Springfield 1911's Mil-Spec and GI-45

[TheOtherOne]

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-ms.shtml
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-GI.shtml

What's the difference between the two? The only major difference I am noticing is the sights.

Is the GI-45 built with cheaper parts or a looser fit or what? It's quite a bit cheaper in price.

 

[1911Tuner]

Differences

Howdy,

In addition to the smaller sights, the GI pistol has a parkerized finish and
the standard, Ordnance-spec ejection port, as opposed to the lowered port on the Mil-Spec. The barrel hood isn't notched at the center like I've seen on the Mil-Specs around here either. The one that I picked up has the brown plastic injection molded grips...but more recent ones have turned up with the walnut panels that either have U.S. in the center, and even some walnut double diamond checkered grip panels...which I like a lot.

The slide to frame fit in the GIs that I've seen has actually been a little
tighter than on the Mil-Specs. The one that I have...and its twin that came
in on the same day needed a little final lapping with a slurry made from
J&B Bore Cleaner and CLP Breakfree to make'em cycle smoothly.

The internal parts question...MIM and investment cast...is probably the
same on both pistols. I haven't had a recent standard Mil-Spec apart to
have a look-see, so this is a "best guess".

Luck!

Tuner

 

[dsk]

This review should help you.

http://usgi1911.tripod.com/ww2milspec/

 

[TheOtherOne]

Dang, now I want one. The gunshop here I saw them at has them for $399 but they are probably still the earlier releases because they don't have U.S. stamped on the grips. I didn't notice if they had the rounded frames or not.