I used to be a 1911 hater, but those days are long gone. Much like a young cigar aficionado who can’t appreciate an expensive Davidoff, I just didn’t understand why 1911 handguns were so popular. Now I carry a Wilson Combat 1911 and haven’t looked back. But there’s something to be said for the original, the 1911A1, and for those looking to own a modern manufactured version of that historic handgun, Springfield offers their 1911A1 GI model that can be bought for less than the price of a GLOCK 19. But even at that price, is it worth the money? . . .
The Springfield 1911A1 Mil-Spec would, one would think, be a straight reproduction of the iconic 1911A1 handgun as issued to the troops. But you’d be wrong. There are a number of things that keep it from being identical to the M1911A1 handgun of WWII (and earlier) fame.
Two of the changes that separate the M1911 and M1911A1 are a shorter hammer spur and the elimination of the “double diamond” pattern in the grips, but both features are present in Springfield’s 1911A1 handgun. Springfield has even gone further, adding their logo into the cocobolo wood grips and emblazoning it on the side of the gun. Not that I’m complaining — I think it looks smashing — but purists will notice the difference.
Other differences are on the slide. On the original M1911A1 the serrations were vertical at a 90 degree angle from the slide, but on the 1911A1 they’re tilted slightly forward. And on the ejection port there’s a relief cut to allow for better ejection of the spent casings that didn’t exist in 1942. These are features that are common to the newer Springfield handguns, such as the TRP and the Range Officer, so it makes sense from a manufacturing point of view to re-use the same slides from those guns on this model too, but it’s not historically accurate. I know we’re nit-picking here, but in a world where gun companies proclaim the release of a “new gun” for more minor changes it makes a difference.
At the muzzle end of the gun there’s another difference, but this time more minor: the barrel and barrel bushing are a shiny stainless steel instead of the customary blued steel. I don’t really have a problem with it, I just wanted an excuse to slide that picture in the review.
One thing that doesn’t differ from the original is the finish: the gun is parkerized, and it feels almost as if the gun is covered in a soft velvet blanket. There are some parkerizations that pretty much suck, but this one doesn’t. Just holding it in your hands feels really, really nice.
On the range, the gun runs well. No matter what you feed it, be it brand new Winchester ammunition or remanufactured Freedom Munitions rounds, the gun keeps shooting. The gun’s ability to function under adverse conditions is one of the reasons that it’s still in service today, so I wouldn’t expect anything less.
What’s really surprising is that for a gun this cheap is that the trigger is damn near perfect — if a bit heavy. The break is as crisp and clean as an Irish spring morning (or at least what my soap leads me to believe an Irish spring morning would be like) with no creep and no roll whatsoever. There’s about a quarter inch of prepping to do where there’s practically no resistance and a slippery smooth feel, and then an eighth of an inch of overtravel. The reset is short and then you’re back in business. The only complaint I have is that the trigger feels very heavy to me, but then again I’m used to dangerously light competition triggers. Nevertheless, even with the WWII style sights, the gun is dead-nuts accurate.
I take full responsibility for the fliers high and left, but take those away and you still have a 1-inch five round group from 15 yards. Considering the bullets themselves are about a half an inch wide that’s very impressive from a relatively inexpensive handgun.
At this point, the review has been all smiles and unicorns. But there’s a problem with the gun.
Every other handgun Springfield makes comes with a beavertail grip safety, and there’s a damn good reason: the A1 grip safety hurts. It’s way too short, and for those of us with big hands it puts nearly all of the force from the recoil of the gun into a very small space on the webbing of your hand. By the end of the first 50 rounds I looked down and my hand was visibly bleeding thanks to the grip safety. While I understand that for this to be a “true” 1911A1 it needed a thin grip safety, but with Springfield changing so many other details on this gun I feel like this one has been overlooked. Then again, it’s a brilliant strategy if their goal is to get people to realize how crappy the original grip safety is and upgrade to a “Loaded” or TRP model.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIMu551-ZQE
Nevertheless, despite the issues with my hand the gun is legitimately fun to shoot. It’s accurate, it has a good trigger, and most importantly it runs. The best part might be that for a mere $70 you can order a replacement beavertail grip safety and smaller hammer from Wilson Combat and make the gun a lot more enjoyable to shoot. But even as-is, it’s not half bad. And especially given the price, it’s not a bad choice for new shooters either.
