SA Mil Spec 1911

[Pat Riot]

Thanks Pat Riot. Pics posted a few posts before yours. Should be there!

Duh! Boy am I a dope. Hahaha
Somehow I blazed right past it.
That’s a nice 1911.

 

[md7]

Duh! Boy am I a dope. Hahaha
Somehow I blazed right past it.
That’s a nice 1911.

No worries my friend ha ha. I’m a dope for not posting it where it should’ve been to start with!!

Hope everyone has had a great Christmas

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The finest combat handgun in human history, even today.

While I only consider a Colt a true 1911, the Springfields tend to make an acceptable enough copy. Congratulations and God Bless.

 

[Tallball]

Nice pistol. All of my 1911's have been "humble" and all have been good shooters.

 

[Garandimal]

I’ve handled and fired several 1911’s over the years, but have never owned one. After giving thought to what I liked, preferred, wanted, etc. in a 1911 I came to the realization that a basic “mil spec” type pistol suits me just fine.

Was preparing to purchase one, when I was surprised and given one as a gift. It’s exactly what I was planning on getting. A parkerized Springfield Mil Spec.

Finish is a nice, evenly applied and dark parkerized finish. It’s soaked up a few coats of oil, and looks perfect.

The fit is not what I’d call loose, nor is it overly tight. In my opinion, it’s just about perfect. Takedown was no problem.

Trigger has a slight amount of take up, with a nice clean break. The safety was a bit on the stiff side but seems to have smoothed up after some use.

The factory mag inserts/ejects smoothly. No issues in the first 80 rounds with the supplied mag.

In terms of functionality, it’s only got 80 rounds of assorted ammo down range. No failures to include Sig, Hornady, and Federal Hollow Points.

In terms of extraction, I’ve loaded the pistol with a single round, dropped the mag, and fired. Repeated this several times. Each time, the pistol fired and cleanly ejected the spent casing at the 4 o clock position and landed about 8 feet away. A good start in my opinion.

The pistol fires to point of aim at 30 feet. Using two hands, and taking my time, it is grouping about 2” and I’m sure it would tighten some if I shot it off a bench.

Personally, I find the steel 3 dot sites easy to acquire and use. They’ll be staying.

So far, so good. I’d like to put at least 500 rounds through it to get a better sense of reliability with a broad selection of ammo. Assuming it continues to perform as it has, I could very well see another in the future.

Can't go wrong w/ a SA "Mil Spec."

Coupla things:
1. Put Grease on the bottom of the parkerizing.
- clean w/ mineral spirits
- wipe down w/ grease
- clean up w/ oil/diesel
(Not CLP, as it will float out the grease)

2. like the Wolff 18.5# recoil spring for 230 gr. ball/HST Duty loads.

3. Stone and polish the electro-pencil Serial Number on the under side of the slide.

4. Trigger Happy Brand USGI Nylon grips ($7)
- Clean w/ mineral spirits
- Lightly coat w/ flat black BBQ rattle-can paint
- Immediately wipe down w/ paper towel/mineral spirits until "clean" patch.

5. SA OEM stainless steel mags ($15 at MidwayUSA)

Workhorse pistol.

​

GR

 

[md7]

Can't go wrong w/ a SA "Mil Spec."

Coupla things:
1. Put Grease on the bottom of the parkerizing.
- clean w/ mineral spirits
- wipe down w/ grease
- clean up w/ oil/diesel
(Not CLP, as it will float out the grease)

2. like the Wolff 18.5# recoil spring for 230 gr. ball/HST Duty loads.

3. Stone and polish the electro-pencil Serial Number on the under side of the slide.

4. Trigger Happy Brand USGI Nylon grips ($7)
- Clean w/ mineral spirits
- Lightly coat w/ flat black BBQ rattle-can paint
- Immediately wipe down w/ paper towel/mineral spirits until "clean" patch.

5. SA OEM stainless steel mags ($15 at MidwayUSA)

Workhorse pistol.

View attachment 965373
View attachment 965374



​

GR

Thanks for the tips, and nice Mil Spec. Got a feeling mine’s a keeper.

 

[Garandimal]

Thanks for the tips, and nice Mil Spec. Got a feeling mine’s a keeper.

Don't forget the holster.

(USGI Adirondack M7/M9 Leather Shoulder Holster 1911-A1)
​

... and Six-to-Eight coats (half a jar) of ATSKO Sno-Seal/black trash bag/hot dash board... because it starts out as a rawhide dog chew.

