Springfield Armory 1911's

A decent starting 1911?

  • Yes

    Votes: 108 83.1%

  • No

    Votes: 9 6.9%

  • Eh

    Votes: 13 10.0%
  • Total voters
    130
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N

nordaim

Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2003
Messages
112
Location
Amish Country, PA.
Local shop has a Springfield Armory 1911 for $599 that I like. Will look for a picture to post.

I have never shot a .45/1911 nor do any of my shooting friends have one, so it looks like I am going to be the first to fall victim to the allure of a 1911.

I like the prices on the SA's, and it seems a reasonable place to start if I don't like them, but also want to know if there are any other 1911's in that price range that anyone would recommend.

Any additional info is useful.
 
I voted 'yes'...as long as you stick to GM size.I heard almost-always praise for the Mil Spec and for the money,they are hard to beat.:)
 
Springfield makes a quality weapon.

I can also reccomend the New Roll Mark Colt as well.
Also a used Colt 1991A1 is a good value.

Many here are pleased with the Argentine surplus Sistema Colts they have bought.

Norinco, Charles Daly, Armscor and Rock Island can be a good value.

The only bargain 1911 I would avoid is the Auto Ordinance Thompson. I personally have owned 2 that worked just fine but many many others have had too many problems.
 
I swapped a Browning High Power for one, and am very happy with my choice. I have a Loaded one and I like it. Once in a while it will feed problems but I think it's mag related ( since I hardly ever clean my range mags ooops........). It should be a great pistol for you. Also, as someone already mentioned, I hear great things regarding their Mil-Spec 1911.
 
nordaim:
I have never shot a .45/1911
Click to expand...
This is what caught my attention.

I would suggest trying before buying even with firearms in your price range. Ranges that rent guns, introduce yourself to a Rangemaster and just simply state you would appreciate trying one. Gun folks are usually friendly folks and he may introduce you to regular visitors that would not mind you trying thier guns. Maybe arrangements to meet with folks early before a weekly league shoot.

In another thread I again agree with Tamara and others, Springfield, Colt, Kimber,in a basic gun are considerations. Don't rule out a used Series I Kimber and the like either. People have credit card bills coming up due ...I really really prefer people try before they buy. Heck, you might find a used one posted for sale at the range...someone bought first then tried, now wants to sell...

Just my thoughts, good luck...
 
For the price I think it's an OK deal.

I paid much more than that for my SA, but I also bought it new in California. I love the Loaded SA 1911's myself.

I am not sure I like the OD green version though.
 
I have a Walther P99 with the OD green frame, so kind of like it.

SM: My options for places I know of around here to try anything is limited to my friends who shoot and what they have in their own collections. Regretfully none of those include a 1911. The one has a revolver in 45ACP/45 Long Colt which I will be shooting next weekend, but I do not see how that experience will reflect in anyway on a 1911.

There is a place a few hours from here that rents everything they have for sale, so I will have to make a trip up.

Thank you all for your responses, they are useful for helping me make an informed decision.
 
nordaim,
I'm just one whom has seen CCW students get a gun before trying, or one bought by husband, daddy for a student and the student would have been better off trying before a purchase made. Yes we had people try our guns before a purchase, and not just CCW students.

Fireams costs money,and I prefer to see the money spent on what the customer will be happy with. Iunderstand the inconvience and expense of a road trip, I do suggest it tho'. Grab a buddy or two, make a day of it...in the infamous words of Animal House < Belushi's voice> ROAD TRIP !! :D
 
nordaim,
As a price reference, that particular pistol is on the shelves for $709 where I am at. Springfield makes a good affordable pistol. The one you are looking at has most of the geegaws a 1911 owner will look for. It sounds like a good price on a solid pistol.
 
If you already like the Olive Drab, the price on the Loaded you posted looks pretty darn good. It's your call, but I'd buy it; it's good enough for The Great One: Rob Leatham! :cool:
 
I've got the same pistol, 'cept mine is blued.

Runs like a top with ball, has a few issues feeding the last round of a jacketed hollowpoint, but I'm working on that. I'll finally have some time this weekend to do a little experimenting. The magazines that come with the gun suck; keep them as range pieces, invest in some Wilsons or McCormicks for "serious" use. Yours might require a little extractor tweaking, I think mine does, I did the loaded round test last night and had it fall out with a little shaking of the slide. I like the sights, except I kinda wish they were dotted, lined, night sighted, something to contrast the black/black and help my eyes line them up quicker. The trigger's pretty decent to me at least, although I started off shooting a DA/SA Sig and a Glock, so even a lousy 1911 trigger feels great to me :)

Overall, I think I came out okay for what I invested. I am interested in getting my hands on a NRM Colt someday though.
 
Their baseline WW2 Mil-Spec is the best value going, IMO. I'm not as crazy about their Loaded models, however. Some I've seen have been very well fitted, others not so.
 
I have a full size loaded model. It runs like a top, with the only problems being the factory mags. It doesn't like them- but works great with GI, McCormick and Wilsons.

It has been reliable and is a good gun.
 
I recently advised a buddy, who was buying a 1911. He chose Springfield over Kimber because of all the bad press Kimber's customer service has been getting lately.

We took it to the range and shot WW white box. 250 rounds from out of the box without a hitch. Who SEZ you need a 200 round 'break-in' of a 1911 before you start keeping score on reliability ?

Needless to say, he is pleased with his purchase ! :p
 
I was seriously torn between buying a Springfield or a Kimber. In the end I bought Kimber, but will buy a Springfield in the future.

As for the reference to Kimber problems, it would seem the issues that folks here have reported about their Springfields sound pretty similar to the Kimber problems.
 
I voted yes. I own two Springfield full-sized 1911s. Both great shooters. First one I bought was the "greeny" loaded model that nordaim posted a picture of.
I liked that one so much that I bought another stainless model used. No problems with either one.
 
WooHoo! Santeee Clause got me a Parked Loaded for Christmas......... well okay, I got it :p .

I'm lovin' it! Now where's that Brownells catalogue :evil:
 
I have the "Champion" Model 1911 Springy, goes BANG! every time I mash the trigger.
 
Do a search here for "Rock Island" or "RIA" and see what owners have to say about the milspec version: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/ . I have one and IMHO is an incredible value for a basic entry-level .45: Good fit/finish/trigger right out of the box, accurate & reliable (mine's past 500rds now w/no problems), hard chromed bbl, no MIM/plastic parts or 2-piece bbls, what more could you want for less than $300? All I've done to mine is add night sights, Pachmayr grips & a Wilson 18lb recoil spring.
Tomac
 
I like mine fine, though it's the only 1911 I've ever owned, so I don't have much to compare it to. It's not as pretty as the Kimbers.

In contrast to some of the posts above, Wilson mags are the only ones I've had trouble with. They have a very thick and long plastic follower.
 
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