But if you’re looking to buy this gun with an eye to upgrade it later watch out, because the slide is going to be an issue. The sights on the gun are the old WWII-era sights, meaning that the front sight is permanently embedded in the slide and the notch for the rear sight won’t give you many options. You can take it to a gunsmith and have them mill you a Novak cut to use some of the higher end sights, but that’s going to take some money and depending on the skill of your gunsmith it might not come out right. Tyler’s friend recently ran into that issue when he sent a 1911 in for some new sights and they came back slanted. I’m not saying it’s not possible, just to be aware and be careful.
The real question is whether it’s worth the money, and that depends. If you have your heart set on a 1911 handgun, then this might be a good entry level purchase that you can add those parts I mentioned and make it into a great shooter. If you’re looking for a competition handgun, then the money and time you’ll spend on modifications alone might make it a better idea to buy a Range Officer or something similar. And if you’re just looking for a home defense gun in .45ACP then I remind you that a Glock 21 is only $200 more, holds three more rounds, and comes with an accessory rail built into the gun. In short it all boils down to preference. For some people the 1911 is just too pretty to pass up.
Springfield 1911-A1 Mil-Spec
Specifications:
Caliber: .45ACP
Barrel: 5 inches
Overall: 8.5 Inches
Weight: 39 oz
Trigger: Single stage
Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $700
Ratings (Out of Five Stars):
All ratings are relative compared to the other weapons in the gun’s category.
Accuracy: * * * * *
For a gun this inexpensive, it was pretty damn good.
Ergonomics: * * *
The gun feels soft and smooth, until you try to grip it. Then the grip safety digs into your hand and things start going wrong.
Ergonomics Firing: * * *
Recoil is damn near pleasant, but OH GOD THE GRIP SAFETY!
Customization: * * * * *
The 1911 is one of the most heavily customized firearms in existence. There’s no doubt that you can pimp this thing out however you want, and it’ll be pretty cheap to do it.
Overall Rating: * * * *
For the money, it’s a good gun. With a little work it would be a great gun. The only reason I dropped a star is because RIA has a similar offering at a cheaper price, but the quality difference between the two is obvious.
I recall my first visit~ post 9-11~ MeriKah, ukk, yeah!
Lord how things change under Obamba
Hurts the soul
Just like everywhere else…Conceal properly and nobody will know you are armed. Of course in Chicago folks will freak out for a little while anyway. “Officer! Officer! That man has a GUN!!!!”
I am glad I don’t have to put up with that.
Is it racist to call this moron a black ass idiot ? Probably,but. I dont care !
I just don’t get 1911s. Perhaps I should wax poetic about that.
1911 Haters will boil out of the hive in 3, 2, …
I’m not a 1911 hater, but 1911 guys tend to drive me nuts. They’re like Harley guys. They’re both made of steel instead of aluminum or plastic, so they’re heavy and slow, they use dated technology, they aren’t dependable (what do you mean you have to fire 500 rounds before you can trust it for self defense?). Yet their aficionados are convinced that what’s theirs is awesome and everyone else is shooting (or riding) a complete piece of sh!t.
Sure their fun to shoot (or ride) and they’re a classic design (I’m a huge fan of Ruger Blackhawks) but the snobbery invites the sneers.
Doesn’t a Glock 21 hold 6 more rounds? Glock 30/30S/30SF hold 3 more rounds. And have easy to accomplish night sights.
Doesn’t a 1911 spare the user from Glock-Eye, aka retina damage from the ugly design?
Her job is to appeal to the Oprah/GMA/Today Show/The View/CNN watching set of uninformed and easily manipulated females and metrosexuals, the set who are absolutely freaked out by the sight of a firearm, who are either too indoctrinated or lazy to take the time to learn the facts of firearms ownership and safe shooting.
