Springfield 1911s

[beeenbag]

I think I have been bitten by the 1911 bug... again.

But anyways, to the question. Do the springfield 1911s that are made in brazil (think thats where they are made) say so on the frame?

If not, which ones are made where? I know this shouldn't matter but it does to me.

 

[tarosean]

All of Springfields 1911 frames come from Brazil. The upper end guns with IL, stamp are from rough forgings that are finished here...

 

[wojownik]

Slides and frames come from IMBEL in Brazil. IMBEL stands for Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil (Brazilian War Material Industry), and is quite literally their equivalent of what was the Springfield Arsenal (the gov't armory, not the current private firm).

I had qualms about Brazilian components, until my Springfield mil spec (older model) shot circles around my Colt 1991A1. Springfield's customer support has been great as well.

Of course, my more recent Colt Commander and Colt O1911 WWI both shoot circles around my Springfield.

 

[Aahzz]

If the serial number begins with NM, the final assembly/fit/finish work was done in the US. If it begins with just N, the entire gun was built in Brazil. The major difference that seems to be confirmed by the internet research I've done is that the NM guns have a 1-piece barrel and the N guns have a 2-piece.

 

[Drail]

I have Springfields with and without the Made in Brazil stamp and there is no real difference in them. Guys will pay more for one without the Brazil stamp because they think they are somehow better. I have built both types into match grade guns and they both shoot just as accurately. And as said, they're ALL made in Brazil. IMBEL is one of the world's finest armories and have very high standards. It really doesn't matter what is stamped on the frame.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a very early Springfield Armory M1911-A1 that has the NM serial number prefix and no Made in Brazil stamp anywhere on it. As I understood it at the time all of the major components were made in Brazil and then assembled here in the U.S. I think that Springfield Armory even offered a kit version of the M1911 if you wanted to build it yourself. Fit and finish on my parkerized model was first rate, as good as any Colt Government that was made back then.

 

[wrench]

I have two Springfield Loaded 1911's, one NM, and one 'Made in Brazil' gun.
I can't tell any difference in machining or fit, both are accurate and reliable shooters.