Archived Posts » 59,821,464
So I am sizing up SA
3/7/2012 9:05:23 PM
so in order of quality/pricing
milspec
Loaded
range officer
operator
Trp
Is that correct?
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
milspec
Loaded
range officer
operator
Trp
Is that correct?
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
3/7/2012 10:59:15 PM
pretty much nailed it. there are some variations: trp operator, trp op w/full rail, trp w/bull barrel, mix/match after that.
prices can be all over the place, especially w/used but that's what's great about SA.
a consideration in case you find a deal on your dream trp but it comes w/a bull but you wanted a bushing: buy it then send it to SACS to have them install a nowlin match barrel w/bushing.
this only pertains to a used gun or if you are insanely wealthy!
prices can be all over the place, especially w/used but that's what's great about SA.
a consideration in case you find a deal on your dream trp but it comes w/a bull but you wanted a bushing: buy it then send it to SACS to have them install a nowlin match barrel w/bushing.
this only pertains to a used gun or if you are insanely wealthy!
3/7/2012 11:02:38 PM
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
so in order of quality/pricing
milspec
Loaded
range officer
operator
Trp
Is that correct?
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
It really isn't a matter of quality. Each of those are fine pistols. What matters is your intended purpose for the pistol. Since you haven't told us what you intend to use this pistol for, it will be exceedingly difficult for us to give you competent counsel on the matter.so in order of quality/pricing
milspec
Loaded
range officer
operator
Trp
Is that correct?
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
3/8/2012 7:33:37 AM
Also check out the sigs, for $900 you can get a decent gun, is this going to be a carry pistol, home defense, or plinking target gun...
3/8/2012 7:37:55 AM
Originally Posted By turb06le240:
Also check out the sigs, for $900 you can get a decent gun, is this going to be a carry pistol, home defense, or plinking target gun...
Also check out the sigs, for $900 you can get a decent gun, is this going to be a carry pistol, home defense, or plinking target gun...
Arnt the sig slides a little beefier than most 1911 slides? I remember people have hard time finding holsters for them
3/8/2012 7:59:32 AM
I believe that the Range Officer is supposed to be at the same quality level of the TRP, but without some of their features. Check out their website; it might be the best deal there is for a Springer, depending on just what you want.
I've got a Loaded, and I really like it. That said, I don't understand why SA can't flush mount a damned extractor on their Loaded models.
I've got a Loaded, and I really like it. That said, I don't understand why SA can't flush mount a damned extractor on their Loaded models.
3/8/2012 8:04:53 AM
Mil-Spec and a bunch of Loaded models here. I wish the front strap were checkered, but grip tape is very inexpensive versus a TRP. One day, I will get a railed model.
3/8/2012 8:20:43 AM
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
...
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
...
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
Buy your pistol with the features you want from the get go.
Changing things after the fact will end up costing you more in the long run
3/8/2012 8:28:50 AM
Originally Posted By VegasEgo:
Arnt the sig slides a little beefier than most 1911 slides? I remember people have hard time finding holsters for them
Originally Posted By turb06le240:
Also check out the sigs, for $900 you can get a decent gun, is this going to be a carry pistol, home defense, or plinking target gun...
Also check out the sigs, for $900 you can get a decent gun, is this going to be a carry pistol, home defense, or plinking target gun...
Arnt the sig slides a little beefier than most 1911 slides? I remember people have hard time finding holsters for them
They also make "traditional" 1911s which have a standard 1911 slide profile rather than the distinctive SIG profile.
3/8/2012 9:59:41 AM
Originally Posted By Hebrew_Battle_Rifle:
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
so in order of quality/pricing
milspec
Loaded
range officer
operator
Trp
Is that correct?
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
It really isn't a matter of quality. Each of those are fine pistols. What matters is your intended purpose for the pistol. Since you haven't told us what you intend to use this pistol for, it will be exceedingly difficult for us to give you competent counsel on the matter.
so in order of quality/pricing
milspec
Loaded
range officer
operator
Trp
Is that correct?
I have about $900 to spend on a 1911, and just trying to figure their hierarchy out
Strictly an admiration/nostalgia piece. I will not daily carry it..or use it for home defense. I will shoot the ever loving piss out of it though.
3/8/2012 10:44:57 AM
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
3/8/2012 10:54:33 AM
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Well that topic is debated. I will leave it at that
3/8/2012 12:04:21 PM
My "N" serial numbered Champion has always been 100% reliable. I bought a used GI model last year that's been 100% reliable, although it has the WORST trigger pull of any 1911 I've ever fired. It's got to be in the 8-9 lb. range. And that is after I got rid of that damn ILS mainspring housing.
3/8/2012 2:49:58 PM
ILS delete is high on my list as well.
3/8/2012 3:04:34 PM
Originally Posted By zaskar017:
Well that topic is debated. I will leave it at that
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Well that topic is debated. I will leave it at that
So you think an Imbel 1911 with a two-piece barrel is equal to a US Springfield with a Storm Lake barrel?
