The M1911 Pistols Organization Forums Site - My Absolute LAST Springfield!

X-man

10th August 2004, 11:40

Its no secret Springfield has massive, on-going quality control problems with both their M1A rifles and many of their 1911 lines. Despite this I bought a 1911 Loaded because I used to own a Springfield and wanted another one in my collection. Worst mistake I ever made! Talk about a lemon! This gun has spent more time getting fixed than at the range. Springfields turnaround time is atrocious and the service has been overwhelmingly crappy. My buddies are doing everything they can to unload their M1As and build new M-14 using non-Springfield receivers/parts. It seems like Springfield is totally unwilling to acknowledge they have a quality control problem and are unwilling to do anything about it!...ignore it and maybe the problem will go away! Yeah, that'll work. My advice is to avoid Springfield's like the plague, buy Kimber.

Sabre

10th August 2004, 13:46

I'd like to hear a more detailed description of the alleged quality control problems with both your 1911 and the M1s you describe. I really havn't heard of this so if you could post some more info, that'd be great. :D

desertmoon

10th August 2004, 16:23

Xman...had the same issue with my OD loaded and Springfield's nonexistant customer service. There is a light at the end of this tunnel buy your gonna have to throw out some cash for the cab ride there. Gut the pistol and replace ALL of the small components with quailty material from Ed Brown, Wilson, Smith and Alexander and Colt....it should work fine after that if you have the ability to fit everything up...if you don't buy the parts and then hand the weapon over to someone that has the skills and the rep to do the work for you. Luckily the frame and slide are made by Imbel and beyond a bit of possible fitting or lapping they should be good to go.

Sorry 'bout your troubles....been there myself.

harytaint

10th August 2004, 16:40

LOL the fact that on the 1911fourm there is so much hype on the PRO model then seeing this makes me laugh. My point has been proven time and time again, why dump 2000 into a company that cant make a 700 dollar gun correctly. My 1400 TRP had a trip back for the sight falling off and it shooting low. That is BS for that amount to have to deal with. I love the gun now and it is very very nice and performs perfect but out of the box is what i expect in this price range.
My advice is to put it together and sell it to a SA lover that has to buy SA no matter what. There are some that feel this is acceptable since SA pays for shipping both ways and that some how makes it all better. List it on consignment that way you never have to deal with the poor person buying it.
PS dont do any of your own or any smith work as this will give SA a reason to deny warranty saying its due to anothers work.
Good luck man and go look at some LES BAER, i ordered a super tac 1.5 option. I cant wait.

wichaka

10th August 2004, 19:39

x-man, I have a loaded and there's not much left of it that's still SA.
Yes the guts are junk, and so are the parts in the TRP as well.

I've rebuilt 3 SA's now......... my own loaded, a TRP, and a Champion.
I have a friend looking for a loaded for me to re-build. If you want to unload the loaded............let me know.

1911slabsides

10th August 2004, 19:49

I had a WW II Springfield and (yes I traded it) but that thing ran like a top. The accuracy was unreal, I was getting single hole groups at 15 yard, and it managed to never have a malfunction. I guess I got lucky, You sound pretty sincere in your post, I did get a WW II stainless and the barrel (inside) was a mess, looked like acid or someone made an effort to leave a couple of drops of water in it for a couple of nights (in a row) I did get ahold of customer service, and they gave me a number and all that happy stuff but I've never sent a gun anywhere in my life, I guess I wasn't going to start with that one, I can't say that either of them acted bad, the parkerized one had that accuracy, but I can't say I was overly thrilled with them. granted the price the WW II's go for is decent but like I said the barrel on the stainless looked pretty bad, I swapped out the firing pin on them, they were using the titanium pins I didnt care for that but I blamed it on Kaliforniaski, Sorry you are having trouble with yours, I can't say I disagree with you after seeing the barrel that came with that stainless. and one more thing, Warranty Schmoranty, I don't want a gun you are able to fix, I want to buy a gun that works, I don't need no stinking warranty

harytaint

10th August 2004, 20:18

Well said about the warranty, but I am glad my new Baer has one incase something major happens.

Hey wichaka I am not sure why you think the parts in the TRP are crap but my smith told me that there is not much to replace other than a better barrel and bushing since it is already upgraded. I am sure it doesnt have the best parts but it sure feels and runs great now. I have maybe one malfunction in every 2k rnds and it was a reload that twice ran through and just kept jamming, i tosed that case since it was warped or something. Yes I would trade it for a TRS but it still seems to be a nice gun now that the sights are dialed in.

John

11th August 2004, 03:08

My 9mm SA keeps running and running, with all small internal parts being Springfield. Of course, the pistol has been customized (by my good friend Alan Tillman in TX), but the small parts have not been changed (yes, the two-piece barrel is long gone).

