New Black Stainless Performs Flawlessly! (long)

[XD Niner]

I picked up my new Springfield Black Stainless Loaded 1911-A1 (PX9152L) this morning and am ecstatically happy with it. This pistol is an absolute beauty with its dark gray flat surfaces and the black oxide (?) accents. It is almost too pretty to shoot!

After field stripping it and cleaning off about a gallon of oil, it was off to the range. Fortunately, there was no one else there or they would likely have dialed 911 to report a grinning fool who kept saying things like “whoopâ€, “cool†and “Yes!!â€

To say I was completely satisfied with my newest purchase is a serious understatement. It performed flawlessly. I put 100 rounds of WWB 230 gr FMJ and 70 rounds of Remington UMC 230 gr JHP though it without a single hiccup! I used the two supplied Springer 7 round mags and five 10 round Chip McCormick mags with total success. The McCormicks fit the magwell perfectly.

After firing a few rounds into the backstop to make sure everything was functioning properly, I got down to some serious target shooting. I put my target out at 7 yards to begin with. The first group was about 2 ½†which for me is danged good. However, it was about 2' low and 2†left. After about a half dozen tries, I finally got the Bomar style adjustable night sights where I wanted them. A few groups later and I shot the 1†center bulls eye right out of the target! Too bad I can’t do that all the time but clearly this excellent pistol is more accurate than I am.

The only glitch I encountered was that the blasted (adjective chosen to maintain PG rating of this thread) two-piece guide rod unscrewed itself near the end of the session. I suspect I had not tightened it enough when I reassembled the pistol after field stripping. I now see why most people hate these things. I will be replacing it PDQ. The only question is a one piece FLGR or a GI recoil plug and cap arrangement.

The only other minor complaint is the slim grips. They are not very impressive given the stellar good looks of the rest of the gun but mainly they are too thin for my tastes. My hands are large (XL glove size) and I will be getting regular thickness grips.

Those minor complaints aside, I am totally satisfied with my first 1911. Springfield, ya done good!

 

[nico]

Nice choice. I handled one of those at a local shop a couple weeks ago and the finish looks really nice. I'm planning on buying the cheaper black stainless model (PX9154L, fixed sights, no ambi safety, no magwell) sometime over the coming summer. For me, the thin grips are an up side, since I have pretty small hands.

 

[XD Niner]

I've ordered the same grips as on the Springfield Pro from SA as replacements. I am hoping that they will fill my hand better. I'll let you all know how they work.

I put another 200 rounds through my new baby today with 100% success. Once again, that dad blasted two-piece guide rod unscrewed itself. I am definitely going to replace it. Other than that, I love this gun!
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