spingfield gi 45

[Brickboy240]

I don't feel like I am missing out not having the match barrel in my GI. The thing shoots tight groups at 15yds...tighter than Colt 1911s that I paid much more for. This rankles the Colt purists, no doubt and surprised the hell out of me, but I swear, its true! Dad, a retired USMC Gunny Sgt., shot my SA GI and was amazed at how accurate it was. He qualified Expert with the M1911A1 and carried one as an MP for many years. If the SA GI impressed Dad...thats saying something to me.

Besides, the GI was designed to be a working gun...not a range queen that shoots 1" groups. For its intended purpose, the GI is a very good piece for the money. The smaller sights can be replaced for well under 100 bucks if they are a problem for you. Still, I am betting that the GI will shoot better than most people who buy one.

I paid $439 brand new for the stainless SA GI. There is no way I could have goten a Loaded for $100-$150 more. Actually, I was considering upgrading my GI for a Loaded, but since the GI is already a great shooter, I wonder what I am getting by spending more money? A prettier gun...maybe, but if it feeds, fires and ejects and hits where I aim...its pretty to me!

- Brickboy240

[phaetos]

Long time, no post for me. I am in the shopping for a 1911 and have been looking at the SA's also. A local shop had 2 Mil-Specs in stock the other day. One had 3-dot sights, other did not. One had a stainless barrell, the other did not. They had 2 different grips, one seemed a bit thicker than the other. The one with the stainless barrell had the flared ejection port. Is that the loaded model? It was only $60 more for that one.

[faawrenchbndr]

The parkerized GI does not come with a SS barrel. That had to be a Loaded. It should have agd a different hammer, trigger, beveled mag well and a beaver tail grip.

[Lazarus]

I want to get a 1911, looking at this one:



but I will probably just get a regular Mil-Spec. I wouldnt mind the GI but it looks cheap.

[Brickboy240]

If that is a Loaded for only 60 bucks more than a Mil-Spec...thats a VERY good deal...go get it. I have never seen pricing like that on the Loaded...maybe it was used?

Still a good deal if its in good shape.

- Brickboy240

[mullanman]

Here is my GI.
Nowlin trigger group, Hard chrome by Tripp, Heinie sights, ambi safety, S&A magwell.
I paid 325 for the gun 2 years ago and built it up. Original barrel is in the gun, just hardchromed. I think i have around 850 into it now.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by mullanman

Here is my GI.
Nowlin trigger group, Hard chrome by Tripp, Heinie sights, ambi safety, S&A magwell.
I paid 325 for the gun 2 years ago and built it up. Original barrel is in the gun, just hardchromed. I think i have around 850 into it now.

Thats not a bad idea, get the foundation and build from there as you get the time. What model 1911 do you think your gun is close to? So I can see if its advantage ($ wise) to do it like you did or buy one already modded.

[So Flo]

I am working on a project gun based on the Mil Spec platform.
I think part of the attraction to doing it this way versus buying one off the shelf is the "personalization" of the pistol. Getting the trigger you want, the beavertail grip safety, etc. While a Springfield Loaded may cost the same as the built up gun, it is still an "off the shelf" unit.

I am really enjoying the time and thought that I have put into mine...and am looking forward to showing it off here for my fellow forum members to see!!!

[mullanman]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Thats not a bad idea, get the foundation and build from there as you get the time. What model 1911 do you think your gun is close to? So I can see if its advantage ($ wise) to do it like you did or buy one already modded.

It shoots as well as my Springfield Loaded which has been modified up to the the level of a TRP Springfield.

The GI gun also has a full length guide rod and refitted bushing up front. I only wish i had put checkering up front on the frontstrap. But its a good shooter for the money i have in it. It is also my carry .45.

[Brickboy240]

Wow...that nickel 1911 has pimp written all over it, right down to the pearlite grips. Way too flashy for me.

Yes, I am a big proponent of buying a basic 1911, shooting it alot nad figuring out what mods it needs and not paying for all mods at one time, because alot of the mods and goodies that Wilson, Brown and others sell are cosmetic and not really necessary for function or overall reliability.

Full length guide rods and front cocking serrations are two examples of things I have not found a use for yet. They say that the full length guide rod keeps the recoil spring from binding. In almost 20 years of shooting 1911s with short guide rods I have NEVER had a recoil spring bind up.

Another thing the parts people mention is that the skeletonized hammer "sppeds up locktime." Well, that sounds good, but I am betting that 75% of the shooters don't have a clue what that means or could tell the difference in locktime between a regular hammer and a skeletonized one. Rob Leatham or Bill Wilson might be able to tell, but most of us? Probably not.

All of these goodies and "enchancements" are made to sell guns. Yes, there are a few add-ons that ARE good for accuracy or reliability, like custom springs, extractors (the Wilson Bulletproof is tops) and aftermarket magazines.

Buying a less expensive 1911...shooting it alot and seeing EXACTLY what you NEED to make it perfect for you, is a good way to go, IMHO. Sure, you can end up putting more money into the thing, than buying a Loaded or other higher end 1911, but theres something to be said for taking the 800 dollars and spending 400 on the pistol, a couple of hundred on practice ammo and 50-100 bucks on a good holster and good spare mags.

You might find that you need very little added to the 400 dollar 1911 to make it do what you want.

Me? My 1911s are open carry working guns that I tote around on the family ranch. I need reliability FIRST, so I my 3 1911s have had trigger jobs, spring replacements and Wilson magazines and extractors added. They're not match grade accurate, but they're as reliable as the sunrise with the ammo I use. They're as accurate as I need and can shoot better than I can on most days. Your needs/wants may be different.

Thats my take on tricking out 1911s..I am an old schol purist and concearned with reliability in the field first and looks/doo-dads are a distant second.

- Brickboy240