Throughout my gun ownership life I've always wanted a 1911 45 ACP.
Well I'm to the point now where I'm starting to do research on which gun I actually want to get.

I have narrowed it down to two different types Springfield Mil-Spec or the Remington R1.

I'm leaning toward the Springfield,at one point I was thinking about a Rock Island but I thought the quality of Springfield would be better.

This would be a range gun as my EDC is a shield.

I realize the Springfield is considered a 70s series type and the R1 is an 80s series type.
As I have come to understand the Springfield has a smaller firing pin with a stronger spring and R1 uses the firing pin block.

Just wondering about pros cons of either's and what you think.

I own multiple M&P's and consider this forum a vast knowledge of information that has always been helpful,with some very smart individuals.

Thank You

Though I've heard largely good reports on the R1, given Remington's QC issues in recent years, with both firearms and ammunition, I'd go with the SA, based on that alone.

Also, SA has a fantastic reputation well established for both their 1911's, and their customer service.
And, given my outstanding personal experience with a couple SA 1911's, were I to buy another one, brand new, I'd look at SA again
before anything else (especially for the money).

For the money, I would take a very hard look at the Ruger. I bought one a couple of years ago and have been very pleased.

The SA mags are welded at the baseplate, and will need a serious cleanup before you go to the range. So you'll learn how us old farts cleaned mags right off.

I had a Range Officer, but traded it off (it ran like a top, no issues, just had a friend who lusted after it). First thing I did with my milspec SA was move over some Wilson Combat mags. Gave one of the original mags as a karma a while back.

I had a problem-child 1911 EMP (not what you are looking at), and they resolved it without argument or delay. But it got traded as well. So only good things to say about Customer Service.

I have not owned a Remington handgun until recently, and it (not an R1) has not been fired yet, so no comments.

I vote for the milspec SA (coming from someone who's only sidearm for years was a GI 1911).

Might add that I have had great service from Ruger CS when it comes to revolvers, but not so much for semis. Different staff, different factory.

I've owned both, and I still have the Remington.



My son and I each have one, and neither has jammed with either ball or hollowpoints. Quality is top notch, and despite what some may say, they are made from the ground up in the USA.



All I did to mine was replace the flat mainspring housing with an arched one. Its been a great gun (at a great price).

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

You can't go wrong with the Springfield, S&W, Remington R1, or Ruger 1911. Buy the one that is configured the way you want, so I you don't waste money after swapping parts.

I have 2 Ruger's, and an R1, I like the R1 more. I like that it looks sort of like a military one with some nice improvements.

My favorite 1911's are S&W, both lightweight PD models. One billboard one not.

Not enough pictures in this thread IMHO.

I've never heard of having to clean up SA mags. And as far as I know SA buys their mags from a supplier, like most other 1911 manufacturers. But either way you can buy different mags.

After seeing a SA TRP with 114k rounds I bought a TRP.

I'd go with SA

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I'd buy based on the features on the gun.

The two most important features are good sights (not the old military sights) and a beaver tail grip safety.

A lot of folks suffer from hammer bite without the beaver tail grip safety.

Since OP is inexperienced with 1911's, he won't know whether he gets bitten until he's spent his money on a gun.

If he's one of many who gets bitten, he won't shoot his 1911 much.

The last two SA .45's mags,, and the freebie mags they sent on the promo last fall, looked like they had come out of something put in a warehouse in 1945. Lots of grit, packing grease, and general crud. They cleaned up fine, but they needed a good wipe down inside and out.

Not a reason to change my vote for SA, but just a functional observation.

A t this point I'm 99% going with the Springfield , Buds has it for $574.00 ( which changes weekly).It has been on my wish list for about 30 years, but there was always another gun ahead of it on my radar.

Thanks everyone!!

Springfield Mil spec, hands down winner. R-1 is a good gun, Springfield is better and if you ever need service/repairs (unlikely), Springfield is the best in the business.

