Want to buy a 1911, I think?

[addicted]

my buddy has the springfield lightweight operator which is much like the second one you pictured except it has an accessory rail on the front and the frame is aluminum.  He likes it a lot. I like it a lot. BUT it doesnt have the soul that mine has, not even close.


COLT Government commander

[jaymark6655]

Went to the store and got to handle all three.  The Springfield felt and looked the best (my personal opinion). 

The coating on the R1 looked strange.  It felt weird in my hands and some of the pieces had milling marks on them (not a smooth finished part) and you could tell the grips where cheap wood.  On the plus side that thing had a stainless steel barrel and the bushing fit was tight.

The Metro Arms gun, just felt cheap compared to the other two.  I can't pick out anything that made it seem like that.  Maybe it was the plastic feeling grips (I thought they were suppose to be wood on this model)  or maybe it was the blued surface versus the parkerized or maybe it was just in my head because I knew it was cast and only cost less.

As far as Kimbers, maybe some day I might get one.  Right now I kind of view them as a snob gun (don't take it personal if you own one, I have read several other forums and post and that's just the way they read) and am convinced I would rather die than ever carry one.  I have never seen one in a store for less than the mil-spec.  Cheapest I could find started in the $800 range and it does seem that your just paying for the name.  Like the difference between buying a lexus or a fully loaded Toyota.

So I will be going with the Springfield.  Not sure what I want to do with it.  I might try conceal carry, but I doubt it will replace my Glock.  I think the only reason I want one is because its 2011 and I have always wanted one.  Plus I like the single action trigger pull.  There is a Anniversary Edition R1, but its like $2000+ price range, so that's out.  I am going to shoot it a lot before I decide what parts I should change on it.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Jaymark, I think you've made a wise decision. By shopping, you have identified that there truly are different grades of 1911's for your money. You're starting at a good pricepoint with a gun that can be customized the way you want it to be.

Love my Colts. Love my Kimber. But I wouldn't kick a Springer out of bed either!

-Steve

[carpsniperg2]

I have shot a few 1911's and almost bought a few. I just have never had the love for them. There are some great ones out there and just get something that fits you well.

[FC]

Sounds like you've made a good, informed choice jaymark. Please post up a review (with pics of course) after you get it!

[JJB11B]

Went to the store and got to handle all three.  The Springfield felt and looked the best (my personal opinion). 

The coating on the R1 looked strange.  It felt weird in my hands and some of the pieces had milling marks on them (not a smooth finished part) and you could tell the grips where cheap wood.  On the plus side that thing had a stainless steel barrel and the bushing fit was tight.

The Metro Arms gun, just felt cheap compared to the other two.  I can't pick out anything that made it seem like that.  Maybe it was the plastic feeling grips (I thought they were suppose to be wood on this model)  or maybe it was the blued surface versus the parkerized or maybe it was just in my head because I knew it was cast and only cost less.

As far as Kimbers, maybe some day I might get one.  Right now I kind of view them as a snob gun (don't take it personal if you own one, I have read several other forums and post and that's just the way they read) and am convinced I would rather die than ever carry one.  I have never seen one in a store for less than the mil-spec.  Cheapest I could find started in the $800 range and it does seem that your just paying for the name.  Like the difference between buying a lexus or a fully loaded Toyota.

So I will be going with the Springfield.  Not sure what I want to do with it.  I might try conceal carry, but I doubt it will replace my Glock.  I think the only reason I want one is because its 2011 and I have always wanted one.  Plus I like the single action trigger pull.  There is a Anniversary Edition R1, but its like $2000+ price range, so that's out.  I am going to shoot it a lot before I decide what parts I should change on it.

I absolutley Love my Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded. That firearm is set up perfect from the factory. Night sights, Good trigger, extended beavertail with a good sized palm swell on the grip safety. Ambidextrous thumb safety

[jaymark6655]

Finally picked up a 1911!  I found a used Springfield Armory Mil-Spec.  Below are some pictures.  I haven't shot it yet (school is keeping me too busy).  Here is some things that I have noticed so far:

This thing is freaking tight, I have trouble getting the slide on during assembly and nothing rattles.

It has a Stainless steel barrel and bushing.  The picture I posted at the start of this thread showed a non stainless bushing so I was a bit suprised.

The frame does not say made in Brazil.  From what I could find, Springfield did make some 1911s in Brazil.  It seems like the ones that where actually say Brazil on the frame.  I was told that Springfield has stopped having 1911s made there. I have one picture below, but have seen others.

I haven't shot it yet, but I expect I will be replacing the cheap holster, getting a beaver tail grip safety and commander hammer and some more magazines.

The 3rd pic shows how tight the slide to frame is.  The 4th is a pic of a Brazil pistol.  It has a few scratches (I don't have to worry about putting the first scratch on it), but it was $60 cheaper than any new price and most of the places I looked didn't have them in stock, I found only two.

[Seabeckian]

I love my Kimber Covert. Not sure why anyone would slam Kimber based on their 1911's, for any reason other than price. If someone wanted to debate the quality of their rifles, I would have a word to say about that (my Kimber Classic had to be re-barreled due to factory defects). But their 1911's, come on. Don't down play the quality gun it is based on the price.

[FC]

But their 1911's, come on. Don't down play the quality gun it is based on the price.

I base my opinion on my experience, having to fix things that never should have made it out of the factory on a gun that costs that much is ridiculous. Their warranty is a sad joke, they can keep their junk.

[Seabeckian]

Haha. To each their own. Everyone handles situations differently and gets different results accordingly. Kimber did a great job righting the wrong with my rifles barrel, and I was very happy with the end result. But like you said, one does have to question how it even left the factory the first time. Good point. I would just caution to not let one poor experience conclude your entire opinion.

Sounds like you got yourself a good gun Jaymark! It's always good to see someone make a highly informed decision when purchasing a firearm. And to respond to your comment; I would definetly buy a Infiniti over a fully loaded Toyota (not a Lexus fan)  No matter how much you polish something up, sometimes there's still no substitute for the real deal. Look at the new Kia's haha.

[fillthefreezer]

And to respond to your comment; I would definetly buy a Infiniti over a fully loaded Toyota (not a Lexus fan)  No matter how much you polish something up, sometimes there's still no substitute for the real deal. Look at the new Kia's haha.

so would you buy a nissan over a toyota because thats all an infinity is...

[FC]

so would you buy a nissan over a toyota because thats all an infinity is...

Some people's kids huh?

[jaymark6655]

  I screwed that up was suppose to say: "Would you buy a Infiniti over a fully loaded Nissan".

[FC]

lol

[jaymark6655]

  I screwed that up was suppose to say: "Would you buy a Infiniti over a fully loaded Nissan".

Wait I said Lexus vs Toyota in my first post, what the hell am I appologizing for?    Was just suppose to draw a comparison of getting a 1911 from a certain manufacturer to buying a the exact same car from Lexus and paying more than you would at Toyota dealership.  Of course some prefer Nissan, but its no longer the same car.

I guess a better comparison might be do you get the Toyota 4 Runner or the Nissan Xterra.  Problem is I don't know anything about 4 Runner, except they probably cost more.