Springfield Armory 1911 45ACP 5" barrel Milspec - Stainless

[Challenger2010]

Can some members chime in who own/owned an SA 1911 45 ACP 5" barrel Milspec, either in stainless or blued.

- How do you like the pistol?

- How does it compare to say a Colt made Government model?

- Is the SA a better made pistol or inferior in quality?

- Which would you like better, a Colt or an SA made 1911?

I know at one point in SA history, they were contracted to make Colt 1911's or something to that effect, so I'm wondering if they are pretty much, the exact same gun with the same performance but at a different price.

Lastly,

- Would it be redundant to own both a Colt and a SA 1911 45 ACP in stainless or is there an inherent difference?

 

[Protege]

Correct me if I'm wrong but i think all current colts are series 80 and springfields are 70.

 

[Challenger2010]

Correct me if I'm wrong but i think all current colts are series 80 and springfields are 70.

I'm a novice shooter. What does the "Series #" indicate or what is the significance of this designation?

 

[Windknot]

Series 80 has a firing pin block. Series 70
don't.

I have a stainless 9mm, and it is a very tight gun. I think I have around 1400 rounds through it, and it is staying very tight. Mine has the full length guide rod- still not sure if I like it. Mine is 100% reliable when clean, but it wants cleaning every 200 rounds if it's to keep running.

I'd buy one in .45 for sure if it came my way, and right now the price will be about the same as the Ruger 1911, and the Springfield is probably the better of the two.

 

[snooze98k]

I own a SA loaded target.
I think im over 8k rounds now since december for ipsc.
Not one hiccup.
Its a 9mm, replace the extractor and drop spring weights within the first 1000 rounds to make it more friendly on low power rounds for competition.
It locked up 100% new, now 8k into its abuse it has worn in just enough to allow fractions of movement on the slide/frame( still better than alot of STI i've seen new. Let alone top end ####ty s&w) Barrel is still tight.

I do a basic field strip on mine every 500rounds +\- with no issues even when dirty other than vanity
And a full clean maybe 2/3k rounds. It gets so bad i pull sludge out of the extractor hole in quantity! Lol
I bought this over STI and am super super happy.

SA has been doing it since the beginning as has colt(obviously)
I have no experience with colt other than they expect their name to command high prices because they of their name.... (And high debt load)

 

[CV32]

Very happy with my Springfield TRP.

 

[Anthrax]

I have the Parkerized Springfield Armory 1911 GI, a Colt 1911 and a Smith and Wesson 1911. I love all there guns for different reasons...

The Springfield was my first 1911 (my second ever pistol) it is exactly what I wanted when I got it. A classic GI style 1911 right down to the the GI sights. It is more accurate than I am. The GI sights leave something to be desired but that is also part of it's charm.

It is a sturdy gun that has faced many regular trips to the rage (especially when I was first starting out in the shooting sports).

I would buy one if I didn't have one and wanted a GI 1911.

I did do a little buffing (just cotton wheel, no abrasive) on the trigger internals so make the trigger a little smoother.

If I were to use one to shoot in Competition like IDPA I would most likely use the Smith and Wesson because the sights are better and I shoot better than the SA.

The Colt is a very old Consumer model from around 1917 so it tends to be a bit of a Safe Queen...

Here are a couple of images (not mine, but this is the same pistol I am talking about)

 

[maxman1]

Correct me if I'm wrong but in I think all current colts are series 80 and springfields are 70.

Colt makes three non-Series 80, all the Series 70 Mk IV Government in different finishes.

 

[Anthrax]

Opps... I miss read the thread...

 

[Rob!]

SA has been doing it since the beginning as has colt(obviously)

I believe you'll find that the current Sprinfield Armoury is not at all related to the SA of old. They just adopted the old name.

 

[Challenger2010]

I believe you'll find that the current Sprinfield Armoury is not at all related to the SA of old. They just adopted the old name.

LOL, so is this a good thing or a bad thing???? How's their quality control? My understanding is they provide a lifetime warrantee to the original owner only. Non-transferrable.

 

[Pietro Beretta]

I owned the Springfield Mil-Spec .45 in parkerized finish. Great 1911 for the money....BUT, due to the 2-piece barrel construction and frame made in Brazil, I would select the Colt Government 1991 .45 for the same price almost.

The milspec Springfield NIB is about $1,250.00 all in.

I bought my NIB Colt Government 1991 .45 Blued for $1,150.00


Arms East has LOTS of NIB Colt 1911's currently in stock. You can get a new Colt 1991 .45 for $1,250.00. A nice blued Colt 1911 Government Model .45 is had to beat for the money. Great pistol.

 

[Mark-II]

2 piece barrel? I didn't know that..

For equal money I'd buy Colt, because Colt. I have the new "Series 70" Government. I back dated the look of it some with a wide spur hammer from Fusion Firearms and an A1 style thumb safety. Now it has the aesthetic that I want.

I have thought about a stainless Springfield GI every time one comes up for sale. They've always been more than I want to pay..

If not for the fugly sights, the Remington R1 is also a very good 1911A1 style for the money. I'm only selling mine because I really do not need it. Plus if I keep it those sights would have to go...

 

[Rickster66]

Don't forget to check the EE for great deals. I picked up a SA Trophy Match for a price in the lower end of your range. This is my favourite pistol. Accurate, amazing fitment and completely reliable. I believe the Trophy Match models were all US assembled and hand-fitted.