AJ
US Veteran
Many, many years ago built a couple on Essex frames. They worked well. A 1stSgt. that I worked with had a .45 M1911 built on an Essex frame and said it would be the last gun he ever got rid of.
No frills 1911....Mil Spec....
- Thread starter Xfuzz
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Many, many years ago built a couple on Essex frames. They worked well. A 1stSgt. that I worked with had a .45 M1911 built on an Essex frame and said it would be the last gun he ever got rid of.
4barrel
Member
AJ
US Veteran
About 30 years ago, I built about 35-40 M1911's out of pieces/parts. I used every frame that I could find from Essex, Caspian, Colt, Springfield, Federal Ord and others that I do not remember the names at this time. All worked well except the Fed Ord and a cop wanted it anyway. Never touched a Fed Ord again. My favorite frames were Caspian.
Years ago my brother picked up 2 Colt Series 70 parts kits, one was a NM kit. We had them both built on Essex frames, he got the NM one. When he decided he wanted to sell the NM I sold mine and bought his. They both functioned perfectly with the Essex frames, still have the NM.
I just sold two Colt S80 pistols. Nothing to write home about. You might get one that's good shooter but more than likely it will need some work. Fitted barrel bushing and some trigger work will usually get you a fine shooter.
I kept my Gold Cup because I paid 1K for it years ago and it runs just fine. Prices on newer ones are a little steep for what you get, IMO.
I kept my Gold Cup because I paid 1K for it years ago and it runs just fine. Prices on newer ones are a little steep for what you get, IMO.
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AJ
US Veteran
I have two M1911's left. One is a 1958 Government Model that started life as a .38 Super. The other is my 1976 Gold Cup National Match. Will keep that one until I take a dirt nap then it will go to the oldest Grandson (USMC Cpl.).
We purchased our father a new Series 70 NM in the mid 70's as a Christmas present, my father never fired it. My younger brother ended up with it when our father passed a way. He took it to the range and couldn't once fire a full mag out of it without some type of malfunction. He got disgusted and traded it in at the LGS.
AJ
US Veteran
And the LGS was very glad to get it...........
ContinentalOp
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AJ
US Veteran
They were rated as about the best on the market when I was using them. Older Colts were considered the best, but you usually had to buy a whole gun. The first Caspian frames that I bought cost me $75 a piece, and bought two of them.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
There are a few good 1911's in this price range, the Auto Ordnance US Army, rock iland Armory are good shooters.
The Tisas and Girsan are importing 1911's here, hickok45 checks them out, there's a 1911 for every budget
The Tisas and Girsan are importing 1911's here, hickok45 checks them out, there's a 1911 for every budget
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Ugly Hombre
Member
I hate to say this as I love Colt- but the S/A Mil Spec I have was fitted better than a fairly recent Colt Commander I bought.
( Got the Commander just before Colt dropped out of the late great golden state market with 1911's ( I don't blame them for that. But wish they had not)
Talking about slide to frame fit etc. And the S/A does not have the series 80 firing pin block device-
CZ just bought Colt so I am hoping they will up the game of the Colt company make more SAA's etc..
( Got the Commander just before Colt dropped out of the late great golden state market with 1911's ( I don't blame them for that. But wish they had not)
Talking about slide to frame fit etc. And the S/A does not have the series 80 firing pin block device-
CZ just bought Colt so I am hoping they will up the game of the Colt company make more SAA's etc..
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AJ
US Veteran
I won't buy a new Colt for any reason. I would rather buy an Pre-Series 80 or an off brand pistol than a new Colt.
Ugly Hombre
Member
Ok with me up to you. Colt has put out some stinkers for sure.
Colt has had horrible management for years- dense in fact imo. And has had periods of horrible quality control.
Sitting on a gold mine with the SAA they sell everyone they make before it goes out the door prices are going nuts but Colt won't make them and laid off workers skilled in producing them.
A nich gun for sure for old timers but the design is still viable imo for a woods running revolver and fun to shoot and own weapon that Americans like and want.
I am sad that CZ bought the great old American company and want it to continue.
Bankrupted many times in the past- I hope the iconic American brand Colt can keep on going.
Be a shame to see it fade out.
Colt has had horrible management for years- dense in fact imo. And has had periods of horrible quality control.
Sitting on a gold mine with the SAA they sell everyone they make before it goes out the door prices are going nuts but Colt won't make them and laid off workers skilled in producing them.
A nich gun for sure for old timers but the design is still viable imo for a woods running revolver and fun to shoot and own weapon that Americans like and want.
I am sad that CZ bought the great old American company and want it to continue.
Bankrupted many times in the past- I hope the iconic American brand Colt can keep on going.
Be a shame to see it fade out.
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Walter Rego
Member
I bought one of the Springfield Armory GI Milspec Models in very slightly used condition for around $500 some years back. It has a 2011 date on the frame under the stocks which I thought was kind of cool. It was discontinued in favor of the regular Milspec. It does not have the high visibility sights, slanted slide serrations, lowered ejection port and match grade barrel of the Milspec but is closer to a true USGI M1911A1. All I did was add a set of Herretts walnut stocks and a wide spur hammer. One day I may try to find a smaller WWII type thumb safety which will complete the WWII era styling.
I haven't tried it with any hollow points but it is 100% reliable and accurate enough with hardball, especially considering the sights and my aging eyeballs. I just bought it as a blaster anyway but certainly would have no reservations on depending upon it as a self defense weapon.
I haven't tried it with any hollow points but it is 100% reliable and accurate enough with hardball, especially considering the sights and my aging eyeballs. I just bought it as a blaster anyway but certainly would have no reservations on depending upon it as a self defense weapon.
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With the increased value of Colts steady headed upward
I wanted a no frills solid 1911 Government Model.
After some research I decided on Springfield.
Snagged this one off our very own classified section....
Many Thanks Thiokol......smooth deal.
I didn't think to look here. I'm on the prowl for a bare bones 1911 myself. Hard to find at non-inflated prices. Looks like you did well.
AJ
US Veteran
I would rather that Colt would fold their tent, than to have them put out junk and defame the Colt name anymore than it has been.
AJ
Faulkner
Member
With the increased value of Colts steady headed upward
I wanted a no frills solid 1911 Government Model.
After some research I decided on Springfield.
Snagged this one off our very own classified section....
Many Thanks Thiokol......smooth deal.
Good snag Xfuzz. Seems Bill Wilson of Wilson Combat in Berryville, Arkansas, primarily used Springfield, Inc. 1911's to build his combat pistols before he started producing his own.
I have a Springfield, Inc., "Fully Loaded" 1911A1 that I bought new in the late 1990's. It is a very fine shooting pistol and I qualified with it to carry on duty but I never did so. I do carry it often in jacket weather when it's easier to carry concealed. I am a fan of the Novac no snag rear sight.
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I've owned a few 1911's over the years, got one left. Joe
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