Hello
My wife said she would get me either one for Christmas. Money is a factor. I would have to get a used S&W compared to a brand new Springfield ($650 is my gift limit).
If you think the S&W, she would give me the $ for a used one, or I wait to save the $ (about 1 year).
With the Springfield, I get the brand new one right away.
So you have the facts, I shoot twice a month, around 500 rounds out of my .22lr and my 9mm each.
So I guess my questions are:
1. Is a .45 ACP the way to go? I mean, is it easier to get the ACP rounds?
2. With only shooting that many rounds and not being some kind of "competitive" shooter, do I wait for the S&W? The one I like is around $1000.
3. Do I look for a 4566?
Thanks for any advice. No matter what, all the advice is appreciated.
I feel REALLY lucky that this is a worry with so many people out of work.
Anyone out of work is in my prayers.

I own several 1911 guns--Colts, S&W's, and Springfields. I bought a S&W 1911Es and love it. So much so that I bought a 1911Sc to go with it. These are the alloy frame models which I personally prefer, since I use them for concealed carry as well as recreation shooting.

I recently bought a Springfield Champion lightweight. It is a reasonably good pistol--reliable and somewhat accurate, but not near the quality and accuracy of the S&W's. But of course, it cost about half of what either of the S&W's did, so I got what I paid for. When I speak of accuracy, my S&W's will hold 5" groups at 25 yards where the Springfield holds 12" groups. A better shooter could do better with both guns, but you can get an idea of the fact that the S&W's are a little more accurate.

With a S&W, you will get several extra features for the extra money--featuers you will later on be glad you bought. One specifically I can think of is a good trigger pull. The second is a beaver tail grip safety. And then there is the Novack 3-dot sights. All these features add up but are well worth the extra money, IMO.

So, my recommendation is to save the money your understanding wife is allocating...and tell all your kinfolks to make your Christmas present cash instead of underware and socks. And then order yourself a new S&W 1911. They are a lot more fun than underware and socks are anyway.

Hope this helps.

Rafter-S

Hi:
Nothing is better than a Smith and Wesson!
A good used S&W is way ahead of anything else new.
A "New"gun is used as soon as you leave the store or fire it.
Get the "Used" S&W now and you have a year to sweet talk your wife into a new gun.
Jimmy

One other thing I should have mentioned, both Smith & Wesson and Springfield have outstanding customer service. If you have any "issues" with your pistol, they will make you satisfied. I speak from experience on this.

Rafter-S

You miss out on a lot of good if not great things if you get fan-boy blind.

I have commercial examples of the 1911 by Colt, Smith&Wesson, and Springfield. Fit and finish on Smith&Wesson products appear to be first rate. There is not a thing wrong with the basic Springfield. I’ll admit I shoot the Colts more than I do either the Smith&Wesson or Springfield pistols. As for durability I had an over pressurization event while firing the Springfield. It was an attention getter. The recoil was sharp. The Springfield was no worse for the episode. Sturdy pistols those Springfield’s are. Either way its your choice.

I recently decided to get a 45acp, also.

The finer 1911's (S&W as well as others) were way above my budget of around $500.

I considered economical models such as the SA GI, Para's, Rock Islands and some others. Reviews on all of these were mixed and basically, none would provide what I wanted without additional work.

I didn't want to buy a pistol that I would have to spend a few more hundred on to get the accuracy and reliability I wanted so, I bought a used Sig P220.

Accuracy, out-of-the-box, is very good and so is reliability with the ammo I've tried. They generally run around $500.

I'll still get a fine 1911, in 45acp, one day but, the P220 is a fine 45, today.

BTW, I have a Colt, 1911, in 38 super from the 50's. I rarely shoot it as is somewhat valuable. The P220 is more accurate.

__________________
" I don't recall, senator."

First off, congrats on having such a great wife! Secondly, Yes, you need a .45ACP. Thirdly, Yes, you need a 1911 (everybody should have at least one!).

I have a Kimber Custom Royal that I bought over 12 years ago that runs like a clock. back then, you could get them for just under 650 with most of the custom parts already on them right out of the box. Not so much these days. I, for some reason, need a second 1911 and it has to be stainless steel. I have opted for the Springfield 1911 A-1 Mil-Spec. It has everything that I want in a 1911 and none of the stuff that I do not need. Here are the specs:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=10

or blue:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=2

Mine is ordered, and I can't wait! Unless you plan on shooting an NRA 50 yard bullseye match with it, I am sure they are plenty accurate.

Good luck with whatever you choose, but definately get a 1911 of some sort. Every red blooded American ought to have one or two!

WG840

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Freedom above all else.

I like my Springfield, If you get the mil-spc you could use the extra $150 for magazines and ammo.

I choose the 4566 over any 1911. My 4566's have simply been 100% reliable. Yes, 100% as in no malfunctions whatsoever in many 1000's of rounds.

Can't say that about any 1911 I've owned or shot........although my Colt Combat Elite comes close.

I have no experience with S&W 1911's, but the Springfield loaded is a VERY nice 1911. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI.

I'd try a Taurus 1911 over the Springfield for the same amount of money spent- more bang for your buck.

The fellers here really rave over the Taurus guns and do shoot them at the pin shoots.

I've thought about a 1911 and all other kinds of jam-a-matics, but I take two aspirin and it leaves me in the morning.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

First, there is nothing like a 1911. If you have the 1911 bug, nothing else will satisfy it. If it were me, I would get the used Smith now, shoot it all year, then trade it, along with some cash I could squirrel away between now and then, and get a new Smith. Your used one shouldn't lose much value if you buy it right to begin with.

Well, I for one like my S&W 1917/M22. I carried it concealed off and on last winter under a long heavy coat and still carry it when I am trail riding with the horses (lanyard ring). On the other hand my current non-work carry gun is a Taurus Millenium Pro Model 145SSI (more bang for the buck).