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Posted: 4/16/2014 3:10:18 PM EDT
Im debating between the Mil Spec and Loaded and cannot seem to decide between the two, so I decided to see if any of you can help me out. There are a few things I know I like or don't like about each of 1911, but Im not quite sure on other features:
What is the big deal with beaver tail safeties? (Other than reducing hammer bite). Do you like them or not? Furthermore, is there any significance to the bump towards the bottom of beaver tail safety? Why would a right-handed shooter, like myself, want an ambi-safety? Is it a good feature or more of a bother? Any opinions on the arched MSH and a short trigger (Mil Spec) vs the flat MSH and a long trigger (Loaded)? Mind you that I have smaller hands, any advantage in either case for shooters with smaller hands? Are the sights on the Loaded a lot better than the sights on the Mil Spec? Any opinions on the front slide serrations on the Loaded? Is the fit and/or finish that much better on the Loaded than the Mil Spec? If you guys have any other opinions on one over the other, please share! One of these will be my first 1911, thats why Im so clueless on these features. Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! I decided to go with the Loaded. I picked it up for $800 as a 21st birthday gift to myself. I absolutely love it so far, and I will be taking it to the range tomorrow. Thank you to all who helped me out! http://<ahttp://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/taydietz2/IMG_6953_zps514da63d.jpg</a>" /> http://<ahttp://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/taydietz2/d43382b4-1fd5-49aa-a591-154321ab3ec2_zps2d9b9cdf.jpg</a>" /> http://<ahttp://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/taydietz2/IMG_6940_zps4a195e11.jpg</a>" /> http://<ahttp://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/taydietz2/IMG_6943_zps32d36bd1.jpg</a>" /> http://<ahttp://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y510/taydietz2/IMG_6945_zpseacb41c5.jpg</a>" /> |
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What is the big deal with beaver tail safeties? (Other than reducing hammer bite). Do you like them or not? Furthermore, is there any significance to the bump towards the bottom of beaver tail safety?
Some people need(like) them, some don't. All of mine have beavertails, but they definitely aren't a must. The bump on the bottom makes it easier and more likely to engage. Why would a right-handed shooter, like myself, want an ambi-safety? Is it a good feature or more of a bother? As with the beavertail, all of my 1911's have them. Unless you shoot lefty, they really aren't needed. Often times the right side, which is held on by the grip, gets loose. The Wilson bullet proof, King's, Caspian, and Kimber are held on by the hammer pin, and are much sturdier Any opinions on the arched MSH and a short trigger (Mil Spec) vs the flat MSH and a long trigger (Loaded)? Mind you that I have smaller hands, any advantage in either case for shooters with smaller hands? I have small hands. The long trigger with the flat housing fit me well... it's all preference Are the sights on the Loaded a lot better than the sights on the Mil Spec? . The Loaded sights are less likely to snag, but both are fine. I happen to prefer white dots, so the glow of the loaded makes no difference for me, but for some it's desirable Any opinions on the front slide serrations on the Loaded? If you grip the front of the gun when doing press checks they are a plus... otherwise they chew up your holsters Is the fit and/or finish that much better on the Loaded than the Mil Spec? I have owned both, and both are great If you guys have any other opinions on one over the other, please share! One of these will be my first 1911, thats why Im so clueless on these features. Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! I'd buy the loaded, just because it has a lot of features for much cheaper than it would be to add them down the road, |
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I have the loaded, Dad has a mil-spec.
Bottom line: All the loaded features are better except the ambi-safety. The two halves walk apart making the right-side loose and poor-functioning. I built a metal shim into the right grip to prevent this and it works. But I shouldn't have had to. Having spent a lot of time with both I vote for the loaded. But plan on maybe needing to fix or replace the safety with something better. Maybe SA already dealt with this. Mine is several years old. Edited to correct horrendous typo that made it sound like I was recommending the mil-spec. I wasn't. Get the Loaded! |
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picked up a loaded on trade earlier this year. I LOVE THIS GUN!
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Get the Loaded. A good buddy has the Loaded. It's one of the best packages you can get if you want a full size size 1911 WITH modern features for about $1000.
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The best thing about the Mil-spec is that you can get the same mods done by a 'smith better than Springfield tends to do it.
The best thing about the Loaded is that you don't immediately need any mods, assuming the gun runs out of the box. |
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It seems like the favorite is the Loaded. I think Im going to go with it; my LGS has it for $800 which seems to be a fair price. Thank you all who replied!
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That.is a fair price indeed. Don't forget the pics!
Going stainless or park? I went with the mil-spec myself, but it's been to the sacs twice |
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Corrected a stupid typo in my previous post. The Loaded. I was trying to say get the Loaded.
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The one I want is park'd. I will probably end up with a Stainless Steel 1911 somewhere down the road, but my first one will definitely be park'd. Whenever I get it I'll be sure to post some pics of it! Thanks again!
