I found a Springfield 1911a1 replica for sale locally. The guy wants $460 for it which seems very cheap considering the finish is excellent. It comes with one mag and a green cardboard box.  Not sure of the year of manf.  It has plastic stocks and the lock located in the mainspring housing has been replaced with a lock free one.  Can y'all enlighten me?  I really want a 1911,no frills just a nice trigger.  Should I pay the guy a visit or look for something else? Last SA 1911 I fondled had a very gritty feeling mag well so I passed.

Can I install a Novak rear sight on this GI model?  What are things to look for before I buy

I'd buy it in a second for $460. I've got one I bought for $450 a few years ago and other than the hard trigger it's great. If you're wanting to install a different rear sight you'll have to have the slide milled. If you're wanting to keep it in GI configuration I'd leave the sights as-is. I know some guys have used the GI model 1911 as a basis for upgrading, but to me the point of that gun was to be as close to the 1911A1 as possible. I'm keeping mine as-is. Springfield makes the plain mil-spec model that's a good basis to upgrade on.

I got it for $450.  It is in excellent condition and looks like the owner only shot a box through it.  I'm gonna keep it bone stock because I love te look.  Once I start wanting better sights, or a different beaver tail etc. I'm gonna pickup another SA 1911 probably the mil spec