Posted: 5/1/2008 3:14:19 PM EDT
| I'm thinking of picking up a Springfield GI Champ 4" as a first piece. I didn't want to spend too much money quite yet, as this will kind of be a piece for me to learn my way around customizing 1911's. What's everyone's thoughts on the GI as a gun out of the box? Customizing? |
Sweeeeettt.....  I was looking for a place to buy, and Bud's Gun Shop seemed the best. Only problem is that they're outta stock! www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/24/products_id/40101 |
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Not a big fan of the GI model, the quality isn't quite up to snuff compared to the Springfield loaded models, the lowest I would go on the line is the Mil-Spec line. My buddy has a Springfield GI model and it stove pipes all the time. The best bang for your buck is the Taurus 1911: Gun review: http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/pt_080505/index.html Taurus selections: http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=19 Hope this helps! P.S. If you want to save a lot of money if this is a target gun, check out the Taurus 9mm 1911, currently out of stock but something like this: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/85/products_id/29316 |
My GI ran 100%...With that said I now own a Loaded. I'd rather have the GI than a Taurus. |
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i've owned both the SAs and PT1911...the PT1911 is an ok 1911 for what it offers, BUT it is not a SA Loaded thats just a little more i traded off my PT1911 mostly b/c of parts QC and fitting, but for the $500 it was a good buy if you want a baseline basic 1911, then the SA milspec/GI is it |
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The taurus gun is a value. BUT if it needs service, Taurus has a very poor presence in the post-sale service area by all accounts I've heard. The GI is a great simple gun. The Milspec is even better. Springfield has a much higher level of post sales service. The only thing I do not like about my GI is the hammerbite after 300rds.  Adding only a beavertail, and the sights of your choice would make this nearly perfect for a simple, mid-line, all forged vintage styled pistol. |
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The G.I. model would be the easiest for you to customize, very popualar among pistolsmiths as already mentioned. If you are buying a gun to have fun with customization, start with a G.I. you can do a little at a time and learn the ropes as you go. The Taurus has most of the customizing done to it already. See Blindhogg's site for tutorials.. www.blindhogg.com |
Made hot. |
| Yeah, if you want a gun to learn how to customize and what not, then the GI is a good gun. I've loved using mine as a base for a MEU(SOC) replica. And my internals (except GI NOS MSH and assy and trigger) are still stock because they still work perfectly. I have a few replacement parts consistent with the Marine build, but I'm not going to use them until I've used the stock parts a decent bit more. They work well after all. My ONLY problem was a slightly out of spec extractor, but it was easily fixed by me and I have had no FTEs since that (fixed within first 50 rounds). It's functioned perfectly with FMJ, JHP, and SWC (reloaded SWC). |
Taurus = Sucks............or at a minimum Taurus = shoots okay but I'm still disappointed because it says Taurus. |
| Awesome, thanks for the replies! I think i will go with the GI, like some said I wanna learn the ropes and pick up something nicer in the future once I understand 1911's better. First mod would probably be night sights of some sort and an ambi safety (stupid leftie) |
| Fanboy opinions aside, I've had two pass through my hands that were complete turds. Sloppily fitted and unreliable. I'd like for the GI to be a good deal, but "cheap" and "consistently reliable" just don't belong in the same description with 1911s. They really do need handfitting. |
I'd recommend you go with a 5"... its going to be a better first 1911. The shorter 1911s can be trickier to work with, and some are not well done (not built to correct Commander specs). I have a 5" GI that I customized, and am very happy with its reliability and accuracy:
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What's that supposed to mean? Mine has been almost perfect. Had an extractor issue within the first 50 rounds that I corrected at the range. Perfect with JHP, FMJ, and SWC since. And it cost me less than $400 new (in 2003). |
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I have a GI and a Mil-Spec--you need to buy one in person so you can make sure it's tight - my GI is a rattler, and Mil-Spec is silent. Both shoot great. You might have to adjust the extractor which takes about 30 seconds, if it stovepipes or ejects into your face. I would go with the stainless, because the SA logo looks frickin awesome in stainless. Also, I suggest a 5" as your first one. |
Green mountain is the store I go to when I'm in Denver. When I'm in Boulder(school) me and a few friends bite the bullet and drive up to Jensen's. I'll definitely swing by GMG and take a look. Thanks! |
. I thought the price not bad...$425, on the Springer. HTH, Preston
Got a Mil-Spec a couple of months ago on gunbroker.com from Florida Gun Exchange. $539 NIB + $20 shipping. a-bare |