Posted: 1/4/2008 1:59:23 AM EDT
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I would like some opinions/insight on the Springfield Armory Professional 1911. I have been researching semi-custom 1911's as a possible next purchase and this model seems to be one of the most respected and also seems to have the least amount of reported problems. The biggest issue for some with this gun seems to be the "aggressive" 20LPI checkering. How does the Springfield Pro compare to the other manufactures such as Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Les Baer, ect? For those who have this gun or fired one do you think its worth the price of admission over other similar priced guns? Thanks |
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I have touched one and put down some money to hold it. I also have a Custom Shop Operator to reference. They are similarly built. The gun has a trully hand fitted frame and slide assembly. There is maybe .002-3" total play in the rails. They don't squeeze/peen the rails to achieve this kind of fit. They do alot of milling/filing/lapping to the slide and frame. The Nowlin barrel and bushing are fitted equally tight. The slide wedges into battery and you will not be able to do a press check for at least 200 rounds. It is that tight. Whoever built this gun followed Jerry Kuhnhausen's instruction. It will put 5 rounds of American Eagle into half an inch at 15 yards (from a rest). The only other 1911 that could do that was my Baer. The CQB could not, spraying 2-3" groups with the ammo. It is 100% reliable so far (50 rounds). The checkering is aggressive, but the gun is designed for gloved hands. I actually got used to it and it did not bother me after the first couple of mags. The controls are butter smooth. The thumb safety clicks up and down like a swiss instrument. Interestingly, it uses a large diameter firing pin. Most 45's use a 9mm firing pin. A large diameter firing pin is stronger and less prone to breakage. And if it does break, you can locate another in minutes, anywhere in the world. On the negative side, the gun will make you hate your lesser 1911's, or at least wallow in disappointment. It will also put a heavy dent in your wallet. I do think it is worthwhile to sell 2-3 guns to buy one of these. To summarize: Perfect slide to frame fit. Cannot get any better. Perfect barrel fit. Cannot get any tighter. Perfect controls. Crisp trigger @ 4lbs. Perfect cosmetics. 100% reliable. Designed for and used by the FBI SWAT. Springfield claims a 50000 round service life before parts start breaking. This is not a gun that you just take out of the box and carry. This gun needs alot of break-in rounds, but the quality is second to none. |