You’re not smart enough to tell me how to live.
Regardless of what the leftists/liberals say, there is ALWAYS an underlying agenda…We all know that leftists/liberals do not live in the real world, they’re living in some 1950’s sci-fi movie world where there is no more violence, just Unicorns and rainbows, for the rest of us who live in the real world, we know and see the truth…
American Rifleman tested it this month. It’s hard to believe, but they liked it. Kinda. And then said that using the 20/20 isn’t actually shooting.
Shooting is a skill, and one that’s hard to master. The whole purpose of the 20/20 and TrackingPoint systems is to remove the human element, and therefore the skill, from the shot.
Making a great shot should not be a matter of pushing a button. If this is the future of shooting, then all the gungrabbers in the world couldn’t be more harmful to the shooting sports.
Nick do you see what your ban on Israeli supermodels has done to RF? He’s now resorted to watching Asian women line dancing to gun songs all day. Bring back the bikini clad gun toating hotties in the sand.
I think that comment won the internet.
I had a good friend in New York City he never called me by my name just hillbilly he used to send me pictures of the Broadway lights and I’d send him some homemade winebut he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife for $43 my friend lost his life I live back in woods you see the women in the kids in the dogs and me I got a rifle shotgun in a four wheel drive in a country boy can survive
All that safe storage laws do is raise the monetary bar for gun ownership. They often double or triple the price of buying a first gun, which keeps poor people, the people who often live in the highest crime areas, from being able to defend themselves. Gun control is rooted in slavery and racism. The natural extension of that to the modern world is gun control based on elitism and classism.
1812 Overture
Bring on the artillery.
I’m going with a rather obvious choice that astonishingly hasn’t been mentioned yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqQn2ADZE1A
Miranda Lambert, Gunpowder and Lead.
Shoot to thrill?
I guess.
//We believe that you have the right to protect yourself with a weapon …//
My recollection is that a year ago one of the stated MDA goals was the roll-back of shall issue carry laws, which hardly qualifies as supporting self-defense.
Wow….amazing.
The Battle of New Orleans
Does that count?
I want to add a 1940s version to my “collection, but with Colt engraved on the slide. I’d take a springer too
Check with the firearms dealers regarding their fee. Some dealers with partially or completely waive their fee if your can show you are a Veteran.
Oh. And I carry a Gold Cup (mostly) concealed. If I need more than 8 rounds, that’s what they make spare mags for.
Missing caption from the above photo: “Hey guys, how do I guns?”
Gun fight by the mighty under dogs….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uimO0YIJ7vQ
This thing is too damn expensive (cool, but expensive) to be a viable optic. Its more of a gimmick.
I have big hands and never had an issue with the hammer or the grip safety. Dunno about the stainless bushing, nice looker otherwise.
His audience was Flashed and Furious.
I have no opinion on the 2nd Amendment political effects, but I am certain these should not be allowed for hunting. The device absolutely puts fair-chase in danger of extinction. The humans-to-moose ratio is too high a number already.
Nick, I’m wondering if the Flex would solve your gas in the face problem with the tavor.
I’ve had the Armalite Tac 2stage trigger for roughly 2 years in one of my AR’s. It is without a doubt vastly superior to the mil spec trigger in my other AR. After I got used to it I can fire either rifle about the same speed but when trying to shoot longer range or for accuracy the Armalite leaves the other in the dust. I have tuned it using the instructions from Armalite and it has really became a solid unit and it may not be as good as the $250 Timmneys and such but I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good trigger for a varmint or range rifle.
I would have just kocked his teeth in for muzzle sweeping me.
El Paso by Marty Robbins
Who is Lebron James and why do I give a phuck?
i really hope that was sarcasm!
you should care because the more celebrities that show guns are fun and can be used responsibly the better.
Last I checked the TMF didn’t work on the 18″ Tavor because of the bayonet lug. I am running the FLEX, though, and it’s pretty sweet.