Based on its performance, I have to assume it's not the quality of the parts themselves that is the problem, but how these parts are fitted.

Rgds

desertmoon

11th August 2004, 12:17

I think the thing that REALLY irks me about SA is that their aesthetic ideas are GREAT...but the execution often just REEKS....

It's those frames and slides that I really love...Imbel turns out some tough steel and it's almost worth it to buy the model you like and then fit it up with guts that' work....

I'm even considering an Operator ( and I really hate SA ) as a basis for a 1911 buildup...it just looks too darn cool!

Well, maybe after I pick up a couple more Ponies!!!!

wichaka

11th August 2004, 14:46

harytaint, the parts in a Loaded, Champion, and TRP are mostly either cast or MIM. I like good old fashoned steel..............and solid steel at that.

My friend just picked up a SS TRP, and the hammer is MIM with some kind of chrome coating over it to make it look like SS, same for the grip safety. The SS Champion has the same treatment. The TRP cost my friend around 1,000 clams...........I think too much for those kind of parts and that kind of treatment. I think we all know why SA's are cheap. They do look good, and my Loaded is a tack driver..........best accuracy I've seen out of the box for awhile, but the quality of parts and some of their quality control lacks.

I carry a Loaded for plain clothes duty, but there's not much left in it that's SA. I changed out the following;
Extractor
Hammer
Sear
Disconnect
MS housing & MS (23lb) (got rid of the ILS garb.)
Hammer strut
Slide stop
Mag. release
Firing pin spring
Sear spring
Trigger

The slide, frame, barrel, firing pin, firing pin stop, and safeties remain..........

Replaced them all with solid steel stuff. I think for the money the GI, Mil-Spec, Loaded & Champion are hard to beat. But the TRP is another 600.00+ bucks, and the internals and some of the externals are the same as the lower priced models. The difference I can see is the front strap checkering and the MS housing with the internal mag well. Buy a Loaded, add the checkering, the mag well, and replace all the parts I did...........and you'll have a gun of better quality than the TRP, and overall........still pay less for it. It runs my fellow L.E.'s about $400+ (minus the checker job) for me change everything over.

I know I'll probably get flamed for my opinion here, but as of late I've been doing alot of SA re-works and warranty stuff.........folks don't want to mess with SA's warranty. As some of the stuff comes back re-worked instead of replaced as it should be.

If it sounds that I'm knocking SA...........I'm really not, as other makers are doing the same thing to keep their prices down as well, Kimber being one of them. The guns have all the bells & whistles on them, but under the show & shine lurks some poor quality and cheap parts. i.e., don't judge a book by its cover.

On the other hand look at Colt. They are higher priced, but very few of their parts are cast or MIM. You get what you pay for. Even Colt throws out lemons...............

hary, my loaded ran excellent out of the box. Gobbled up everything I fed it, it is a tack driver. But I'm in L.E. work, therefore my gun must work 100% all the time. I've replaced several cast & MIM parts on others SA's that failed, which would have been disaster if that would have happend on my gun at the wrong time.

For 95% of people who have bought SA's, they will do fine. But for L.E. work, the parts should be changed out. All of the 1911 L.E. builds I do, go out of my shop with 100% steel riding in them. Yes, steel can fail too, but its failure rate is much lower than cast or MIM...............its my life, I'll toss my dice with solid steel.

I'm not flaming anyone here..............just a reminder though, I was asked by harytaint why I thought SA parts are crap.

Todesengel

11th August 2004, 16:16

My 1400 TRP had a trip back for the sight falling off and it shooting low. That is BS for that amount to have to deal with.
You are lucky; I bought a $1560 Rock River Arms Elite Commando - the gun was full with tool marks and a jamm-o-matic. The Customer Service rep I called answered my questions with "ummmhhh....I don't know..." and when I sent them a e-mail with pictures of the tool marks they didn't answered the e-mail. In the mean time I sold the gun and will bad mouth the company ROCK RIVER ARMS forever - NON existend Customer Service isn't where my money goes. :eek: I had the best results with Kimber; both, product and CS.

harytaint

11th August 2004, 20:50

Hey wichaka no flame brother I agree with you and am glad to know my new super tac is all quality parts unlike my TRP. However my TRP works great and if something breaks then I will replace all those parts piece by piece, till then it shots awesome right now.
Preference is what makes this sport so unique and diff to learn from but then again makes it so interesting and original too. This isnt the 1911 forum I dont flame others and I have not seen it here thanx to John and level headed normal folks on this site.
I just cant imagine working up my TRP any futher, I would rather buy another Baer and just add to the collection. You can modify to the last piece for thousnads of dollars but I do this for fun and am not LE so really no use. Then again why did I buy my new Super Tac with the 1.5 option, lol just the feeling I guess when you hold it and flaunt it at the range. :cool:

wichaka

11th August 2004, 22:07

I agree with you in many ways hary.............love the feel of a good quality gun.

