1911 vs 1911

[BigMak911]

Guys, I need an OBJECTIVE assessment of how a Springfield Loaded Match 1911 compares with a Sig Sauer 1911 Target in Stainless Steel. Anyone can say "get the Springfield" or "Sig Rocks!" but I need reasons to lean one way or the other.

Thanks

[nastyhabts26]

Springfield has a lifetime warranty.
Are the two guns you are looking at exactly the same?
Does one have more wanted features than the other?
I don't think you can go wrong with either gun.
If it is a toss up to you then you may want to go for the one with the best price.
I don't have a sig, but I do have a springfield loaded and it will eat any ammo you feed it.
Over 1000 down the tubes and not one fail to feed or eject, no stove pipes it just runs.
It does get cleaned and lubed after every shoot.

[Socal858]

If you are planning to buy for than one 1911 and wear them in holsters, the sig will have different slide contours than other 1911s (though there are a handful of models available with the traditional slide profile)

[ADH]

The Sig 1911 will have an external extractor, if that matters to you. It is not a standard 1911 part, but some people consider the external extractor to be a significant upgrade in preventing FTE malfunctions. Your mileage may vary.

[redcliff]

Are you talking about a Springfield Loaded Target, or a Springfield Trophy Match when you're requesting a comparison? SA doesnt list a Loaded Match.

[t0kie]

I heard lots of great things about Sig 1911 but never own one. I do have some Springfields & they are all 100%. My Loaded model was reliable & as many others have said, their customer service is one of the best & Springfield has been making 1911 long time before Sig.

[jptopz]

I have owned Sig and Springfield 1911s. I found that the Sig had a better fit, finish, and smoother trigger. They both shot very well however the Sig did take a little work to make it 100% reliable. Springfield has the best customer service from what I have been told, not so much with Sig. In the end though I still own the Sig (My avatar), and no longer own the Springfield.

[sholling]

If you were looking for a "fighting" 1911 I'd say a Springfield Armory (Not target) Loaded because it's fully decked out and ready to go. For a target 1911 I recommend a Smith & Wesson over the Sig or SA Loaded Target. Generally I like the fit and finish and the trigger a bit better than the Springer and the more standard shape of the slide will make it easier to find a holster that you like than the Sig. If course you can always get the Springer a trigger job. FWIW both Springfield Armory and S&W have lifetime warranties and great customer service.

If you can swing a S&W Performance Center 1911 Mellonite over stainless or polished stainless then that's the hot setup for a target or match pistol. Super accurate with super well tuned triggers and both are on the roster. If you can't swing one of those then a regular SW1911 with adjustable sights is a great choice. If you meant the Trophy Match then I like it a bit more than the plain SW1911 but it's not in the same league as the S&W Performance Center PC1911.

[BigMak911]

Are you talking about a Springfield Loaded Target, or a Springfield Trophy Match when you're requesting a comparison? SA doesnt list a Loaded Match.

Oops! Sorry, I meant the Loaded Target... that's what I get for typing and talking at the same time.

Also, (forgive me, I just caught the 1911 bug... all my other pistols except the revolvers have been polymer... yeah yeah, I know...) what's the difference between a "fighting" and target 1911? I mean, I am a high-speed, low-drag guy who frequently escorts the mayor through the rough and tumble Beverly Plaza... and my golf cart does have a locking container for my MP5, RPGs and plate carriers ... but other than that... and back to reality... what would the difference be?

[blockfort]

I'd go with the Springfield Loaded because it's more "standard", and so the aftermarket options for parts and accessories will be much better.

[five.five-six]

Buy a glock

[Capybara]

I cannot give you a definitive answer but he general consensus is that Springfield's customer service is second to none, I read a lot of complaints about SIGs sucky service here and on other gun boards.

I bought a 1911-A1 Loaded Stainless in 1998, still my favorite handgun, it is great. I shot my first SIG 1911 recently and it broke (rental) and was not firing after two shots. Not that all SIGs break but my first experience with a SIG was not good.

[InGrAM]

Might as well put up a popularity poll because that is what you are going to get.

[sholling]

Oops! Sorry, I meant the Loaded Target... that's what I get for typing and talking at the same time.

Also, (forgive me, I just caught the 1911 bug... all my other pistols except the revolvers have been polymer... yeah yeah, I know...) what's the difference between a "fighting" and target 1911? I mean, I am a high-speed, low-drag guy who frequently escorts the mayor through the rough and tumble Beverly Plaza... and my golf cart does have a locking container for my MP5, RPGs and plate carriers ... but other than that... and back to reality... what would the difference be?

To me a fighting 1911 is one built for ultimate reliability (no adjustable sights to break) and has a 4.5-5.5lb trigger to avoid NDs while nervously clearing a house and night-sights are a big plus. Fine accuracy is secondary to unbreakable and the ability to run filthy. That doesn't mean they can't be more accurate than most people shooting them just that they don't need match accuracy.

A hand tuned match pistol can be just as reliable except for the somewhat more delicate adjustable sights but will be built for accuracy first and foremost. The trigger can be much lighter because you won't be confronting anything scarier than a paper target. For example my match grade PC1911 came from the factory with a 3-1/4lb trigger and lapped to fit slide & frame and barrel & bushing.

In general target models are tweeners. What S&W and Springfield refer to as their "target" models are pretty much just their standard "fighting" 1911 with adjustable sights instead of fixed sights. The SA Trophy Match is sort of a "super tweener" in that (like the TRP) it's a production line pistol that's assembled from better parts than the standard models.

[Lead Waster]

My friend has the Sig 1911. After a single magazine, I had to hand it back because I can't stand the giant "memory/speed" bump on the grip safety. I don't know what the SA's grip safety is, but I personally wouldn't buy the Sig for that reason, all other things being equal.