Posted: 10/13/2008 3:27:59 PM EDT
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I am looking into getting another .45 in my collection. This would be my first 1911 purchase, but I am looking into getting either the Springfield GI or the Mil-Spec. I am looking for overall opinions as to if the upgrades on the Mil-Spec are worth it for the extra $100 over the GI? And my last question is about the park finish, does it easily scratch or wear thin if carried? I am not sure if I want the park or the stainless, I like the park better but kind of weary on how well the finish will wear over time. Any help appreciate 
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| I think the Mil-Spec is overwhelmingly preferred over the G.I. because of the upgraded sights and improved ejection port, and well worth the extra $$, if you plan on really using it. My preference is for the SS finish only because of the resistance to wear and the ability to erase minor surface blemishes aka "idiot scratches". Any new SA 1911 is hard to find. |
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Cosmetically I much prefer the GI. Yes the mil spec has some upgrades that will cost some dough to have done to the GI model. I like the higher ejection port and the straight slide serrations of the GI model. It's fully customizeable as is the Mil Spec. I bought a GI with the intention of modifying but frankly it's been such a good shooter I've left it alone and only rounded the edges of the grip safety and such. My GI model has been totally reliable. My carry gun is a modified Mil Spec. So you can say I have both and love both. I also own a Loaded model albeit a micro compact and it's alot of gun for the money. If it's your one and only you could do alot worse than the loaded. |
Yes, IMO, the mil-spec is indeed worth the extra scratch. As for the park finish, I've got it on my mil-spec & it's picked up a small scratch here & there but nothing too deep or bad. There's some touch-up pens out there for a park finish but I've never used them, so I can't say how well they do or don't work, sorry. As an owner of both the park mil-spec & a SS Trophy NM, I can say I easily prefer the park finish. It just reeks of nostalgia for the military look, IMO.  My .o2 |
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IMO the only reason to get a GI is if (like me) you want something very similar to the old military 1911A1s. The Mil-Spec has a lowered ejection port and better sights (and maybe some other enhancements). The Loaded had most popular 1911 enhancements out of the box. FWIW, the extractor on my GI wasn't tensioned properly out of the box. It has been 100% since I corrected that. |