I know that if SA was to make their Loaded with all quality parts, fit & finish they would sell a ton. Same for Colt, Kimber and the rest. Oh for the days of Colt quality and fired blue finish of the pre-war models.............

My Loaded shot awesome out of the box.............I have a Mil-Spec too, it shoots great without one malfunction.

I just feel bad for those who may not be 'smith savy and have to send their guns back for warranty work. I would hate to have to send a gun back after laying down the pile of money for it...........

My best to you sir..........

harytaint

12th August 2004, 00:48

Now all cars should be back to muscle cars not plastic tin, then we could all be happy. Solid guns and cars, maybe real girls too not all plastic. LOL at least thats the norm here in cali. :eek:

wichaka

12th August 2004, 01:33

The pleasures of life that every man cherishes........

faster horses,
younger women,
older whiskey,
more money.

desertmoon

12th August 2004, 12:22

For comparison here is a list of parts that I changed out on my 1911 loaded and why:

1: extractor...improper tensioning and smaller hook than standard caused numerous extraction and ejection problems. Replaced with a Wilson Bulletproof....fixed all of the FTEx and FTEj problems.

2: Hammer strut: it snapped after about 1000 rounds went to a tool steel one from Ed Brown, I think.

3: Rear sight...the original Novak kept falling out even with heavy peening and even when I did finally manage to glue it in place for a while the pistol shot ABYSMALLY low. I replaced it with an Officers Model novak and now the gun shoots a perfect 6 O'clock AND the newer Novak stays put.

4: Enitire mainspring housing assembly with Colt, Wilson and Ed Brown parts because the ILS sucks, of course.

5: ALL of the springs to Wolff heavy duty. This stopped a lot of "other" odd malfunctions like throwing live round out of the mag during the last one or two rounds of a string and other such nonsense.

6: Sear and disconnector: went to Nowlin barstock and tool steel for insured durability.

7: Trigger: went to Colt 1991A1 nylon / stainless trigger because I hate trigger set screws on combat handguns. The set screw on this trigger locked the gun up after only 14 rounds.

8: Once piece guide rod: went to the standard spring guide and plug set up from Ed Brown...I feel that one piece guide rods have no place on a combat/defensive handgun.

9: Barrel, bushing, link and pin: went to Colt. The original 2 piece Springfield shot OK but the Colt shoots twice as good.

10: Safety: Went to a Wilson and then chopped and smoothed it for a comfrotable feel. Also had it tuned to be very positive in the switch from off/ on and on/ off.

11: Slide stop: went to a Wilson bullet proof that I tuned up a bit in order that it ALWAYS stays put. The other kept coming out and even after careful fitting the Wilson did once also...but I fixed that!

12: Firing pin stop: an "unfinished" FPS from Thoroughbread custom that I fitted specifically to the slide aseembly.

13: Pin set: Went to Wilson just because.

14: grip safety: Smith and Alexander...I bought two...one as a temp and the other I am cutting and welding up to fit the gun exactly so that it looks good on the frame. I didn't like the SA cast, speed bump grip safety. This decision was more cosmetic than anything.

Okay, I think that's about it. One of these days when I find a hammer that I think looks as good as the one on the gun I will replace that, too. The gun is a solid performer now and I actually like the weapon....sure learned a lot about the 1911 from this gun.

sonofpear

12th August 2004, 16:08

I have a pb9151 Stainless Mil-spec with 1000 rounds through it and -0- failures of any kind. Hits one hole at the range. Currently feeding Cor-Bon Powerball through it but have fed all kinds of +P's and hollowpoints.

I have replaced the recoil spring to an 18.5#, installed a one piece guide rod, and night sights. Everything else is standard.

So far, the gun is flawless! Which is more than I can say for my Kimber CDP Pro II!!

wichaka

12th August 2004, 16:21

desertmoon, look at the Ed Brown hardcore Barstock hammer. Its a pretty good dead ringer for the SA Loaded. I put one in mine and it matched up extremely well with the Nowlin sear I used.

X-man

14th August 2004, 01:20

I've had just about every glitch, problem and failure the other posters have mentioned, failures to feed, constant jams, parts breakage, etc... I don't care if I'm paying $600 or $1600 for a new pistol, I expect it to WORK when I take it out of the box. I shouldn't have to replace every single interal part with Quality parts that don't break and work as advertised. If I was going to do this, I'd have just bought a new frame from Brownell's and started from there. Anyway, I put this pistol up on consignment with my local shop and it sold the first day. I left instructions with the owner to make sure the buyer knew that I've had problems with it. Despite the warning, the buyer decided to go for it, although I did ask a very reasonable price for it. Going to put the cash down on a new Kimber. Goodbye Springfield!

ryoushi

14th August 2004, 21:02

I've been on forums and heard people bitch about Brown's and Wilson's it's almost enough to make you just buy a Glock :D I'm wierd. There are a couple things that I'm fanatical about, guns and guitars. I've never found a guitar or serious gun that I was totally happy with right out of the box, well maybe my model 10 S&W.

