Remington R1 vs Springfield Armory Milspec

Philadelphia Patriot · Mar 29, 2020

I’m looking at the Remington R1 and Springfield Armory Milspec (regular Milspec model and Defender version). Does anyone have any opinions on one over the other? I know the Remington is a 80 series with flat mainspring housing and dovetail sights. I also know the Springfield is a 70 series with curved mainspring housing and a staked front sight. The Remington frame is casted and the Springfield is forged.

Inusuit · Mar 29, 2020

I have a Springfield and my buddy has a Remington. I don't think you can go wrong with either as we are both pleased with our choice.

I would opt for the SA. Not a fan of the firing pin safety in the R1, but that's just me.

Chino74 · Mar 29, 2020

I'm very happy with my SA Milspec. I've never handled an R1 so cannot comment. It boils down to series 80 or series 70. Anything else can be easily changed up, mainspring housing, short VS long trigger, firing pins etc. One area people seem to be very pleased with is Springfield Armory's warranty & customer service. I've never had the need to utilize it but I have heard very good things, not sure about Remington these days.

Roberto Renauld · Mar 29, 2020

I have a R1, blued, .45ACP, I bought it new, now it has 500 rounds shot through it, its a very nice gun, I had some issues with the original magazines, FTF issues, I replaced them with original GI issue magazines and its all ok now.It gives decent groups at 25yds with standard 230gr FMJ, off hand 4" ,for 5 shots,be sure to have the low front sight mounted, because, if not, if it has the tall one, at 25yds it shoots 3,5" low of point of aim!!!!, at 10 yds it is dead on with the high profile sight, about the same at 15yds from 20yds on it hits very low, you must compensate!!!

Harkrader · Mar 29, 2020

Had both, kept the R1. Better sights for me than the Mil Spec. Otherwise, no difference I could discern.

Tubbsy · Mar 29, 2020

I've got an r1 carry, government size.... only complaint I have is that I didnt buy the commander too....

Texas Star · Mar 29, 2020

If you want to use GI holsters, keep the sights in mind.

Grayfox · Mar 30, 2020

I have both a Remington R1 and several Springfields. Both are outstanding pistols. I think you'd be happy with either one.
I will give Springfield an edge simply because of their excellent customer service if you should ever need it.

HOUSTON RICK · Mar 30, 2020

I will give the standard forum reply when choosing between two good guns. get them both. I did. To be truthful, I shoot the Milspec more often probably because of the finish, but they both perform very reliably and accurately. One detail that I did not know before I bought them was that they work best with 7 round magazines. The larger magazines that I have used, block the receiver from returning to battery. I am sure there are larger capacity magazines that work, I just do not know what they are, and as they are range weapons (so far), it has not really mattered.

OLDSTER · Mar 30, 2020

A great place to read all sorts of comparative opinions is over on the 1911 Forum.

merl67 · Mar 30, 2020

I had both while both are fine 1911's I would go with the Springfield.

shottist · Mar 30, 2020

Remington = CAST

Springfield = FORGED

Need any thing else be said?

Philadelphia Patriot · Mar 30, 2020

I ordered the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec model. The only thing I plan on doing is switching out the grips and replacing the stainless barrel bushing with a blued or parkerized one. I ordered the parkerized “non-defender” model.

Sgt911 · Mar 30, 2020

I have a new R1 commander. its at a GS right now. It wouldnt even begin to feed HPs. The manual does recommend FMJ though. My Springfield Mil spec does fine. This is a bit older mil spec GI model, dont think they make it anymore.

Huski92 · Mar 30, 2020

Never handled a Remington. But I have shot the SA milspec and really liked it. And SA is a good company Ti deal with.

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double-dipper · Mar 30, 2020

I own a Remington R1S. I haven't had any problems with it, its a good shooter, that said I won it at a DU banquet. Forged steel is stronger that cast but, I really doubt you would wear it out in 5 lifetimes.

Echo40 · Mar 30, 2020

Personally, I'd be willing to roll the dice with Remington, but then again, I feel that Springfield Armory is overpriced considering that it's basically just the big name equivalent of European-American Armory, Zenith, or Tri-Star. Just an importer using the name of a defunct US Military Armory and charging a premium for said name.

So yeah, if I'm going to pay for a name, then I'd rather it be Remington, and from what I hear their 1911s are just rebranded Para Ordnance 1911s, so that's a darn good 1911 for the price, made by a well-known North American firearms company.

hogblue · Mar 30, 2020

If you plan on having the trigger tuned any good 1911 gunsmith will tell you that it’s much easier to tune up a 70 series and get better results. You can only do so much to an 80 series before your at your limits.

Echo40 · Mar 30, 2020

shottist said:
Remington = CAST

Springfield = FORGED

Need any thing else be said?

How about a tangible explanation regarding what practical difference that actually makes when it comes to modern manufacturing in terms of function/longevity, backed by current documented facts rather than assumption, supposition, or outdated anecdotal evidence?

Collo Rosso · Mar 30, 2020

Dirty Harry Callahan said:
Personally, I'd be willing to roll the dice with Remington, but then again, I feel that Springfield Armory is overpriced considering that it's basically just the big name equivalent of European-American Armory, Zenith, or Tri-Star. Just an importer using the name of a defunct US Military Armory and charging a premium for said name.

So yeah, if I'm going to pay for a name, then I'd rather it be Remington, and from what I hear their 1911s are just rebranded Para Ordnance 1911s, so that's a darn good 1911 for the price, made by a well-known North American firearms company.

S.A. 1911's are made in Illinois with forged frames and slides done in the U.S.A. You have to go back 7 or 8 years ago when they were using frames and slides by Imbel in Brazil, and further back then that when the whole pistol was by Imbel. And those are well made 1911's.
The polymer framed XD series are made in Croatia. Originally and still sold in Europe as the HS2000.

Remington R1 vs Springfield Armory Milspec

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