfields are made in Brazil,but if you have it repaired at Springfield the use the cheapist supplier of the month to get parts from.

I have couple 70 series Colts and they have always been trouble free.The only reason I bought a Springcrap is I wanted another full size 45 for the range and when I had the funds the gunstore was out of Colt 1991s,which run about $50 at the most more than the Springcrap.

I recommend the Chip McCormick 8rnd mags as well.Avoid Springfield and spend the few extra $ and get a Colt. CW

 

[XavierBreath]

How would you rate the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911?

Mine was flawless in function, right out of the box. I have over 1000 rounds through it now with no FTF, no FTE. It shoots 9 rings or better as long as I have ammo. All I have done to it is install a King's match bushing, install a longer mil-spec trigger, and cocabolo grips.

Are there sources for 8 rnd mags instead of the standard 7's?

I use Wilson Combat mags, althogh the Springer magazine works fine. Wilson makes 8 rounders.

and which other 1911's can interchange parts with this model?

Any Series 70 Colt parts will fit.

I also have a new Colt Commander that doesn't shoot half as accurately as the springer, and has an occasional FTF. I am still ironing it out after 500 rounds. The Springfield was a better buy for me.

 

[USMCsilver]

DSK -- All other parts are interchangeable with other full-size 1911s lacking a firing pin safety (non-Series 80 or Kimber Series II).

The grip safety is a .250 instead of the normal .220 as well.

 

[Corelogik]

Any recomendations for a basic 1911 in the say, $400-$600 range?

Like I stated I want a no frills, easy to get parts/work/mags etc,...

The only things I can think of, without owning and trying one, that I may want is a beaver tail grip safety or possibly, extended safety or slid release.

I figure I'll start with a basic pistol and work up from there to find out what I do/dont want and do/dont need.

What's the difference between Series 70 and Series 80?

In any case at this time $600 is my ceiling for an OTD weapon.

 

[Shmackey]

Corelogik,

I've been obsessing over this question for a couple of weeks now. (I already have a Kimber Classic, but this recent obsession has been about a basic Commander-sized 1911.) I've held and toyed with them all, including the most recent offerings, and the basic new Colts really seem to be where it's at. The latest Springers and Kimbers have a bunch of "nice" parts that are really pretty crappy--they're cheap versions of nice parts. (The Springer Mil-Spec doesn't have the "nice" parts but some parts are still pretty crappy.) The Colt is a solid piece of 1911. It's also the cheapest.

Check out the pics in this thread and see what you think. That 1911 (in Commander or Gov't size) will cost pretty much what a Springer Mil-Spec costs.

 

[dsk]

USMCsilver-

The grip safety is a .250 instead of the normal .220 as well.

Actually, no it isn't. The Springfield Loaded models havbe a beavertail with a .220 radius. The Mil-Specs have a standard GI grip tang that is slightly shorter than those on Colts. It's closer to the size that Ithaca and Remington Rand pistols used. To use a true beavertail on a Mil-Spec you'll still have to have the tangs cut down.

 

[Minute_Of_Torso]

I can only help with two of your questions: How would I rate the SA MilSpec? Parts crossover?

I've had mine since Valentine's Day and I've put exactly 3K rounds through it so far (as of last weekend). It has been flawless in fit, form, and function. I've been very carefully tracking the rounds fired and with what type of ammunition and I've been doing complete take-downs after every shooting session so that I can inspect all the parts. (I was made paranoid by some friends about SA's reliability just after buying the gun and went a little overboard on the inspections for wear and tear and signs of impending parts failure). What I've proven to myself is that out of the box this is an extremely reliable, accurate, and dependable pistol.

As far as one-for-one parts crossover, dsk's post said what I would've said.

 

[45auto]

If you can, try to shoot a mil-spec and one with an extended beavertail, or at the very least hold them and see which one feels more comfortable.

If you like the beavertail, I would suggest the Springfield "Loaded" model. It will be cheaper than buying a mil-spec and adding on later. You get better sights, extended beavertail and safety. Of the three, the extended safety is probably the least useful if you don't shoot with your thumb on the safety-IMHO. It's also the cheapest to add or delete. Sight cuts and extended beavertails are not cheap to have done.

The "bells and whistles" are improvements, to many, that do not affect reliabilty and are pretty much standard on most models except for the lower priced models and Colts. I suspect Colt is unable to produce a competitive, similiar model with those features.

Series 80 has a firing pin safety block that is activated by the trigger pull. I have one and it's a very good, reliable system.
Series 70(Colt's terminology) has no firing pin safety.

Good luck