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11/16/2019 4:12:23 PM

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Section 8: Handguns
Subject: Springfield Mil-Spec .45 Msg# 1060957

From:

TJ Parmele

Joined 6/1/2005

To:

Mark Freburg (Read) Forum Manager

Joined 4/3/2000

Okay, it's a dozen years later. Can I assume this one has gone by the wayside? Wink It's just that I have one of these, too. (see bottom for mine--ours are twins.) I acquired it in a multi-gun trade with a gun shop in Delaware, Ohio, and it was in as-new condition. I haven't fired it much because it is one of those pistols that does everything well but isn't the one I'd grab for any specific purpose--the "curse" of owning a crap-ton of 1911s, I suppose. BigGrin But I really like it and wouldn't hesitate to carry it if my primary carry gun were to go down--or be confiscated.

Yeah, it's long gone. I forget for what I traded for it. I think it was a Blackhawk Convertible in .357 to 9MM. I think this was my 2nd 1911, with the first being the Systema 1927 that was very well worn.

The Springfield Mil-Spec was just one of those near perfect 1911s that just are not made anymore. (ETA: Springfield does offer a stainless Mil-spec. That's practical if not very mil-spec-y. See very bottom of message for Springfield's photo.) High sights one can see--though the white dots are too small the sights themselves are big. (Mine were yellowish; I touched them up with Testor's white enamel model paint, the ultimate white dot repair paint). No useless doo-dads, you must be manly and not a bleeder as there is no beavertail. No extended safety lock for those of you who can't find a standard commercial size safety with your thumb. Nothing bilateral--lefties adapt--haven't we been doing that forever? I learned to shoot right-handed, myself. Wink This is just the perfect basic 1911 pistol.

I think the Remington R1 continues this tradition and has some useable sights as well. Not exactly a bad gun to have. I picked my R1 up used and it's a pretty handy 1911 that has some of the more useful features (useable sights) and no beavertail.

For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where:
Okay, it's a dozen years later. Can I assume this one has gone by the wayside? Wink

It's just that I have one of these, too. (see bottom for mine--ours are twins.) I acquired it in a multi-gun trade with a gun shop in Delaware, Ohio, and it was in as-new condition. I haven't fired it much because it is one of those pistols that does everything well but isn't the one I'd grab for any specific purpose--the "curse" of owning a crap-ton of 1911s, I suppose. BigGrin

But I really like it and wouldn't hesitate to carry it if my primary carry gun were to go down--or be confiscated.

The Springfield Mil-Spec was just one of those near perfect 1911s that just are not made anymore. (ETA: Springfield does offer a stainless Mil-spec. That's practical if not very mil-spec-y. See very bottom of message for Springfield's photo.) High sights one can see--though the white dots are too small the sights themselves are big. (Mine were yellowish; I touched them up with Testor's white enamel model paint, the ultimate white dot repair paint). No useless doo-dads, you must be manly and not a bleeder as there is no beavertail. No extended safety lock for those of you who can't find a standard commercial size safety with your thumb. Nothing bilateral--lefties adapt--haven't we been doing that forever? I learned to shoot right-handed, myself. Wink This is just the perfect basic 1911 pistol.

Image below from TJ Parmele - Image Title: photos
Image Info: This is my recently acquired Springfield Mil-Spec 1911A1 in .45ACP/

And now:

Image below from Mark Freburg - Image Title: Springfield Milspec
Image Info: My Parkerized Springfield Milspec acquired used. I have other Governmment Models with "better" sights and more custom touches but I just love a bare bones GM. This model differs from Springfield's GI45 in having a lowered ejection port, being throated and polished in order to handle a variety of ammo types, and having high visibility sights. This pistol is truly all anyone needs in a pistol of this type.

Image below from Mark Freburg - Image Title: Stainles Milspec
Image Info: Springfield Armory's current Milspec model, circa 2019. What has changed is the former Parkerized carbon steel construction, as the pistol is now made of stainless steel. It is a bit odd for a "milspect model," but let's be honest, few of today's milspec or "GI" models are truly very military spec, and Springfield's is no different, with the Colt-style commercial safety lock being one obvious change from milspec, the high sights another, the lowered ejection port yet another, the throating for hollowpoints, etc. etc. What we really have is a truly excellent commercial 1911 without the less important bells and whistles that today's 1911 users somehow think they can't live without. Suck it up you nancy boys and girls. This is a real man's and real woman's 1911. It's just, er, stainless. So you can watch your Hallmark movies instead of cleaning your pistol as often.

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