Springfield 1911-A1 "Basic" model from 1993

olivehead1

olivehead1

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Picked this up the other day to break the boredom. "Brazil FI" marked, "N" serial number, with the less contoured than usual dustcover and front strap. Included pictured original cardboard box, manual, and black plastic checkered grips (which I replaced with an extra set of crossed cannon grips from the parts bin). The original rod and brush would have been too much to ask for. Per SA customer service, it left the factory in October 1993 (serial number N306xxx). On the other side above the serial number it's marked "Colona, IL." I'd rate it around 95% or a little better, with some light handling marks and edge wear.
 

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I had one. My buddy still has it. I dare to guess how many thousands of rounds it has digested.
 
I always like a basic no frills 1911.

I had one like that, only a newer Springfield GI. It never malfunctioned, but the sights were off just a little to the right. Couldn't get the darned rear sight to move. Sold it eventually. But they are good guns.
 
Nice.

Didn't care for the triangular thumb safety shelf, though. I preferred the rounded Colt ones. Back in the 90s I looked at getting a Springfield Mil-Spec, but went with a Colt Government Model for the thumb safety. But that's just me.

Am I mistaken, or has the front sight been replaced?
 
I bought a basic mil spec parkerized Springfield around 1991 or 92 that was built in Illinois. I shot it for a while then sent it to Don Frailey to work his magic and got this back. Don pretty much just used the frame and replaced everything and Fine tuned it. Also I like a really sharp checkering and Don hand checkered the front strap and refinished it in brushed chrome. It’s a huge departure from where it started and shoots as good as it looks and has the best trigger I’ve ever felt. I recently replaced the grips I had on it with a set of Altimont Spanish diamonds.
 

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ContinentalOp said:
Am I mistaken, or has the front sight been replaced?
Click to expand...

No, it's original to this gun, which has the upgraded three dot sights found on the current "mil spec" model. Apparently this was a transitional period, as I'm told earlier versions of this "basic" model had GI sights. If you look at the pic of the gun on the box, it looks the same as my gun except it has GI sights.
 
Back in the 1980's and 90's, the Springfield Armory 1911 became the darling of the custom pistol crowd. Gunsmiths loved them because the receivers and slides were forged, which lent themselves to swaging and squeezing in order to tighten the slide to receiver fit. They were good, basic 1911's that could be turned into match pistols at a much lower cost than starting with a Colt M1911.
 

Nice gun! Wish I could become comfy with the Government pattern. I do realize it'd be to my advantage to have one, but the 10/64HB always gets in the way! For such a fine gun, that box seems it would contain a cap pistol. :)

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
Springfield has been mfg’ing 1911s for a long time compared to many companies currently making them. In my experience they’ve always been quality guns.
 
Valmet said:
Springfield has been mfg’ing 1911s for a long time compared to many companies currently making them. In my experience they’ve always been quality guns.
Click to expand...

Not to mention their excellent reputation for customer service.
 
Nice old SA! I've got the newer Milspec defender, really nice shoointg 1911. I did do a few mods; EGW extended thumb safety, steel firing pin & extra power FP spring but that's about it. It is very reliable, digests everything I feed it.
 
American1776 said:
I always like a basic no frills 1911.

I had one like that, only a newer Springfield GI. It never malfunctioned, but the sights were off just a little to the right. Couldn't get the darned rear sight to move. Sold it eventually. But they are good guns.
Click to expand...

I jut picked up a brand new SA 1911A1 and the rear sights were too far left. A punch and hammer couldn’t even make them budge just a little. I bought a dovetail sight pusher and that was the only thing that could make them move.
 
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