[Janq]

Roughly 3 weeks ago after a normal training day I went home and during a break down to check my everyday carry Springfield Armory 1911 'Lightweight Compact' .45 ACP (Model # PX9503L) I discovered that the rear most post on the ejector had sheared flush to the frame. The gun fired fine and I have no idea when it actually broke but it was broken and there after I took her offline and out of rotation for use.
A few weeks of procrastination later I sent her back for repairs. That was two Saturdays ago.

FFWD to this morning I get a call from SA.

As it turns out they tried to repair it by drilling out the old post but the result of doing so made it so that the frame is no longer usable.
They are going to repair it by replacing it outright. Only problem is that this model was discontinued like 3 yrs. ago.
I _REALLLLLY_ liked this gun, alot. It was my overall favorite to shoot and by far my preferred carry and go to gun.

So upon conversation with SA my option is to choose any variant of the following SA model 1911s:

* 'GI .45'
* 'Mil-Spec'
* 'Loaded'
* 'Operator'
* 'EMP'
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?clicktype=1911

This is a 1:1 swap with no additional cost to me.
Frankly I'm not up on the current most latest offerings of SA as I just haven't paid attention as I'd had no intent to pickup another 1911. I mean I'd already had three including my now old SA, which BTW they will not return to me and the new will be a replacement against my old serial number with paperwork to satisfy legal concerns.

I'm familiar with the TRP and the GI. 45 (but that's about it.
The contact from SA indicated that the GA and the Mil-Spec are both downgrades/below my old model and she figured I'd not be interested in either of those two. Upon review of those she is correct.
BTW I can also upgrade as well to a TRP at an additional cost of ~ $500.

I'm not sure where to go from here...

This new gun would have to be a replacement for my old and it would be an EDC duty weapon. I'd prefer a Commander sized 4" barrel replacement as the previous was and I'd prefer it to be lighter in weight allowing for all day carry as my old was an aluminum frame with steel slide and had Novak night sights.

For relative comparison below is a pic and link toward review of my old SA which was in my hands dead on accurate and up to now had for years simply been reliable.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/sa_compact.htm

Currently I have a Sig 'GSR' 1911 (now a Gen I frame, II slide, and III parts hybrid) and a Colt 'Defender', to which the GSRis largely a range gun for bullseye shooting as it's otherwise too heavy to EDC while the Defender I now EDC although it's not optimal having it's original iron sights (soon to be swapped out for XS 'Big Dot' sights).

Kudos to SA for their awesome warranty and stand behind their product policy to satisfy their customer, period.

Thank you ahead of time for your help, advice, and suggestions.

- Janq

 

[Pre-diddy]

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=32

This appears to be closest to what you had, and seems like a nice gun. However I don't have any experience in this area. As a matter of personal taste, I perfer full-size 1911's, and would be looking at a trophy match or full-size Operator. But carry isn't really an option here in MD, so I probably have different qualities I find important in my guns.

 

[Janq]

FWIW I bought the SA used in '05 from it's original owner for $500.
It then was LNIB condition with an estimated 1K rds. through it. I went backward to my emails from then with the seller to confirm.
I've since probably put nearly 5 to 8K rounds on it over the last two years in .45 ACP and .22LR.
it's very well worn and frankly looked like hell from use and holstering. I didn't care though as the thing was so damn sweet otherwise. I'm sad that is has to go.

I can upgrade to a Trophy Match but I'd have to pay a differential.
I'm not interested in that though as it would effectively duplicate what I already have in the Sig 'GSR' which itself though not marketed as such is really a match grade/accuracy gun and not a combat arm suited well for EDC, which is how they marketed the originals that I have.

- Janq

 

[Adler]

Id say for with an EMP for a carry gun, or maybe a Loaded. It might also be nice to have a GI for the hell of it and a plinker, but as you said its a downgrade.

