BWarwick
Member
anyone have any experience with them? Im dying to pick up my first 1911 and its a nice looking gun for the price.
Springfield GI.45
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loadedround
Member
I do not own one, but over the past two years I have the opportunity to handle and shoot several of the GI Springfields. I was generally pleased with fit and accuracy of these GI clones. That being said, I would not hesitate to buy one if I had the need for another 45 auto. Also bear in mind that Springfield Armory has a lifetime warranty on all their firearms.
sturmgewehr
Member
I have a Mil-Spec and love it, my buddy has the GI and it's a flawless performer. Great pistols from a great company.
1goodshot
Member
I like the milspec better because of the better sights. Springfield makes a good 1911, you wont be disapointed.
The "Mil-Spec" does have the better sights.
I have the "GI-45", and yes those sights are tiny. That being said, the GI-45 just really seems to 'fit' my hands. My favorite .45ACP bullet-launcher.
As someone else mentioned, Springfield Armory customer service is top-notch if you ever need it. I had a question on my GI-45, I called, and got to speak to a live knowledgeable person in less than 5 minutes.
I have the "GI-45", and yes those sights are tiny. That being said, the GI-45 just really seems to 'fit' my hands. My favorite .45ACP bullet-launcher.
As someone else mentioned, Springfield Armory customer service is top-notch if you ever need it. I had a question on my GI-45, I called, and got to speak to a live knowledgeable person in less than 5 minutes.
I shot a friend's quite often in the past. It's a good gun. It never malfunctioned and was reasonably accurate. The only thing I didn't like were those terrible sights, or rather terrible front sight. The rear sights were tolerable, but the tiny front sight was barely usable. I'd say get the mil-spec. The mil-spec also has a lowered ejection port for better ejection of spent cases and improved slide serrations. Both a good guns though.
deputy tom
Member
If I could see the sights on the GI I'd buy another one.Having said that for me, the Mil-spec's higher vis sights work well for me as do the Loaded's Novac sights.You can't go wrong with any of these three SA offerings.tom.
I have two. The full size GI and the smaller Champion. I have put thousands of rounds through them without a hiccup. I would highly recommend them. Of course I am partial to the 1911 after spending 26 years in the Marine Corps with one.
hey_poolboy
Member
Got one sitting beside me right now. Love it. Performs great. I don't mind the smaller sights, but I am only in my 30's. My mind may change as that number increases.
I'm thinking my next one will be the new RO.
I'm thinking my next one will be the new RO.
BWarwick
Member
I was looking at getting an xd 9mm but I was clicking through the 1911 section and caught the bug when I saw the GI .45.
foolsgold80z
Member
I recently purchased a Springfield Mil-Spec. One range trip so far but it was flawless.
I can see myself becoming quite attached to this weapon. Joined at the hip if you will.
Heh Heh.
I can see myself becoming quite attached to this weapon. Joined at the hip if you will.
Heh Heh.
I carry this one 90% of the time. Had trigger work done on it to 3lbs. Accurate as heck and fun to shoot. It has the 4 inch barrel. The one below is full size with black steel and night sights, which I use for home protection. The night sights are very bright in the dark.
I have no regrets buying springfield and will continue to do so in the future.
I have no regrets buying springfield and will continue to do so in the future.
BWarwick
Member
those are some fine fine pistols. I'm thinking of getting the 4" model for possible cc in the future but was wondering how comfortable it would be for all day carry. I suppose with a good belt/holster it would work.
InkEd
Member
I liked the GI but bought a Mil Spec. The extra option are worth the money.
The back of my front sight is RAZOR sharp though.
The back of my front sight is RAZOR sharp though.
I have the GI and am happy with it. I have used it as my carry gun since 2003. It is a reliable pistol and I have only made two mods to it: a heavier recoil spring and night sights. If you want to mod it with night sights, get the GI. If you want it to stay stock, get the Milspec, which doesn't come with night sights. The other difference between them is the cut away ejection port, but that never made a difference with me, but it matters to some.
Are the sights on the SA GI easily replaced? If so that's not a bad deal for a good 1911. I was considering the para gi, but everywhere I go I read about them crapping out and poor CS. About how much more do the SA milspec cost over the GI models?
VA27
Member
My 'GI' is more accurate than any out-of-the-box Colt I've ever owned. The MilSpec guns are nice, but the sights are HUGE and snaggy and really detract from the classic good looks of the GI guns.
If you want big sights buy a MilSpec, don't ruin a GI by clobbering it up with some aftermarket sights.
If you want big sights buy a MilSpec, don't ruin a GI by clobbering it up with some aftermarket sights.
I use Crossbreed holsters for conceal carry they are really comfortable. I use the Supertuck delux. The same holster carries both the 4" barrel and the full size 1911.
http://crossbreedholsters.com/
Full Metal Jacket
member
SA's GI is a good gun for sure. the only consistent complaints seem to be brass smacking folks in the head due the non lowered ejection port, and they do tend to have gritty/heavy trigger pulls. certainly not major issues, and the GI is hard to beat for the price--plus you get that cool GI look lol
however, i would spend the extra money on the SA mil-spec model. the extra features are more than worth it. just my preference.
however, i would spend the extra money on the SA mil-spec model. the extra features are more than worth it. just my preference.
mljdeckard
Member
xr1200, I'm going to make a leap here and suggest that the problem wasn't the pistol.
1911s come with a wide variety of triggers. The ones Springfield sells as 'vintage' models are going to have a trigger very close to a WWII issue gun. Not like my match trigger on my Kimber. This is intentional. My dad bought a Mil-Spec a few years ago, and we had to take it out and crank a few hundred rounds through it and dry-fire it a lot to smooth it out a little. If a 1911 has a good lockup, and no play in the link or bushing, it will be reasonably accurate. When these parts start to wear, accuracy will suffer, but not enough to make you miss a 18" x 18" box at 20 yards. The WWII vintage ones in my arms room in Germany, with sloppy fit, and worn out everything were still within 6-8 inches at 25 yards. When people listen to their uncle who was in Vietnam about how inaccurate 1911s are, and go into the army not knowing how to shoot, they will blame the gun.
1911s come with a wide variety of triggers. The ones Springfield sells as 'vintage' models are going to have a trigger very close to a WWII issue gun. Not like my match trigger on my Kimber. This is intentional. My dad bought a Mil-Spec a few years ago, and we had to take it out and crank a few hundred rounds through it and dry-fire it a lot to smooth it out a little. If a 1911 has a good lockup, and no play in the link or bushing, it will be reasonably accurate. When these parts start to wear, accuracy will suffer, but not enough to make you miss a 18" x 18" box at 20 yards. The WWII vintage ones in my arms room in Germany, with sloppy fit, and worn out everything were still within 6-8 inches at 25 yards. When people listen to their uncle who was in Vietnam about how inaccurate 1911s are, and go into the army not knowing how to shoot, they will blame the gun.
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