Keeping an eye on what's necessary

As mentioned over at Tam's (as well as a mud test from a vid at Xavier's), the SA Mil-Spec is a great 1911, if you are in the market for an entry into 1911-type pistols, and don't want to sell vital parts of your anatomy.

The issue brought forth regarding forging versus casting (MIM also) is addressed in the Mil-Spec by using IMBEL sourced frames and slides (at least they are on my vintage). I bought mine about three years ago, and I've been very happy with it. Not that it matters much in the low pressure .45 ACP cartridge, but it is nice knowing that by being rather over-built for the chambering, it'll more than likely keep shooting for 2 or 3 generations before being rendered unservicable, so long as my progeny can keep throwing the odd extractor, barrel link and springs at it.

So, my opinion of the goods hasn't changed since my purchase. I think the steel forgings are pretty good, with the rest of the innards holding up well too, and the finish (parkerized) still looks good, with a few shiny spots from holster wear.

A good value.

A New Acquisition

So, anyone who regularly reads this space (the two of you know who you are) probably knows that I've been ruminating my next purchase.

Last night, I narrowed the field considerably. For about the last dozen years, I've owned, and still own for that matter, a number of .380, .32 and 9mm pistols. Recently, I've taken a liking to large frame/caliber revolvers and do have some but I've just had this itch for something in .45 ACP, and in a 1911 platform.

The reasons are plenty. Having shot DA 9's for so long you'd think I'd have gotten use to the traditional triggers of such and the disproportionately long travel and reset on these things, but I must admit to being aggravated by not being able to do quick transitions and doubles on targets. They just aren't setup to shoot quickly with pin-point accuracy. Most of this, I have come to the conclusion, is because of the levered trigger, typical to almost all DA's. The lockwork is just not setup for precise, short, coordinated movement at the fingertips. Precisely squeezing, using the whole forearm and fist wrapped around the damned Europellet-dispensing, double stack, double-action grip is too much to ask of my physiology when acquiring and neutralizing multiple moving targets. Call me slow on the uptake, but I think I've finally figured it out, I've always loved the ergonomics of the 1911, and I finally did something about that. Besides, having nothing in an autoloader in something bigger than 9mm had me questioning my patriotism, the .45 ACP is the benchmark from which all others shall be judged, right?

Meet my Springfield Armory Mil-Spec™.



The frame is marked as being manufactured by IMBEL of Brazil, for Springfield and their site confirms that the slide is as well. No bother, as I have full confidence in both IMBEL, who have a long history of making various firearms, and Springfield's quality. Good forgings, a parkerized finish and few frills was exactly what I was wanting in a basic 1911, and this is precisely what they deliver.

Its high spots, besides the obvious benefits of the .45/1911 platform, being the sights are a step up from the GI type, the mag well has a slight bevel and the ejection port is lowered and flared for better reliability (less stove-piping on ejection).

The negatives are the sights aren't Novak, the trigger, while crisp and fairly light, could still use some work, the slide release, being the "issue" type, is far too short (extended unit will need to be fitted in the future) and the thumb safety paddle is too small and requires a little too much force to disengage said safety. All of these items can be easily addressed with the flood of aftermarket parts available for it, so picking one that I like is really the only hard part. Suggestions of parts and manufacturers welcome.

Part II to follow with a range test, hopefully in the not too distant future.