Springfield 1911 Stainless Match LP: Buy or not?

[rfwobbly]

While looking for a 9x23 or 38 Super I tripped over a beautiful 9x19 Springfield 1911A1 in stainless. It's a target model called a "Match LP", model PI9134. It has ambi safety, a nice trigger, one-piece guide rod, target sights, all the bells and whistles, and is brand new in the box for $950. I don't see this exact model on the Springfield web site, but that price seems to be about $200 under list price.

The salesman (whom I trust enough to have bought 2 other pistols from) told me that "LP" stood for "loaded pistol" and this was their top of the line 1911 with all the good stuff. It feels great, is very tight, and fit & finish seem to be top notch.

My questions are:
• Is this indeed the deal it seems to be?
• Is this 9mm a good candidate for conversion to 9x23?

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance.

 

[skipsan]

The SA Model PI9134LP sells for $999 at the local retailer--he doesn't have any current inventory of that model. Your price doesn't sound bad relative to that, if a 9 mm target-sighted 1911 is what you're looking for. In their communications on the 1911 Forums, SA states that their Loaded models should yield groups at 25 yds of 3-4". These are nice pistols, but are not target match pistols out of the box. Not even close. The $1500 price your dealer is referring to, probably applies to the Trophy Match model, or TRP Operator, which are upgraded models, from the Loadeds. Whether they are worth the premium is arguable.

Springfield uses forgings for its slides and frames. All SA forgings come from Brazil. Some pistols are made complete in Brazil, while others are finish machined, assembled and tested in Illinois. You can tell the Made in USA models by the "NM" prefix on the serial number.

Regarding the "LP" minutia--I don't know what the L stands for, but the P stands for "Package" meaning the pistol is shipped in a package containing a couple of magazines, a cheap plastic holster and magazine carrier, a bore brush, etc., the sum total value of the extra stuff (except for the magazines) being negligible.

Haven't a clue about the 9 x 23 conversion.

Forgot to add that Springfields are full of MIM (metal injection molded) parts, if you happen to be mimophobic. Doesn't bother me. I have four of them.

Good luck.