3/8/2012 4:23:03 PM
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
So you think an Imbel 1911 with a two-piece barrel is equal to a US Springfield with a Storm Lake barrel?
Originally Posted By zaskar017:
Well that topic is debated. I will leave it at that
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Well that topic is debated. I will leave it at that
So you think an Imbel 1911 with a two-piece barrel is equal to a US Springfield with a Storm Lake barrel?
I have no dog in this fight.
Barrels aside, there are debates back and forth on the quality of N and NM pistols.
3/8/2012 5:02:39 PM
Originally Posted By zaskar017:
I have no dog in this fight.
Barrels aside, there are debates back and forth on the quality of N and NM pistols.
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
So you think an Imbel 1911 with a two-piece barrel is equal to a US Springfield with a Storm Lake barrel?
Originally Posted By zaskar017:
Well that topic is debated. I will leave it at that
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Well that topic is debated. I will leave it at that
So you think an Imbel 1911 with a two-piece barrel is equal to a US Springfield with a Storm Lake barrel?
I have no dog in this fight.
Barrels aside, there are debates back and forth on the quality of N and NM pistols.
ok, so wait, which one is made in the USA.....TRP and operator? I just looked up pricing, I think they are outa miy price range anyways
3/8/2012 5:49:54 PM
Both should be all NM serial prefix are usa
3/8/2012 6:25:13 PM
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Ive read some dumb stuff one here, a lot of it is in jest. Please tell me youre pulling our collective leg? A NM prefix Loaded or MilSpec is not on par with a TRP. Hell even now you have to look over the NM Loadeds. I saw one at my local shop with the ejector sticking way out the slide. Which by the way was hanging off the front of the frame.
But if youre serious, well keep telling yourself that. I convinced myself Im good looking.
3/8/2012 8:41:17 PM
Originally Posted By beltfed74:
Ive read some dumb stuff one here, a lot of it is in jest. Please tell me youre pulling our collective leg? A NM prefix Loaded or MilSpec is not on par with a TRP. Hell even now you have to look over the NM Loadeds. I saw one at my local shop with the ejector sticking way out the slide. Which by the way was hanging off the front of the frame.
But if youre serious, well keep telling yourself that. I convinced myself Im good looking.
Originally Posted By eddiein1984:
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Quality wise, you should be more concerned about who finished/assembled it than what model it is. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an "N" serial number prefix are 100% Brazilian made, just like the GI model. Mil-specs and Loadeds with an NM prefix are fitted and finished in the US, with quality equal to the TRP and Range Officer. The Brazilian guns are serviceable, but for the same price you get a much nicer gun in an NM Springer, including a Storm Lake stainless barrel and fitted bushing.
Ive read some dumb stuff one here, a lot of it is in jest. Please tell me youre pulling our collective leg? A NM prefix Loaded or MilSpec is not on par with a TRP. Hell even now you have to look over the NM Loadeds. I saw one at my local shop with the ejector sticking way out the slide. Which by the way was hanging off the front of the frame.
But if youre serious, well keep telling yourself that. I convinced myself Im good looking.
Yes, totally serious. The TRP is a production handgun, not a custom shop item. Unless you are equating features like frontstrap checkering and a magwell with quality, I'd say an NM Mil-Spec is equal in quality to a TRP. Both are fitted and finished to about the same degree, and built with equal quality (or not) MIM parts. Both have the same stainless SL barrel and bushing. Neither is a work of art, but functional and well built.
3/8/2012 8:56:55 PM
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
3/9/2012 9:45:15 AM
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
I dont care for adjustable sights. So I got the parkerized Loaded model. Solid gun.
3/9/2012 11:13:21 AM
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
NO. Only the RO is, the other 2 may be 100% brazil or brazil/USA (just like all of theSA line).
I have yet to find a mil-spec or loadded that is fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs I have seen.
Just becuase a mil-spec or loadded may be finished in the USA, don't let that lead you to think that they are fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs, some may be, but it is not required and more of luck that one is.
3/9/2012 11:52:24 AM
My trp has hand engraved numbering on the parts where my milspec and loaded did not have that. The trp is by far the best fit.
3/9/2012 4:09:41 PM
Originally Posted By Gregory_K:
NO. Only the RO is, the other 2 may be 100% brazil or brazil/USA (just like all of theSA line).
I have yet to find a mil-spec or loaded that is fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs I have seen.
Just becuase a mil-spec or loadded may be finished in the USA, don't let that lead you to think that they are fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs, some may be, but it is not required and more of luck that one is.
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
NO. Only the RO is, the other 2 may be 100% brazil or brazil/USA (just like all of theSA line).
I have yet to find a mil-spec or loaded that is fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs I have seen.
