The posts I quoted are from the thread addressing problems with the XD, and maybe it’s just me, but it seems like some people feel negatively towards SA in general.
I’m curious because a 1911 is next on my list of pistols to have, and from my very limited knowledge I gathered Springfield makes some pretty decent 1911s. From all the reading I’ve been doing on these boards, some of you are in quite a position of authority to voice sound judgement on particular weapons, and I look forward to hearing what you have to say. To be particular, I was interested in the full sized Loaded model (PX9109LP).
They use allot of MIM but there’re those that swear by thier TRP’s… I like the operator model but I went a different route with my 1911… I had a frame and slide build done with all Wilson Combat parts…
I would look at Dan Wesson… qaulity 1911 thats soft on the bank account… no MIM to speak of… STI’s are good too…
My experience with Springfield Armory M1911’s are generally very favorable.
If someone was looking for a sub $1K 1911, they’re hard to beat.
I’ve owned several of the Mil Spec’s, one of the WWII GI model, and currently own and have trained with a 1st. Gen MC Operator.
The MC Operator has been through several classes, including a Pennington CCW high volume class, and a Vickers Tactical 1911 Operators class, and has performed beautifully.
I would advise junking the two piece guide rod they put in their “Loaded” and up guns, and some feel the need to replace the MIM parts. I will eventually get a Vickers FCG from Blue Force Gear at some point.
I would personally recommend looking at the MC Operator or above for a serious hard use 1911 from Springfield. The TRP is a decent gun, I personally don’t care for the 20 lpi checkering on the front strap.
Depending what you are looking for, SA can be a great option for a .45 ACP 5" barrel 1911.
The SA Milspec 1911 is a good base gun for customizing.
The SA Loaded, TRP, and Operator 1911 models we have seen have often been problematic out of the box–including functional issues, sights falling off, parts breaking. These might be fun range toys, but I am not sure I would want to bet my life on one unless it had proven to work reliably in thorough testing–you get what you pay for…
The SA Pro model 1911 (either PC9111 or PC9111LR if you want a light rail) may be the best factory 1911 for serious use and should be the minimum level of quality for a duty/carry 1911; if you’re not willing to invest that much into the weapon system, don’t get a 1911…
My hands on experience has been very favorable of their milspec and GI lines. Other than Colt or Springfield I don’t know of too many sub-$1000 1911’s that are reliably good out of the box.
I have two, one with what I would consider a decent round count (over 2k) and the other that was recently rebuilt by Dave Erickson. Solid guns. Hilton Yam, who knows a thing or two about the 1911 platform, also seems to like a few of their models, to include running a couple of special orders through the custom shop. The custom shop itself does solid work, and performed minor updates on my 2k plus Loaded Operator. Comments are nothing without actual time on target and I suspect you’ll see a ton of negative posts from people who assume they know something about a weapon, despite probably having never owned the weapon or even shot more than a dozen rounds through them.
What about Kimber’s? I also understand they use MIM parts as well. But for those who have run your Kimbers through classes and such, were there any problems I should be aware with?
My shooting buddy has gone through 3 Kimbers and ended up dumping them due to various feeding and extraction issues. We took a course together at the Sig Academy via Range 82 here in VA and observed a gent in that course have a number of issues with his Kimber and ultimately had to go to his second gun. I’ve never owned one, but based on my buddy’s experiences, I’ve kept away from them since (for me) the Springfields I’ve owned have given me good service.
If I can ask a related question, on behalf of a person who is a casual enthusiast, would you recommend a Springfield Armory Loaded Model or the Mil Spec model?
My neighbor has been asking me to go gun shopping with him. He used to be shore patrol (?) in the navy years ago and was issued a 1911. He now wants to buy a 1911 of his own. He has gone window shopping before and has been scared off buy different 1911’s that are over $1,000 in price. (he was also shopping at the wrong stores)
I see this as a gun that will be taken out to the range, cleaned and then probably stored in a closet. For that reason, I was thinking about the Springfield Mil Spec. It is relatively inexpensive. And, as my neighbor shoots more, it can be upgraded. But, the Loaded does have some features that may cause him to enjoy shooting it even more.
I am not at all an expert on the 1911. My wife has one, and I want one (eventually, but not now). I do all my handgun shooting with my Glocks.
So, would it be wise to push the neighbor to spend the extra couple hundred bucks on a Loaded Model? Or would he be better off getting the Mil Spec and use the extra cash for ammo and mags?
I don’t think I’ve ever had a FTF with my SA TRP (Tactical). My SA GI Pistol (probably built in Brazil by Imbel) is a well-made pistol too. I don’t have one (yet) but SA also makes the Professional model for the FBI. Their customer service is GTG.
To my knowledge all of Springfield’s pistols are at least in part made in Brazil - it’s just the amount of finishing/fitting they get in Genesseo.
My Loaded was made in Brazil and had some trouble feeding at first. I rang up Springfield and promptly emailed me a shipping label. A week later I had the pistol back and they hand fit the barrel to the slide and the slide to the barrel and polished the feed ramp. 2K rounds later and the pistol is still running like a top…
Mil-Spec v Loaded - my take was that all the enhancements on the Loaded were something I was going to want to do to it anyway and it was cheaper to have it done at the factory before I bought the pistol. Of course, there are better choices for some of the upgrades, but it suited my needs.
Kimbers have outstanding barrels, slides and frames. The rest of the gun leaves a lot to be desired, especially any series II gun IMHO. If you can find a series I gun swap out the the hammer, sear, disconnecter, ejector, extractor, slide stop, mag release and firing pin stop and you’ll end up with a really nice dependable gun, provided a competent smith does the work for you.
Buy the milspec. I can’t tell you how many guys I have seen drop down large gobs of cash on the 1911 only to find out that they were happier with some other gun. If you find that you are happy with the gun most good smiths offer a basic upgrade package (trigger job, reliability package and new sights) which will bring the price in line with what you paid for the loaded right out of the gate.
