Opinions on Springfield GI 1911 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jde164 · 05-09-2006, 08:12 PM

What do you guys think about the Springfield 1911's. I am looking into getting a 1911 and kinda like this one.

Does anyone have one? What do you like about them, what do you dislike? Any information is welcomed.

Thanks

Chewie146 · 05-09-2006, 08:52 PM

I have one that they no longer make, but I am very happy with it. I bought the "Loaded" Hi-Cap a few years back, and it has been a wonderful firearm. The stainless they produce is beautiful in my opinion. I'd say get it.

**Parrishco** · 05-09-2006, 09:49 PM

I have one and I love it. It is however my first and only 1911 but my fourth gun. I have the parkerized version. I was torn as to whether go with what they had in WWII or with the stainless. If I did it again I would go with stainless I think. It just looks sweet. It functions perfectly 750 rounds in and its nothing to switch between the XD and it. When I decided I wanted a 1911 I looked around and decided I liked springfield and their warranty and the overall price compared to other comparable ones. I think you will def be pleased. I am so glad I got it.

T-Bear · 05-09-2006, 10:04 PM

I own the GI 1911, the same one in SS. 2nd 1911 and for the price it's not bad and shoots just as accurate as my buddy's 1100 Rapter.

I always by the base model and if it needs tunning I go from there. You won't go wrong with the GI.

Heathen-Yak · 05-10-2006, 04:08 AM

the sights are terrible, and a pain to have replaced. You'll regret getting the GI or MilSpec if you plan to shoot it frequently.

other than that it's a fine firearm. One of my friends has one and it shoots great when you can see the sights.

TomSwift · 05-10-2006, 05:52 AM

The GI has a very low, fixed rear sight (as was on the original). I have the GI and love it. Granted, the low sight is a PITA but I bought it as my first 1911 and wanted as close to the original as possible. It's a good deal and a good shooter.

**Parrishco** · 05-10-2006, 07:48 AM

yeah I should have added that in - the sights are not what Im used to but I wanted to keep the originals as it was the copy of the original.

Brickboy240 · 05-10-2006, 09:23 AM

I have that exact pistol you show.

No problems at all. Very accurate. Yes, the sights are small but I grew up shooting military M1911s so small sights are not foreign to me.

You do know that Springfield will sell you a set of Mil-Spec 3-dot sights, that will fit right on the GI slide without alteration, for around 25-30 bucks? Worth a try, if you want bigger, 3-dot sights like the XD has. Call them...they'll mail them right to you. Very cheap fix, if you ask me.

I really like my GI Springfield. To be totally honest, I have owned 3 Colts that have given me MUCH more trouble than the basic GI Springfield. The Colt lovers hate this but I swear, its true.

For the money, this is a great working 1911...I would not go any "cheaper" on the 1911 scale.

Other than swapping sights, you might want better grips and a few Wilson magazines, but its a pretty good piece as it is. I was very impressed with the thing. I was going to upgrade it later on for a Kimber Custom II or SA Loaded, but the thing shoots so well as it is, I might keep it and swap the sights and stick with it. It certainly shoots as good or better than my more expensive Colt 1911s.

- Brickboy240

So Flo · 05-10-2006, 09:28 AM

I have a Milspec and am making it a project gun.
I have changed the spring to a heavier spring (don't recall what weight) and had TFO TruGlo's installed and will have Ed Brown thumb and grip safeties, slide stop, and extended mag release installed. The final step will be for Ajamesp51 to do a digital camo DuroCoat on it.

The sights were the first thing I needed to do to make it what I wanted it to do. As a range gun, the stock sights are not perfect, but do-able.

This is a great basic gun and a wonderful platform to build upon, so either way...get one, you won't be sorry.

Someone had mentioned in an earlier 1911 post that you may want to look at "buying up" if the sights are a problem for you...you just need to research how much a local 'smith will charge you to install better sights.

I own 3 1911's, the Milspec, a ParaOrdnance C7-45, and a Smith and Wesson 1911. The milspec is one of my favorites.

...my $0.02...

Brickboy240 · 05-10-2006, 10:56 AM

Yep, a Mil-Spec or GI with a sight upgrade, Wilson Spring Kit, Bulletproof Extractor, Wilson mags and a trigger/sear polishing job would be a pistol that would compete with the 1500-1800 dollar guns...I'd bet!

I perfer buying a basic 1911 and adding only what I need.

- Brickboy240

05-09-2006, 08:12 PM	#1
jde164 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 123	Opinions on Springfield GI 1911 What do you guys think about the Springfield 1911's. I am looking into getting a 1911 and kinda like this one. Does anyone have one? What do you like about them, what do you dislike? Any information is welcomed. Thanks

05-09-2006, 08:52 PM	#2
Chewie146 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Los Alamos Posts: 727	I have one that they no longer make, but I am very happy with it. I bought the "Loaded" Hi-Cap a few years back, and it has been a wonderful firearm. The stainless they produce is beautiful in my opinion. I'd say get it. __________________ ----------------------------------------------------------- "Beware the man with one gun..." Befriend the man with 30?

