Would apprciate some advice on a new 1911

[Zane71464]

Ive been looking and looking to buy a NEW Springfield GI 1911 and thinking of going with this one. The Model 1911/GI45 with the GI package, 5' barrel.
I was wondering if you all could give me any thoughts/pro's/con's on this
particular Model. All thoughts and any info, good or bad would be appreciated!
Thanks.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by Zane71464

Ive been looking and looking to buy a NEW Springfield GI 1911 and thinking of going with this one. The Model 1911/GI45 with the GI package, 5' barrel.
I was wondering if you all could give me any thoughts/pro's/con's on this
particular Model. All thoughts and any info, good or bad would be appreciated!
Thanks.

In my honest opinion, this is a great 1911 to start with. I have the Springfield Loaded 1911. I know Springfield makes quality products.

My only con on this gun would be that it does not come with the lowered and flared ejection port that many other 1911s have. If you get it, one thing I would definitely invest in is having Springfield's Custom Shop or a gunsmith lower and flare your ejection port. As you probably know, a lowered and flared ejection port is supposed to help ejection of the spent casings. It's a good reliability modification. Not that the gun won't function without it. It will just function better with a lowered and flared port.

Otherwise it's a great gun.

You could also save a little more money and go with the Springfield Mil-Spec, which is like this gun, but has the slanted slide serrations, the lowered and flared ejection port, stainless steel barrel, Cocobolo grips, and the raised dot sights.

[Shooter45]

+1 on the Mil-Spec. Much better sights. Or better yet, the "loaded model with all the upgrades you will have done anyway. Then there's the Kimber Custom Target............. Do you see where this is going ?

Buy all the 1911 you can get the first time out. You'll be glad you did.

Check this one out for just a little more $$ that you are planning to spend. "

http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Spartan/Spartan.php

And the review: http://media.stiguns.com/USPress/Com...STISpartan.pdf

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by hogger129

In my honest opinion, this is a great 1911 to start with. I have the Springfield Loaded 1911. I know Springfield makes quality products.

My only con on this gun would be that it does not come with the lowered and flared ejection port that many other 1911s have. If you get it, one thing I would definitely invest in is having Springfield's Custom Shop or a gunsmith lower and flare your ejection port. As you probably know, a lowered and flared ejection port is supposed to help ejection of the spent casings. It's a good reliability modification. Not that the gun won't function without it. It will just function better with a lowered and flared port.

Otherwise it's a great gun.

You could also save a little more money and go with the Springfield Mil-Spec, which is like this gun, but has the slanted slide serrations, the lowered and flared ejection port, stainless steel barrel, Cocobolo grips, and the raised dot sights.

I was thinking at first thought about the Mil-Spec for the fact of the raised dot sights, and also when I buy one, I don't want to have to do much modifications from the get-go...and as you descibed doing with the lower ejection port which wouldnt be much of a problem, but at the same time, necessary. Good advice and good point hogger.

Originally Posted by Shooter45

+1 on the Mil-Spec. Much better sights. Or better yet, the "loaded model with all the upgrades you will have done anyway. Then there's the Kimber Custom Target............. Do you see where this is going ?

Buy all the 1911 you can get the first time out. You'll be glad you did.

Gotcha on that! I did hear that for sure.
Absolutely need good sights and would be nice with adjustable sights. I'm just not that "sure" on the Kimber's and the $ amount...as I'm somewhat limited at the time...but, I do have more time!
I appreciate you guy's advice!

[Zane71464]

Buy all the 1911 you can get the first time out. You'll be glad you did.

Check this one out for just a little more $$ that you are planning to spend. "

http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Spartan/Spartan.php

And the review: http://media.stiguns.com/USPress/Com...STISpartan.pdf[/QUOTE]

The STI is nice and not much more (really) on the cost. The parkerized
finish on them are nice also, but I GOTTA have me a stainless!
Ive never owned a Parkerized finished firearm before and all where either
blued or stainless...I'm rough on firearms when it comes to blueing, not for
a lack taking (oiling) care of the finish, but my fingerprints seem to be "toxic"
on blueing!!!
EDIT: I literally sweat salt! Anytime someone hands me their firearm to look at, I dont even touch the finish..
sad, but very true, unless they dont mind getting the oil out after I hand it back to them...*still looking for a good coating oil for mine?*

[Shooter45]

The Parkerized finish is tough. Stainless is what it is......stain-less but will still stain and rust.

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

The Parkerized finish is tough. Stainless is what it is......stain-less but will still stain and rust.

Alright on the parkerized finish, and gotcha with the stainless, but it's just alot easier for me to deal with when out all day shooting...take and wipe
it down a bit from time to time, but with regular blueing...you would just have
to see.......how often I'm constantly wiping oil on them.

