I have a question about a 1911

[datruth]

I'm considering buying another handgun, Springfield 1911 champion . I have had a Springfield G.I and I liked it before selling it , for my Glock 21 sf, but my previous 1911, I would have to do to much to it to get it to my liking. The champion operator comes with everything I want, novak night sights, ambi safety, and pic light rail. The only thing I would add is magwell, probably smith and Alexander. Out of the box, what else would need to happen, mods or additions before its 100 percent reliable for carry and just minor range work.Is it a good buy and would you all trust your lives with it. advice/ suggestions

 

[sithanas]

My Champion Loaded is dead-nuts reliable - the only modification is rubber finger groove grips (hogue) and a nice idiot mark from the first time I tried to disassemble it without using the nice little disassembly tool Springfield provides.

 

[JLStorm]

It depends what you consider 100% reliable. I have had 1911's and I have had to baby all of them compared go the combat guns I own (mostly HK), but if I did this and did maintenance routinely they were very reliable. Your glock on the other hand could probably go through 5000 rounds without cleaning or changing out anything, on the flip side it will never be as accurate as a 1911 could be...if you practice enough to be able to tell the difference. Again, I really think you need to define exactly what you mean when you say reliability.

 

[Geno]

My experience with Glocks and Colts has been excellent. Last year, I did a head-to-head bewteen a G17 and a Colt Series 70 reissue. I fired 3,000 rounds through each, no cleaning, and added oil every 100 to 150 rounds as needed. Neither firearms ever failed in any way shape or form. In addition, both remained dead-on accurate throughout. Finally, at 3,000 rounds, I decided to clean the Glock because it was filthy! The Colt was actually slightly cleaner, but that was enough abuse. I cleaned it and called them co-equals.

 

[datruth]

my definition is simple, in terms of reliability

I want a weapon other than my two glocks, 21f1 and 30, for carry and range time but I would like to be able to step back to my a 1911 from my glocks but I love the classic 1911 design, the reason for me buying a 1911 in the first place. The glocks are dead reliable, I trust my life with them. They are accurate enough, but I love the 1911 design and the 1911 is more accurate from my last experience with my previous Springfield G.I

 

[MICHAEL T]

"magwell, probably smith and Alexander"
Why just adding length to pistol and really not needed on a SD gun. KISS is always best. . My Defender is as came except for the silly rubber grips I replaced them . Other wise fine. We reloaded for years with out add ons.

 

[datruth]

I really like the look of it, Im guilty of it

It is not necessary but just an aesthetics thing I guess, I like the way it looks is that so wrong, im guilty as charged

 

[1911 guy]

Tweaks to make reliable? Probably none.

You probably won't have to do anything to make it a reliable pistol. Right now Springfield enjoys the reputation of making an excellent handgun, right out of the box.

As far as "babying" a handgun, that's B.S. I've gone through several thousand rounds at a time (read: in one day) and cleaned after I'm done. My hands were in worse shape than my 1911. They need to be babied the same as a racing car. Run the ever-loving crap out of them, then get them ready for the next time.

 

[Old Fuff]

The only thing I would add is magwell, probably smith and Alexander.

Today's Springfield 1911 pistols come with a lawyer lock built into the mainspring housing, and I believe the Smith & Alexander magwell incorporates a mainspring housing. If so, you would need to replace the internals used in the Springfield housing, and of course lose the lock. Parts are available from www.brownells.com

The magwell was designed for gamers. I question its use on a weapon because a hard blow on the side could bend it enough so that you couldn't drop the magazine. As a rule of thumb: The more gadgets you add to the pistol the less weapon it becomes.

 

[TX1911fan]

Buy it. The Champion was my first 1911. I put two nice idiot marks on it, and sold it because I hated the shame of seeing those marks. I never should have sold it. I miss it. I have two other Springfield 1911s, but sure miss my Champion.

 

[Zen21Tao]

If part of what you like about the Glock is its DAO trigger, then you could condsider a para Ordnance LDA model. I have two, a 13+1 round Tac four and a 6+1 round Carry 6.45. I use small carry model as my daily concealed carry gun.

Let me also add that I also have two Glocks (G27, G29) both setu up for concealed carry with Comp-Tec CTAC holsters. Also I have 5 other 1911s, including a Springfield loaded. I find the Springfield to be a highly accurate and dependable gun that I wouldn't hesitate to carry if my other options weren't available.