Nice to see Gear Head Works stuff reviewed here. It’s quality stuff. I’ve been impressed with the aftermarket options for the Tavor. Looking forward to the drop-in trigger packs that are in development….
FYI this article is forcing a download from kultura.Com on my Android phone.
“Hauer, commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, was disabled by a stroke a few years ago and can be unsteady.”
Doesn’t he got the grabbers definition of mentally damaged due to that stroke?
“Love and a .45” by Chris Knight
Do you think we should take up a collection for Mr. Ayoob so he could purchase a decent HD smartphone, at least?
This video almost looks like he took a video of while playing it back on his 1986 Sony Color TV.
: )
Sort of reminds me of that Volkswagen “Thing”. That light would definitely serve a purpose, if it is shining in your eyes, you are holding the rifle wrong.
Kinda bummed it’s not a saker 762
Imagine, on the other hand, if a really Big Name in handguns actually did this.
Hypothetically speaking, would Glock lose all of its fans over this? Or S&W? Or XD? Or Beretta?
I agree with her. Buying a gun should be as hard as buying Sudafed.
Show your ID at the counter, pay for it and walk out the door. And you’re limited to one transaction per day, per store.
Die and go to hell? Before or after the bad guys whack you? I love liberals. If people don’t believe just like you then they have to die. Quite the intolerant Bigot aren’t you. Neither I or anyone else on this site will volunteer to protect someone who wont protect themselves or their family and wishes death on the very people who protect your right to spout drivel..
BTW The Bible says “Thou shalt not MURDER” not Thou shalt not kill. There is a major difference. You have accused me of something I have never done. I’m sure you know what bad Karma is and all of your bad Karma will come back to you.
I just picked up a Diamondback AR-15 Pistol today and purchased the forearm grip, between my wife and we ran aprox 1,200 rounds and had no malfunctions at all, and no it was not dripping with any lubricant. A small back ground on me I have been an Infantrymen for over 8 years, and have numerous AR style rifles in my home. This is a decent AR.
Mine are prettier, but just as useful.
All this swat is getting into my mind! I just typed in Swat Show 2014 to Google instead of Shot Show.
Well, if the gentleman in question was of the criminal class it’s likely that he will face a felony charge for having the AK. But I’m not jumping to any conclusions here. He could be an upright citizen with the same judgement in friends that George Zimmerman has in women.
I wonder if a new challenge to the “CA approved for sale,” list might be worthwhile now considering this ruling. After all, if a gun isn’t on the list, it is banned from sale in the state. Granted, CA is a different district, but a conflicting ruling would increase the likelihood of bumping the issue to the Supreme Court, so we could essentially get another shot even if we lost in CA.
I’m kinda itching to see CA laws get the Supreme treatment now that we have given IL a jolly good rogering.
The yakuza is going to pay rahm a visit and cut off another one of his fingers for his failure to control this judge.
Sometimes you reap what you sew. But it’s still sad for the deputy’s family. Nobody needed to die. Nobody.
Those thugs are amateurs. I know small a gang of 100 people in D.C. who steal billions with a pen and no gun, and it’s all legal. We call them the Senate.
It would be GREAT if all manufacturers refused to business with this city then.
What is this little punk doing inserting himself into an adult process like a municipal solicitation anyway? Was he elected by his Day Care facility or something? He needs to go home and take a nap. Here’s a quarter. Come back in 20 years, kid.
“Capital murder” is the most serious degree of murder, even higher than 1st degree, and is the big death penalty charge in Texas. I’m not seeing a murder case here at all, of any degree, let alone capital murder; but I’m not on the Grand Jury.
For capital murder, the State first has to prove murder, which has its own burden of proof. For capital murder itself, it then has to prove that the shooter knew the deceased was an officer acting in his official capacity. A no-knock warrant in the middle of the night pretty much guarantees that it was impossible for the shooter to know with certainty who was entering, let alone the circumstances, lawful or otherwise, within the time necessary to act.
Alternatively, the State could prove that the murder was committed during the course of Obstruction, which includes resisting or evading arrest; but that still requires that he knew they were officers acting in their official capacity.
