Posted: 5/28/2006 1:29:31 PM EDT
| I have narrowed my first handgun choice down to either the Springfield Mil Spec 1911 or Springfield GI 1911. Can someone tell me the major differences between the two? From what I can tell, the only difference is the sights. |
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That's a big difference. The Mil-Spec does not have a lanyard loop. Grips are different. Mil-Spec has the flared and lowered ejection port, GI does not. Mil-Spec is the way to go out of the two. Although if I had it to do over again, I'd probably get something nicer, because it cost me an extra $100 in gunsmith fees to get mine to run properly. ETA: Milspec has angled serrations on rear of slide, GI is straight up and down. |
I basically bought the same gun, used. I immediately junked its two-piece barrel & had a Wilson barrel installed. Polishing & throating came with the barrel install. For about $200 or so above the used gun price, I had a gun that would easily keep up with a Gold Cup. Sometimes a bit rough around the edges cleans up real nice with professional help. 
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I prefer the GI as a base gun, only because it's cheaper and has traditional cocking serrations. I always replace my sights. Were I to stick with stock profiled dovetails, the hands down choice would be the Mil-Spec. The GI sights are simply too small to acquire quickly. Very few Mil-Specs have the one piece stainless barrel anymore. For awhile it was just the stainless guns, and now even they have the two piece barrel. Make no mistake, they are not a match barrel, but they are very serviceable. They rarely break, as in almost never, and the interior rifled portion is very nice. If you can afford a match barrel great, but don't feel handicapped by the 2 piece barrel. They shoot as well as the 1 piece stainless barrels on average. By the way, there are a few other minor differences not mentioned that relate to frame shape, but that pertains to older Mil-Specs. The main thing though is the mag well. On the Mil-Spec it;s nicely beveled, while on the GI it has sharp edges on the opening. A bevel job the likes of the Mil-Spec will usually run at least $40.00. |
hillmillenia: that a nice lookin SA...is that the stock grip safety? if so, what kinda combat hammer is that--b/c i heard that stock mil-spec 1911 grip safetie donesnt work w/ the oval shaped combat hammers, and that i either had to bob the current hammer or get one of the elongated combat ones? 
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if your not planning on modding it i would suggest the Mil-spec over the GI and if you can afford the extra $ get the loaded. my SS loaded came with a one piece barrel and my Parked GI came with a 2 piece, and on the GI i had to lower and flare the ejection port to get it to stop pelting me in the forhead every so often. the loaded is the best buy unless your planning on modding it IMO |