Trying to decide between Smith or Springfield 1911

[comiskeybum]

Hey guys. So I'm trying to decide on my first, and likely only, 1911 purchase. I used to work at a gun store so I had the advantage of seeing both physically. I have been away from firearm sales for a year now.

My first loyalty and fondness are to Smith and Wesson. And of course, I realize this is a Smith forum.

My two choices are

1911 Range Officer(R) Elite Operator(R) .45ACP - Springfield Armory which can be found for a real-world price of $1,053.96 including taxes.

and

SW1911TA E-Series™ Tactical Accessory Rail | Smith & Wesson which can be had real-world $1,248.05 with taxes which is obviously more expensive.

I thought about the performance center one as well but that would be another jump in price.

I own guns from both companies and have yet to be let down by either.

 

[CDR_Glock]

Hey guys. So I'm trying to decide on my first, and likely only, 1911 purchase. I used to work at a gun store so I had the advantage of seeing both physically. I have been away from firearm sales for a year now.



My first loyalty and fondness are to Smith and Wesson. And of course, I realize this is a Smith forum.



My two choices are



1911 Range Officer(R) Elite Operator(R) .45ACP - Springfield Armory which can be found for a real-world price of $1,053.96 including taxes.



and



SW1911TA E-Series[emoji769] Tactical Accessory Rail | Smith & Wesson which can be had real-world $1,248.05 with taxes which is obviously more expensive.



I thought about the performance center one as well but that would be another jump in price.



I own guns from both companies and have yet to be let down by either.

I'd pick the S&W for capacity and night sights.

I do like G10 grips, too,


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[M29since14]

The 1911 TA is very nice. I'm not wild about having a rail but otherwise the gun is just about perfect, IMO. Just tune the trigger to suit, if necessary, and you've got about everything you need, ready to go!

 

[Kanewpadle]

Either should be fine. Personally I would buy a Dan Wesson. Best production 1911 made.

 

[Rudi]

What do you want to use it for?

 

[comiskeybum]

What do you want to use it for?

Home defense and range shooting.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Springfield...

 

[dmar]

Between those two, I'd go E Series all the way, very nice gun. For that money, if I was buying, I'd locate a Colt Wiley Clapp...

 

[Ribwizzard]

I spent the day looking and deciding on what 1911 to introduce to my collection.
I did really like the S&w best out of the non colt makes.
But due to an injury a couple years ago to my bird finger, the undercut trigger guard on the Colts just sealed the deal for me. I just at 10pm ordered a series 70 government competition from G.O.G. for total price of $852.00.

 

[Rudi]

If you can't get a Colt, I'd say get the Springfield.

 

[F75gunslinger]

I'd suggest taking a look at the Sig Sauer 1911 variants as well. They offer a classic design as well as some with rails. I have a Sig 1911 Classic 2 tone reversed stainless model and couldn't be happier.

 

[Dogbone44Spl]

Springfield.

 

[GRT3031]

I would say go with a S&W. I've owned a few SA 1911's, and the plunger tubes tend to work loose, and the extractors always need replacing too soon.

 

[Wise_A]

I'd pick the S&W for capacity and night sights.

I do like G10 grips, too,


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

There's really no difference. The S&W just ships with 8-round magazines. You can--and should--buy 8-rounders from CMC or Wilson.

Between the two...hmm, $200 difference, you say? Let's see what that gets you:

--two 8-round magazines ($72)
--Tritium sights ($100 + installation)
--checkered frontstrap (buncha money)

So the value is there for the S&W.

Straight-money, I'd go with a "basic" 1911, like a SA Mil-Spec. Send the slide out for a Tritium sight installation, get 3-4 8-round PowerMags or Wilson 47-Ds, spend the rest on ammunition. But then again, I don't care a ton about a railed dustcover.

 

[CH4]

Either should be fine. Personally I would buy a Dan Wesson. Best production 1911 made.

