Paul1967
Member
Another Springfield recommendation.
Best Budget 1911 under $500 new
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I've been taking a long, hard look at the Springfield Mil-Spec recently.
Then, yesterday at the gun show I held one. Really like the look and feel.
It's good to hear some nice things about it.
I wanted to get the PX9109L, but I don't think I can go that high...
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but is it worth the extra money?
Are the bells and whistles really that much better?
Then, yesterday at the gun show I held one. Really like the look and feel.
It's good to hear some nice things about it.
I wanted to get the PX9109L, but I don't think I can go that high...
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but is it worth the extra money?
Are the bells and whistles really that much better?
Jeff OTMG
Member
That would be the Griffon from South Africa. CDNN still has them NIB for a little over $350 and that includes night sights. The gun has a forged frame and slide, unlike many cheap 1911's. Those parts, sights, and grips are all I kept. That gives you over $400 to put into new parts. You can get a take off Colt Commander barrel for $50 from C&S, the rest of the part can be ordered, Brownell's, or picked up at gun shows.
I agree with Mr. Ford; a couple months ago, a local gunshhop had a nice Kimber Series I Custom for $550.00, but I could have gotten it for $500.00. By the time I went back to get it, it was gone (yeah right, ya snooze, ya lose). I would rate the trigger on that Kimber better than the Springfield Mil-Specs that I've personally tried. The demand factor argues in favor of the Kimber; good Series I Kimbers at a fair price fly off the gunstore shelves, whereas the Mil-Specs seem to be readily available; keep that fact in mind any time you buy a 1911, since you may at some point need or want to sell it.
Springfield Armory WWI Replica
I have Springfield Armory's Mil Specs from way back when that's all they offered. Both have seen their fair share of USPSA competition. If I was in the same market today, I'd go with the SA WWII Replica. In my area, they are going for $400. I agree with several others in also placing a Colt 1991 NRM in either Government or Commander length. For the extra $50, you get a Colt and its enduring resale value. Both are well made, forged handguns. I have a Colt Commander on my wish list.
I have Springfield Armory's Mil Specs from way back when that's all they offered. Both have seen their fair share of USPSA competition. If I was in the same market today, I'd go with the SA WWII Replica. In my area, they are going for $400. I agree with several others in also placing a Colt 1991 NRM in either Government or Commander length. For the extra $50, you get a Colt and its enduring resale value. Both are well made, forged handguns. I have a Colt Commander on my wish list.
MrAcheson
Member
To my knowledge while the parts used in the Rock Island Armory, Charles Daly, and Armscor are the same, they are assembled in different places. The Armscor is made and assembled in the phillipines. The RIA and CD are assembled in the US. Hence the improvement in their quality.
Mikul
Member
A 1911 afficianado that I know highly recommends the low-end Kimber which he bought for $550.
I have heard nothing but good things about the Mil-Spec.
I have heard nothing but good things about the Mil-Spec.
Baron Holbach4
Member
Anyone vouch for the Auto Ordnance 1911? Are these good pistols?
BluesBear
member
Auto Ordinance mad a total of TWO pistols that worked 100% out of the box. and I owned both of them. 
They were good pistols. I had traded around and got them at two different local gun shows. I had about $150 invested in each.
They weren't as well made as a Colt 1991A1 and they would not have held up as well. If you can find one that runs well, it would be a good house gun. But if you are looking for a .45 that will shoot tens of thousands of rounds you'll have to be prepared to replace some parts in an AO.
I replaced the thumb safety, trigger, sear, hammer, disconnector, and ejector on mine. It took a little bit of work to get the ambidexterous safety on one of them. Everything didn't line up quite right. On the 2nd one I had no problem however.
The hammers seemd a little soft and the ejectors were showing wear . The extractors however were just fine.
The slide/frame rails were somewhat gritty feeling but a touch or Dremel Polishing Compound with a couple of drops of Clenz-Oil and after 100 rounds they were fine.
Even though most people seem to hate them. I'll recommend them if you can find them at a good price.
Just my tuppence, YMMV
They were good pistols. I had traded around and got them at two different local gun shows. I had about $150 invested in each.
They weren't as well made as a Colt 1991A1 and they would not have held up as well. If you can find one that runs well, it would be a good house gun. But if you are looking for a .45 that will shoot tens of thousands of rounds you'll have to be prepared to replace some parts in an AO.
I replaced the thumb safety, trigger, sear, hammer, disconnector, and ejector on mine. It took a little bit of work to get the ambidexterous safety on one of them. Everything didn't line up quite right. On the 2nd one I had no problem however.
