Classic 1911-A1 design....which one to get?

Best choice for the $$$ and overall pistol quality

  • Springfield Armory M1911-A1 Mil-Spec (Parkerized)

    Votes: 14 33.3%

  • Colt MK IV/Series 70 Government Model (Blue)

    Votes: 21 50.0%

  • Springfield Armory M1911-A1 USGI (Parkerized)

    Votes: 7 16.7%
  • Total voters
    42
Pietro Beretta

Pietro Beretta

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I already have a Springfield Armory M1911-A1 "Loaded" model with all the bells & whistles....Now I want another, but this time I want to get a classic 1911-A1. I'm stuck beween two choices, ones alot cheaper than the other.

*Springfield Armory M1911-A1 Mil-Spec (Parkerized)...........$850.00
*Colt MK IV/Series 70 Government Model (Blue).................$1,400.00

I like the S.A. Mil-Spec because its straight classic 1911 but with the flaired/enlarged ejection port, but I like the elegance and smooth look of the
Colt MK IV/Series 70 Government Model...but expensive!!!

Which is the better BANG 4 YOUR BUCK....and better over all pistol? I'm not sure for the extra $$$$$$$ its worth getting the Colt.......any opinions?

One more question....why does the S.A. 1911's have IMBEL BRAZIL stamped on the dust covers/frame....and also say "MADE IN U.S.A."???? Whats the story with that?
 
AT best your Sprifield loaded was assembled in the US. The frame and slide are from Brazil. I believe their Mil-Spec guns are assembled in Brazil as well.

I didn't vote for any of your options. First, if you want a true mil-spec gun get a NOrinco from Marstar at $325. Better gun be far than the Springer mil spec and certainly will shoot with the Colt. For that kind of money you spend on the Colt you can get either a P-14 from Para or their excellent SSP, both of which are better bang for the bucks than either of your selections.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Take Care

Bob
 
All Springfield 1911s are forged in Brazil by Imbel. Every single one. Most of the "lower end" models (all of the the GI series, most of the Mil-Spec Series, and some of the "Loaded" series) are also finished in Brazil, while the rest are finished in the United States. If it says Imbel anywhere on the firearm, it was made in Brazil. If it doesn't, it was forged in Brazil and had most of its finish machining and assembly in the United States.
 
Definitely get a Colt. Springfield uses tons of pot metal (cast) internal parts and two piece barrels. Colt, on the other hand, uses mostly forged and barstock parts and single piece barrels. By the way, $1400 for a Series 70 Reproduction is a bit on the high side. I've seen them go for $1200.

Or you can do what I did and get a 1991A1 for about $1000. Except for the firing pin safety, It's the exact same gun as the Series 70.
 
Just don't tell Cocked&Locked

capp325 said:
Definitely get a Colt. Springfield uses tons of pot metal (cast) internal parts and two piece barrels. Colt, on the other hand, uses mostly forged and barstock parts and single piece barrels. By the way, $1400 for a Series 70 Reproduction is a bit on the high side. I've seen them go for $1200.

Or you can do what I did and get a 1991A1 for about $1000. Except for the firing pin safety, It's the exact same gun as the Series 70.
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goldcup.jpg

I guess they have gone up in price. I bought mine about four years ago for $500.
Just don't tell Cocked&Locked.:dancingbanana:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=974320#post974320
 
In my opinion, SA GI 1911s are far from classic. The finish is quite modern, and I hate the "U.S." stamp on the grip.

I have seen some Colt 1911 WWI reproduction guns (brand new) in gun stores, at about $1,400. If you want classic, nothing is more classic than those, with all the original look on them.

Picture of the Colt 1911 WWI reproduction:

1911reproleft.jpg
 
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Rudy H said:
goldcup.jpg

I guess they have gone up in price. I bought mine about four years ago for $500.
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It probably was so cheap because someone buggered a perfectly good Colt Series '70 GCNM by adding an ambi-safety... :p

Hope they gave you the original parts [including the proper medallion grips]... ;)
 
-10 for the Norinco. I've never seen so many machining marks on a gun! Don't want a chineze fixer upper.

The S&W1911 have really impressed me. Very well made and the best bang for the buck.
 
Of the three choices I voted for the Springer GI model. Sure it's not 100% "USGI" but for a plain jane, old school 1911 it's tough to beat. If you're really sensitive about sights, then you could step up to the Mil Spec. But as others have suggested, the Norc is also a viable alternative. Get it tuned by Armco and it'll still be cheaper than the Springfield, and without the MIM parts.
 
goldcup.jpg


NAA said:
It probably was so cheap because someone buggered a perfectly good Colt Series '70 GCNM by adding an ambi-safety... :p

Hope they gave you the original parts [including the proper medallion grips]... ;)
Click to expand...

Had Pachmayr grip, otherwise got it as seen unfortunately. For $500 I was not about to complain.
 
Rudy H said:
Had Pachmayr grip, otherwise got it as seen unfortunately. For $500 I was not about to complain.
Click to expand...

My post was meant to be funny. :D Dang right, $500 is a great price for a Colt Series '70 Gold Cup National Match. Putting it back to 'original' specs would be easy enough. But she's sweet just the way she is... ;)
 
Jeff/1911 said:
Rudy H,

That 1911 is absolutely gorgeous! :)

Jeff/1911.
Click to expand...

As I said above, it came with Pachmayr grip. I then ordered the wood grips from Gun parts Corp / Numrich Arms for my Norinco 1911 (that had ugly plastic grips).

When I got the wood grips they looked so good I had to put them on the Colt and the Pachmayr grip on the Norinco. The Gun and grips look better than in the pictue. The camera didn't produce a good color ballance with fluorescent lights. Gun should be more blue rather than brown.
 
EdGCNM said:
Am I correct that the new Series 70 Colt does not use the split-finger collet bushing of the originals?
Click to expand...
Yes, you are correct. It also has better sights than the original Series 70.
 
Decision made!.........I just came back from my favorite gun store today and bought the Sprinfield Armory M1911-A1 Mil-Spec.....and I feel great about my decision. The parkerized finish was flawless, and the actions lock-up was tighter than TIGHT.

I was looking at a Colt Government model (Series 80) they had in store too...but the slide to frame fit was as loose as a goose, nice finish, but way to jiggly...the Mil-Spec was tight and smooth

This 1 month waiting is going to mess me up...I already have 5 boxes of .45 Auto's ready and blue 8-shot Chip-McCormick mags.
 
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