What is worse, is that even if the jury finds him not guilty on the capital murder charge, they still have the option to find him guilty of any other murder charge or lesser included charge. Basically, they’re throwing the entire Texas Penal Code at this guy and hoping that, because he’s a pot head and the deceased was a cop, something will stick.
Saddle there also appears to be a Python or one of the other python like colts…
What? No militarization of the police flaming on this search warrant?
Did anyone see the video? Gun range: irresponsible gun owner of the day. Allowing videoing from the front of a fully automatic weapon being fired by a professional…basketball player…WTF? You’ll poke your eye out! and kudos for taking him to the range. NBA is very left sided. I love liberals crying. Plus, an actual legal place to shoot guns albeit irresponsibly nonetheless is still positive.
Important Cold Weather Questions:
(1) At what cold temperature will guns begin to jam (cycle improperly)?
(2) At what cold temperature will guns begin to fail (as in catastrophic failure due to brittle metal at cold temperatures)?
I have been told that the orientation of the owl’s head on the grips indicates the ability to shoot smokeless powder. If the owl’s beak points towards the trigger guard it is black powder only. If the beak is pointing towards the bottom of the grip it is safe for smokeless. Looking at pictures of some first generation (black powder only) and third generation(smokeless powder tolerant) models with my limited knowledge it seems to be true.
That accuracy is really dissapointing. Any Tokarev I have seen that was in good repair was quite accurate.
No lanyard ring?
No deal.
Yes. My last box of Fiochhi’s 9mm had a round that was apparently bent. It wouldn’t feed from the mag into the chamber of my Sigma. When I attempted to simply insert the round into the chamber manually it balked.
Fortunately, the surplus commie ammo is still at the same level of quality as the day it was made.
Let’s see how many errors I can correct in 30 seconds. Go.
You can carry in a hospital.
Texas has had open carry for everything except handguns forever.
You can have alcohol in your system and there is no offense.
Can cops who do not know these things still arrest you? Sure, just like any other state.
I just picked up a used Milspec in new condition at a local pawn shop for only $370 and it has a wonderful fit. finish and trigger. Also, a month ago I picked up an “as new” used Range Officer for only $600.
I love pawn shops
Here’s a photo of the actual Milspec I got for $370
http://i.picasion.com/pic77/b111132da9f9fedf2600776b34d28ad8.gif
Some of the comments here astound me. I shoot and carry 1911, Glock 19, and Sig 225, and .38 snubbies. According to some of the posters here, I must be very confused. I would much rather face an idiot with a .45 than an expert with a .22. Bottom line in my opinion is this: Massad Ayoob put it well when he said “A .38 wadcutter in the eye beats a .44 mag in the big toe every time.” Stop bashing someone because they carry and shoot caliber/firearms that you don’t particularly care for. Shoot and carry what you are proficient with and and shut the hell up about others choices. You are only displaying your myopia and ignorance for the whole world to see. When it comes to defensive hand gunning, caliber is important. But it only gets you so far. I find it to be much like real estate. What is more important than caliber is Location, Location, Location. Period. Any pistol you purchase should have a few hundred rounds run through it at the range just to make sure there are no issues. And they can happen with any brand. I have seen $1000.00 Kimbers fail to feed and extract during competition and at the range. As far as how much to carry, that is also a matter of preference. Sometimes I carry 2 pistols but I am sure not going to carry several magazines for each gun. Sometimes I just shove a .38 into my back pocket. No one else has to deal with the consequences of that decision but me.
I am also a big fan of Hi-Power in 9mm. Great gun. Used to have a pair and one of my life’s biggest regrets is selling them. Maybe someday I will be able to get another. Sigh. 🙁
I have one of these and I simply changed out the grip safety. Problem solved.
BTW, it did involve grinding on the frame, but not a big deal.
Also, if you have a Browning High Power- keep it.
