Springfield: Loaded vs. Milspec

[whipkiller]

I have two Loadeds and love them both. The triggers are hit and miss out of the box (as they have been with every sub $1500 1911 I've felt), but since the first thing I do is take them to Will O'Hara for a trigger job it doesn't much matter to me. As for the Imbel vs Geneseo debate, I have one of each and there is hardly a difference. Admittedly I like the idea of the Geneseo (U.S. finished) gun better because of the little bit of gun snob in me, but I really can't say one is better than the other. As for FLGRs, it has never been an issue as long as I keep the hex wrench in my range bag.

Overall, I think the Loaded models give you the absolute best bang for the buck in terms of features and quality when compared to anything else. You can spend a whole lot more and be perhaps a little bit happier, but I have yet to meet anyone that after firing mine did not love it!

Ballpark figure; what does trigger work run? And what exactly does that entail; is it just to smooth it out, or adjust the pounds of pull, or length of pull, or what?

Sometimes it's nice being a noob on a subject, I can ask all kinds of questions that my ego might not let me ask later.

[pMcW]

Well, unless it ships free (some do, some want $20-$30) and then add the FFL Transfer fee I figure it's a $50-$60 difference, give or take.

I know online is cheaper, I was actually asking if $899 is a decent price for an actual park-your-car-out-front and walk-in-to-a-building store.

Anybody?

I am frustrated by the the same dilemma at the moment. $899 was what I saw in one store, and I was OK with that until the price issue was raised by others here in my thread. (Especially because it was $100 less than the TLE II that was my main alternative, at that store.) I would have bought it that evening if I had settled the Kimber vs. Springfield and rail vs. no-rail debate for myself by then.

BTW, there is also sales tax to consider when you walk into the building... With online you have to consider extra wait (before starting 10 days of jail), FFL fees, not holding the gun before buying, contacting multiple parties, etc...

Anyhow, a lot of folks look at $899 and reply:

You can find better deals online. I got mine at Bud's for...

Well, maybe that was then... Those folks don't appear to be looking now, or at least they aren't providing any links (not that I expect them to hold my hand and search for me). I have Googled "PX9109L", and didn't find much in the way of deals. The "bins" of the online retailers don't exactly appear to be overflowing with great 1911 deals right now (especially Bud's--where most people who claim $899 is too high got theirs).

I did find this one: http://www.gunsamerica.com/996545494...NS_PX9109L.htm

Although, I don't really know how "Guns America" works exactly.

So, I have to play my born-in-Missouri card: I can get a better deal online? Show me!

[whipkiller]

I am frustrated by the the same dilemma at the moment. $899 was what I saw in one store, and I was OK with that until the price issue was raised by others here in my thread. (Especially because it was $100 less than the TLE II that was my main alternative, at that store.) I would have bought it that evening if I had settled the Kimber vs. Springfield and rail vs. no-rail debate for myself by then.

BTW, there is also sales tax to consider when you walk into the building... With online you have to consider extra wait (before starting 10 days of jail), FFL fees, not holding the gun before buying, contacting multiple parties, etc...

Anyhow, a lot of folks look at $899 and reply:



Well, maybe that was then... Those folks don't appear to be looking now, or at least they aren't providing any links (not that I expect them to hold my hand and search for me). I have Googled "PX9101L", and didn't find much in the way of deals. The "bins" of the online retailers don't exactly appear to be overflowing with great 1911 deals right now (especially Bud's--where most people who claim $899 is too high got theirs).

I did find this one: http://www.gunsamerica.com/996545494...NS_PX9109L.htm

Although, I don't really know how "Guns America" works exactly.

So, I have to play my born-in-Missouri card: I can get a better deal online? Show me!

On that note, If I buy online and have it shipped to my CA FFL, don't I end up paying sales tax anyway?

[pMcW]

On that note, If I buy online and have it shipped to my CA FFL, don't I end up paying sales tax anyway?

I guess that one is supposed to report the purchase when doing state taxes and pay the sales tax then, as with all internet purchases.

However, when you order online, you usually pay online seller for the price of the gun (if outside of CA, they most likely won't collect the sales tax). You just pay the DROS and the FFLs transfer fee to the CA FFL that you pick up the gun from, and they don't collect the sales tax for the price of the gun either, AFAIK...

[tuna quesadilla]

When you got your's from Bud's, did they have stock or did you "Reserve Item" and wait?

They haven't had stock for awhile, and I'm not sure if I want to deposit and hope they get them.

Is is normal that they're out of stock?

It was in stock. I just looked up the invoice for that order, it was $769.00. Mind you this was in 2009. And Bud's can take quite awhile to get guns in stock. I did the "Reserve Item" for a Glock I wanted and I think it took about a month.

I don't know how $899 is for a brick and mortar shop. I don't generally buy guns in shops. Even when you factor in things like shipping (free with Bud's...) and transfer fees ($50 at Straightline, $75 at OC Indoor...), online guns still tend to come out WAY cheaper than brick and mortar guns. There's really no reason for me to buy at a brick-and-mortar. The whole "supporting local businesses" angle doesn't even count because I use OC Indoor for most of my transfers and I do all of my handgun shooting there, so they get plenty of business and references from me anyways...

[elSquid]

Well, unless it ships free (some do, some want $20-$30) and then add the FFL Transfer fee I figure it's a $50-$60 difference, give or take.

I know online is cheaper, I was actually asking if $899 is a decent price for an actual park-your-car-out-front and walk-in-to-a-building store.

