Posted: 12/16/2013 7:16:03 PM EDT
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After years of smack talking 1911's I have suddenly been bit hard by the bug. I am looking to spend ~$800 and I want a decent shooter, but reliable. Local shop has the Springfield Parkerized package (1911-a1 loaded I believe) for a touch over $800. Does anyone have experience with it? The SR1911 in stainless seems to fit the bill as well, but my gut feeling is the springfield would be a better pistol.
My only real requirements are full size grip and slide, novak style sights, beavertail, and the larger safety (doesn't even have to be ambi). What options should I be searching for? I actually lied..it wouldn't be my first 1911, but I had some major major issues with a Kimber Ultra Carry II. It was my first pistol and really left a sour taste in my mouth for 1911's that took nearly 10 years to go away. |
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I love Springfield. Their customer service is as good as it gets. Though I'm not a smith by profession, I have been working on 1911s for 25 years, much of that in my friend's gunsmithing shop. I find it to be a relaxing hobby. I get access to his shop (mill, lathe, bluing tanks, etc.) and he gets access to me working on his client's guns and putting money in his pocket. Works out well for both of us.
Anyway, I've worked on thousands of 1911s over the years, gaining a free education from an experienced smith along the way. I get to see just about every brand out there, and have formed some opinions about the quality of 1911s out of the box. One thing I would say about any non expensive 1911 is that it may have a lot of good features, may have quality parts and steel, may have good machining, and may look nice. The gun can have all these things and still not work. Why? 1911s rely on correct tuning of the extractor, a simple art that is lost on most manufacturers. Springfield is notorious for having too much extractor tension. It's so easy to fix for a 1911 owner with some mechanical aptitude. However, for the new 1911 owner that doesn't want to mess with it, or expects the gun to work like most of the modern designs out there that cost as much or less than a mid level 1911, it can be frustrating to drop $600 to $1000 on a gun that doesn't function from the beginning. Springfield quality is pretty good. If it doesn't run, it's most likely an extractor tension issue. Springfield will fix it free, and with quick turn around. Or, if you get one and it doesn't run, chime in here. Someone will point you in the right direction for extractor tuning. It's so easy, anyone who can disassemble a 1911 for cleaning can do it, especially in a gun without a firing pin safety. |
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Quoted:  Remington wasn't in the equation. OP of those two choices, pick the one you like the best Quoted: Quoted: I have no experience with Springfield but Remington can go choke themselves. Their cust serv is shite. I can't recall anyone here bitching about Springfield. Remington wasn't in the equation. OP of those two choices, pick the one you like the best I was thinking Range Officer.
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$800 price range?
Kimber Custom II series Springfield Loaded (NM serial #) or the new RO. STI Spartan... I'd go with STI but I'm kind of partial to them haha. I have played with a couple of Ruger SR1911s... I think you can get a nicer gun for what they are going for. I would avoid old Springfield Loads, N serial numbers... I have one in 40cal that has about a grand into it and wins pistol matches but the frame/slide/barrel fit and finish is GARBAGE. Modern Colts are overrated... The following statement is spot on... if you want a pony on your slide, buy a Colt, if you want a modern 1911, get something different. |