Springfield Armory GI 1911

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DogLegArms

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I've had my eye on the SA GI 1911 but they are hard to find in gun shops. Actually I've only seen them gun auction sites or forums. Anyone know why they are so hard to find?
 
If you believe the Internet, everybody wants one and production can't keep up. If you're like me and live a few miles away you know a creek overflowed its banks last year and put 3' of water in their facility causing major damage and backlogs.
 
Skylerbone said:
If you believe the Internet, everybody wants one and production can't keep up. If you're like me and live a few miles away you know a creek overflowed its banks last year and put 3' of water in their facility causing major damage and backlogs.
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Is every 1911 made there? Springfield's not the only company not keeping up.
 
I've never noticed a shortage in either Colorado or Georgia. If you get down to Columbus, Ga go by Shooters of Columbus, I can almost guarantee they have one in the case. They are really good pistols for the money, assuming one wants to upgrade or leave it as is. All I did was put a pair of nights sights on it and I am very pleased with it.
 
It is indeed a banner year for the 1911. Keep in mind that many facilities concentrate on one model at a time with batch runs. So while you're waiting on a SS Govt. brand X may spend a month on lightweight commanders.

What I reported above I watched on the news as Springfield was both shown and mentioned by name.
 
ALL 1911 manufacturers are behind. Not because of a flood. (doesn't take a year to clean one up.) Skyler you are correct, they do make one model at a time. Some companies have many more models to make then others so sometimes the model you want may be a few months out. Every manufacturer top to bottom is not keeping up on 1911 production at the moment.
 
100yr anniversary thing goin on:D Love my SA Milspec! just be sure to get a NM serial GI
 
Bought a Springfield Milspec in October 2010 for $599. Same Gun store had the same model gun, same finish in March 2011 for $699. Happy anniversary.
 
I'd hazzard a guess that the average assembler at Imbel has a greater amount of experience than his US counterpart. SA Inc. has been in operation since 1974 and even at present produces (>50% of work done stateside) about 7,500 pistols a year including Custom Shop. That means around 20% of 1911s which means Brasilians make 4 for every 1 assembled here. Either their workforce is huge or their assemblers faster (or not subject to the 40 hour work week).

If you trust them to forge it, there's no reason to distrust their ability to assemble it. Just my thought on the matter of N vs. NM.
 
Skylerbone said:
I'd hazzard a guess that the average assembler at Imbel has a greater amount of experience than his US counterpart. SA Inc. has been in operation since 1974 and even at present produces (>50% of work done stateside) about 7,500 pistols a year including Custom Shop. That means around 20% of 1911s which means Brasilians make 4 for every 1 assembled here. Either their workforce is huge or their assemblers faster (or not subject to the 40 hour work week).

If you trust them to forge it, there's no reason to distrust their ability to assemble it. Just my thought on the matter of N vs. NM.
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The problem with the experience at Imbel is going to be what that experience results in. As you said, they are mass producing them at a faster rate. Does this mean they build up an ability to produce a better pistol, or just an ability to produce them more quickly? Without going down there and seeing them being built or testing hundreds of pistols built by each, there's really no accurate way of telling who's are better.

My suspicion is that they are given a little more time and work when they are assembled up here, than in Brazil. Besides, just because they can forge the parts, doesn't mean they are any good at fitting those parts together.

Then there's always that USA pride, even if it's not 100%. ;)
 
the reason imbel [Brazil] produces a large quantity of [1911clones ] is the willingness of the U.S. consumer to sacrifice quality for 50 bucks . how can you say happy 100th to Americas favorite hand gun by purchasing a non U.S. knock off
 
I'd still guess that 80% of Springfields that are produced by Imbel are keeping the majority of owners happy. Nothing wrong with seeking out an NM if you can but again, I doubt there's too much difference or Springfield would not have such a loyal following.

I don't count myself as a convert but I formed my opinion long ago based on criteria that is likely different than many. To each his own.
 
JDGray what's a NM serial? i think i am going to go with the milspec.
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The gun has no Brazil markings:)
Maybe a coincident, but my NM milspec is very tightly fitted, no play or slop anywhere. The only other SA 1911 I owned was not a NM prefix serial number, and it was very poorly fitted.... slide to frame, bushing to slide, barrel to bushing, extractor was loose, ejector was loose, heck everything was loose!! It shot very poor groups, I was not too happy with it. This recent milspec purchase opened my eyes to all the SA hype, and now I can see why so many like them:)
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Just for kicks, here's a pic of Springfield Armory Inc. after that flood. If you're thinking it's smaller than you expected you should see the Dan Wesson facility.

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