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I am not in or from Kalifornia.
I have had an AMT Covina Hardballer .45 since 1992 that has had many parts replaced (pins, extractor, hammer strut, and thumb safety) back then because the stainless steel pins and such were very soft, and I throated the barrel so it will feed any manner of hollow-point ammo. I have it to this day as my HD gun with 2 extra mags. $350 total out of pocket back then. I shudder that some of you folks spend $2K+ just to have what I consider a BBQ gun. It is a tool, and that is what it was designed for. Otherwise it is basically a safe queen at those prices. And I prefer the 1911 mainspring housing as opposed to the A-1 arched design.
It just amazes me how most of you folks on Calguns will not learn from books like Kuhnhausen's treatises about how your 1911 works and how to repair and maintain it. A 1911, of any flavor, is still a 1911. Once you learn about it, it is very easy to repair and modify.
It ain't fancy, but it works every time. I like it because it has an extended slide stop, an extended thumb safety, an extended mag release, Pachmayer grips, and it is basically stainless. I have small hands and long fingers so the idea of having a Commander hammer and a grip safety to accommodate it is a moot point. It has a 4# trigger with a 23# mainspring. As you can see by the thumb safety blue wear, it has been well used.
I guess I am just old school and learned how to work on my own pistols and not rely upon all of the bling and spendy parts without learning much of anything about it.
Below is a very good tutorial about 1911 trigger jobs. Easy peasy. Ignore the commentator and just listen to the gunsmith.
A $500 RIA .45 will run well with hardball. Throat it and will run all manner of hollowpoint ammo with dependable mags. It is a dependable tool.
Your money, your call.
Regards,
JimLes Baer 1911: Premier II w/1.5" Guarantee, Blued, No FCS, Combat Rear, F/O Front, Checkered MSH & SA Professional Double Diamond Grips
Springfield Armory XD-45 4" Service Model
Springfield Armory XD9 4" Service Model (wifes).
M&P 15 (Mine)Comment
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Love my SA 1911 A-1. It's also back on sale at Turner's. It's a great value.Comment
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Looking through the market why do ppl list the serial #? Is there a specific serial to look for when buying a SA?Comment
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Serial numbers starting with an NM mean that the gun was finished and assembled in the USA. All have been for a few years. Prior to that, the IMBEL stamp on the bottom of the dust cover or "made in Brazil" was common on a gun without the NM.
I own a GI model with IMBEL carved in the dust cover, but still says Made in the USA on the side. The interior of the gun was a lot rougher than the NM serial number guns that I have, but function has been just fine.Comment
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You are looking into a deep rabbit hole. Once you shoot a good 1911 with a great trigger you will understand, there is no coming back. 1911 pistols have their own personality. Since you are just getting into 1911s, get the Springer Loaded model. It has some of the upgrades already, they shoot well and have a life time warranty. If anything goes wrong, Springfield will take care of it, they have great customer service. I have two Target loaded models, I 45ACP and 9MM and shoot the hell out of them. One or the other goes to the range with me every time I go (3+ times a month) and I will put at least 100 rounds down range. I do have other pistols and other 1911s that I take,but always include one of the Springers. Just cannot go wrong with a loaded Springer.Comment
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They are both good to go. The Springfield is probably more popular. A more traditional 1911 between the two. I own a Sig, and it is a great gun. Reliable, accurate, no issues what so ever. Either one will be a great gun.
I am primarily a Glock guy when it comes to self defense. But that hasn't stopped me from falling in love with the 1911. When it comes to the joy of shooting, nothing is cooler or smoother than a 1911.
Even though you do not get as many goodies that price on the Springfield is hard to beat.Last edited by tacticalcity; 10-10-2018, 12:11 AM.Comment
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