Which Springfield GI to purchase?

[2nd_Citizen]

Hello fellow members. This is my first posting here. I am new to the site. Truly a magnificent site.
I adore the 1911, especially the WWII replicas. I've always dreamed of owning one, and now this opportunity is upon me. I will go to a gun show this weekend, on the 23rd of October. I intend to puchase a GI 1911. I am 24, and I am now embarking on building my pistol collection.
I found this site while searching for info on Springfield's 1911 GI model. I was looking for reviews and advice.
I would like to know if the Springer can handle frequent shooting. I shoot as a hobby and shoot once or twice a month, about 200 rds an outing. I only recently achieved an economic status that allows extra money for firearms, so I don't own many pistols, and I want to make sure that my 1911 investment won't dissapoint me.
Is the Springfield m1911 GI model going to hold up at stock specs? I understand that the Springfield base is ideal for later custom additions, but at this time I don't have the resources for custimizations.
I was equally interested in the 3" micro compact version for carrying, but I have heard of problems with this version. Anyone got any advice on that?
I would appreciate the advice of my fellow members, and I hope that your advice will help to prevent me from making a rash purchase and wasting my money. I've got the fever! :p
Thanks guys,
Cody

[gottripletsNC]

I got a WW2 spec. Then they changed the name of it to USGI. Or at least thats what I keep reading. Only change was mine came with black plastic grips, and when they changed the name they put wood grips with "US" stamped in the grips. It shot great when it was bone stock, never had any problems, I have slowly started customizing mine and am thoroughly enjoying that too. I too am on a limited budget so I do a little at a time, and have still not had any problems. I looked at customs, but I wanted a stock pistol that I could customize, and customize what I wanted to customize. Good luck hunting for what you want. Of course, its the only 1911 I currently have for now, so I can't say for the rest of the 1911 family.

[2nd_Citizen]

Thanks for your feedback gottripletsNC. Thats what I'm looking for. I have somewhat already chosen the Springer, but I want to hear comments about it from owners. I suppose it is now called the USGI. Makes sense with the grips. Sure is a nice lookin pistol. I will probably also customize mine in the distant future, most likely when it needs its first refurbs.

[gottripletsNC]

with the exception of the extractor which i've heard is not quite what they used to be, it won't need refurb for quite some time. I've not had a problem with the extractor, 3 jams in over 200 rounds but I KNOW they were the round that caused them. I knew they would jam when I was loading the clip. So if you are waiting on refurb to customize, you might be waiting a looooooooong time.

[1911 TERRY]

The GI is a great gun, its the one I have. If I had it to do over I'd get the Mil Spec. It has larger 3 dot sights, larger ejection port, and a few other features. If you reload you'll want the larger ejection port, less dinged up brass. Just my opinion, but thats the one I'd get. Check out the Springfield websight. By the way, the mil spec parkerized only costs about 60 bucks more than the WWII GI. Well worth the extra bucks.

[2nd_Citizen]

I have considered the Mil-spec model, but I don't reload (yet). I toyed with the idea of swapping the sights out of the GI model and getting some sort of irridium sights. If the GI model is as reliable as I've been told it is, I have no problem with it. I will probably purchase a Mil-spec in the future, but right now my sights are set on the GI. Thanks for your great feedback 1911 Terry.