If I Just Got Shots in One Boot Camp and Go to Another Soon Do I Need to Get Those Shots Again

I used to be a 1911 hater, but those days are long gone. Much like a young cigar aficionado who can't appreciate an expensive Davidoff, I merely didn't understand why 1911 handguns were so popular. Now I bear a Wilson Combat 1911 and haven't looked back. Just there'southward something to exist said for the original, the 1911A1, and for those looking to own a modern manufactured version of that celebrated handgun, Springfield offers their 1911A1 GI model that tin be bought for less than the price of a GLOCK 19. Simply even at that cost, is it worth the money? . . .

The Springfield 1911A1 Mil-Spec would, one would think, be a directly reproduction of the iconic 1911A1 handgun as issued to the troops. Merely you'd be incorrect. There are a number of things that keep it from being identical to the M1911A1 handgun of WWII (and earlier) fame.

2 of the changes that separate the M1911 and M1911A1 are a shorter hammer spur and the elimination of the "double diamond" design in the grips, but both features are present in Springfield's 1911A1 handgun. Springfield has even gone further, adding their logo into the cocobolo woods grips and emblazoning it on the side of the gun. Not that I'thousand complaining — I remember it looks groovy — just purists will notice the difference.

Other differences are on the slide. On the original M1911A1 the serrations were vertical at a ninety degree bending from the slide, only on the 1911A1 they're tilted slightly forward. And on the ejection port there'south a relief cutting to allow for better ejection of the spent casings that didn't be in 1942. These are features that are common to the newer Springfield handguns, such as the TRP and the Range Officer, so it makes sense from a manufacturing indicate of view to re-use the aforementioned slides from those guns on this model too, but it's non historically accurate. I know nosotros're nit-picking hither, but in a world where gun companies proclaim the release of a "new gun" for more small changes information technology makes a deviation.

At the muzzle end of the gun at that place'south another difference, but this time more minor: the barrel and butt bushing are a shiny stainless steel instead of the customary blued steel. I don't actually have a trouble with information technology, I only wanted an alibi to slide that picture in the review.

I thing that doesn't differ from the original is the finish: the gun is parkerized, and it feels most equally if the gun is covered in a soft velvet coating. In that location are some parkerizations that pretty much suck, but this one doesn't. Just holding it in your hands feels really, really prissy.

On the range, the gun runs well. No matter what yous feed it, be it brand new Winchester armament or remanufactured Freedom Munitions rounds, the gun keeps shooting. The gun'southward ability to part under adverse conditions is ane of the reasons that information technology's notwithstanding in service today, and then I wouldn't expect annihilation less.

What's actually surprising is that for a gun this cheap is that the trigger is damn well-nigh perfect — if a bit heavy. The interruption is every bit crisp and clean as an Irish jump morning (or at to the lowest degree what my soap leads me to believe an Irish spring forenoon would be like) with no creep and no scroll whatsoever. There'south about a quarter inch of prepping to practise where there'southward practically no resistance and a glace smooth feel, and so an 8th of an inch of overtravel. The reset is short and and so y'all're back in business. The just complaint I have is that the trigger feels very heavy to me, but then over again I'one thousand used to dangerously light competition triggers. Notwithstanding, even with the WWII way sights, the gun is expressionless-basics accurate.

I take total responsibility for the fliers loftier and left, but take those away and y'all however take a ane-inch 5 circular grouping from xv yards. Considering the bullets themselves are about a one-half an inch broad that's very impressive from a relatively inexpensive handgun.

At this point, the review has been all smiles and unicorns. But in that location'due south a problem with the gun.

Every other handgun Springfield makes comes with a beavertail grip safety, and there's a damn expert reason: the A1 grip safety hurts. Information technology'southward way too short, and for those of us with big hands it puts nearly all of the force from the recoil of the gun into a very modest space on the webbing of your paw. Past the end of the first 50 rounds I looked downwards and my mitt was visibly bleeding thanks to the grip safety. While I understand that for this to be a "true" 1911A1 information technology needed a thin grip safety, merely with Springfield changing so many other details on this gun I feel like this one has been overlooked. Then again, it'southward a brilliant strategy if their goal is to get people to realize how crappy the original grip safety is and upgrade to a "Loaded" or TRP model.

Nevertheless, despite the problems with my hand the gun is legitimately fun to shoot. It's accurate, it has a good trigger, and near importantly it runs. The best part might be that for a mere $lxx you can order a replacement beavertail grip safety and smaller hammer from Wilson Combat and brand the gun a lot more enjoyable to shoot. But fifty-fifty as-is, it's not half bad. And especially given the price, information technology'southward not a bad choice for new shooters either.

But if yous're looking to buy this gun with an eye to upgrade it after sentry out, because the slide is going to be an issue. The sights on the gun are the old WWII-era sights, significant that the front sight is permanently embedded in the slide and the notch for the rear sight won't give you many options. You can take it to a gunsmith and have them mill yous a Novak cut to utilize some of the higher end sights, but that's going to take some coin and depending on the skill of your gunsmith it might not come out correct. Tyler'southward friend recently ran into that issue when he sent a 1911 in for some new sights and they came back slanted. I'thou not saying information technology's not possible, only to be aware and be careful.

The real question is whether it's worth the money, and that depends. If you take your eye assail a 1911 handgun, then this might be a good entry level buy that you tin can add together those parts I mentioned and get in into a great shooter. If you're looking for a contest handgun, so the money and time yous'll spend on modifications solitary might brand information technology a better idea to purchase a Range Officer or something like. And if you're only looking for a home defence gun in .45ACP then I remind you that a Glock 21 is merely $200 more than, holds three more than rounds, and comes with an accessory rail built into the gun. In brusk it all boils downward to preference. For some people the 1911 is but too pretty to refuse.

Springfield 1911-A1 Mil-Spec

Specifications:

Caliber: .45ACP
Butt: 5 inches
Overall: 8.5 Inches
Weight: 39 oz
Trigger: Unmarried stage
Chapters:7+1
MSRP: $700

Ratings (Out of Five Stars):
All ratings are relative compared to the other weapons in the gun's category.

Accurateness: * * * * *
For a gun this inexpensive, it was pretty damn good.

Ergonomics: * * *
The gun feels soft and smooth, until you lot try to grip it. And then the grip condom digs into your hand and things start going incorrect.

Ergonomics Firing: * * *
Recoil is damn well-nigh pleasant, only OH GOD THE GRIP Condom!

Customization: * * * * *
The 1911 is i of the most heavily customized firearms in beingness. There's no doubt that you can pimp this thing out however yous want, and it'll be pretty inexpensive to do information technology.

Overall Rating: * * * *
For the money, it's a practiced gun. With a little piece of work it would be a neat gun. The merely reason I dropped a star is because RIA has a similar offer at a cheaper price, but the quality divergence between the two is obvious.

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Source: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-springfield-mil-spec-1911a1/

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