The hammers seemd a little soft and the ejectors were showing wear . The extractors however were just fine.
The slide/frame rails were somewhat gritty feeling but a touch or Dremel Polishing Compound with a couple of drops of Clenz-Oil and after 100 rounds they were fine.
Even though most people seem to hate them. I'll recommend them if you can find them at a good price.
Just my tuppence, YMMV
XavierBreath
Member
Sorry so late responding Chuck...........
My Springfield Mil-Spec has had some things changed. It was my first 1911A1. Modifications include an Ed Brown Tactical Ambi Safety, Kim Ahrends Cocobolo Combat Checkered Grips, 20 LPI Checkered Mainspring Housing, Longer Trigger (Colt), 18 lb Wolff Mainspring, a Blued King's Match Bushing, a King's Wide Spur Hammer, and a lot of action polishing. Next on the agenda is a CMC drop in rear sight. Once I'm finally satisfied I may get it coated or blued. I'm thinking that the rear sight will be the last mod.
Here's the WWII model.
My Springfield Mil-Spec has had some things changed. It was my first 1911A1. Modifications include an Ed Brown Tactical Ambi Safety, Kim Ahrends Cocobolo Combat Checkered Grips, 20 LPI Checkered Mainspring Housing, Longer Trigger (Colt), 18 lb Wolff Mainspring, a Blued King's Match Bushing, a King's Wide Spur Hammer, and a lot of action polishing. Next on the agenda is a CMC drop in rear sight. Once I'm finally satisfied I may get it coated or blued. I'm thinking that the rear sight will be the last mod.
Here's the WWII model.
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PCRCCW
Member
I would have to say.....get 1/2 of an STI Trojan and play like youre shooting it!
Ok....Rock Island Arms are a steal, Most Charles Dalys run fine, SA Mill Spec is a great gun for those retro guys, the SA Loaded guns are a better deal if you want the Modern Version-this gun will save you 100's in mods, The used Kimber is another highly recommended way to go and Griffons run better than the Daly's for a very very good price currently.
I know, Ive helped out by "NOTHING" but you got my opinion.
Shoot well...........
Ok....Rock Island Arms are a steal, Most Charles Dalys run fine, SA Mill Spec is a great gun for those retro guys, the SA Loaded guns are a better deal if you want the Modern Version-this gun will save you 100's in mods, The used Kimber is another highly recommended way to go and Griffons run better than the Daly's for a very very good price currently.
I know, Ive helped out by "NOTHING" but you got my opinion.
Shoot well...........
I've got both a Springfield Loaded and a Milspec. The loaded is much lighter than the milspec and it comes with the upgrades (beavertail. ambi saftey, night sites, two piece guide rod).
Two things I've done to the milspec 1. Put on Hogue finger groove grips and 2. Tune the extractor. It was having feeding problems that worked out to be the extractor.
I've used the loaded for USPSA shooting and really liked it there. Got the milspec to help the wife. I could use the same ammo, same magazines, holsters, etc. instead of buying all new with a different gun.
I really like both and they shoot great with my reloads. I'd recommend either. The milspec if you want basic, the loaded if you think you'd ever want to upgrade the options. At least for me, it made more sense to spend a little more at the get go than to spend a lot more to have things added later.
Good Luck Hunting.
Two things I've done to the milspec 1. Put on Hogue finger groove grips and 2. Tune the extractor. It was having feeding problems that worked out to be the extractor.
I've used the loaded for USPSA shooting and really liked it there. Got the milspec to help the wife. I could use the same ammo, same magazines, holsters, etc. instead of buying all new with a different gun.
I really like both and they shoot great with my reloads. I'd recommend either. The milspec if you want basic, the loaded if you think you'd ever want to upgrade the options. At least for me, it made more sense to spend a little more at the get go than to spend a lot more to have things added later.
Good Luck Hunting.
J. Parker
Member
Find a Norinco 1911 at your next gunshow. They are a "best buy" of 1911's. I've had several and they were all excellent pistols. Best, John
SirPorl
Member
WOW
"To my knowledge while the parts used in the Rock Island Armory, Charles Daly, and Armscor are the same, they are assembled in different places. The Armscor is made and assembled in the phillipines. The RIA and CD are assembled in the US. Hence the improvement in their quality."
There seems to be a statement of brilliance
SirPorl
"To my knowledge while the parts used in the Rock Island Armory, Charles Daly, and Armscor are the same, they are assembled in different places. The Armscor is made and assembled in the phillipines. The RIA and CD are assembled in the US. Hence the improvement in their quality."
There seems to be a statement of brilliance
SirPorl
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