Springfield Mil-Spec Quality?

[brockgl]

I am in the market for a 1911, and I am really considering Springfield's 1911's. Specifically the Mil-Spec model over the GI-45 because of the upgraded sights and other small changes that I hope will make for an better starter 1911 overall. I eventually will upgrade parts on it, so I am curious to know if the Mil-Spec is the ideal gun as a 'blank canvas' to build upon. Are the basic features of this gun very well built and polished? That is essentially my main question: How is the fit and finish? Does the fit and finish of the Mil-Spec compare to other manufacturers' 1911's within the quality range? Does the slide have smooth action, etc...? Overall is it a well built quality gun even before any upgrades? The only 1911 I have really ever handled is my Dad's Colt M1991A1, and though it is an accurate gun (it is what inspired me to buy my own 1911), the fit and finish on it seem to be on the rough side. The Mil-Spec I want is the stainless steel version. My Dad's M1991A1 is parkerized and (to me) it is a rough gun and not very pretty. Any info would be awesome! Thanks so much...

 

[fletcher]

Any of the Springfield guns are plenty good for upgrading. I had a GI, and it was pretty nice - I can't imagine a milspec would be any worse.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Two Thumbs for SA Mil Spec!

The quality of my SA Mil Spec SS is great, the gun is well put together and fit & finish is really good. I had a Combat Commander in Satin Nickel, and my SA is just as good in fit & finish as was that Colt. Mine is super smooth action wise, it has in my opinion a great trigger... just like a glass rod breaking. I have added some upgrades to mine and I am super happy with my Mil Spec and I think you will too.

Can't go wrong with Springfield Armory Mil Spec!

 

[teknoid]

I've had my stainless mil spec for about a year now, and haven't had any trouble out of it at all. You could do a lot worse. I bought a Chuck Daly first. Bad mistake. I took the lemon back and got the Mil Spec I wanted in the first place.

 

[huff]

I just picked up a Mil Spec used and I am very happy with it. The slide to frame fit is tight, real tight. There is a bunch of talk out there about the serial numbers, NM is better N, or something like that. Think I got the letters right. Either way good gun to build on. I have started.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A MS already has a lowered/flared ejection port, so there would be one less machining operation.

 

[jaysouth]

If you buy a Mil-spec and learn to shoot it, there may not be any upgrades necessary.

A little fine tuning like smoothing GS and rear of frame to avoid 'hammer bite' may be in order. Some spend a hundred or so to replace the ignition parts. May or not be necessary depending upon your gun. If you were so minded, a couple of thousand could be dropped on 'custom' but it might not buy you any practical advantages. Cosmetics, cool factor and sex appeal, yes indeed, but it probably won't shoot any better in a practical sense.

Mighty fine way to start and enjoy 1911s.

 

[EHL]

IMO, it is a GREAT gun to begin a project with. I bought an SA GI 45, 5 years ago and and I just got it customized (all the bells and whistles)5 months ago. It is now a beautiful gun that is a real nail driver and is the envy of all who shoot her.

 

[Tom Fury]

Have used several as base gun

And like them a lot. Have always found them tight; assume you're looking for something less expensive to be improved; I believe it gives an acceptable level of fit and finish (acceptable= leave it as is if you're happy or remember anything can be improved); but realize some individual pieces are better than others (and worse) no matter who makes them. If you find a tight one that you like, fall on it. I have heard the NM thing is a myth; I have owned a couple and found them tighter (my 2 sense...no, I didn't misspell it).

Be advised SA grip tangs are cut to different profile than the Colt, and thus most aftermarket beavertails require the frame to be welded up, recut and refinished to fit; exception is a Smith & Alexander type made specifically for the SA. As an interim step, I sometimes drop in a Colt Commander type hammer and "pigtail" style grip safety.

I think you'll be pleased.
Cheers, TF

 

[bluto]

What Jaysouth said. Might be the best value on the market.

 

[foghornl]

I have the 4" Loaded Champion model and the 5" GI-45.

I actually shoot the GI-45 a little better, even with those sub-atomic particle sized sights. The Mil-Spec is somewhere in between those 2 in terms of features, but you just can hardly go wrong with a Springfiled 1911.

The Champion Model has the 3-dot glow in the dark Novak tritium sights.

 

[trbon8r]

Having owned both Colts and a Springfield, my advice is to spend the extra money for the Colt. It is a better made gun overall than the Springfield. You do get what you pay for in the 1911 world.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

My SA Mil Spec is fine...no problems ever

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Cocked & Locked, is that chrome or polished SS? That is one shiny 45... I scratched my SA SS Mil Spec while trying to "melt" the muzzle area, after I sanded the scratch out with progressively finer auto body sand paper, it is now starting to have a certain amount of shine... but no where near the level of yours. You have one fine looking firearm.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Cocked & Locked, is that chrome or polished SS? That is one shiny 45...

Actually, it is nickel and it is a .38 Super and not a .45. Once upon a time, SA made a few factory nickel plated 1911's in .38 Super. This is one of them.

It is now a "discontinued" model.

Thanks for your comments.

They were shipped from the factory with fake pearl grips...these to be exact.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Duh! Saw the 38 super on the slide, I guess I didn't have enough caffeine before I wrote my post... Well it's certainly one fine 38 super
You are a lucky gun owner.

 

[brockgl]

I am definitely pleased!

I am home with the new Mil-Spec, and I couldn't be happier! It definitely has excellent fit and finish! I stripped it, cleaned it, and re-assembled--hopefully I'll get to shoot it tomorrow. It is next to my Sig P229 and my S&W 642 airweight centennial.

 

[Dienekes]

Have had my milspec SS for about 3 yrs now. I don't shoot 1911s as much as I used to, but I have about 1200 rounds through it. Only real issue I had with it was high POI which required a higher front sight. Had a dovetailed unit installed and that was that. It has a decent trigger, excellent sights, and is reliable with the ammo I use in it.

Have had no reason to go inside the gun and I think it is an excellent piece. Have been using 1911s since 1959 and I would consider it good to go.

 

[sernv99]

I'm looking at a 1911 and was going to go for a semi-custom gun but couldnt justify the $1000+ price and since ammo for 45 is expensive I wont be shooting this gun every day....more like once or twice a month at the range for an hour or two at a time. I was looking at the SA Stainless Loaded. Are there any big "whoopty-do" features on the Loaded that makes it well beyond the Mil-Spec? I'm new to handguns and shoot a CZ-75B and to me I like the simple features. I just want a good stainless finish, good sights, checkered grips and backstrap and overall good quality. The only mods I will do is get front strap checkering @ 30 lpi and perhaps some 8/10 round mags.

is the Loaded model overkill? will Mil Spec suffice?

 

[jmr40]

In my experience the Mil-spec is a step up in quality over the GI version. I would gladly pay the difference unless you just want the GI features.

If you like the Mil-spec as is it will function just as good as the Loaded. If you plan to upgrade you will probaply save money by getting the features on the Loaded rather than paying for them later.

 

[NGIB]

If you plan to upgrade you will probaply save money by getting the features on the Loaded rather than paying for them later.

+1 for this.

Just having the dovetailed sights on the Loaded is a big plus in my book. I'm an old fella and those tiny GI sights just didn't work for me. Fine guns though but the Loaded will save you money in the long run...