Anybody?

If there is a difference of $50-60, and I don't have to deal with making an out-of-state purchase and a local transfer, and it's a $800+ gun that is not in easy supply and is somewhat hard to find, and I can examine the exact gun and DROS it today, then I pay the extra price cheerfully.

I'd worry less about getting the absolute lowest price, and more about getting the gun I want right now...as opposed to spending the next 6 months searching for it.

If it's a 'commodity' gun like a G17, sure, different story.

YMMV.

-- Michael

[whipkiller]

If there is a difference of $50-60, and I don't have to deal with making an out-of-state purchase and a local transfer, and it's a $800+ gun that is not in easy supply and is somewhat hard to find, and I can examine the exact gun and DROS it today, then I pay the extra price cheerfully.

I'd worry less about getting the absolute lowest price, and more about getting the gun I want right now...as opposed to spending the next 6 months searching for it.

If it's a 'commodity' gun like a G17, sure, different story.

YMMV.

-- Michael

Yeah, that's pretty much the same way I feel. If I was gonna' save a lot of money it might be worth waiting, and dealing with the "unknown" of not being able to see and touch the product but for $50-$60 less, (or whatever) I kinda' like an actual gun store.

I went in again last night and fondled the Loaded and the sales guy spent a decent amount of time with me (store was pretty busy)
He even offered to bring his personal Loaded in so I can shoot it since they don't have one to rent/test drive, and said he could probably knock a little off the price to work with my budget.
I can do 90 days (or even a little longer if necessary) layaway same as cash.

Hmmm, I think I just finished talking myself into it.

Now I just have to decide whether I ask for permission first or beg for forgiveness later.

[pMcW]

He even offered to bring his personal Loaded in so I can shoot it since they don't have one to rent/test drive...

If the store where you were looking has a range, then we weren't at the same store. So that means $899 is the price in at least two stores, FWIW.

Hmmm, I think I just finished talking myself into it.

Me too. I think I will go put the one that I was looking at in jail today.

If it's a 'commodity' gun like a G17, sure, different story.

YMMV.

-- Michael

It kind of begs the question though: Why shouldn't a Springfield Loaded 1911 be a 'commodity' gun? We're not really talking about an obscure out-of-production item here. It makes me wonder whether Sringfield keeps their 1911 production numbers low to make them more scarce and to focus on the XD as their commodity gun.

[whipkiller]

If the store where you were looking has a range, then we weren't at the same store. So that means $899 is the price in at least two stores, FWIW.



Me too. I think I will go put the one that I was looking at in jail today.



It kind of begs the question though: Why shouldn't a Springfield Loaded 1911 be a 'commodity' gun? We're not really talking about an obscure out-of-production item here. It makes me wonder whether Sringfield keeps their 1911 production numbers low to make them more scarce and to focus on the XD as their commodity gun.

Since I'm in San Diego, I would say we were not at the same store. One of them was Turner's, although they didn't have the Loaded in stock they had gotten some in to their warehouse (which they did not have a week ago) and could bring one in for me.

The other one shall remain nameless for now, 'til I go put the deposit on mine.

Yes they both had them priced the same @ $899, although the "little guy" store (the range) is working a little harder to get my business, and is negotiating the price a little. (I set a price cap that my first 1911 has to remain in 3-digit land... gosh, I hope I like it.)

[elSquid]

It kind of begs the question though: Why shouldn't a Springfield Loaded 1911 be a 'commodity' gun? We're not really talking about an obscure out-of-production item here. It makes me wonder whether Sringfield keeps their 1911 production numbers low to make them more scarce and to focus on the XD as their commodity gun.

Their 1911s/frames/etc are made by IMBEL in Brazil. For all we know the problem may be on the supply side; IMBEL may be the bottleneck.



-- Michael

[himurax13]

On that note, If I buy online and have it shipped to my CA FFL, don't I end up paying sales tax anyway?

If it is new, then you are supposed to pay a California Use tax. If its used, then you shouldn't have to. Plus you have to factor in shipping and dealer's transfer fees. So if you are not saving at least $150 from the price of buying it locally, I wouldn't bother.

[joe_sun]

I just bought my first 1911 and I decided on a Springfield Loaded parkerized with Trijicon night sights because I got a great deal on it. It was 729.00 shipped from a dealer on the Sigforum and he gave it a once over for me letting me know it was nice and tight.

I wish the loaded didn't have the front cocking serrations on it but I'm very happy it has the upgraded sights over the milspec.

I pick it up on Saturday and won't be able to hit the range until Sunday.

[whipkiller]

I just bought my first 1911 and I decided on a Springfield Loaded parkerized with Trijicon night sights because I got a great deal on it. It was 729.00 shipped from a dealer on the Sigforum and he gave it a once over for me letting me know it was nice and tight.

I wish the loaded didn't have the front cocking serrations on it but I'm very happy it has the upgraded sights over the milspec.

I pick it up on Saturday and won't be able to hit the range until Sunday.

Dammit, that is a good deal. If I may ask, did you have to pay tax, FFL, etc. on top of that? What was your grand total OTD price?

[joe_sun]

Dammit, that is a good deal. If I may ask, did you have to pay tax, FFL, etc. on top of that? What was your grand total OTD price?

FFL+ DROS was $60.00 so $789.00 OTD

[whipkiller]

FFL+ DROS was $60.00 so $789.00 OTD

That ain't bad... Sales tax? (I assume this was a new gun.)