So wanted to ask if the Springfield GI .45 (the 5" bbl, parkerized, with faux-wood grips) is a decent example of a 1911? MSRP is around $645, and the local Gander Mountain is running some factory incentives on Springfields, so I could prolly get it for around $575 +/- before my trade-in...Since Springfields aren't safe enough for us MA peons to buy (HATERAGE), I thought I'd toss it out for y'all to answer for Dennis. We've really only got three main sources of new 1911s in MA: Smith & Wesson, ParaOrdnance, and AutoOrdnance. Neither Smith nor Para make a 1911 in Dennis' budgetary range (at least not new), and my experience with AutoOrdnance make me leery of recommending them to someone who's not interested in having a bunch of work done.
My kneejerk answer was "Hell yeah" - I don't know that I've heard any bad things about Springfield Armory's entry-level 1911s. ParaOrdnance has been hit or miss - Since they're one of the few MA-compliant makers out there, we have quite a few in circulation here, and I've heard more than a couple horror stories about Paras and different malfunctions (and less-than-responsive customer service).
I know that there are numerous entry level 1911s like Rock River Arms, Charles Daly, and RIA. Ambulance Driver swears by his High Standard 1911. Even Taurus has a 1911 variant that's within the budgetary constraints that Dennis has laid out. If we start considering used models, the entry level guns of Smith & Wesson, Kimber, and Dan Wesson start to make the cut as well. There's a lot of guns out there in this price range (for folks outside of MA, that is, HATERAGE), and a lot of choices to make. What we're looking for is the best gun for the money that won't need (operative word, need) a lot of work to make it run right.
What would you recommend for an entry level 1911 for Dennis?
That is all.
22 comments:
Dan Wesson PM7
Unless Springfield has changed toward the worse in the last 2 years, he'll be happy with GI.
I think those faux wood grips have a feature he might like. Being made of actual wood.
I have a Springfield MilSpec, I love it.
I have a GI .45, and I dig it. I have run about 300 rounds through mine so far, all ball ammo (some factory, some reloads), and I have had ZERO malfunctions. It runs like a raped ape. I must say that I am extremely pleased with it's preformance, and I honestly can't believe how great of a gun it is right out of the box.
Abbreviated range report here:
http://thedisplacedlouisianaguy.blogspot.com/2010/08/saturday-range.html
I think Dennis would like it.
I have the GI and it's a great 1911, *if* you can tolerate the low-dark GI sights.
It's a 1911 built like a 1911 should be: a little loose, and super-reliable. It's not a target gun, but it'll shoot respectable groups. It WILL teach you the meaning of hammer bite.
The ONLY failures in mine have been due to ammo, specifically my own damn reloads. First because I was a new reloader and didn't understand that a taper crimp was a good thing, then because the wax on the cast bullets I'm using seems to like the inner workings as a collection point. With jacketed or plated ammo, it's super-reliable, and has also been 100% with WWB 230gr JHPs.
It's worth noting that since the sights are fixed, and designed for 230gr ammo, anything much outside that doesn't shoot real well. I tried some 165gr +P Hydrashocks and they were almost a foot low at seven yards.
The MilSpec adds a few nice features for a little more money - lowered/flared port, stainless barrel, and better sights - or the "Loaded" is even nicer, with a beavertail and commander-style hammer. Matter of preference, of course.
I paid $550 for my GI about two years ago, so $575ish sounds fair.
A milspec was my first handgun purchase. After getting into firearms since I've found it is looser than I'd like and the sights are not good. But it's got a classic feel that's hard to deny.
Of course, Caleb just posted about some tuned STI Spartans in the $800 range. Spending the $200 now, because upgrades will probably come later with the Springer, is something to think about. Having the option of sight changes would be nice...
Para does have the GI Expert, which is right in that price range (at least around here). I have one. It's a good gun and doesn't have the "upgrades" that some of the other Para stuff does.
That being said, the Springer is essentially the same gun for the same money. If he can get a deal on it, I'd say go for it.
I've heard good things about the Springfield, though I don't own one.
I'm happy with my Rock Island Armory 1911.
Goes bang every time and puts the holes where I'm pointing it.
I bought the "mil-spec". Have shot at least 3 thousand rounds through it. It was always reliable, but I ended up adding a beavertail and new sights and having the trigger worked on. I could have moved up the Springfield line a little and spent less money in the end.
If he can make it to the "Loaded" model, I think he'd be happier in the long run. If not, he will have a reliable, basic 1911 if he gets the "GI".
For not that much more than that $800 you can get a SIG 1911.
Biases aside, I went through the armorer's course last week and was very impressed.
No MIM parts to be found. Match barrel. Tight lockup, but still enough movement for reliability. Novak sights. Novak mags.
I loves my Smith 1911, but my next purchase is the SIG version.
The downside, I don't think they make an alloy frame version so they are a little heavy.
BTW, Xavier has more than a few 1911 posts in his archives. Many of the resent(ish) ones were toward the "classic" side of the 1911 fence.
+1 for those who say stretch up the Springfield line a little. If I wanted a good basic 1911 (and didn't live in MA), I'd go with the Springfield Mil-Spec.
Thanks for the input all!
First the bad news...while Gander Mountain here in the Southeastern regions don't carry the 1911's (Store MGR says its because of our proximity to NYC and to Orange and Rockland counties that they don't want to have *tactical* pistols in the display case...) they are easily found on Gunbroker...NIB for the GI 45 is ranging from $495 to $550. Some dealers are mistakenly calling the GI 45 the Mil-Spec...while its built to original military specs, it isn't the *model* that Springer calls Mil-Spec...
There are a few really REALLY sweet stainless Mil-Specs on GB, but they are used...I'm not sure if I want to go there, but for a stainless, used, SA Mil-Spec 1911 .45 going for an average of about $535, I may go that route, hope that it has been lightly used and well-maintained, and if it does need a wee bit of work, the smithing costs won' put it over what the cost of a brand new one would be.
Again, thanks all for the input!!!!
Regards,
Dragon
www.dragonleatherworks.com
www.dragonblasts.com
All of the above are good pistol choices. Check around a bit, not all that long ago I got a brand new Kimber Custom 2 for 650, the basic model, so you may be able to find a used sort out there.
Just about every pistol out there in 1911 is a good bet to start with, or at least a newly made used one. I would stray away from pistols 20 years or older, as those typically need more work to get running, as they did not come new as functional as today's pistols, at least in my observation.
The Springfield Mil-Spec gets my vote over the GI.45 due to the better sights. Don't know 'bout Dragon's eyes but that's a big selling point for my old peepers.
I have a SA 1911 Loaded model and I am very happy with its reliability and performance. The only downside, and this may apply to the loaded model, is that it comes with a two piece full length guide rod and takes a hex wrench for take down.
I have had zero problems with my Springfield GI. Those grips are indeed, real wood.
The GI most reminds me of a WW2 production gun, lots of tooling marks inside that more leisurely production would have cleaned up, but don't affect performance.
Aren't Springfields MADE in MA?
I don't get that shitty state I grew up in anymore. WTF happened?
Springfield Armory is in IL, not MA.
The *original* SA was in MA.
Para Ordnance GI45 1911 (.45 ACP) Single Action, Single Stack
http://bit.ly/9Macla
$488.14
I know the owner. Good guy. New to the FFL world.
Rock Island Arsenal, for anything even close to GI.
Every bit as good a pistol as the Springfield for under $400.
I would go RRA ... or Charles Daley.
I have a Charles daley that I take out all the time. It was inexpensive and it just works. My Raceguns get lonely sitting in the safe.
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