G. Gordon Liddy once said “gun control is being able to hit what you aim at”, that being said to quote a- nother politico, “what difference does it make” if its a Glock, a Swock,Tok, mil-spec, Range Officer or Hi-power, get what works best for YOU, and stick with it. Go to the range and shoot, the difference is in the hand that pulls the trigger, hell, would the Lone Ranger give up his six shooters for a simi-auto? I don’t think so.. Go to the range and shoot them all, to see what you like best. I know a little old lady that could fill your butt full of holes from a .22- 8 shot revolver, but couldn’t pull the slide back on a simi-auto. She keeps plenty of .22 ammo with her revolver, and is reloading whilst the bad guy is dazed.
All guns are not created equal, for a reason…..just say’n….
I’ve always been and will be a devoted 1911 fan/carrier and for me a concealed 5″ is heaven. It’s very easy to do [yourself] the minor “tweeks” on a 1911 to make it run like a top, so function/reliability isn’t really a problem with the 1911 pistol at all.
Here are a few of my 1911’s:
http://i.picasion.com/pic77/2e4dd3ab185dc9b24983683e4916d96f.gif
I got an old 45 cal. Springfield 1911 A1 from someone. I don’t know much about this type of gun or the Springfield brand. Can someone tell me what type of 1911 I have? “Mill-Spec”, “Loaded”… it’s a little confusing!
I personally own and shoot several autos and revolvers, in many calibers. I’m fond of them all and all have their finer points.
The 1911 however, come on, over 4 million dead nazis cant be wrong. What other side arm has THAT kind of PROVEN battle record?
Would it perhaps work on Neo Nazis as well? 🙂
Get a Rock Island, It REALLY is milspec and it’s less money and I have a lot of ammo through mine with no problems.
I’ve carried/used the 1911 .45 for the bulk of my professional careers.
From a off-duty original 1911 to the 1911A1 and variations from folks like S&W, Kimber, and a custom upgraded Colt 1911 from GunSite’s custom shop.
Have also carried/used BHP, S&W 39/59, Glocks in 9mm, 40mm, and .45 – and been pleased with the weapons per the job or mission’s requirements.
For me, firearms are tools. Right tool for right task.
I have a Springfield .45 as evaluated in this article. Paid $400 for it, slightly used. Very nice package in all respects. I have no problem with the grip safety design – it’s all in how one holds the weapon when firing – never had a problem in this area with my Army issue .45s “back in the day”, either.
I changed the grip panels to a smooth pattern nicely done in oak – $10 at the gun show – same pattern as the original GI grips to include thickness. Just works better for me.
And holstered in Ed Stebbins/Tracker Leather chest rig for outdoors, around the campsite carry.
As for “right tool – right job” – if I’m traveling or otherwise feeling it prudent to carry I am quite content with my Ruger DA .45. Does all it might need to and I have no issue with it being tucked away in an evidence room while things are being sorted out in a self-defense matter. $350 – new – much easier to replace financially than a $1500-$2000 Kimber.
Good article; but the author failed to make two rather important points. The first is regarding the 1911 vs. 1911A1. One of the most important difference is in the mainspring housings. The 1911’s is flat, the 1911A1’s is arched, giving it better ergonomics. For people like myself who have deep palms, this is a much-appreciated improvement. I have never much liked the flat housing, which seems to be “all the rage” among the current manufacturers of 1911 clones.
The second point is an issue with the author’s statement thAt the gun is “dead nuts accurate” with the WWII sights. The problem here is that the gun doesn’t have WWII-style sights, but much-improved, though basic, combat sights. Never in my life have I seen an original 1911 or 1911A1 with sights as good as those on the Springfield.
I’m not meaning to be nitpicking; just bringing these things up.
I own a parkerized 09/1988 model (according to Springfield), stamped on the right side are “Springfield Armory, Geneseo IL USA” and the serial# NM56260. On top of that, on the slide, is the Springfield stamp, followed by “Springfield Armory”. On the left side of the slide is “Model 1911 – A1, Cal. l45”. The trigger is blank metal with 3 holes in it. Below the muzzle is a nut that requires an Alan wrench to unscrew it.
Can anyone give me an idea of the value of this gun? It’s in good condition, shoots very well and is very accurate.