IMHO... In the price range I think Springfield Armory builds the best 1911.
Have a 9mm R.O. and a stainless loaded in 45acp. Both are just excellent in fit, finish and function. Own and have owned others. S.A., Ruger, Rock Island... they'll all serve you well.
What I wanted to say was think hard about a Mil-spec. Front sight is fixed, machined with the slide. You need a gunsmith to machine a dovetail into the slide to upgrade. The rear is tiny and usually in a dovetail you can't get better sights in. Again, have the gunsmith cut it while he does the front. No extended beavertail. First time you get hammer bit you'll want one. Spend a few extra bucks and get one with the upgrades. A 1911 with good sights and a nice trigger is a joy to shoot.

Thanks .. that is definitely something I did not know and changes things a bit if I get the itch to tweak it, as I will probably want to do in the future.

I looked at the pictures on the SA webpage. The Mil-Spec appears to have larger sights than a true military 1911.

A full detail strip of a series 70 and re-assembly is about a 15 minute job the first time and probably could be done under 5 minutes with some practice. That isn't the case with a series 80, getting that safety lever in place can be rather fiddly and requires some patience. Granted, it's not as bad as re-assembling a Sig Sauer P239 after a detail strip but I simply prefer the simplicity of the original design. It is actually so easy to work on all you need is a small rock gathered from the muddy trench you are crouching in and a hobnail pried out of the heel of your boot.

I am also someone who need sights that are actually visible for aging eyes. So, I would eliminate the R1 because it's a series 80 design and any GI spec 1911 because those sights were designed for 20 year olds with 20/15 vision. BTW, there was a time when I actually had 20/10 vision and the decline in my vision is the most disturbing aspect of getting older for me.

My choice for a 1911 has been the Ruger SR1911, of which I have two of the 5 inch models and one CMD. For me the balance between features, sights, and price were perfect and it's a series 70 design. About the only "flaw" is that the trigger has about 1/32 inch of creep. If you want a much crisper trigger I'd suggest you look at the S&W Series E. Yeah, that external extractor is "wrong" for any purist but the trigger is simply marvelous.

Springfield for me. I've owned several Mil Specs, down to one now because the other two just never got used. This one is my absolute hands down go-to pistol. It has been a guinea pig for my attempts at home smithing, and despite that its a great shooter.

I'll never sell it, one of my kids can have it when I'm done.

Currently has a Wilson trigger/hammer/etc (2 lb), re-crowned barrel with a fitted bushing, home-made rattail grip safety, freshened up white dot sights.

Also has a flat mainspring housing on it now, and a poorly recessed slide lock pin.

Probably wouldn't win a beauty pageant but that's fine with me. I change the recoil spring in it probably more than I need to but that's about all the maintenance it gets.

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I've got a Springfield 1911A1 Milspec, If I had to eat out of a trash can so be it, I'm never getting rid of it.

Stick with the Springfield, I've owned a number of them and they're quality guns at reasonable prices. Currently have a TRP and an EMP4, both are top notch.

Remington has had too many issues with their pistols for me to trust them and their 1911 line doesn't offer anything special or out of the ordinary.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

I have both and have been completely pleased with both.
I bought the R1 when they first came out. I was surprised at how good it is. Mine had the best out-of-the-box trigger I've ever felt on a production 1911. Its a joy to shoot.
However, I own 4 Springfields and these get the most rangetime as my everyday shooters. Particularly the Mil-Spec loaded which is my IDPA gun.
I think you would be happy with either, but I'll give the edge to Springfield because they have the absolute best customer service in the business.

Remington R1 at 8:00 0'clock.
Range Officer at 9:00
Springfield Mil-Spec at 10:00
Lightweight Operator at 11:00



BTW: its an old picture. I've added a couple more since this was taken.

Grabagun has decent prices on Smith & Wesson 1911 E series. There is a stainless model there now for $809.

+ 1 on the Springfield . Remington has had QC problems for the last couple of years . Something to consider for another $ 100- 125 you could get the Range Officer . It comes with decent adjustable sights , tighter slide to frame fit , better fit on barrel lockup & a match grade barrel . All pluses for serious paper punching . Fit a tighter bushing & a little trigger work & they generally hold the 10 ring @ 50yds if the shooter does their part .