Springfield Armory GI Mil-Spec

[areet]

I've seen it at academy for $420 and was wondering was this a good base-gun to start with? I might add it into the line-up for CCW, but not if it's going to have alot of problems (not assuming that it will, but I keep hearing vague references). What are some _must have_ upgrades for them? Also, are there any large 1911 websites like lonewolfdist.com or topglock.com for 1911 parts/upgrades/accessories?

[TedG]

It's the best bang for the buck platform out there.
Here's mine.

[areet]

Any issues with FTF or FTE on the gun? I might just go tommorow and pick one up.

[ralphie98]

Also, are there any large 1911 websites like lonewolfdist.com or topglock.com for 1911 parts/upgrades/accessories? ah yes, looking to customize before you even buy your new toy. I'll bet you cover your food with salt and pepper before you take that first bite huh? ;) Just Kiddin...
www.midwayusa.com is what you seek for your 1911 needs

[areet]

Originally posted by ralphie98
ah yes, looking to customize before you even buy your new toy. I'll bet you cover your food with salt and pepper before you take that first bite huh? ;) Just Kiddin...
www.midwayusa.com is what you seek for your 1911 needs

How'd ya know about the salt and pepper thing? I've caught flack for that all my life ;f ;f

Thanks for the link, I appreciate it :cool:

[quantico]

Originally posted by areet
Is this a good base-gun to start with?


What are some _must have_ upgrades for them?

Also, are there any large 1911 websites for 1911 parts/upgrades/accessories?

It is an excellent base gun to start with.... I often recommend the mil-spec model / loaded series .... as the sights are much better and the beavertail helps keep your hand out of the moving parts.. The GI guns tend to work very well.... and have excellent service .

Must have upgrades : well many guns are just shot as they came from the government almost a hundred years ago... I feel that a trigger job / beavertail grip safety / and upgraded fixed sights are necessary on my 1911's...

Brownells has a lot of parts for service / repair / upgrades and cosmetic changes inc grips...

www.brownells.com

[Wolfgang]

Originally posted by areet
Any issues with FTF or FTE on the gun? I might just go tommorow and pick one up.


At first, you "might" have some issues with failing to return to battery due to the parkerizing on the slide/rails. You may not, but don't be surprised if you do, and it will go away.

You can shoot 500 rounds and the problem should disappear.

or

You can make a slurry putting it on the rails, putting on the slide, (no recoil spring) and work it back and forth 100 times.

Nice gun, enjoy.

[larry starling]

Yes, I owned one and it was a excellent shooter and very accuarate. Hate I sold it......;f

[halfmoonclip]

The guys I shoot with all have one.
While no mods are really necessary, I have made a few changes to mine.
All three guns were giving some extraction problems, which required 'adjusting' the extractor. That means 'bending it a little'; good instructions are available to do this if it proves an issue on yours. Not a single bobble since.
The recoil spring seemed a little mild on our guns; I replaced mine with a GI one.
Finally, I put on some genuine sixty year old GI grips.
Sights are small, but the gun shoots to them. Trigger is a little heavy, but very crisp. GI mags work just fine, tho' I only shoot ball and RNL.
You won't regret the purchase; good luck.
Moon

[Kentuckian]

I replaced the bushing on mine, and also added a FLGR.

The bushing swap knocked a couple inches off the grouping at 25 yards, and the FLGR smoothed out the cycling.

Other than that, I like it as is.

[MrMurphy]

Only things I'd do:

Better sights.
Beavertail with memory bump grip safety.

Commander type hammer if no beavertail.
Larger thumb safety.

[Cheezeit9]

When you're talking about the GI Mil-Spec...do you mean the on that is the OD G.I. 45 or the Parkerized Mil-Spec?

[Baba Louie]

OD or Parkerized have little to do with it, really.
Stainless, Park, OD = GI.
Park, Stainless or Nickel = Mil-Spec

GI Model
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-GI.shtml

Mil-Spec
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-ms.shtml

The GI version is sorta close to the WWII issue model...
The Mil-Spec is kinda like a newer Gov't model...

[Cheezeit9]

That's what I was meaning, that they were two different guns. The GI and the Mil-Spec. People call the G.I. the "G.I. Mil-Spec" but on the website it is not a mil-spec. So are whoever it was, were you saying that the G.I. .45 or the Mil-Spec was a good starter 1911?

[scot818]

What about the hi-cap Mil-Spec? Has anyone tried upgrades for it. I've looked at them and thought I would like one with a few changes: extended safety, trigger job, hammer, night sights, beavertail safety... I guess it would be too much to ask that parts for a single stack gun are compatible with a double stacked one.

As my budget permits.

Thanks for the info.