Springfield Armory Champion

[BlackonBlack]

Does it look to be in perfect condition? How can I tell if it has NOT been fired at all?

[vta]

disassemble the gun and examine the barrel to see if there is any wear. There might be some slight wear even from the factory as they need to function test it before shipping out. Although the stainless ones might hold up better than the blued ones when it comes to visible finish wear. it is hard to tell in the photos. besides the rear of the slide looking a little dirty (greasy?) it looks fine. Have someone you know (no the seller) who is familiar with 1911s take it down and take a look at it with you so to give you a good assessment.

[NavDoc]

Does it look to be in perfect condition? How can I tell if it has NOT been fired at all?

Do what they do on TV and smell it!!

[NavDoc]

Haha that's what I always do to tell what guns i've cleaned and ones I haven't until you take a wiff of hoppes 9 and get a headache.

Looks like I'm going to get the gun original case 150 rounds and 7 mags for $650

Is this a good first 1911?

Yup. I'd buy it.
Others may recommend a more "traditional" 1911 to start with, one with a bushing, etc, but what's the point? You had to learn your way around every other weapon you've got, how is this any different?
Buy it, shoot it, smell it , and enjoy it.

[BlackonBlack]

whats a bushing? Is this 1911 a lot different than the traditional styled ones? I heard the recoil spring is 2 pieces.

[vta]

barely broken in and 7 mags for 650, it's time to buy and ask questions later!!!

since it's a 4 inch, it doesn't have the bushing that locks the muzzle end of the barrel to the slide. I am not sure if all commander sized 1911s are bushingless but this one is.

if you didn't like it for any reason, you could easily sell it and buy another or simply trade someone here for a full sized 1911.

[NavDoc]

whats a bushing? Is this 1911 a lot different than the traditional styled ones? I heard the recoil spring is 2 pieces.

Yes, it is different than a "traditional" 1911 in its barrel and recoil spring assembly.
Standard Govt. size 1911 schematic here: http://www.midwayusa.com/General.mvc...matics~Gov1911

Part #2 is the barrel bushing, not to be confused with a grip screw bushing.

The Champion has a bull barrel that mates directly with the slide, thus no need for a bushing or recoil spring plug. It has two recoil springs on a short guide rod instead.

Go here for more info:http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=8

Click on the 1911 manual button. Go to page 42.
Good luck!

[NavDoc]

barely broken in and 7 mags for 650, it's time to buy and ask questions later!!!

Oh, and this!!^^

[bigbob76]

Haha that's what I always do to tell what guns i've cleaned and ones I haven't until you take a wiff of hoppes 9 and get a headache.

Looks like I'm going to get the gun original case 150 rounds and 7 mags for $650

Is this a good first 1911?

This is so wrong! Shame on you! You are taking advantage of your friend. Call him right away and tell him I'll pay $700.

[Renshai]

This is so wrong! Shame on you! You are taking advantage of your friend. Call him right away and tell him I'll pay $700.

LMAO!!!! This si the deal of the centry!!! Definitely do it.....No Bushing, great barrel and really should feed HP's with no problem. Never had any issues with my TRP, similar setup....

[Soldier415]

Mine (5" model) doesn't feed any of the modern hollowpoints I've tried, and after doing some research, I've found that it's common knowledge that 1911s straight out of the box can be picky with hollowpoint ammo. You have to buy a bunch of different brands and see what works in your gun. For me, I've tried Speer Gold Dots, Federal Hi-Shok (old school hollowpoints), and Remington Golden Bullets. None of them fed reliably. The Hi-Shoks were the worst. The Gold Dots had the best success rate, but it was not 100%. Why would you trust your life to something that you know does not work 100% of the time? I could send it in to Springfield to have it worked over and make it work better, but why should I have to do that on a pistol that costs almost $1,000? I expected better. :\

Strange.

I normally carry a SA Loaded MC Operator. I have about 15,000 rounds through it using a variety of out of the box hollowpoints and to date I have not had a single failure of any type.

[SNEAKS]

At $650 that is a good price. New ones go for $900 and up.

[vta]

I'm picking it up tmw price is 600 brand new with 7 mags and 100 rounds of ammo

this is getting better by the second. why don't I have friends like yours?!?!

[Knauga]

Modern Springfield Armory 1911's have no problems loading JHP. I shoot JHP, LSWC, PSWC through my Springers without issue. I had a GI Champion that would feed anything I ran through it. My Loaded Ultra Compacts load anything I feed them.

Buy this gun, it is a steal and you'll never regret it!

[MasterYong]

There are mixed feelings re: SA 1911s?

I've always seen nothing but praise for them, and they seem to be one of the more regularly recommended brands for ~$1000 1911s.

I almost bought one yesterday. (was black, I don't remember the model).