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Its not just rust.
They scratch and scuff easily. Might be ok for a safe queen |
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My parked RO has been great compared to the beadblast on the SS loaded I used to own in regards to rust. Besides holster wear, the parked gun just has more honest wear/character.
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The way I see it, it being a 1911 and all, its a battle gun, so I really don't care if I get it scratched up a bit. I'm not a big fan of shiny 1911s, not saying I will never own one, but I prefer a matte finish. Now if the stainless was bead blasted all over (like how the top of the slide is) then I would definitely get the stainless!
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Quoted:
The way I see it, it being a 1911 and all, its a battle gun, so I really don't care if I get it scratched up a bit. I'm not a big fan of shiny 1911s, not saying I will never own one, but I prefer a matte finish. Now if the stainless was bead blasted all over (like how the top of the slide is) then I would definitely get the stainless! View Quote The buy features, not the finish Loaded has checkering on frontstrap and night sights. Decision is easy as far as I am concerned. |
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The buy features, not the finish Loaded has checkering on frontstrap and night sights. Decision is easy as far as I am concerned. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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The way I see it, it being a 1911 and all, its a battle gun, so I really don't care if I get it scratched up a bit. I'm not a big fan of shiny 1911s, not saying I will never own one, but I prefer a matte finish. Now if the stainless was bead blasted all over (like how the top of the slide is) then I would definitely get the stainless! The buy features, not the finish Loaded has checkering on frontstrap and night sights. Decision is easy as far as I am concerned. The Loaded does not have checkering. |
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The way I see it, it being a 1911 and all, its a battle gun, so I really don't care if I get it scratched up a bit. I'm not a big fan of shiny 1911s, not saying I will never own one, but I prefer a matte finish. Now if the stainless was bead blasted all over (like how the top of the slide is) then I would definitely get the stainless! The buy features, not the finish Loaded has checkering on frontstrap and night sights. Decision is easy as far as I am concerned. The Loaded does not have checkering. Yeah I realized that while I was driving after typing it lol |
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It seems like the favorite is the Loaded. I think Im going to go with it; my LGS has it for $800 which seems to be a fair price. Thank you all who replied! View Quote Good choice. See if they have a Loaded with an "NM" prefix serial number. They are generally more refined than the average "N" prefix serial numbered pistols. |
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Good choice. See if they have a Loaded with an "NM" prefix serial number. They are generally more refined than the average "N" prefix serial numbered pistols. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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It seems like the favorite is the Loaded. I think Im going to go with it; my LGS has it for $800 which seems to be a fair price. Thank you all who replied! Good choice. See if they have a Loaded with an "NM" prefix serial number. They are generally more refined than the average "N" prefix serial numbered pistols. I went in yesterday to check that and it is in fact an "NM" Loaded! |
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I went in yesterday to check that and it is in fact an "NM" Loaded! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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It seems like the favorite is the Loaded. I think Im going to go with it; my LGS has it for $800 which seems to be a fair price. Thank you all who replied! Good choice. See if they have a Loaded with an "NM" prefix serial number. They are generally more refined than the average "N" prefix serial numbered pistols. I went in yesterday to check that and it is in fact an "NM" Loaded! Good! The pistol in my avatar is an NM Loaded. I've only put 375 rounds through it, but it has had no malfunctions. |
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Quoted: I went in yesterday to check that and it is in fact an "NM" Loaded! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: It seems like the favorite is the Loaded. I think Im going to go with it; my LGS has it for $800 which seems to be a fair price. Thank you all who replied! Good choice. See if they have a Loaded with an "NM" prefix serial number. They are generally more refined than the average "N" prefix serial numbered pistols. I went in yesterday to check that and it is in fact an "NM" Loaded! BUY IT!
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I have both a 2011 Mil-Spec and a 2012 Range Officer (essentially an Operator with adjustable rear sight and a full length guide rod), both are 'NM' models and both are great to shoot. While I got the Mil-Spec first to commemorate the 100th anniversary of J.M. Browning's design and mimic the 1911 I carried in the Army, I also like the Range Officer as it has a longer trigger and better target sights. This allows me to shoot it more accurately so if you're into precision shooting, the Range Officer is a better choice as it allows for more precise aiming. If, however, you're looking for a 1911A1 that's more like the military sidearm, then the Mil-Spec is the ticket.
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Thanks again to everyone who helped me out! Photos of my Loaded are in the OP.
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Not on the Loaded, unless something's changed very recently. Usually have to go up to the TRP to get that. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Loaded has checkering on frontstrap Not on the Loaded, unless something's changed very recently. Usually have to go up to the TRP to get that. Trophy Match has checkering too if you want a solid range gun. I just don't like the TM roll marks. Nice choice, OP. It's tough to go wrong with a Springer. On top of making a solid gun, their customer service is some of the best in the industry. |
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