Just becuase a mil-spec or loadded may be finished in the USA, don't let that lead you to think that they are fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs, some may be, but it is not required and more of luck that one is.
I'm far from a 1911 expert (yet), so bear with me
I just picked up a "NM" loaded recently and it is very tight, every control is firm and smooth. What other kinds of things do you look for? I'd be interested in hearing it, for educational purposes, Thanks
3/9/2012 8:22:30 PM
Originally Posted By MadnessReigns:
I'm far from a 1911 expert (yet), so bear with me
I just picked up a "NM" loaded recently and it is very tight, every control is firm and smooth. What other kinds of things do you look for? I'd be interested in hearing it, for educational purposes, Thanks
Originally Posted By Gregory_K:
NO. Only the RO is, the other 2 may be 100% brazil or brazil/USA (just like all of theSA line).
I have yet to find a mil-spec or loaded that is fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs I have seen.
Just becuase a mil-spec or loadded may be finished in the USA, don't let that lead you to think that they are fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs, some may be, but it is not required and more of luck that one is.
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
ok, maybe this is going a different direction. if i am spending $900, the TRP and Operator are out of my price range (although I did see a Parkerized operator for $970, it was out of stock though...so they might be in my price range). The Milspec, Range Officer and Loaded are in my price range. Of those 3 choices, the Milspec is the least expensive, then Range officer, then Loaded. All three of these are made in Brazil, and assembled and finished in the USA?????
NO. Only the RO is, the other 2 may be 100% brazil or brazil/USA (just like all of theSA line).
I have yet to find a mil-spec or loaded that is fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs I have seen.
Just becuase a mil-spec or loadded may be finished in the USA, don't let that lead you to think that they are fit to the same level as the ROs and TRPs, some may be, but it is not required and more of luck that one is.
I'm far from a 1911 expert (yet), so bear with me
I just picked up a "NM" loaded recently and it is very tight, every control is firm and smooth. What other kinds of things do you look for? I'd be interested in hearing it, for educational purposes, Thanks
Tool marks, extractors sticking out, frame poking its head from underneath the slide, jerky slide manipulation, uneven barrel bushings, dustcover rub marks, uneven lower barrel lugs, uneven contact on the upper lugs, uneven wear of the frame rails, creep in the trigger, untuned extractors, untuned ejectors, uneven frame tangs, oblong radius on the dustcover, crooked frontstraps, slides that actually move at a slight angle when they go into lockup, incorrect angle when they broach the frame, uneven barrel beds.
Most, Id say 95 percent, dont really know what to look for so long as it "feels tight" they assume its well built, fit and finished. Sometimes you wont even notice how uneven and little contact a 1911 has in all the points it should have contact on. Until you have a 1000 rounds through it.
3/10/2012 9:04:38 PM
Si I decided on the loaded...wow...all my usual sources for guns are sold out of it.
3/10/2012 10:07:12 PM
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
Si I decided on the loaded...wow...all my usual sources for guns are sold out of it.
Si I decided on the loaded...wow...all my usual sources for guns are sold out of it.
NM.... Always try to get one with serial number starting with letters NM. I own one mil spec, two loaded, one champion, one operator lw and one operator mc. My next one will be a Springfield in 9mm, as soon as I find one.
3/11/2012 9:29:07 PM
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
Si I decided on the loaded...wow...all my usual sources for guns are sold out of it.
Si I decided on the loaded...wow...all my usual sources for guns are sold out of it.
The Loaded is a good choice. I have had mine for two years now and it is a great gun. It is just as accurate in my hands as my TRP is.
3/12/2012 11:53:56 AM
nice, that is what I like to hear. Now I need to find one
3/20/2012 6:09:21 AM
Parkerized or stainless? The parks come with night sights. If a N and NM are side by side take the NM, otherwise don't worry about it.
3/20/2012 11:11:58 PM
n or nm....what does that mean
3/21/2012 12:05:56 AM
Originally Posted By chuck1022:
n or nm....what does that mean
n or nm....what does that mean
Nm or n are serial number prefixes. NM is usa made. N is Brazilian manufactur.
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
3/21/2012 2:05:00 PM
I love my NM mil-spec
3/21/2012 5:14:33 PM
NM - MC Operator checking in.
Guess I should have done my homework. Had no idea that some were Brazilian. Do those brazilian ones come without front strap checkering?
Guess I should have done my homework. Had no idea that some were Brazilian. Do those brazilian ones come without front strap checkering?
3/21/2012 10:01:11 PM
Originally Posted By crisptito:
NM - MC Operator checking in.
Guess I should have done my homework. Had no idea that some were Brazilian. Do those Brazilian ones come without front strap checkering?
NM - MC Operator checking in.
Guess I should have done my homework. Had no idea that some were Brazilian. Do those Brazilian ones come without front strap checkering?
The Brazilian ones are not bad at all. The problem is the fitting. You have a bigger chance of getting a lemon. All NM are assembled here in America.
