ups and downs of Springfield 1911-A1

[Black Ghost]

I am interested in a 1911-A1, and curious about features or feedback bad or good about this particular weapon. The price seems to vary from $650 to over $1000.  Any feedback?

[thinkingman]

The item you describe(or not) can be had in a wide variety of variations.
They are all good....some more gooder.
What are you looking to do with it?

[Black Ghost]

all around side arm, some target but nothing like competition or anything

[PA BEN]

Springfield makes a very good 1911-A1. Wilson Combat has all you need to make it a great shooter. Here are just some of the parts for the 1911-A1.
SHOK-BUFF® Recoil System
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_shokbuff_sys.asp
"Custom-Tune" Spring Kits for 1911 Autos
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_spring_ct_1911.asp
Skeletonized Ultralight Hammer
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_hammers.asp
Drop-In High Ride Beavertail Safety
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_beavertail_safeties_di.asp

[ABMGENERAL]

PA BEN hit it right on the nose parts wise. no matter what you need a wide and soft beavertail... the stockies will cut you after a few hundred rounds...

IMO commander size 1911 is the perfect all around sidearm, if i could only have 1 pistol..... of course most of us need many!!

far as i can tell the best way to buy a 1911 is to go straight for the kimber and begin a lifelong love affair with it surely you will own this gun far after your wives have come and gone... Just make sure to hide this weapon especially until the divorce is over with.

You may also buy Various Glocks and XDs to act as decoys so your divorcees will think they got them all.

In all seriousness for the amount of cool stuff you get in a Kimber TLE, Tactical, or any of the models under 1000 you can't go go any righter..er...

[DeKuma]

I agree on the Kimber!  I am truly in love with mine!  Kimber Stainless TLE II

[thinkingman]

I have two Kimbers and love them.
If you're buying one, make sure it has the internal extractor....just to be ahead of a potential problem.
I agree, a base Springfield needs some upgrades but some like them basic, Mil-Spec.
Just not me.
Good starting point, though.

[deaddog]

PA BEN hit it right on the nose parts wise. no matter what you need a wide and soft beavertail... the stockies will cut you after a few hundred rounds...

IMO commander size 1911 is the perfect all around sidearm, if i could only have 1 pistol..... of course most of us need many!!

far as i can tell the best way to buy a 1911 is to go straight for the kimber and begin a lifelong love affair with it surely you will own this gun far after your wives have come and gone... Just make sure to hide this weapon especially until the divorce is over with.

You may also buy Various Glocks and XDs to act as decoys so your divorcees will think they got them all.

In all seriousness for the amount of cool stuff you get in a Kimber TLE, Tactical, or any of the models under 1000 you can't go go any righter..er...

+ 1-100%

[Black Ghost]

thankyou guys, I was kinda flirting with the Kimber.  They seem to be a little more easy to find.

ABMGeneral, you are cracking me up! 

[Huntbear]

I love my Colt.  Of course it is heavily customized by myself.  Crushed the frame and slide to remove most of the slop, lapped them together for a perfect fit.  All internals are match grade, and I removed the slop in the trigger.  Oh, and a full length guide rod.  I shot Defensive Combat matches with it for over 2 years.  Always in the top 4-7 finishers, as long as I did my part.

That said, Kimber off the shelf is a magical piece of hardware that is hard to beat.  But the price you pay, shows it as well.

[cully]

If you are looking for a more traditional no frills model, a springer mil spec is hard to beat around $500 if you can find one.  Also, their customer service, if you should ever need it, is second to none. As far as more tactical 45's I would go for a kimber or an upper end springer like the trp.

I gotta agree about beaver tails, my mil spec really bites.

[PA BEN]

I have a Norinco 1911, bought it new, had to do a little work to the feed ramp to feed hollow points. And with Wilson parts it's a good reliable 1911.

[jeff100]

+1 Kimber.  I don't have one but my buddy does (the compact 3" version, Raptor model I think).  It's a beautiful gun, I've shot it and I thought it was one of the best shooting guns I've ever shot.  Very accurate.  One thing about it though, no limp wristed shooters need apply, it's sensitive to jamming if you don't shoot with a stiff wrist.

Course, that's an issue with most autos...my CZ's included...

[DOUBLELUNG]

Call me a traditionalist ... mine's a Colt.
I'm not THAT traditional though - Bomar target sights, wraparound Pacmayr grips, and a few tweaks inside...

[cully]

I like the traditional 45's too. Really want a colt WWI replica, thats a thing of beauty!

[7mag.]

I have a Kimber Tactical Pro, and I carry it everywhere I go. I will never buy an automatic thats not a Kimber. IMO, they are the best production 1911's on the market.