Springfield GI Champion: any experiences?

wheelyfun · June 2, 2013, 02:24 PM

Hey All,
Just bought a SA GI Champion, and have yet to pick it up.....

I am wondering if anyone has experience with the GI models from SA?

If so, what tips/tricks/advice can you give me?

I bought two Megcar magazines....any good?

I fully understand that the GI models are bare-bones and prone to problems, but would love to hear from those with experience!

Thanks!

Andrewh · June 2, 2013, 02:27 PM

I owned one for a little while.

you need a paperclip to help take it apart, or very strong hands. There was an overhand trick you can find on the web on holding it in place, but the paper clip was easier.

trigger pull on mine was very heavy. 9 pounds or so.

got rid of it for the hammer bite mostly.

wheelyfun · June 2, 2013, 08:15 PM

Just got back from the range.

field stripped the Champion and cleaned and lubed before shooting.
I greased the rails with Enos Slide Glide.....

100 rounds fired with ZERO malfunctions!
From 10 yds out, I was making a ragged hole in the target.

Nothing to gripe about, just perfect function from this 1911.

took it home, field stripped and cleaned/lubed.....
Now it sits in my safe, cocked and locked, and stoked with Golden Saber JHP

tex45acp · June 2, 2013, 08:18 PM

The GI was my first Springfield Armory firearm. I bought it for a really good deal from my gun store since it was sent incorrectly. I decided to make it a project gun after I shot it the first time. It was very accurate. I qualified for my CHL with it and carried it for a couple of years. I had a friend fall in love with it after shooting it the first time....so I sold it to him. He still carries it today some 10 years later.

BarryLee · June 2, 2013, 11:18 PM

I’ve got a full-size GI and have left it pretty much stock except for some Chip McCormick grips and eight round magazines. I also considered making it a project gun and still might, but for now I really sort of like the bare bones look and feel.

June 2, 2013, 02:24 PM	#1
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 241	Springfield GI Champion: any experiences? Hey All, Just bought a SA GI Champion, and have yet to pick it up..... I am wondering if anyone has experience with the GI models from SA? If so, what tips/tricks/advice can you give me? I bought two Megcar magazines....any good? I fully understand that the GI models are bare-bones and prone to problems, but would love to hear from those with experience! Thanks! __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629)

June 2, 2013, 08:15 PM	#3
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 241	Just got back from the range. field stripped the Champion and cleaned and lubed before shooting. I greased the rails with Enos Slide Glide..... 100 rounds fired with ZERO malfunctions! From 10 yds out, I was making a ragged hole in the target. Nothing to gripe about, just perfect function from this 1911. took it home, field stripped and cleaned/lubed..... Now it sits in my safe, cocked and locked, and stoked with Golden Saber JHP __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629) Last edited by wheelyfun; June 2, 2013 at 09:06 PM.

June 2, 2013, 08:18 PM	#4
tex45acp Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Location: The Great State of Texas Posts: 1,032	The GI was my first Springfield Armory firearm. I bought it for a really good deal from my gun store since it was sent incorrectly. I decided to make it a project gun after I shot it the first time. It was very accurate. I qualified for my CHL with it and carried it for a couple of years. I had a friend fall in love with it after shooting it the first time....so I sold it to him. He still carries it today some 10 years later. __________________ “All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.“

June 2, 2013, 11:18 PM	#5
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,947	I’ve got a full-size GI and have left it pretty much stock except for some Chip McCormick grips and eight round magazines. I also considered making it a project gun and still might, but for now I really sort of like the bare bones look and feel. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

June 2, 2013, 02:27 PM	#2
Andrewh Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 1999 Posts: 966	I owned one for a little while. you need a paperclip to help take it apart, or very strong hands. There was an overhand trick you can find on the web on holding it in place, but the paper clip was easier. trigger pull on mine was very heavy. 9 pounds or so. got rid of it for the hammer bite mostly.