[TheGunClinger]

I just bought one for my daughter who is a Navy Corpsman for an early CHRISTMAS/BIRTHDAY PRESENT. Stupe caploks! Any how, after cleaning it we went to the range to try it. She racked it back pulled the trigger...no boom. Had to thumb the hammer back 2-3 times before it would fire. Seems like a light fireing pin hit off center. I tried some of her rounds that wouldnt work in her GI in my TRP and they boomed every time. New PMC ammo. Only used 2 boxes of ammo as the range made me buy theirs. I sent it back to Springfield and I am sure that it will come back good as gold. Also the barrel ramp looked like it was squeezed together with vicegrips! Fed ok though. First gun out of the box that didnt work. My TRP and new EMP 9 work flawlessly. Love em.

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by TheGunClinger

I just bought one for my daughter who is a Navy Corpsman for an early CHRISTMAS/BIRTHDAY PRESENT. Stupe caploks! Any how, after cleaning it we went to the range to try it. She racked it back pulled the trigger...no boom. Had to thumb the hammer back 2-3 times before it would fire. Seems like a light fireing pin hit off center. I tried some of her rounds that wouldnt work in her GI in my TRP and they boomed every time. New PMC ammo. Only used 2 boxes of ammo as the range made me buy theirs. I sent it back to Springfield and I am sure that it will come back good as gold. Also the barrel ramp looked like it was squeezed together with vicegrips! Fed ok though. First gun out of the box that didnt work. My TRP and new EMP 9 work flawlessly. Love em.

Sorry to hear that about the pistol Clinger! I think I'm leaning more and more towards the Mil-Spec.

""Also the barrel ramp looked like it was squeezed together with vicegrips!""

Wonder what in the world was up with that?

[Shooter45]

The GI doesn't have the throated barrel or polished feedramp. That's why they are called GI. They are the original design. Honestly, I don't know why anyone buys them as a shooter. Good for 230 roundnose bullets but have feeding problems with hollow point and LSWC ammo. But the design is original , complete with hammer bite. Are you starting to understand why design improvments were made ? Small, hard to see sights, non throated barrel, high ejection port ( dented cases after firing),hammer bite...... you get the picture. Thats why I always recommend getting all the improvments in the beginning. It saves time and you save money.

The SA Mil-Spec has the changes.

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

The GI doesn't have the throated barrel or polished feedramp. That's why they are called GI. They are the original design. Honestly, I don't know why anyone buys them as a shooter. Good for 230 roundnose bullets but have feeding problems with hollow point and LSWC ammo. But the design is original , complete with hammer bite. Are you starting to understand why design improvments were made ? Small, hard to see sights, non throated barrel, high ejection port ( dented cases after firing),hammer bite...... you get the picture. Thats why I always recommend getting all the improvments in the beginning. It saves time and you save money.

The SA Mil-Spec has the changes.

Well, when your springing 5-600 $'s, your right Shooter...might as well go ahead and get the "right" one from the get-go. Paying that much for a new one, $100 or so isnt a great big deal to get a good one, or one a person can be happy with. And I do thank all you guys for your thoughts/advice a I'm new to the 1911's. (but not for long...15min drive) Just gotta think it over.

[ghrit]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

Small, hard to see sights, non throated barrel, high ejection port ( dented cases after firing),hammer bite...... you get the picture.

All true with mine. Faultless with hardball, nothing else will feed. Hardball is what I intended, so that's not a problem (nor is hammer bite, I'm scrawny) but the sights - YCCH. Soon, if not sooner, she gets an adjustable rear of some kind to compensate for the LOW hits. If I get to where reloading makes sense, relieving the ejection port is a non problem.

Have to admit, if I were to do it again, I'd spend a bit more for some upgrades from the basic GI platform.

[hogger129]

I would also advise highly on getting the Mil-Spec if you decide you want a Springfield. As Shooter said, it comes with the polished feed ramp and throated barrel where the GI does not. And as previously said, the Mil-Spec also includes the lowered & flared ejection port, stainless barrel and better sights.

[johnlives4christ]

the GI model DOES have a throated barrel. the feed ramp is not polished as good as a custom shop does it, but it aint bad either. at least the one i had was like this. there are 2 problems with having a standard ejection port. the first problem is the casings tend to come back and land on your head. the second is that the slide dings up the brass so it isnt as good for reloading.

the gi model i had malfunctioned 1 or 2 times with ball ammo while i was breaking it in. i put several boxes of hollow points through it without any problems

i didnt mind the sights being small. in fact i kinda liked them because i feel that small sights like that are more conducive to good accuracy. you have a narrower sight blade and opening you have a narrower point for your target to rest on

[johnlives4christ]

also i didnt have any hammer might with the one i had because it had an A-1 type hammer and grip safety

[Shooter45]

John, you are right about the throated barrel. I picked up the wrong one out of my junk box to compare.

