SA Mil-Spec or Loaded

[SGR]

I have been reading this forum for two months now, researching a .45. I have decided on a Springfield gun. I was leaning towards the 5" Mil-Spec but now am wondering about the Loaded model. (Cannot buy anything until next spring anyway). I have found a Mil-Spec for $570 at a retail shop. What is the typical price difference between the two models. This gun will be used mostly for target practice, but I will occasionally want to carry. My questions is this: should I spend the extra money for the loaded model? Why? Thanks!

 

[ndh87]

the Mil-Specs are going for about 650 around here. I'll actually be picking one up in a few days here. the main difference is that the Loaded is as the name sugests loaded...its got all the nice upgrades, better sights, hammer, trigger beavertail, etc. Personally I'm not too worried about the extras and i just want a classic 1911 so im going with the Mil-spec.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I bought my mil-spec in a pawn shop for $400. He had it advertised for a hundred bucks more but I asked if he'd settle for $400 and he said sure. I have owned the gun for almost four years now and have made so many changes to it, you wouldn't even recognize it as the same gun anymore. If you plan on upgrading at a later time, get the loaded first. It already has the lowered ejection port, beaver-tail safety, dovetail sights, match hammer, trigger, etc. installed. Most of the major costly machining operations have already been done to it and that alone is worth the extra bucks. Most gunsmiths will charge $70+ per hour for machine time, so your $500 gun just got more expensive. If you want a bare bones 1911 just for shooting and don't mind the sights on the mil-spec, go for it. Here's my gun after the changes with custom grips I made.

 

[JDGray]

Love my Loaded!

Just saw a Loaded fullsize with a bunch of mags, for $600, on one of these gun boards

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=799471

 

[possum]

welcome to thr.
i would go with the loaded model, it will have many desirable features for range and carry duty, buy sa with confidence, they make great weapons and they are a great company. i own 3 sa handguns and there are more sa products in my future.

 

[SGR]

Thanks everyone for their input. Merry Christmas!

 

[Spider Pig]

the loaded model comes with novak night sights (if that matters to you). the trigger is also smoother (in my opinion). other than that the rest seems purely cosmetic to me. i love my loaded but the first thing i did was replace that 2-piece guiderod that made takedown so much more of a hassel (my mil-spec was one piece). also my mil-spec was pickier with magazines. i'd get whatever your financial situation allows and then work with it.

 

[jhansman]

I got the SA Loaded, and love it. That said, I did swap out the grips and put on an arched mainspring housing, as the stock 1911 grip is just too small for my hands. The adjustable Novak rear sight is nice, but I now yearn for a front dot of some kind, as I cannot quickly get a sight picture. The fit and finish on this gun is exceptional for the $$, and I enjoy shooting more each time.

 

[XavierBreath]

Perhaps the most significant difference between the Mil-Spec and the Loaded is the grip safety. The Mil-Spec has the GI style grip safety, and even though it is longer than an actual GI grip safety, it can still abrade the web of your hand. The Loaded has a beavertail grip safety that will not abrade the web of your hand.

The Mil-Spec may or may not be uncomfortable for you to shoot because of it's grip safety. The best way to find out is to shoot 50 rounds or so through one. Everybody has different hands, and you may or may not want the beavertail grip safety after shooting a non-beavertailed gun. The only way to find out though, is to shoot one.

The Mil-Spec has a lowered and flared ejection port.
The Mil-Spec has adequate three dot sights.
The Mil-Spec is a good value in a 1911, it just might not be the best one for you.

Here are two GI45s with a Mil-spec in the center.

 

[Brett Byers AKA Slow]

I say go with the Mil-Spec! I've had the Loaded w/night sights...nice gun but sold it...mistake. I had been contemplating the same recently when the Lord blessed me with a new Colt 1991A1 for less than $500.00. I don't plan on getting rid of it! I had never fired a "stock Mil-Spec " until the Colt and guess what? No hammer bite! and those simple sights (granted not SA GI) are plenty usable for my bifocal eyes. I have heard at least 95% favorable comments on the SA Mil-Spec, I say again go for it!

 

[Mark whiz]

I picked up my Mil-Spec on April Fools Day 2004 for $400 - what a steal.

I love this thing, the green Parkerizing just looks right and with the right ammo, it shoots really tight groups.