S&W or Springfield

[AR-G23]

I pretty much have my search narrowed down to this (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14721&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15709&isFirearm=Y) Smith & Wesson or this (http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistols/PX9109LLarge.jpg) Springfield. One dealer has the S&W for $680 and the SA for $660. Another dealer has the S&W for $729 and the SA for $700. The cheaper dealer would require two trips, one to order and put $100 down, the other to pick it up, total travel 225 miles. The SA would be on back order at either place, they don't know when they would get it.

So, my questions to you guys are "Do these prices seem about right" and "Which one should I get?" Any other good 1911's in that price range I should consider? As soon as they are available, I could get a Taurus PT1911 for $450. Do you think they would be worth waiting on to try out? This (http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/pt_080505/index.html) article seems to think so.

[OUSooner]

Those prices seem to be in the ball park. I think your on the right track with sticking with SA or SW. I would avoid an all new model for now in the Taurus. I would lean towards the Springfield personally because of the internal extractor and 70 series system.

[aglocker1911]

Although Springers are excellant 1911s, I must say Smith makes one of the few external extractor govt. models I would trust, and that basic blue model without front cocking serrations is sure sweet looking. But as for me, I'm holding out for that new one they just announced, a 1911 PD Tactical rail. A 5" scandium framed lightweight 1911 with a rail on it. I've been waiting for someone to make one of these for years!;a

[M1Garand]

+ 1 on Springfield. Though, S&W makes excellent handguns, both revolvers and autos, including 1911. Overall, SA has better (and longer) track record and reputation for 1911.

[jsanti13]

S&W 1911

Best deal out there at that price range.


~woohoo~

[Solit Hit]

Originally posted by jsanti13
S&W 1911

Best deal out there at that price range.

+1 and I own both (as well as other 1911's). I've got over 5,000 rounds through my DK without a problem.

[Skpotamus]

Springfield wise I've owned a Loaded and a Milspec. The milspec ran well after about 500 rounds. The Loaded ran well once I got about 500 round through her and replaced the extractor, as well as polished the feedramp until it doubled as a mirror.

I currently own a S&W 1911Pd Commander, and a Full sized without those front cocking serrations. Both guns have run 100% and are far more accurate than I am.

I personally recommend the S&W, but the Springfields are good guns too. I've just yet to hear of any real problems with the S&W's, while I've experienced problems with the Springfields.

[AR-G23]

Well, that makes it 4 to 2 in favor of the S&W. Anyone else have any thoughts/recommendations?

[das028]

1911's are supposed to be American made, so go for the S&W!

[ShipWreck]

I would stick w/ a steel framed gun, whichever you get. Don't buy an aluminum framed 1911.

Next year I may get one, and I am in the same decision boat you are. The only neg is that it seems that the coating/bead blasting/whatever it is on the stainless S&Ws isn't as durable as I would like. I've seen many at gun shows already scratched up. That being said, I think you are more likely to get one w/o a problem w/ the S&W.

[Solit Hit]

Originally posted by ShipWreck
The only neg is that it seems that the coating/bead blasting/whatever it is on the stainless S&Ws isn't as durable as I would like.
A stainless gun does not have a coating. If it's beadblasted to give it a different look that's still not a coating. Any scratches you may see on a used gun will be by roughing the gun up. I shoot my Smith DK in competition and it's come out of my holster a LOT over the past 5 months that I've owned it and the only marks are from wear from going in and out of my kydex hoster. The frame is still like new; it's just the slide that shows wear. As I mentioned in other posts, that's after over 5,000 rounds.

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by Solit Hit
A stainless gun does not have a coating. If it's beadblasted to give it a different look that's still not a coating. Any scratches you may see on a used gun will be by roughing the gun up. I shoot my Smith DK in competition and it's come out of my holster a LOT over the past 5 months that I've owned it and the only marks are from ware from going in and out of my kydex hoster. The frame is still like new; it's just the slide that shows ware. As I mentioned in other posts, that's after over 5,000 rounds.

Well, the base stainless model seems to mark up very quick. The upper end models might be finished slightly different.

[Jim Watson]

To shoot as-is, the Smith is nicer made.

If you want something to have customized, Springfield is closer to real 1911 design and the gunsmith would not have to work around S&W's proprietary extractor and firing pin interference device.

[freepatriot]

You could get a Colt for those prices ^<wg

[das028]

Originally posted by scottauld
You could get a Colt for those prices ^<wg

Thats what I would do.

[freepatriot]

Originally posted by das028
Thats what I would do.

I ordered one last week. :cool:

[JJH]

My choice would be a Colt XSE.

[rgregoryb]

S&W 1911's are the best on the mass produced market today.
Their customer service is absolutely fantastic!

I have owned Colt, Kimber, Springfield and my 2 S&W's have been 100% out of the box (can't say that about the others) Break period in for a new $700 + gun? you've got to be kidding S&W's are the glocks of 1911's


:soap:

[ShipWreck]

Originally posted by rgregoryb
S&W 1911's are the best on the mass produced market today.
Their customer service is absolutely fantastic!

I have owned Colt, Kimber, Springfield and my 2 S&W's have been 100% out of the box (can't say that about the others) Break period in for a new $700 + gun? you've got to be kidding S&W's are the glocks of 1911's


:soap:

I was gonna buy a Ruger 345 for $388. I'm wondering if I should just save up another few months and get a 1911. I will eventually get the Ruger anyway. But...

Guns on my list:

-Some form of 1911 (REALLY want TRP Operator, but that is $1000+
-Ruger 345
-Sig 232 stainless
-Beretta 85
-Maybe a CZ

[kraigster414]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/smith1911novaktrits003.jpg

Smith and Wesson 1911sc Commander! Love mine. IMHO the VERY best of the out of the box 1911s currently available. And that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! :)

[Dimmak]

Kraigster, those are great looking grips....

Wher'd you get?

[sheepdog]

Hey, kraigster, every notice that every time you post that pic you get.........Kraigster, those are great looking grips....wher'd you get? ;)
All I can say is....
I GOT MINE! Dimmak, I can't find the info but kraigster is probably able to tell you from memory the Gary Atkin (?)guy's full addy, etc.
Now I wish my Champ would come back from Geneseo (and work) so I could put them on........

[SW_1911]

I have 2 S&W's and 2 SA's. I'd give the edge to the Smith. I paid $599 NIB each for the full size and the scandium commander size on Gunbroker.

[Snotty]

I have a springfield armory loaded model 1911. I like it quite a bit. I cannot say anything about the Smiths. Never fired one. The only 2 complaints I've had about my springer is that the trigger is a bit rough, but I've found that to be true of every centerfire semi-auto that I own. So I'd factor in a trigger job in teh price (of either). The other complaint about my springer, the barrel is not a match grade barrel. The website said the loaded models came with a match grade barrel, but mine does not have one. Mine is a loaded model, but it's not the next step up loaded model. I'm pretty sure at those prices you are getting about the same level of gun that I have. Your's probably won't have the match grade barrel either. Otherwise, the gun is awesome. The slide to frame fit is extremely tight. The barrel is really well locked in place. The gun feels good. It shoots very accurately, but I still want the match grade barrel. My gunsmith will get to that next week. Oh, the Novak sights are nice to, but you might want to consider a replacement night sight for the front sight. I'm getting older and it's starting to become harder and harder to see that front sight. Scary. That's another thing my gunsmith will be working on next week.

Snotty

[smith10]

My vote is for S&W also.

[J.P.]

What defines "match grade"?

[Jim Watson]

These days, usually the advertising agency. You are not going to see many mass produced pistols on the (bullseye) firing line.