No frills 1911....Mil Spec....

[Miami_JBT]

For quite a while now, I have kept desirability and resale value as prerequisites for the purchase of any gun, so I would always go with Colt.

However, the first 1911-type pistol I bought was a Springfield Armory plain matte finish "Mil Spec" 1911 A-1 more than thirty years ago. It has held up incredibly well and has been fired a lot, almost exclusively with cast bullets. Maybe a copy, but it has been about as good a pistol as any Colt I've had, though no better. If I had spent a little more in the beginning, I could have bought a Colt. If I attempt to sell the Springfield gun, it will bring considerably less than a Colt. For these reasons, I'd go with the original.

The Springfields hold their value. Look for what a used Mil-Spec goes for these days. It is crazy.

 

[vonn]

One of the most important hand guns ever and tons of fun to shoot! A person can go from basic gun to as high as they want and have the cash for.

 

[Miami_JBT]

One of the most important hand guns ever and tons of fun to shoot! A person can go from basic gun to as high as they want and have the cash for.

It is still just a 1911. In the end, the old slab side .45 is an okay pistol. But it isn't a quality piece like a Performance Center or a TSW line 4566.

 

[Sgt911]

The sights are better than older 1911's.

I have an older nib no longer made Mil-Spec G.I. Springfield, and the sights are pretty dang small. It has a lanyard loop too

 

[jeeps]

I have used this old DCM 1911 Colt WW2 rework for years. I paid $600 for it 5 years ago from a friend. Who gave me a great deal. It feeds ball perfect and is accurate with its WW-2 Colt replacement barrel from arsenal rebuild.

 

[AJ]

The sights are better than older 1911's.

I have an older nib no longer made Mil-Spec G.I. Springfield, and the sights are pretty dang small. It has a lanyard loop too

That is why they make aftermarket sights. Probably do a good business in them too!

 

[gwpercle]

I LIKE IT !!! and the Grips .

My choice exactly... Basic is Good , Stag Grips = Gooder !
Gary

 

[S-W4EVER]

I have an older nib no longer made Mil-Spec G.I. Springfield, and the sights are pretty dang small. It has a lanyard loop too

Sounds like a GI Model.

OP, if you want your Mil-Spec to look more authentic, install some of those brown plastic grips (like the Military pistols had).

 

[Xfuzz]

Sounds like a GI Model.

OP, if you want your Mil-Spec to look more authentic, install some of those brown plastic grips (like the Military pistols had).

First thing it did....
Second...ordered a Tanker style holster.

 

[AJ]

Second...ordered a Tanker style holster.

Do you mean an M7? Have seen more aircrews wearing them than tankers. I wore one at times as the Guard Chief at a Marine Barracks. Still have the same one hanging on a door in my gun rooms.

 

[Xfuzz]

Do you mean an M7? Have seen more aircrews wearing them than tankers. I wore on at times as the Guard Chief at a Marine Barracks. Still have the same one hanging on a door in my gun rooms.

Yeah...that one.

 

[old tanker]

Mine came used, in 1961.

 

[Chino74]

I've got an S.A. Mil-Spec, I love it. It shoots just as good as my Colts. I did dump the Titanium FP for a steel one & changed the thumb safety & a few little things, semi-extended slide release, EGW checkered MSH. Wish I have 2 of them. Mine is at my Gunsmith getting a wide spur hammer installed.

 

[ContinentalOp]

First thing it did....
Second...ordered a Tanker style holster.

FYI, Wilson Combat makes a retro thumb safety that has the same small shelf as the older GI guns.

 

[Dogbone44Spl]

IMBEL has not made anything for Springfield for several years. Around 2014 or so. Maybe earlier. I have 2 Mil Specs, a Range Officer and a Champion. Very well put together guns.

 

[rockquarry]

I'm not up on all this, but am curious. My only Springfield Armory 1911A1 is marked Geneseo, IL USA. I bought it new in April, 1992 from CDNN. I've never heard of "IMBEL". Where was my gun made?

 

[AJ]

I'm not up on all this, but am curious. My only Springfield Armory 1911A1 is marked Geneseo, IL USA. I bought it new in April, 1992 from CDNN. I've never heard of "IMBEL". Where was my gun made?

Don't worry about it. The Springfield's are good guns, no matter where the frame is made.

 

[OLDSTER]

In the late 1980's to the early 1990's the Norinco's were much sought after. The folks shooting IPSC were looking for them to build into comp guns for match shooting. Very, very good guns!

I've owned several Norinco custom builds for Bulls-Eye. Kings did the work and said the Norinco was one of their favorite platforms. Unfortunately the import years were less than a decade, due to the Clinton era ban on certain imported small arms. I've always felt lucky that I hung onto this early import which is a real shooter, and very well built

 

[4barrel]

I used an old Essex frame to get this one going.

 

[AJ]

I've owned several Norinco custom builds for Bulls-Eye. Kings did the work and said the Norinco was one of their platforms. Unfortunately the import years were less than a decade, due to the Clinton era ban on certain imported small arms. I've always felt lucky that I hung onto this early import which is a real shooter, and very well built

A friend of mine just picked up a NIB Norinco. He is thinking of changing it over to a .40 cal.