Posted: 10/30/2005 4:23:44 PM EDT
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| my honest opinion is their current m1a's are not up to snuff. I have watched numerous new guns with under a few hundred rounds break bolts and firing pins. I put off buying one specifically because of that. i held out for a norinco that had been reworked at a better price. |
The M1A's have always been pricey, the main reason I don't own one. All the latest/greatest uber-tactical 1911's are big $$$$, regardless who makes it. But $450 for a Mil-Spec, good deal for a shooter/beginner/stock 1911. Just my opinion....  |
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The only problems I have ever seen with Springer 1911's come from short barrel pistols like the officers model and the micro-compact. I wouldn't trust my life to one. As far as the full sized 1911's, I love them. I haven't ever seen anybody have a FTF/FTE with a full size springer. I want a 'loaded operator' really, really badly! You hear that Santa? 
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I gave nearly a grand for my MC Operator NIB. It has functioned flawlessly from day one and has about a case of ammo through it now. It shot a bit low (common issue) so I replaced the front sight with a shorter one from Ameriglo. Now it shoots to POI and is my primary home defense firearm. I wanted a 1911 with a rail so it came down to this, the TRP Operator, or the Kimber Warrior or TLE/RL. I don't think a grand is too much to spend on a work gun that is your primary defensive weapon and which you will count on to save your life if the time ever comes. My life is worth more to me than a thousand dollars, so if it saves my life one day than what a fine investment it was! However, for that price it needs to work 100% under all conditions, every time, or I'll dump it off and replace it with something that does (as the Sig GSR found out after a long trip back to the Sig factory- the MC Operator replaced it). After several months of ownership and many boxes of ammo sent downrange, the MC Operator has continued to meet my expectations. I recommend it.   And yeah, I'll shoot a thousand dollar gun in the rain. All conditions, every time means all conditions, every time. |
Sorry to burst your bubble, all 3 of mine had problems, my SS milspec was the worst, my Champion was second and my GI model was third. I am dumping all of them. Got them all running now but I am thru with them. Cheap parts AFAIAC. My Defender ran from day one like they should. [Yes, all bought new] The SS was totally unreliable, FTE twice a mag. After 40-45 Colts and USGIs, these 3 1911s gave me more grief then all the others put together X 2. |
I know nothing of M1911 pistols but thanks to Taz575 I did flirt with a Springfield Armory "GI" M1911 last weekend. I have been titillated. The "Hi-Cap GI" model has my heart racing. FWIW  If you compare the price of a standard M1A with the Consumer Price Index through the years the current price is "in line" with inflation. Agreed, very few USGI parts any more in the M1A rifles. But that's no surprise since most USGI parts have been out of production for over thirty-five years. My $0.02, the standard M1A is the best value of the various models offered. With some time on the Internet and some inexpensive modifications on your own dime and at your own pace you can have a nice shooter. First two things I would do: 1) install a USGI extractor 2) shim the gas cylinder. After that, upgrade as you wish. |
It would've made too much sense to send 'em in for warranty work, huh? |
| I think Springfield Armory is a great gun. However they have their weaknesses like every gun does. I prefer the Kimber brand. Just personal preference. If I could afford it I would buy some Wilson Combat 1911's but those are really expensive. I hear they are nice...but I question the fact if they are worth what they ask for them. That goes for any brand really. Like the gentleman said above...NEVER pay ratail. If it's worth it to you then it's worth it. Simple as that. Don't pay attention to what others have to say after you have made your decision. After that, make your own decisions. |
I have a mil spec springfield , a kimber warrior and a Wilson high grade is the kimber 3x the gun the springfield is NO is the wilson 4x times the gun the kimber is NO they all work fine and put bullets where they are supposed to go the wilson just shoots groups about 1/2 the size of the kimber and 1/4 the size of the mil spec and feels like sex to pull back the slide  My older vintage (1996) M1a is very nice the later guns i have seen not so much |
| Socom's can be had new in the $1200+ range. Ask around they seem to be performing pretty well overall. I love mine, blast to shoot. As far 1911's from Springfield I'd say they are on par with kimber's quality. Again the price you listed is high they can be found for less. I have Trophy Match that has had some fine tuning to it, it has served me well winning several competitions with it. The one thing I don't like from Springfield 1911's is the barrels they use otherwise the part quality is fine. |
Springfield's business relationship goes back a long ways, way back in the late 80s, Imbel made the reciever for Springfield's SAR48/SAR4800 FAL-clones. The SAR48/4800 rifles were every bit as good as the FN guns. |
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i have a 1911a1 that was one of their early production 1911's. it is a well made piece and i trust my life to frequently. i also own an Ultra-compact that is several years old that has also been 100% out of the box. the high end 1911's seem to be hit or miss on reliability. the older guns really are a MUCH higher grade of craftsmanship. |
It tells me that YOU pay way too much for a handgun just because the name..... I absolutely love my springer 1911. Well worth the $700 I paid for it. It is of a better quality than my fathers gold cup at a price much lower than the current asking price for those.. |
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I can consistantly shoot a grouping the size of a quarter at 25 feet with my Kimber firearms. It's actually too easy. I don't think anything can really shoot better than that. Not even the Wilson Combat. Although it would probably outshoot the Kimber at further distances. The problem with that is that if you ever shoot someone past 25 feet or 7.5 yards you will have a very hard time explaining to the LEO that your life was in danger. Any distance larger than 7.5 yards they will determine that you could have run away. There are grey areas to this rule...like if they are shooting at you or something like that. Just gotta be careful. Rule # 1: Dead men can't can't tell tales. Shoot to kill. 
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