​

GR

 

[mjsdwash]

I recommend Check Mate GI mags. I have had way to many malfunctions with the now standard wadcutter mags in every 1911 I have used. I took an R1 to the range to burn up some mystery ammo from years ago, and had 3 failure to feed in 50 rounds using the factory mag. Shot 70 more with the GI mags and no issue at all. Your extractor will last longer too. My current Springfield GI (predecessor to the milspec) had lots of feed issues, but everything checked out. Switching to GI mags, I kept track of malfunction and after 6000 rounds without issue I stopped counting. The Springfields are good, and still represent the best value out there.

 

[md7]

I recommend Check Mate GI mags. I have had way to many malfunctions with the now standard wadcutter mags in every 1911 I have used. I took an R1 to the range to burn up some mystery ammo from years ago, and had 3 failure to feed in 50 rounds using the factory mag. Shot 70 more with the GI mags and no issue at all. Your extractor will last longer too. My current Springfield GI (predecessor to the milspec) had lots of feed issues, but everything checked out. Switching to GI mags, I kept track of malfunction and after 6000 rounds without issue I stopped counting. The Springfields are good, and still represent the best value out there.

Very good info. Presently I’ve been using Springfield branded mags. So far, so good but always open up other good options.

 

[JTQ]

I recommend Check Mate GI mags. I have had way to many malfunctions with the now standard wadcutter mags in every 1911 I have used.

GI mags work great with ball ammo. However, as mentioned, wadcutter feed lipped mags are the standard configuration from just about all 1911 mag makers, from Chip McCormick, to Tripp Research, to Wilson Combat, to..., well, everybody.

While I don't know what wadcutter mags mjsdwash was using, my guess is he may have been using 8 round, flush fit, wadcutter mags and his GI mags were 7 rounders. I'd expect more reliable function with a 7 round flush mag than an 8 round flush mag regardless of the feed lip style.

 

[mjsdwash]

GI mags work great with ball ammo. However, as mentioned, wadcutter feed lipped mags are the standard configuration from just about all 1911 mag makers, from Chip McCormick, to Tripp Research, to Wilson Combat, to..., well, everybody.

While I don't know what wadcutter mags mjsdwash was using, my guess is he may have been using 8 round, flush fit, wadcutter mags and his GI mags were 7 rounders. I'd expect more reliable function with a 7 round flush mag than an 8 round flush mag regardless of the feed lip style.

I have had problems with
8rd ActMags
7 round metalform (springfield factory)
8 round CMC (better, but still occasional problems)
Kimber factory 8 round
Kimber factory 7 round
Wilson 47D 8 round
Colt hybrid (metalform)
Remington factory
I have experienced failure to go to battery, round forward of extractor in all of the above mags. This is a problem unique to the 1911, and the very reason the GI profile mag was made.
I have seen this malfunction in RIA, Springfield, Kimber, Remington, that I can recall.
the only 1911 I have seen run on wadcutter mags with a high round count was a Metro Arms.
I understand many wont have this problem, good for them.... but I find it unlikely ALL the worlds defective 1911's end up on my bench. All these that spec'd out okay went on to run flawlessly with the tapered GI mags that JMB designed 110 years ago.
Its often forgotten that the current standard mags is NOT what they were designed to run.
A properly made 1911 will run normal hollowpoints with GI mags.
I have ran a lot of Gold dots, thousands of montana gold, of numerous types of hollow points, and some others, and they all run fine. Semi-wadcutters have some occasional issues. Of course ball is a 1 in 10,000 malfunction.
The worst mags I have run were hybrid.
I have used CMI current production, and Vietnam era USGI, with great results, ball+hollowpoint. They are all 7 round, dimpled.
I have found that wadcutter mags feed better with very light ammo, which makes sense, most 1911 malfunctions I have seen are a product of rounds jumping out under recoil. The GI profile creates much more friction to prevent that, but lower recoil can do the same. My 9mm 1911 has ran thousands of rounds without malfunction, and of course does not use controlled round feed like the CMI/GI mags.

I consider the GI profile a good insurance for most people who shoot 99% ball ammo, but as noted above, I have had far better luck with Gold Dots hollow point with GI mags anyway.
I agree on the 8 vs 7 round mag too.

 

[JTQ]

I have found that wadcutter mags feed better with very light ammo, which makes sense, most 1911 malfunctions I have seen are a product of rounds jumping out under recoil. The GI profile creates much more friction to prevent that, but lower recoil can do the same.

My experience with GI feed lipped mags is limited, CheckMate's only, and I find they hold the rounds less securely than wadcutter feed lipped mags. I have less inertial feed issues with wadcutter feed lipped mags than with anything else.

