New 1911 purchase help

[COSteve]

Originally Posted by Nick_C_S

I have three 1911's. A Colt ('Series 80' from 1984) and a Kimber, and a Springfield.

My favorite, far and away, is my bottom-of-the-line Springfield "Mil-Spec."

Had I bought my Springfield before the Kimber, I'd have two Springfields. My brother also has a Springfield; and I have shot a couple others. All of them - all of them - I have found to be very fine shooting guns.

I'm a big fan of Springfield 1911's.

I too have some 1911s. A Colt 1911A1 and two Springfields; a 'NM' Mil-Spec I bought NIB in 2011 and a 'NM' Range Officer I bought NIB in 2012. Even though I'm a US Army trained Armorer who had 350 Colt 1911s to keep running and know them inside and out, I actually favor the Springfields.

First, like the Colts, the Springfields have forged frames and slides while other makers use cast frames and slides. Yes, they have some mim parts, but then all current manufactures do as well.

Second, unlike the Colts, Springfield uses a lowered ejection port and slightly higher sights in their Mil-Spec version of a 1911A1 vice a Colt 1911A1. This makes for more reliable ejection and cycling. The Range Officer, a modified version of a 1911, additionally has target sights as well as a better barrel and barrel bearing giving it excellent accuracy along with high reliability.

Third, both Springfields are stupidly reliable feeders eating everything I've tried to feed them from my 200grn lead round nose handloads to my 230grn Winchester HPs. They even feed some of my old Flying Ashtray handloads flawlessly (named for their huge HP cavity); something not many tight, accurate shooting 1911s can pull off.

Finally, their price point makes them exceptionally cost effective. That means that you can spend the extra hundreds of dollars you didn't spend on a high priced version on ammo so that you can learn to shoot yours well.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by COSteve

Second, unlike the Colts, Springfield uses a lowered ejection port and slightly higher sights in their Mil-Spec version of a 1911A1 vice a Colt 1911A1. This makes for more reliable ejection and cycling.

Pretty much every current Colt model has a lowered and flared ejection port, and sights that are significantly better than those on a USGI M1911A1.

[Sgt127]

If you’re not sure if you’ll really like a 1911, start small and basic and see where it goes from there.

This is a fantastic deal on a good solid (pretty close to true) mil spec 1911. From a solid company.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...13617/redirect

[Catchabullet]

Wasn't there a time period in which Springfield’s were cast frames? I remember hearing this 12 years ago when I was making my first pistol purchase.

Also... what did the op end up getting?

[wingman]

My Springfield loaded has been flawless over several years, nothing more then a change of recoil springs, if I purchased another it would be SA.

[Rob228]

I've had them with and without, I never really paid much attention as long as it works.

In that price range I would also look at Springfield Armory, be prepared to ditch their two piece guiderod though.

[Blue Duck]

I like Colt as my first option, because in the last few years, their quality has improved.
And I am also basing it on price, and most Colts are pretty much true to the original guns, more or less. Springfield's are fine, but I don't like that ILS safety lock in the mainspring housing, fortunately I usually swap out the mainspring housing anyway. Also, the Springfield's use a smaller firing pin which has never gave me any problem but they are different if I remember correctly. But I own two Springfield's and they are not going anywhere. Oh! and I almost forgot the recoil springs are often different on the Springfield's.

My favorite carry gun is a Colt Lightweight Commander that came out about 3 or 4 years ago and it's about the cheapest 1911 I have at about $800 at the time. I also like the Colt Commander the best, because it's a true 4-1/4" gun with original type recoil spring, Unlike Springfield or Kimber mostly 4" guns.

[HisSoldier]

Yes, they have some mim parts, but then all current manufactures do as well.

Not Dan Wesson, I'm pretty sure their small parts are machined from barstock, unless something's changed. I favor DW over almost all other production 1911's.
For my part, as as a long time machinist the only 1911 clone I'd buy with MIM parts is Rock Island, because the reliability, fit and finish/price makes them a huge bargain, and internal parts are easy to replace with machined parts.

[Catchabullet]

Oh.... I didn't even answer the question posted. My first pistol purchase was a Colt Commander with a steel frame the week I turned 21. I love that firearm and have for 11 years. It's what most gunsmiths who do custom work recommend... Which.... you're going to get custom work eventually most likely. Hardly anyone can leave their first 1911 stock... unless they go ham and buy an Ed Brown or something equivalent.

[silvermane_1]

Ruger SR1911 line isn't a bad choice either.

[Cowboyfromhell]

I'm no expert but I have had 3 1911s--ruger sr1911 CMDR that I sold because of lack of confidence in it, wasn't reliable sadly. The next was a RIA GI that I never warmed up to--the sights were terrible and the finish was meh. My current 1911 is a brand new S.A. RO ELITE OPERATOR .45 that I just bought a few days ago and upon initial inspection and a successful range report of flawlessly putting over 250 rds of various brands of ammo including hp! This gun is GTG and will trust my life to it as well as proudly recommend to anyone thinking of purchasing a 1911.

[silvermane_1]

Originally Posted by Cowboyfromhell

I'm no expert but I have had 3 1911s--ruger sr1911 CMDR that I sold because of lack of confidence in it, wasn't reliable sadly. The next was a RIA GI that I never warmed up to--the sights were terrible and the finish was meh. My current 1911 is a brand new S.A. RO ELITE OPERATOR .45 that I just bought a few days ago and upon initial inspection and a successful range report of flawlessly putting over 250 rds of various brands of ammo including hp! This gun is GTG and will trust my life to it as well as proudly recommend to anyone thinking of purchasing a 1911.

You should have contacted Ruger there Cowboyfromhell, they would have made that SR1911 CMD right or made sure you got a new one if it never ran right, i haven't had any problems with mine.

[erob3]

I've owned a S&W Pro Series 1911 9mm for years. I shoot it regularly at our club's matches. Never an issue of any kind including the external extractor. Thousands of rounds down the barrel. Fine pistol. I hope that helps.