1911 Springfield loaded

[Enginetech88]

Im looking at getting my first handgun at the end of the month. I have been really leaning towards the Springfield loaded 1911. Not sure if to go with the parkerized or stainless steel. Just wondering what you guys think of this choice. Or anyone with pictures of their own? Thanks!! Josh

 

[robctwo]

SA Black Stainless Target with a few mods.

 

[Enginetech88]

Thats aa really nice gun!! I dont know how I overlooked the black stainless.

 

[Enginetech88]

robctwo

How are the target sights? Im now looking at a used target model but not too sure how the sights were. Thanks Josh

 

[Jason_G]

I like the flat MSH. They could lose the front cocking serrations and ambi safeties IMO, but those are personal preference things. They are pretty solidly built. Frame is forged. Makes no practical difference in performance or reliability, but you get the bragging rights for it anyway. Trigger is pretty good IME, and the ignition systems of the ones I have seen are reliable.
I'm thinking the ejectors on the Loaded are glued in, are they not? I have never seen one fail, I wouldn't feel extremely comfortable with that set up. I know the ejector is pretty much held in place on its own, but I guess I'm just old school, I feel like they ought to be pinned. Locktite may very well do the job, I just don't know if I could trust it, but I guess that is a personal preference thing as well.

All in all, they are a well built 1911 for the price. If you are looking for a carry gun, I would opt for the Champion Loaded with the fixed sights rather than the Target Loaded.


Jason

 

[robctwo]

Sights are good. I use it for a range gun mostly, have a commander size with fixed sights and CT laser grips for carry. Mine came with a full six pound trigger which is a bit stout for my taste, so I did a little parts swapping. Ended up around 3.5 pounds. I also changed out the msh to get rid of the locking gizmo. I had some time on my hands and an urge to tinker. No dremel work allowed!. If you have a line on a used one go for it. I've bought a couple used 1911s that were in excellent shape and have zero regrets.

 

[franconialocal]

I'm a big fan of stainless. I have a few practical reasons for this, not just for looks. It cleans easily and where I live the road salt in the winter is a big concern for me. My issued weapon for work is a stainless Sig, but that is exposed right out to the elements all the time. If you live in very humid, salty(near the ocean) or "dirty" areas (a farm, factory, etc.) then stainless can't be beat.

From a safety and "tactical" standpoint, the drawback of stailess is it's high visibility, reflecting light, it's a lighter tone itself, etc. rather than a flat black that will blend in more.

Ahhhh....choices.....:banghead:

 

[mainmech48]

I've bought two "Loaded" Springfield models, both stainless: a Champion and a full-sized 1911A1.

I like stainless, mostly because it helps keep the time I need to spend on inspection and upkeep down to the bare minimum compared to blued carbon steel or phosphate finished carry weapons I've used in the past.

I've been very happy with both of mine, and consider them to have been exceptional values in terms of what I received for the money I spent. I've spent a good deal more to have "basic" 1911's similarly equipped with aftermarket parts.

I used my Champion for the 5-day Defensive Pistol I course at the Chapman Academy several years back. Other than having had about 350 'break-in' rds through it, it was as it came OTB.

It digested nearly 2300 rds of generic ball, hit where I pointed it, and only required a routine daily cleaning and relube to do so. Other than set-up training drill malfs, there were no problems.

It's still my primary CCW in all but the warmest weather.

The Novak-style fixed sights on the full sized lacked the tritium inserts I got on the Champion and the 'bushingless' ramped barrel arrangement, but it also cost about $200 less. It's nicely fitted, feeds and functions perfectly with everything I've tried in it so far and nicely accurate with its preferred ammo.

IMO, they're a fine choice and give good value for your money.

 

[possum]

i am not a fan of ss guns. i can tell you that other than a broken extractor in my sa 1911 i have been 100% happy with it's performance. it is accurate, and reliable.

 

[Grizfire]

I've had one (loaded parked) for about three years and it has never jammed, and has accuracy above my expectations. This weekend, on the first shot I stuck one right dead center bulls eye, and although the grouping was only around 3" at 10 yards, I still love it when I stick one right in the bulls eye.

 

[Enginetech88]

Thanks guys for the input!!! The LGS has a used (cant even tell) target loaded stainless black for 850. I am really thinking about getting it. The only thing that makes me wonder is them sights. I dont mind having the adjustable sights, but how hard are they to switch to fixed sights?? THANKS again!!! Josh

 

[mainmech48]

IIRC, there are at least a couple of outfits that make fixed replacement rear sights which use the pretty-much-standard "Bomar" cut. A browse through the Brownell's or Midway book should net you some possibles.

The process itself should be a direct swap. The most likely issue that might crop up is that POI may not coincide with POA for elevation with your existing front sight and preferred loads.

Most factory fixed sight sets for 1911's come approximately regulated for 230 gr. ammo at standard velocity. Some are based on the use of a "6 o'clock" hold at a given range (usually 25 yds.) and some a "center" hold. Getting a set regulated to your eyes, style and ammo might require a different front sight height.

 

[Top_Notch]

My loaded has been 100% reliable. Fit and finish are great. I only dislike the ambi safety. I replaced the ILS MSH with a serrated curved MSH. YMMV.

 

[schadenfreude]

I've never had a single failure in my 6 year old loaded.

I have however had to replace the worn out wobbly trigger, the plunger tube re staked. Basically after a few thousand rounds the thing is so loose that you remove the msh and the now loose safety all the pins pretty much fall out of the gun.

Really loose. Still shoots great but it just feels like a failure waiting to happen.

 

[nc76]

 

[robctwo]

Go to Whittakers Guns http://www.whittakerguns.com/

They have the SA Black Stainless Target, and the Black Stainless with fixed sights.

Looks like pretty good prices, but you need to figure shipping and FFL.

 

[slohand]

Here's my stainless Springfield Loaded with some grips by Esmeralda.

 

[Walkalong]

Nice Champion nc76

 

[sohcgt2]

I have a Springfield and I really like 1911's, they represent to me what an auto pistol should be. I would recommend you get one with tritium night sights, if you ever use them you will never want anything else. I would also suggest if you are going to use it for target competition make sure all the fitments are tight, if you intend to use it for personal defense find one that is a little loose. Mine is very accurate but due to the tight fit after several hundred rounds the barrel and bushing begin to bind, the result is feed failures.

 

[CPshooter]

My loaded has been 100% reliable. Fit and finish are great. I only dislike the ambi safety. I replaced the ILS MSH with a serrated curved MSH. YMMV.

Now I know why people are having trouble finding ammo at their local Wally World!!!

 

[neal7250]

I love them. Good luck on finding one, because they are a little hard to find at the present time.

 

[Quack]

here's my 9mm loaded (bought this back in Oct 2008 for $800 NIB)




another loaded in .45 after i did a little trigger work using stock parts
(i pretty much stole this for $499 NIB at Gander Mountain back in 2004)


EMP (bought on Dec 31, 2008 as my NYE gun purchase)


TRP


yeah, i kinda like Springfields. LOL

Here's an option from Harrison Custom's to replace the adjustable rear with a fixed sight

 

[Top_Notch]

Now I know why people are having trouble finding ammo at their local Wally World!!!

You don't know the half of it. I stocked up when 100 rds of 45 was $19.97 and 100 rds of 9mm was $9.97. I bought out all three local WallyWorlds.