^^^^^^^^^
This

I own many 1911s ranging in price from $500 to $5000. To my mind the best value for a non-entry level 1911 is Dan Wesson - I own 4 or 5 and will buy more. That said, between the 2 you mention I'd go with the Springfield only because the Smith has an external extractor - traditionally 1911s have an internal extractor. I like external extractors, just not on 1911s.

 

[one eye joe]

I ACTUALLY WOULD NOT BUY EITHER OF THE TWO, THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING. I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING AND CARRYING COLT 1911s EXCLUSIVELY, SINCE THE EARLY 1960s. IMHO, ANYTHING ELSE IS AN IMITATION, REGARDLESS THE COST......

I CONSIDER THE '70s SERIES, GOLD CUP NATIONAL MATCH TO BE THE FINEST ITERATION OF THE MODEL. I CARRIED ONE FED BY 3 CHIP McCORMICK, 10 ROUND "SHOOTING STAR" MAGAZINES, FOR MANY YEARS.....

I ALSO CARRIED AN '80 SERIES, GOLD CUP , NATIONAL MATCH IN STAINLESS STEEL. IT WAS ENHANCED WITH CUSTOM PARTS BY WILSON COMBAT, AND SOME WORK BY A HIGHLY REGARDED GUNSMITH WHO SPECIALIZES IN BUILDING 1911s FOR COMPETITION......

I SOMETIMES CARRIED THE SMALLER OFFICERS MODEL AS WELL, IF THE SITUATION DICTATED......

 

[stansdds]

Ruger. A great value and their 1911 frames are cast with an integral plunger tube, so it will never loosen nor fall off.

 

[grinner]

I'd suggest taking a look at the Sig Sauer 1911 variants as well. They offer a classic design as well as some with rails. I have a Sig 1911 Classic 2 tone reversed stainless model and couldn't be happier.

+1 on this. I was in the market for a 1911 a couple of months ago, and was considering the Springfield and S&W models when the salesman mentioned he could give me a better deal on a SIG because they don't move the SIG 1911's very fast.

I walked out with the SIG and about $250 more than if I'd purchased the others. It's a great shooter and I've had zero problems with it.

 

[double-dipper]

I have owned a S&W 1911 with the external extractor for about ten years now and it's never failed me once. (well over 5,000 rounds) I also own a Remington R1S internal extractor it's never failed me ether. (about 2,000 rounds) Both are clones of the Colt 80 series. I believe the Ruger is still a clone of the Colt 70 series. You will not go wrong with ether one you choose IMO.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

My comments are in addition to the previous comments in response to the OP's post.

While I do own several Smith and Wesson 1911s, I don't have an "E-Series" model. Whenever I am about to buy a new firearm (new model for me) I search the Internet for several reviews just to be sure that I have not missed anything really important. This one is pretty good:

Shooting Illustrated | Smith & Wesson E-Series 1911s

In my situation I always need to have an adjustable rear sight (no more "Kentucky windage" for me). The front sight is fine. I am not sure about this, but I noticed that the S&W 1911 frame is scandium, and the slide is stainless steel. This dissimilar material situation may not be an actual problem, but I am cautious in these situations.

I have several Springfield Armory 1911s and with the exception of one stainless steel model (caused by galling), every SA 1911 has performed flawlessly. In fact, I also have a high-end, Performance Center, SA 1911 that was designed and delivered for the FBI HRT teams. All of my SA 1911s are "tack drivers"! Therefore, if the groups in my targets aren't tight, it's the "nut" pulling the trigger!

The SA model that the OP is considering is the new Springfield Armory 1911 "Elite" product line. I just purchased a SA 1911 "Elite" Target (Model PI9128E). Haven't taken it to the range yet, but I'm working on it.

I'm not impressed with the SA 1911 "Black-T" finish, but others may really like it. The thin line G-10 grips did not impress me either. I ordered new screws and studs from Brownell's and the regular "Crossed Cannon" grips from Springfield Armory.

While most of us are familiar with the Smith and Wesson Customer Service department, not as many members may be familiar with Customer Service at Springfield Armory. They are also outstanding and professional! I always call if I have a question or concern, or technical issue. I have never had a bad experience in almost eight years. They always stand behind their firearms.

Bill