With GI and hybrid lipped mags, I find rounds will not only inertial feed, but will also occasionally pop out of the mag if carried loose in a pocket or bag, or when pulled from a mag pouch. I typically don't have these issues with wadcutter feed lipped mags. I primarily shoot ball ammo, and while the GI mags (and hybrids) feed smoother (logical in my mind because they hold the round less securely), I don't have any problems with ball ammo out of wadcutter mags.

To me, the real downside to GI feed lipped mags is you limit your options. Other than perhaps third world construction, I believe CheckMate is the only current producer of GI feed lipped mags. If you can reliably source them (Top Gun Supply, Thunder Mountain Custom, and CheckMate are probably the only places to find them), it may not be an issue. However, my mag of choice, the 7 round, full size Wilson 47 is fairly easily sourced, and my back up choice, 7 round wadcutters from CheckMate are available in multiple options. If you don't like those, you can get wadcutter feed lipped mags from just about every manufacturer out there in 7 round, 8 round (both 7 and 8 rounders in fixed base plate and removable base pad versions), 8 round extended tube, and 10 round options. Conversely, GI mags are only available as 7 rounders and with a fixed base plate and in either stainless or blue. Manufacturers, sources, and configuration options are limited.

 

[mjsdwash]

My experience with GI feed lipped mags is limited, CheckMate's only, and I find they hold the rounds less securely than wadcutter feed lipped mags. I have less inertial feed issues with wadcutter feed lipped mags than with anything else.

With GI and hybrid lipped mags, I find rounds will not only inertial feed, but will also occasionally pop out of the mag if carried loose in a pocket or bag, or when pulled from a mag pouch. I typically don't have these issues with wadcutter feed lipped mags. I primarily shoot ball ammo, and while the GI mags (and hybrids) feed smoother (logical in my mind because they hold the round less securely), I don't have any problems with ball ammo out of wadcutter mags.

To me, the real downside to GI feed lipped mags is you limit your options. Other than perhaps third world construction, I believe CheckMate is the only current producer of GI feed lipped mags. If you can reliably source them (Top Gun Supply, Thunder Mountain Custom, and CheckMate are probably the only places to find them), it may not be an issue. However, my mag of choice, the 7 round, full size Wilson 47 is fairly easily sourced, and my back up choice, 7 round wadcutters from CheckMate are available in multiple options. If you don't like those, you can get wadcutter feed lipped mags from just about every manufacturer out there in 7 round, 8 round (both 7 and 8 rounders in fixed base plate and removable base pad versions), 8 round extended tube, and 10 round options. Conversely, GI mags are only available as 7 rounders and with a fixed base plate and in either stainless or blue. Manufacturers, sources, and configuration options are limited.

I have a friend who orders those counterfeit GI mags, and they don't work well. CMI is the only one I know of, unless you want to order enough from Metalform to make it worth it, something like 1000. I do know many have had great luck with Wadcutter mags, I'm just not one of them. As far as holding securely, your right, the Wadcutter mags do hold round more securely, with about 1/3" of contact vs 1/100" or so, but the GI mags slightly rimlock the top round,until your on the last, and that follower dimple does the same thing on the last, and no matter how far the round slides forward, it still has the full spring pressure on the round, until the round leaves the magazine altogether, where a Wadcutter mag has better grip, until that round slides that 1/3" and nothing at all is holding it. Hybrid mags have the worst of both worlds.
My personal experience was mostly feed issues, occasional bolt over base, but almost always "round chambered, slide out of battery". If thats not an issue for you, Wadcutter mags are the way to go, certainly cheaper, and as you mentioned FAR easier to find. That has been an issue, with TGS and CMI being out of stock almost always. I have never heard of the third source you mentioned, but will be looking them up.
I will admit a small jealousy of my friends Metro 1911's ability to work with any mag. I actually plan to give him my wadcutter mags when I run into him again. Good thing my Springfield GI is so much prettier than his.

 

[JTQ]

Wadcutter mags are the way to go, certainly cheaper, and as you mentioned FAR easier to find. That has been an issue, with TGS and CMI being out of stock almost always. I have never heard of the third source you mentioned, but will be looking them up.

Wadcutter mags are not generally cheaper than GI mags.

GI mags are usually sub-$20 mags. They are on the economy end of the mag price scale. There is very little technology development tied up in them in tube, spring, or follower designs. There certainly are economy wadcutter feed lipped mags available, but mostly from third world manufacturers. However, all the top rated (and most expensive) mags are wadcutter style. These mag use the latest innovations in follower, spring, tube length, and base plate/pad developments that theoretically could improve performance. Whether they do for you, or other's, is another matter.