Nick keep up the great gun reviews I think you have the best of any website
I picked up a MilSpec last year and love it. I had a lightweight commander and despised it. I couldn’t wait to sell it off. Not to say I couldn’t shoot with it, actually I did a pretty good job at IDPA practice, just didn’t like it. The full size 1911 feel much better to me.
That said I had a problem with light primer strikes. At least 3 rounds per mag wouldn’t fire. I replaced the firing pin and spring and now it runs flawlessly.
l also replaced the MSH with with another arched one but with the lanyard loop. I am glad it doesn’t have the little military sights on it. The bigger sights with white dots works very well for me. It is as close to an original as I’ll get and I like it. I liked it so well I picked up one for my son as a graduation present from Marine Corp boot camp. His misfired on every round in the mag till I replaced the firing pin and spring. Now it is 100% too. He loves it.
AND, ” like the difference between an automatic transmission and a manual transmission in a car”, if you actually think you can out-shift the automatic then you really are delusional.
All I can say is that I Love my Springfield 1911-A1 Range Officer
I was told they are actually Brazil made, not US made?
How true is this?
Some are, some aren’t, but if you didn’t look at the stamp of origin, you’d never know the difference! They BOTH look and shoot fine and are worth the price, even as an “inexpensive” gun for EDC or home defense.
These are made in BRazil, not US. Is that correct?
Grip safety issue must be with the author’s hand or the newer mil-spec. Mine is vintage 2001 (parkerized barrel bushing) and does not punish my hand at all. The only changes after 16 years and 2000+ rounds have been a new recoil spring and tritium sights. My eyes ain’t what they were in 2001, esp. in low light.
The thread is old but I wanted to add a detail. On my gun’s slide the sights are pinned, so replacing them requires milling the tenon on the tritium sights and no slide cuts are needed. Not aware when SA made that change. Their custom shop would have had to make cuts for the rear Novak sight. I opted instead for a local smith who has modded Colt sight for several SA mil-specs.
It is a great 1911, but when I shoot my friend’s Kimbers my groups tighten right up. But that is not what I was after in a 1911; I wanted a gun I can shoot outside on the farm and that can take a bit of punishment.
ALL Day Every Day and I leave a card for the manager or in the suggestion box stating Good American Families who fought and died…… to build this country with guns…. or otherwise ur sorry surrender butts would be speaking some form of British/Russian/German/Japanese/French Bullshoot hogwash bowing to the emperor.
I purchased my .45 Springfield Armory Model 1911-A1 in 1991, the year it was made, and I still carry it to this day. It is purely mil-spec–except for the beveled mag well, higher sights, slanted slide serrations, and lowered ejector port. Except for the slide serrations, those same differences are/were found on US .45 service pistols used by military shooting teams in decades past. Likewise, those same pistols were considered combat ready and would have been issued indiscriminately with other “unmodified” pistols.
In conclusion, armory enhancements and modifications to military 1911-A1s didn’t change the designation of these 1911-A1s, and factory enhancements shouldn’t change the designation of commercial versions.
I might add that I have several handguns — SA and DA auto pistols and SA and DA revolvers. My latest is a 9mm Sig P226/Mk.25. The .45 Springfield Armory M1911-A1 mentioned in my OP above is still my daily carry gun. I do have a .45 Colt Officers ACP with the Colt Series 80 safety feature. It too is a good carry gun, but not much more concealable than my full size Springfield Armory 1911-A1.
If anyone else is still reading this after four years, I have a solution to the issue of the grip safety. Buy a CZ 97 instead. No grip safety, and more comfortable grips in the first place. Plus three more rounds in the magazine.If you just have to have a 1911, so be it, but go to YouTube and you’ll find several videos comparing the CZ with the 1911 in which the CZ comes out on top. It’s two ounces heavier, but it’s still more comfortable.
In the argonne forest north of Châtelet Chehery France Alvin York killed 8 charging Germans in about 8 seconda with a 1911 .45 caliber Colț automatic handgun.
Next case…..