[TheGunClinger]

Originally Posted by Zane71464

Sorry to hear that about the pistol Clinger! I think I'm leaning more and more towards the Mil-Spec.

""Also the barrel ramp looked like it was squeezed together with vicegrips!""

Wonder what in the world was up with that?

I called Springfield today and the receptionist told methat they are sending a NEW gun. She didnt know what was wrong with the OLD new one. I'll have to wait til I get it back and maybe they will include what was wrong with it. Can't beat their service!

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by TheGunClinger

I called Springfield today and the receptionist told methat they are sending a NEW gun. She didnt know what was wrong with the OLD new one. I'll have to wait til I get it back and maybe they will include what was wrong with it. Can't beat their service!

Good to hear! I spent most of Saturday looking over a lot of different 1911's, and alot of different makes/mfg's., and thinking of going with some of Shooter's advice. Just a week or so ago at the gun shop, not alot of 1911's to "look" at. But man, he got "some" in as did the other two shops.

[muddober]

I will throw my hat in the ring and say that one of the gun shops here stopped selling Springfield auto for a while because of so many send backs. The earlier Kimbers I have found had better triggers than new ones that seem to have more creep. The only STI I am familar with is their very pricey comp gun and it was a slick piece. The biggest disappointment I have found on one hand and very pleased on the other is with the Wilson. My experience with their polomyer KZ 45 is without a doubt the best out of the box 45 autos I have ever laid my hands on. It will shoot anything that will fit in magazine and it is the only 45 auto that I did not have to work on the trigger. Wilson's $4,200.00 Super Grade was the worst out of box trigger I have ever had. 7 pounds and creep + creep. I sent it back and it came back with 4 pounds and still creep. I finaly did it myself and now it is 3 pounds with no creep but it grouped about like a shotgun for me. I traded it to guy who said he thought is was me and he could make it group. He has since thrown in the towel and is trying to sell it.

Ron

[OleEd]

My 2 cents.

From your comment it seems that you have decided on the GI version and wanting a comfimation for you decision. Good 45 but.....

I just finished the search for a 45 within my budget. The GI version was one that I looked at. After visiting many gun shops and I selected the Remington 1911R1. I suggest you check out the Remington .45. After doing my "touchy feely" bit and lots of questions, the gunsmith I go to and the gun store owner where I bought it stated they have a loaded Springfield for their personal weapon but for a buget minded person wanting a better weapon they would select the Remingtom.

There are so many makers of weapons because we have different ideas of "what is best for me". Again, good weapon you are looking at. And I am happy with the Remington.

[Zane71464]

I appreciate all the advice and keep it coming. I do want one with adjustable rear sights not only side to side, but elevation as well, sort of a "must" for me.

[noylj]

I like the para version (comes with some great additions for a VERY reasonable amount of money).
Virtually and 1911 is a great place to start.
Your exact choice will not be the same as mine (like trying to find two Harleys that are the same), but we'll both have a great gun.

[lucky-gunner]

The Remington R1 isn't a bad choice. Are you set on a new firearm? If you are willing to go with a used model you should be able to get all the options you want and within your budget. Even if you don't get exactly what you want you might be able to save enough on the purchase to get the modifications on the firearm you want.

I like the idea of the mil-spec Springfield if I was in your shoes. No matter what you choose best of luck to you.

[TheGunClinger]

Got the new GI yesterday! Going to the range to test it this morning. It looks like they did a polish job on the new barrel. Looks much better than the last one. Cant beat Springfields CS!
I would have gone to the loaded, but my daughter wanted a military looking gun as she covets my 1943 Ithaca and she aint getting it..yet, thus the GI.

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by lucky-gunner

The Remington R1 isn't a bad choice. Are you set on a new firearm? If you are willing to go with a used model you should be able to get all the options you want and within your budget. Even if you don't get exactly what you want you might be able to save enough on the purchase to get the modifications on the firearm you want.

I like the idea of the mil-spec Springfield if I was in your shoes. No matter what you choose best of luck to you.

Ive made a promise to myself these days, and that's buy them new. I'm not rich by any means, but I'll save up for as long as I have to to go with new. Ive bought used in the past with hardly no complaints, but I try and make it a habit to go with new so I know exactly what Ive got.
EDIT: Boy am I a good one to say that...the last two were used! But what I'm trying to say, on something as a 1911, I'd prefer going with a new one. The last two that I bought, 1) isnt made anymore 2) thinking whoever had the rifle, it must have spent the past 30yrs in a gun safe..

Originally Posted by TheGunClinger

Got the new GI yesterday! Going to the range to test it this morning. It looks like they did a polish job on the new barrel. Looks much better than the last one. Cant beat Springfields CS!
I would have gone to the loaded, but my daughter wanted a military looking gun as she covets my 1943 Ithaca and she aint getting it..yet, thus the GI.

Congrat's on that Clinger...you'll have to give a range report on the trip to the range for sure!