Here's Thunder Mountain Custom if you're interested https://shop.1911parts.com/1911-Magazines_c36.htm

If you ever find yourself with the CheckMate Patented Follower (CMF), and you like it, Thunder Mountain Custom is one of the few places were you can source CheckMate mag springs for that follower, though Tripp's "Flex" follower is the same follower and I suppose Tripp would also offer springs for that follower.

 

[FL-NC]

I have one myself. Great basic 1911.

 

[mjsdwash]

Wadcutter mags are not generally cheaper than GI mags.

GI mags are usually sub-$20 mags. They are on the economy end of the mag price scale. There is very little technology development tied up in them in tube, spring, or follower designs. There certainly are economy wadcutter feed lipped mags available, but mostly from third world manufacturers. However, all the top rated (and most expensive) mags are wadcutter style. These mag use the latest innovations in follower, spring, tube length, and base plate/pad developments that theoretically could improve performance. Whether they do for you, or other's, is another matter.

Here's Thunder Mountain Custom if you're interested https://shop.1911parts.com/1911-Magazines_c36.htm

If you ever find yourself with the CheckMate Patented Follower (CMF), and you like it, Thunder Mountain Custom is one of the few places were you can source CheckMate mag springs for that follower, though Tripp's "Flex" follower is the same follower and I suppose Tripp would also offer springs for that follower.

yes, I checked them out last night, I don't have much use form 1911 mags because I ordered 10 when Top Gun got them back in stock, but I still recommend them to anyone having problems, at least to try before the files and regrets come out of the tool box. I suppose your right about Wadcutter mags not being cheap, I just think of them as cheap because I have so many, and most of them date back 15 years when everything was cheaper. I used to buy the CMC shooting star mags for around $17 back then. I hade decent luck with them with good, properly made 1911's, and they were the best mags I found for junk, out of spec 1911's that just couldn't work with controlled feed because the angles didn't line up. On top of that, I still have a bunch that came new with the guns that I just put aside and don't think much of. That Wilson 47D I mentioned earlier was around $47dollars retail (a good name to match the price) after tax, and its the fanciest "problem solver" bag I ever tried... also among the most unreliable, second only to hybrid mags. This sounds weird when every internet article and forum says the opposite. I did want to try the Cobra mags too, but years ago when 1911Tuner was big on the boards I talked to him, and he convinced me to try the GI mags. never bought another type until getting into the 9mm 1911 world. While %90 have the exact opposite experience from me, 1911Tuner seemed to have the identical experience. He wrote some very good articles, and I have them archived somewhere, that I still use to fix what comes across my bench.

 

[JTQ]

I used to buy the CMC shooting star mags for around $17 back then.

That Wilson 47D I mentioned earlier was around $47dollars retail (a good name to match the price) after tax, and its the fanciest "problem solver" bag I ever tried... also among the most unreliable, second only to hybrid mags. This sounds weird when every internet article and forum says the opposite.

For those reading along - McCormick and Wilson both make a consistently good line-up of mags. However, every line-up has their worst mag, and in the McCormick line-up, their worst mag is the Shooting Star (I think they've been dropped), and in the Wilson line-up it is the 47D. I know there will be gnashing of teeth when folks read that, but while both are pretty good mags, there are better mags in each of their line-ups.

In McCormick's line-up, the Match Grade mag is a step up from the Shooting Star, and the PowerMag gives a slightly longer tube and a better spring than the Shooting Star. The new Railed Power Mag (RPM) is their top mag, and has a longer tube that comfortably fits 8 rounds, rather than a converted 7 rounder, and has a more stable follower.

In Wilson's line-up, the 8 round 47D sits in the same tube length as the full size, 7 round, 47, which is a better mag than the 47D, because the 7 round mag has room for a better spring and follower. If you have to have an 8 rounder from Wilson, any mag in their ETM line-up will be a better mag than the 47D. The ETM's have a longer tube and were designed, from the ground up as an 8 rounder, while the 47D is a converted 7 round mag using a lesser follower and lesser spring.

 

[sgt127]

Hi. I’m Sgt127 and, a self admitted 1911 snob.

I was pretty sure that if it didn’t have that little pony on it, it just wasn’t worth spending money on it.

As a matter of fact, back in the good old days, we all bought our Colt 1911 kit and took it straight to our favorite gunsmith where he converted it into a reliable, accurate pistol with a decent trigger.