 

[Ducman]

Janq,

I would go with a loaded, sell it in MA for a premium and buy a S&W scandium 4"

or get the loaded in 9mm and I will take it off you hands

 

[mwink822]

I'd say the EMP for carry. It's been getting good reviews, and from the one that I handled, it's a fine little weapon, and very light weight. The only thing that I don't like about it is that it only comes chambered for 9mm.

 

[Janq]

I'm thinking just that Duc.

I'd like to have a 9mm 1911 but preferably in a 4" commander sizing, which of course SA does not make.
I'm thinking maybe a Loaded Full-Size 5" Stainless Target in 9mm
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=22

Cheap to train with and I could swap out the barrel for a .40 or .38 Super from BarSto; http://www.barsto.com/category_main.cfm?ID=SA&cco=62.
But then oddly their FAQ page states no such capability ios offered (?); http://www.barsto.com/FAQs.cfm?C1=8.

- Janq

 

[Ducman]

The 9mm/38 super slides are different from the .45, so you would need a new top end.

 

[Janq]

Ohh..ok got ya.

- Janq

 

[Janq]

No but Duc wait a minute.
What I mean is if I select the 9mm chambered 1911 and then from that pickup a BarSto barrel in .38 Super or possibly .40.
Not go from .45 to 9/38S/40 but from 9mm to 38S or 40.

Is that possible?

- Janq

 

[Ducman]

9 and 38 super use the same slide but different extractors. 40 uses a 45 slides

 

[jamz]

Have you looked into the Champion series? That's their 4" line.

Other than that, you could realize a huge profit for bringing a pretty rare gun legally into MA and selling it.

 

[brucelee]

I def like the mil-spec the most, thats just personal pref.

Really cool of SA to be so cool about it.


Sorry to hear it though. I'd be pissed if I couldn't get another Glock 21 if it broke.

 

[Ducman]

Get the loaded or operator, sell it, get a used Scandium 4" 1911 for carry and use the rest for that shotgun or AR there I solved all you problems

 

[Janq]

I've narrowed things down to three items of interest (to me) and market desirability in the event of resale...

* 1911A1 Loaded Champion Full Stainless - PX9142LP | MSRP $1011.00

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=20
http://www.galleryofguns.com/gunlocator/gunsearch/Product.asp?item_num=PX9142LP&other_page=true
Pros: Full stainless being highly resistant to environmental carry issues (e.g perspiration) and holster wear at the frame, at 34 oz. empty it's heavy which will greatly soak up felt recoil for quicker shot to shot transitions, and it has a normal 1911 profile which will fit my holsters and not require additional investment.
Cons: It's 8 oz. heavier than I'm used to (!), it's extremely flashy and light reflective which is a problem for concealed carry (e.g. accidental peeks & flashes of metal..where as black looks like clothing or jeans).

* 1911A1 Lightweight Champion - PX9115LP | MSRP $1033.00

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=32
http://www.galleryofguns.com/GunLoc...tweight+Champion')+ORDER+BY+manuf,+unk2,+unk3
Pros: It's BLACK. Black "Hardcoat" anodized aluminum frame and a black 'Armory Kote' forged steel slide. I also like that it's a bull barrel without a bushing which reduces weight and increases accuracy, when properly factory fitted. It has a fully supported ramp as well which is a nice touch though my old gun had same. It weighs 31oz. which for current SA offerings is as light as it gets in a 1911.
Cons: It's still 5oz. heavier than my old gun and it's got that damn light rail which means it will not fit any of my EDC holsters nor work well in my specialty Bandera 'Belster' belt holster.

