Anybody have any comments or opinion on the standard parkerized GI model. I am thinking of getting a standard GI type model 1911. This one is guaranteed for life, 640.00 msrp, forged slide and frame. Pretty much GI internals. I am not looking for a match grade bullseye gun just the original proven design

Thanks

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I like mine. The rollmarks aren't too gaudy, the finish and look achieve that GI appeal, and the sights are quite visible. It's a good introductory or otherwise basic 1911. I paid $560 for mine a few years ago - $640 is a little steep for the basic parkerized version IMO, but it's not too much of an increase given current market conditions.

I had one of their pistols a long time ago and it was a good serviceable firearm. It did all I asked of it. No complaints.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Most of the reviews of "GI style" 1911s put the Springfield near the top. I wouldn't mind owning 3-4.

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The best I can with what I got

Personally, I would sooner opt for one of the less expensive offerings by Tisas/SDS Imports if I wanted a basic G.I. 1911, but you can't go wrong with a Springfield.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I don't have a GI model but I have 4 other SA 1911's. I prefer them to the other brands than I have had in their competitive price range.

Tim

Had one for a while wish I still did. They are great guns ate everything I fed it just a good bare bones 1911. I would also suggest checking out the American Classic 1911 I think it's less money than the Springfield, and in my opinion has a better trigger than the Milspec Springfield. YMMV

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Randy

I don’t think they make the gi anymore ( It had a standard ejection port and tiny combat sights),but Springfields are good guns and I’d buy another.

I have the Springfield Mil-Spec and, in my opinion, they're great guns. Nothing fancy, but a real work horse.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

This gun was a gi originally and a local gun crank did a bunch of work on it.I bought it from him when he got bored with it. It’s my most accurate and my favorite shooter even though I collect Colts

I picked up the Defender series GI 1911 a couple years ago- 100% right out of the box.

I believe there were two GI lines, the milspec and the Defenders. The Defenders were the same as the milspec version except they used plastic grip panels and came in a cardboard box with one magazine.

I put some wood US stamped grip panels on mine, and was happy to leave it at that, but decided to upgrade the internals. I contacted Mike over at 1911parts.com and picked up one of their 5-piece fire control sets. These are pre-fit parts and the trigger on my inexpensive Defender 1911 is one of the best I own now. The parts drop in, the only 'fitting' I needed to do was dress the stock thumb safety with a file. I'd never had a 1911 more apart than a field strip and I figured it out (with youtube help).

I had to request a wide-spur hammer as they didn't offer a set with one at the time, but I see they added one since. You'll end up with a stainless hammer on a park'd gun, but it was well worth it in my opinion.

5 Piece Drop in Kit

My opinion of the milspec Defender 1911 is that it's by far the best bag-for-the-buck in 1911s right now. Once upon a time it was unusual to have any production 1911, including Colts, that would run 100% right out of the box- the Springfields do.

I really like mine; I've had it about 6-7 years, but it's around 20+ years old, no telling how much ammo has been through it, but I've shot it a LOT. The grips are original, it's a series 70.

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Snagged this package off the Classifieds here a few weeks
ago.
Finally put some rounds thru out at the deer lease.
Accurate and nary a glitch.
Changed out the stocks for a more GI look.

Pete,

I bought my first SA 1911 back in 2011. It was also their Mil Spec. I have been really impressed with both the design and workmanship of their 1911s, and their outstanding customer service.

Since buying my first SA 1911 I have invested in more expensive models, ostensibly for the adjustable rear sight (I'm too old to use "Kentucky windage anymore) and to take advantage of the improvements in the design, materials utilized, and the features. However, most important is the performance on the firing line - outstanding accuracy and reliability. A SA 1911 will keep you in the 10X ring every day of the week!

As has already been said, I'd place Springfield Armory near the top of 1911s available in the market place within their price points with which they compete.

Cheers!

Bill

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That's what we do!

I'd suggest you look at the High Standard GI Model too, and Kahr as well. Great reviews on both. And the Kahr is US made.

Slanted slide serrations just kill the GI look imo.

Just my $.02. YMMV.

I think Springfields equal to GI contract pistols. I don’t know about the Turkish clones. I’m not into imported clones of American guns. How are they going to be for the long haul?

Will be interested in seeing how the pistols hold up. I have seen Colt, USGI Issue, Caspian's, Norinco's, Springfield's, and a few others in matches back when I shot IPSC and other combat matches. Some of those pistols had over 100,000 rounds through them. Will the guns from Turkey, the Philippines and other countries do the same?

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have one of the discontinued, plain Jane GI Milspec models that I bought in very slightly used condition. I substituted a USGI mainspring housing for the one that had the internal lock, a set of fully checkered Herretts stocks and an EMC wide spur hammer. It works every time and is probably more accurate than my aging eyes can see.

I have heard good things about the Tisas guns which are made in Turkey but have not handled one. Springfield Armory has an excellent reputation for customer service should you ever have problems with one of their guns so they have that going for them as well.

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I bought two of them when they first came out in 2004. I kept the stainless one un fired because I had planned on sending it to Wilson for customizing but never got around to it. But the Pak version is very accurate and reliable.

The gi and milspec were two different guns. The gi had small combat sights and a standard sized ejection port. The milspec had larger sights and an enlarged ejection port

I bought a mil-spec Springfield Armory .45 new thirty years ago. It's been fired a great deal with cast bullets. I prefer Colt and I doubt the SA would have resale value like a Colt, but mine has probably been as good a gun as a similar Colt.

High Standard is out of business.....for the moment. I think there is an effort to resurrect the company yet once again but it's iffy.

As others have noted, the GI model is different from the Mil-Spec in that the latter has a lowered and flared ejection port. I've had two GI models. As I recall, the Mil-Spec was more expensive back when I bought my GIs about 10 years ago, and I couldn't afford the more expensive pistol back then. If I could go back and do it again, I probably would scrimp & save a little harder for the MS, if only for the flared ejection port. 1911s often require a little tinkering, but sights, triggers, springs, etc., are a fairly minor operation. I've never had an ejection port enlarged or flared, but I can only imagine that it's a more expensive proposition.

Anyway, one GI was 100% right out of the box . . . . for the 3 weeks that I had it prior to it being stolen. The second was a jam-o-matic, but a trip to my gunsmith cured that and it became my first carry gun. Granted, he changed a bunch of internals, but it eats anything now. Still have it today & it's a favorite of mine.

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Buy it, Pete. A good friend from work has one, purchase about ten years ago, has over 2,000 rounds through it, and never has an FTF. Feeds everything from ball to 180gr HP, and even G2+P police HP's. (He's a campus security guard, and his duty carry is an issued Glock .45cal, but said he only carries the Springfield off duty).

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Heavily armed old man.

I never inquired as to MIM parts in these imports. If they contain them I’m not interested. Not interested is US makes with MIM parts either.

Wow, it took until post#25 for MIM to be brought up. That must be a record.

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Release the Kraken

Thanks for all the generally positive info.

Now I have another couple questions. Any known MIM parts? All USA made and assembled?

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Pete,

seriously hunt for one of there: Dan Wesson A2. One off my very best shooters, tight, beautiful all around. Love mine and a class on it's own.

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The Springfield Armory Mil Spec is a perfectly servicable shooter. I am keeping mine. I am not picky about MIM parts, I am no longer eligible for Seal team missions and care for my firearms. I do not expect the target to either complain or compliment me on where the parts are made or whether they are MIM.

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