The stuff coming out of Springfield Armory now is what we paid to have our Colts do then.

Just be a simple, reliable, accurate 1911.

I love the current offerings from SA. I picked up an EMP4 recently. It’s a very well fitted and assembled 1911 (well, a baby 1911).

 

[md7]

Hi. I’m Sgt127 and, a self admitted 1911 snob.

I was pretty sure that if it didn’t have that little pony on it, it just wasn’t worth spending money on it.

As a matter of fact, back in the good old days, we all bought our Colt 1911 kit and took it straight to our favorite gunsmith where he converted it into a reliable, accurate pistol with a decent trigger.

The stuff coming out of Springfield Armory now is what we paid to have our Colts do then.

Just be a simple, reliable, accurate 1911.

I love the current offerings from SA. I picked up an EMP4 recently. It’s a very well fitted and assembled 1911 (well, a baby 1911).

I did a 10-8 extractor test on mine using Hornady critical duty and also Sig hollow points. No issues.

This pistol has had no problem feeding, firing, and extracting any type of ammo I’ve fed it. Granted, that’s not a whole lot but we’re off to a good start.

I’m inclined to agree with you, seems like SA is making a pretty reliable shooter grade 1911 these days.

 

[mjsdwash]

For those reading along - McCormick and Wilson both make a consistently good line-up of mags. However, every line-up has their worst mag, and in the McCormick line-up, their worst mag is the Shooting Star (I think they've been dropped), and in the Wilson line-up it is the 47D. I know there will be gnashing of teeth when folks read that, but while both are pretty good mags, there are better mags in each of their line-ups.

In McCormick's line-up, the Match Grade mag is a step up from the Shooting Star, and the PowerMag gives a slightly longer tube and a better spring than the Shooting Star. The new Railed Power Mag (RPM) is their top mag, and has a longer tube that comfortably fits 8 rounds, rather than a converted 7 rounder, and has a more stable follower.

In Wilson's line-up, the 8 round 47D sits in the same tube length as the full size, 7 round, 47, which is a better mag than the 47D, because the 7 round mag has room for a better spring and follower. If you have to have an 8 rounder from Wilson, any mag in their ETM line-up will be a better mag than the 47D. The ETM's have a longer tube and were designed, from the ground up as an 8 rounder, while the 47D is a converted 7 round mag using a lesser follower and lesser spring.

Yup.... Hope we're not stealing the thread, but its good information. What I could follow of the above is what I remember, but I haven't been buying 1911 mags for over a decade. I will say that the CMC shooting star mags were my favorite of the wadcutter type, and I had few problems with them. With my truly junk RIA they were the only mag that could run through a mag without a jam. In my excellent Springfield GI, they ran 1 jam in 2-300 rounds. I haven't seen them for sale for a long time, but I did like them before switching to GI mags.

 

[md7]

Yup.... Hope we're not stealing the thread, but its good information. What I could follow of the above is what I remember, but I haven't been buying 1911 mags for over a decade. I will say that the CMC shooting star mags were my favorite of the wadcutter type, and I had few problems with them. With my truly junk RIA they were the only mag that could run through a mag without a jam. In my excellent Springfield GI, they ran 1 jam in 2-300 rounds. I haven't seen them for sale for a long time, but I did like them before switching to GI mags.

You’re adding to the body of knowledge and I appreciate it. Carry on!

 

[EMC45]

I personally like the 8rd Chip McCormick mags. They work reliably for me. TC and SWC bullets.​

 

[bannockburn]

NIGHTLORD40K

Nice, but I cant understand why SA STILL ANGLES THE #@&;(\%$% SLIDE SERRATIONS!!!!!!

Ok, deep breathe.... serenity now, serenity now.

I know its a minor point, but it grinds my gears on what is supposed to be a GI replica.

Yep, they have been making them that way for quite awhile now! Got mine some time back in '89/'90.

 

[BCR#1]

I have been shooting this Range officer in a weekly Bullseye Pistol match for the past 2.5 years and after 6500+ rounds of my 200 LSWC through it, not a single FTF due to parts breakage /fatigue. I also only use the factory 7 round GI mags and they all feed fine.

Ammo is a Badman brand 200 grain LSWC bullet over 7 grains of Accurate #5 and a Winchester LPP. Brass is various HS range pick ups.

Bill

 

[Drail]

If it will feed fire and eject 100% then it is everything you need and nothing that you don't. My advice (which is free) is to stay with 7 round magazines. Number each magazine, The very first time it fails to feed with that magazine toss it or give it someone you really don't like.