Posted: 1/2/2009 11:20:28 PM EDT
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I'm looking for a standard GI .45 (to customize on my own in the future). I'm mostly looking at the Para Ordnance VS. the Springfield or any "OTHER" recommendations for a basic GI 1911.
Which models should I "NOT" get or get and why? Thanks |
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Forget the Para's, if you want a laugh go to any one of the Para forums on the net and read the posts of the guys complaining. As one owner put it, when he spends $900 for a gun, he shouldn't have to ship it in twice to get it working right.
Now I have just bought a Rock Island Armory hi-cap 45 and I love it. I can't help but talk about it. It has a basic GI sights, but thats my only major complaint. I just put 150 rnds through it last week with no failures to feed or eject, ammo used was 200 gr. lead semi wadcutters. I dug out a box of PMC hollow points that used the old Speer 185 gr "flying ashtray" and loaded a mag and hand cycled them through the gun as easy as hardball in any other 45. Those rnds are difficult for many 45's to feed, and in my two Springfields, they never jammed, but would hang up slightly when hand cycling them (the springfields have been throated and feedramps polished). Armscor made the parts for RIA and they got it right, the gun feeds everything I've tried that used to hand up my other guns. I ordered it from Centerfiresystems for $427 including shipping. It uses para p14 mags also. Since the Pres. elect will eventually ban anything high cap, you might want to consider one. |
I shopped around for a while, in no hurry and found an old Springfield that was missing some pieces, but structrually sound. Picked it up for $190. Had most of the parts in my spare parts bin. I've got about another $100 in it now.
I will be ordering a new beaver tail, and am considering an Ambi safety. If it needs to shoot straighter then the last thing will be a match barrel. It's been a good platform for making small improvements to over time. ETA 07 Jan 09: Here it is with the beavertail, commander hammer and an EGW bushing. Refinished with Norrells flat black. I had a couple days off. Productive days off. 
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| I've seen RIA at the last gun show i went to under $400. Don't have one myself but their owners seem to praise them. I got a SA GI for $500. Love the gun, but if you choose this one i would suggest getting a new recoil spring immediately. Mine FRB constantly. Now I'm slowly building it into the gun i want to be my CCW. |
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Paras are junk. Springfield makes a solid gun. So does Colt and they have nice rollmarks. Auto Ordnace also makes a GI 1911, I bought one just for the hell of it. Good gun for the money, don't have any issues with it. I also have a Springfield GI 1911, no issues with that one either. |
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To my knowledge Para doesn't even make a true GI configuration 1911 - are you sure that's what you want? Some features, such as frames cut for beavertails, low ejection ports, slides machined for Novak sights, etc. are cheaper to buy up front. They do make a Mil-Spec styled pistol now. I would get the SA Mil-Spec. The 2 Paras I had were pure junk. |
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Quoted:
I'm looking for a standard GI .45 (to customize on my own in the future). I'm mostly looking at the Para Ordnance VS. the Springfield or any "OTHER" recommendations for a basic GI 1911. Which models should I "NOT" get or get and why? Thanks Make sure you pick an all steel 1911, for upgrading & longevity. Steel is the choice of Champions. |
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Springer GI model for the win.
Call up Sarco in New Jersey and tell them you need a pair of WWII GI .45 grips. You're now done, unless you care to REALLY detail-freak making a closer WWII copy. Dana Kamm's review and upgrades to WWII spec for the GI |
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Springfield probably has the best frame and slide combination bar none. If you are using one as a base gun, you've got the best. Caspian, colt, and a few others might have something to say about that. Does SA have good slides and frames? Oh yeah. Hands down best? No. |
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I've seen RIA at the last gun show i went to under $400. Don't have one myself but their owners seem to praise them. I got a SA GI for $500. Love the gun, but if you choose this one i would suggest getting a new recoil spring immediately. Mine FRB constantly. Now I'm slowly building it into the gun i want to be my CCW. My RIA Officer CS hasn't missed a beat. |
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Quoted:
Springfield probably has the best frame and slide combination bar none. If you are using one as a base gun, you've got the best. Caspian, colt, and a few others might have something to say about that. Does SA have good slides and frames? Oh yeah. Hands down best? No. YES.... 
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