* 1911A1 Loaded 9MM Combat Full Stainless- PX9130LP | $1037.00

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=23
http://www.galleryofguns.com/gunlocator/gunsearch/Product.asp?item_num=PX9130LP&other_page=true
Pros: It's a full size 9MM 1911 that by all reports is a factory tack driver excellent for IPSC or IDPA as well as street carry. It's by all reports combat/carry reliable, unlike many other 9MM 1911 variants. I've long wanted a 9MM or 38 Super 1911 but up to now have not had enough such desire to part with the money required for even a used Kimber 9MM 1911 with reliability. This is a unique opportunity to fill the gap and considering the price of ammo these days an opportunity to train on the cheap with the same manual of arms that I normally train with and carry. Also it being full forged stainless steel construction means it will likely last forever with a modicum of care.
Being a full size it comes with 9 round mags and with a 5" barrel it's muzzle velocity should net effectiveness rates with quality JHP combat loads equivalent to .45 ACP in so far as CCW & HD effectiveness, unlike 4" and less pop guns chambered in 9MM. It's just like any other 1911 meaning it will fit all of my various EDC holsters.
Cons: It's heavy. At 40oz. empty it weighs exactly the same as my Sig GSR, which is a big, bad and heavy mother of forged stainless steel. I never carry that thing all day as my hip begins to tire and it's just too darn big on my frame.

All three come standard with a Kydex OWB holster and dual mag carrier.
They all are relatively hard to find in the marketplace broadly and are pretty much non existant in MA which means their street value will remain high with the 9MM being highest for obvious reasons of rarity.
Yes I could upgrade to a TRP but for the dollar and attendant size & weight I just don't see the reason for as much when I have a GSR on hand which is one crazy accurate pistol (laser like even with WWB target ammo) and it weighs 2 ozs. less than the non-railed TRP 'Armory Kote' model (!). I'd skip the TRP and go straight to a 'Professional' for the money but then again I'd never spend $2K+ on a CCW intended sidearm. Hell I rarely carry the GSR for just said reason. It's largely a range queen.

I think my Defender will become my new primary CCW sidearm for now or atleast untill I invest in the S&W M&P40 that I've been longing after which in MA runs an affordable $480 and is in my hands nearly as accurate as my GSR, and that is saying something. Also if by worst case scenario I happen to have my $480 gun taken as 'evidence' (and subsequently melted down by the state, or by their agents 'lost') I'm not going to be too upset about it. Same cannot be said for a $1K+ street value sidearm.

So that's where I am at the moment.
I just want to get this over with and 'my gun' back in my possession before God knows what new crap ass 'consumer protection' law MA may decided to kick into effect next week. Seriously.

Input, ideas, feedback?

Thanks for all your help so far guys.

- Janq

 

[Janq]

Here are some better pics...

* 1911A1 Loaded Champion Full Stainless - PX9142LP | MSRP $1011.00

* 1911A1 Lightweight Champion - PX9115LP | MSRP $1033.00

* 1911A1 Loaded 9MM Combat Full Stainless- PX9130LP | $1037.00

Note: I'm thinking to get the 'Target' model instead as it's cheap & easy to swap out an adjustable target rear sight for something else but to do the reverse requires milling of the slide which is expen$ive. Also the Target models seem to be the rarest.

- Janq

 

[brucelee]

The 1911A1 Loaded 9MM Combat Full Stainless would be my choice, Janq... Though it is 9mm, the ammo will be cheaper by A LOT, and I just don't dig compact 1911's... They have to be full size for me to like them.

My opinion means nothing though, so just ignore me.


PS: Just sell everything and get a few Sig Mosquitos!

 

[Janq]

Actually I'd decided over dinner tonight that the 9MM is zee winnAr.

It's a bit pretty and flashy for my tastes and personal style, but it'll make for an interesting odd addition to the stable and prove to be an excellent trainer.
As well it'll be fun to run it in IDPA too. Also it seems to be an rare model SA that has a degree of desirability. It helps alot that 9MM ammo is so much cheaper than .45 these days.
I've decided though to go with the Target model instead of the Combat.

Tomorrow I'll call SA and submit an order.

- Janq

 

[brucelee]

Congrats man. I honestly wouldn't mind getting the same pistol (9mm version)... It's very classy.

 

[Pre-diddy]

Congrats on the choice.