05-09-2006, 09:49 PM	#3
Parrishco XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The Best State Ever (FL) Posts: 460	I have one and I love it. It is however my first and only 1911 but my fourth gun. I have the parkerized version. I was torn as to whether go with what they had in WWII or with the stainless. If I did it again I would go with stainless I think. It just looks sweet. It functions perfectly 750 rounds in and its nothing to switch between the XD and it. When I decided I wanted a 1911 I looked around and decided I liked springfield and their warranty and the overall price compared to other comparable ones. I think you will def be pleased. I am so glad I got it. __________________ Custom XD40 SC w/ X2laser Bushy A3 M4 w/ EOTech SA 1911A1 GI.45 Mossberg 500 Yugo SKS CCW Molon Labe! - My website: ParrishCo.com

05-10-2006, 05:52 AM	#6
TomSwift XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 1,133	The GI has a very low, fixed rear sight (as was on the original). I have the GI and love it. Granted, the low sight is a PITA but I bought it as my first 1911 and wanted as close to the original as possible. It's a good deal and a good shooter. __________________ Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy. Get Your Free Targets Here Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning

05-10-2006, 07:48 AM	#7
Parrishco XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The Best State Ever (FL) Posts: 460	yeah I should have added that in - the sights are not what Im used to but I wanted to keep the originals as it was the copy of the original. __________________ Custom XD40 SC w/ X2laser Bushy A3 M4 w/ EOTech SA 1911A1 GI.45 Mossberg 500 Yugo SKS CCW Molon Labe! - My website: ParrishCo.com

05-09-2006, 10:04 PM	#4
T-Bear XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ALONE Posts: 116	I own the GI 1911, the same one in SS. 2nd 1911 and for the price it's not bad and shoots just as accurate as my buddy's 1100 Rapter. I always by the base model and if it needs tunning I go from there. You won't go wrong with the GI.

05-10-2006, 04:08 AM	#5
Heathen-Yak XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 497	the sights are terrible, and a pain to have replaced. You'll regret getting the GI or MilSpec if you plan to shoot it frequently. other than that it's a fine firearm. One of my friends has one and it shoots great when you can see the sights.

05-10-2006, 09:23 AM	#8
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 8,979	I have that exact pistol you show. No problems at all. Very accurate. Yes, the sights are small but I grew up shooting military M1911s so small sights are not foreign to me. You do know that Springfield will sell you a set of Mil-Spec 3-dot sights, that will fit right on the GI slide without alteration, for around 25-30 bucks? Worth a try, if you want bigger, 3-dot sights like the XD has. Call them...they'll mail them right to you. Very cheap fix, if you ask me. I really like my GI Springfield. To be totally honest, I have owned 3 Colts that have given me MUCH more trouble than the basic GI Springfield. The Colt lovers hate this but I swear, its true. For the money, this is a great working 1911...I would not go any "cheaper" on the 1911 scale. Other than swapping sights, you might want better grips and a few Wilson magazines, but its a pretty good piece as it is. I was very impressed with the thing. I was going to upgrade it later on for a Kimber Custom II or SA Loaded, but the thing shoots so well as it is, I might keep it and swap the sights and stick with it. It certainly shoots as good or better than my more expensive Colt 1911s. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

05-10-2006, 09:28 AM	#9
So Flo XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wellington, Florida Posts: 11,441	I have a Milspec and am making it a project gun. I have changed the spring to a heavier spring (don't recall what weight) and had TFO TruGlo's installed and will have Ed Brown thumb and grip safeties, slide stop, and extended mag release installed. The final step will be for Ajamesp51 to do a digital camo DuroCoat on it. The sights were the first thing I needed to do to make it what I wanted it to do. As a range gun, the stock sights are not perfect, but do-able. This is a great basic gun and a wonderful platform to build upon, so either way...get one, you won't be sorry. Someone had mentioned in an earlier 1911 post that you may want to look at "buying up" if the sights are a problem for you...you just need to research how much a local 'smith will charge you to install better sights. I own 3 1911's, the Milspec, a ParaOrdnance C7-45, and a Smith and Wesson 1911. The milspec is one of my favorites. ...my $0.02... __________________ No Guns, Know Crime. Know Guns, No Crime! http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member3984.png

05-10-2006, 10:56 AM	#10
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 8,979	Yep, a Mil-Spec or GI with a sight upgrade, Wilson Spring Kit, Bulletproof Extractor, Wilson mags and a trigger/sear polishing job would be a pistol that would compete with the 1500-1800 dollar guns...I'd bet! I perfer buying a basic 1911 and adding only what I need. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

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