Springfield Armory SA-16

[shadowspirit]

Springfield Armory in IL is not Springfield Armory in Mass. Springfield Armory in IL simply bought the name when the actual armory closed down in 1968.

Springfield in IL does make some decent high end 1911s but for the money I'd rather go Les Baer or Wilson Combat. They are more known for the budget 1911s that aren't as impressive.

I noticed the Springfield's 1911s that were a little or somewhat more expensive than their budget models have gone up a lot in price. Ditto for Les Baer and Wilson Combat in the past few years. I'm kicking myself for not grabbing a new Baer I saw for about $1800 NIB a few years ago.

[T2C]

Springfield Armory in IL is not Springfield Armory in Mass. Springfield Armory in IL simply bought the name when the actual armory closed down in 1968.

Springfield in IL does make some decent high end 1911s but for the money I'd rather go Les Baer or Wilson Combat. They are more known for the budget 1911s that aren't as impressive.

I own a SA Range Officer chambered in 9mm. It's OK, but accuracy is not as good as one would expect.

The M1A rifles they have produced over the past few years are not the same quality as in years past. If a person was in the market for a M1A, I suggest looking for a used one built before 1998.

[Red*Lion]

I have been satisfied with the 4 Springfields that I have. An EMP 3, GI Model 1911, an XD in .45 ACP and a VHS 2.

[ABNAK]

I own a SA Range Officer chambered in 9mm. It's OK, but accuracy is not as good as one would expect.

The M1A rifles they have produced over the past few years are not the same quality as in years past. If a person was in the market for a M1A, I suggest looking for a used one built before 1998.

I bought a new production one a few years ago and since I prefer chrome lined barrels I bought a Criterion one and sent it to Jon Wolfe. He swapped the SA bolt out for a Bula forged one to get it to headspace with that barrel. So it's a mostly Springfield with the critical components upgraded.

[shadowspirit]

I bought a new production one a few years ago and since I prefer chrome lined barrels I bought a Criterion one and sent it to Jon Wolfe. He swapped the SA bolt out for a Bula forged one to get it to headspace with that barrel. So it's a mostly Springfield with the critical components upgraded.

I wouldn't have guessed there are good aftermarket bolts for the M1A. Anyway, it sounds like you have a sweet setup now.

[shadowspirit]

I have been satisfied with the 4 Springfields that I have. An EMP 3, GI Model 1911, an XD in .45 ACP and a VHS 2.

I like the EMPs but wish they had a model with a shorter grip, either with the current barrel or a longer one. I'm surprised there aren't more scaled down 9mm 1911s out there. I wish there were. I guess the manufacturers don't think they will sell well.

IIRC, the frame and slide of the GI Model 1911 was made in Brazil. I remember when Springfield had a bunch of made in Brazil 1911s. They were inexpensive, though not all ran well. One models I read about only ran well with ball ammo.

The XD models have good reps. I guess they just didn't sell well.

I never heard of the VHS 2.

[T2C]

I bought a new production one a few years ago and since I prefer chrome lined barrels I bought a Criterion one and sent it to Jon Wolfe. He swapped the SA bolt out for a Bula forged one to get it to headspace with that barrel. So it's a mostly Springfield with the critical components upgraded.

Does the rear sight elevation and windage change with positive clicks? I've noticed the newer M1As are a bit looser, and I've had to replace components in the rear sight assembly with GI parts.

[Red*Lion]

I like the EMPs but wish they had a model with a shorter grip, either with the current barrel or a longer one. I'm surprised there aren't more scaled down 9mm 1911s out there. I wish there were. I guess the manufacturers don't think they will sell well.

IIRC, the frame and slide of the GI Model 1911 was made in Brazil. I remember when Springfield had a bunch of made in Brazil 1911s. They were inexpensive, though not all ran well. One models I read about only ran well with ball ammo.

The XD models have good reps. I guess they just didn't sell well.

I never heard of the VHS 2.

The VHS 2 is the Hellion bullpup.

[tomme boy]

I know a few of the guys putting Les Bers 1911's together. I shoot with one of them all the time. He caries a SA1911 even though he has several of Bears he put together. In one of the commercials you can see his toolbox with a SA sticker on it as he is fitting a slide to the frame.

Les does test fire every gun. But that is it. No accuracy testing for anything.

[SteyrAUG]

I know a few of the guys putting Les Bers 1911's together. I shoot with one of them all the time. He caries a SA1911 even though he has several of Bears he put together. In one of the commercials you can see his toolbox with a SA sticker on it as he is fitting a slide to the frame.

Les does test fire every gun. But that is it. No accuracy testing for anything.

Every manufacturer out there is going to have a competition grade model as well as an entry grade. This is so everyone can sponsor a top name shooter who can win with their brand. The problem is people who think the entry level models are the guns winning competitions.

Obvious exceptions exist, I don't think Les Baer is ever going to have a $500 budget model and I don't think Rock Island Arsenal is ever going to have a competition / match grade model.