S&W or Springfield 1911?

[sithanas]

Which would you recommend for a first-time 1911 owner? Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded or a Smith and Wesson SW1911?

 

[Black Majik]

Both would be a great choice. Both have very good reviews, whether it'd be the SW1911 or the Springfield Loaded. BUT the SA Loaded is all Series 70, and you can switch out the ILS in the magwell very easily. So, that would be my vote.

If something happens to either gun, you can bet both companies with stand behind their products.

 

[Gordon]

However the S&W is made in USA. And the warranty service on them is better than Springfield IMHO. I haven't seen any problems on S&Ws and the trigger is very good and they are accurate.

 

[hexidismal]

I'm having this exact same debate with myself now. I was looking at just those two. I started looking at springfield , then leaned a little bit more toward a smith.. but then I went and messed myself all up by checking out a Sig GSR Revolution .. I'm now so confused.. *sigh* ..hehe

 

[swingset]

Smith for me.

 

[distra]

I chose S&W, although I recomend the SS over the blued.

 

[gringolet]

springfield

think both are fine..springfield is an excellent value..mine have been tight, good guns and have formed the base for some good custom work included a fully compensated hot rod...
is a happy choice to make...can hardly go wrong either way.

 

[Technosavant]

Both are good guns from good companies. If the price were identical, I would probably lean S&W, but not by much. SA has good customer service, but S&W might be better by a hair (if even that much).

I would just pick one and not worry about it- both make excellent guns, but both can churn out a junker every once in a while (like everybody else), and both will try to correct that (the junker, I mean) if given a chance. It's like choosing between a Honda Accord and a Toyota Camry- both good quality, reliable, and efficient cars, you can't choose wrong.

 

[Phenom]

Springfield Armory. Their customer is excellent and they've been in the 1911 market alot longer than preppy Smith&Wesson.

 

[glocker1911]

Both are excellant, but as mentioned once earlier, I too say take a look at the Sig Revolution 1911s. Very nice, lots of features, and no MIM parts. Hard to go wrong with any of these threee choices, IMHO.

 

[roo_ster]

I own both SW & SA 1911 pistols. The SW is the better-made weapon. Unless you need a chambering in something other than .45ACP, I'd recommend the SW.

Of course, my sample size of each is small.

Last, the SW has no trigger lock.

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, I too own both makes. Its a tough call at best, but the stainless
Smith (product code 108282) comes with the excellent Novak three dot
sights, and a few other bells and whistle's. If you can live with the S&W's external extractor, I would have too vote for it. But if you have issues with
it, then Springfield markets a very good and highly reliable product as well.

 

[sithanas]

What's wrong with having an external extractor?

 

[ugaarguy]

What's wrong with having an external extractor?

Nothing as long as it works, and by all reviews I've read S&W's do. On the other hand Kimber had problems with some of their external extractors and went back to an internal. Further, of an internal extractor is being a real problem, since they're the standard 1911 extractor, they're easier find replacments for and find a gunsmith or armorer who can fit and tune the new one. External extractors tend to be more brand specific. Overall, nothing wrong with an external, it's just differnt.

Wait, let's not forget the purists. "John Moses Browning (prophet of the god of guns) designed the 1911 with an internal extractor. If the god of guns had wanted the 1911 to have an external extractor he would have had JMB design it that way. All who shoot 1911s with external extractors are heretics and shall burn at the stake." Or something like that. Seriously, that's just me joking around, but there are those we believe in sticking with the original design and varying from it as little as possible. So like I said a minue ago, nothing wrong with it, it's just different.

As for SA vs. S&W vs. SIG? Ford? Chevy? Dodge? pick the gun that has the little features (sights, safeties, finish, etc) and looks you like and go with it. You're not going to make a wrong choice.

 

[OH25shooter]

My experience with S&W products of late has not been good regarding quality manufacturing. Mostly internal flaws you can't see on the outside. Some even caused reliablity issues. However, having said that, I will admit when the gun's were shipped (with a free S&W shipping label) to customer service for repair, they were fixed and returned to me in a quick time frame. One was returned in four days. I have no experience with SA so I cannot comment.

 

[George Hill]

We carry the whole line of S&W 1911's, Kimbers, Paras, and Springfields. I've seen them up close and have tried them all first hand and recieved the feedback of custoemrs who have purchased them...
For a production 1911 under $1000.00, rigth now, I would pick the Smith & Wessons. I used to be a Springfield fan because of the Customer Service, but in terms of initial quality, S&W is the way to go.

 

[ACORN]

I'll I can say is I bought a LNIB Springfield WWII model for $300. It has been 100% reliable.
If you've never owned a 1911 and are unsure if you'll like the platforn I'd look for a Springfield.
Not to downgrade the S&W. The ones I've seen looked beautiful. I've just never handled one or shot one to comment on one.

 

[robctwo]

I have bought the full size SA SS loaded and the Commander size SW with alloy frame. They are different guns. The trigger on the SW was much better out of the box. I had an issue with the SA extractor. The hook broke off after a few hundred rounds. SA was great about shipping and repair. No criticism there. I was surprised that I would have that type of failure right out of the box.

If I had to get only one, I'd probably go with the SW at this point.