What I look for is a good, economical platform to personalize. I buy Fender guitars that are made to vintage specs in Mexico saving about 50% over the American made models. I play them for awhile to figure out what they need and then replace electronics and hardware. I end up spending a little more in the long run but I like to tinker and I get exactly the guitar I want.

I wouldn't think of buying a high end SA pistol. I look at 1911's the same way as I do guitars, that's why I own two SA Milspecs. Actually these pistols work fine so far out of the box but I'm a plinker not a Green Beret. eventually I'll replace some of the parts discussed here. I really like the new C&S hammer/sear/disconnecter sets and I guess a Wilson's slide stop is mandatory. Thing is I only paid $400 for my first one and $499 for my new NM a year later. At those prices I can afford to send one off to Ted Yost and end up with a world class, one of a kind .45 for under $2000.

SFHarry

16th August 2004, 04:53

But I have some 7,500 rounds of Nato through mine with LESS than a handful of FTE's. Other than that... uhhh, pull trigger, go bang. They are made here in America as opposed to the Brazilian handguns they import.

Big Sky Rancher

16th August 2004, 14:40

I can only go with my own experience.

Three Springfield 1911s
TRP Operator - reliable
TRP Professional - reliable
TGO 1 - reliable

Two Springfield Rifles
M1A National Match - perfectly reliable
M1A Scout Squad - perfectly reliable

I don't have my range notes or I could list a round count for each weapon.

jws

16th August 2004, 15:10

I just got my Champion about 2 months ago and the only problem I've had is the rear sight getting loose. A little thread tape and its fixed. It has about 400 rnds. of differant ball ammo through it and about 100 rnds of hydra-shock. no problems

Asmodeous

17th August 2004, 21:22

I've been happy with my Black Stainless, even though the safety broke after 20 rounds and when it came back from SA it had a trigger pull so tough my guage didn't go high enough to measure it. Had my gunsmith clean up the poor work their shop did and it's been a very accurate, great shooter ever since.

My favorite gunshop (where I got the Black Stainless) gave me a TGO II to check out. The tool marks were so bad you could see them through the finish that Robar does to the gun. I gave it back to them and picked up a Kimber TM II that day instead.

desertmoon

18th August 2004, 12:18

desertmoon, look at the Ed Brown hardcore Barstock hammer. Its a pretty good dead ringer for the SA Loaded. I put one in mine and it matched up extremely well with the Nowlin sear I used.

will do, thanks for the tip!!! :D

larry starling

21st August 2004, 10:52

:confused: I have to disagree here,Ive owned well over 200+ guns so far in my life,Springfields,colts,kimbers,etc and I never seem to have any problems with them.Am I a lucky purchaser or is there another awnser?Im a typical shooter making a monthly trip to my local range,and I have never had the problems that I read about on here!All the springfields I have owned have performed flawlessly,also my friend has numerous springfields and no problems also...I have a M1a as well, well shot no problems!!!!!What gives?????thanks larry

desertmoon

26th August 2004, 14:38

OD*

27th August 2004, 01:37

Never owned a Springfield before I bought a GI-45, it has been fantastic, for what it is.

Springfield builds a great $400 gun. ;)

Melkor

29th August 2004, 03:59

:mad: I have owned over 25 1911's and other than 1 Thompson , Springfield, is at the bottom. I have owned 1 Champion Loaded, 1 Milspec , 1 WWII full size , 1 WWII champion, and 2 milspec 38 Supers. The Champion was Fine, The milspec had sites that were 4 inches low at 21 feet, the WWII fullsize was tight for about 150 rounds then lossened up quickly, and was not milspec, The WWII champion worked fine, but limited in its accuracy due too heavy trigger, the 2 38 supers were both lose and fairly accurate but would only feed ball. I will never own a Springfield again ,and will no longer buy any Springfield products. Sprinfield is a bought name and logo, they should be called K-Tel, and offer there pistols as cheap Brazillian framed rippoffs. P.s buy anything Colt, Kimber, Les Baer, Wilson, Para Ordanace, just don't buy a Thompson or A Springfield.

Noris

31st August 2004, 18:38

Well, I just a bought an SS Mil-Spec, and I like it, except I've got one problem.

Now, I'm new to the auto-pistol scene, but here's my problem:

The slide will frequently refuse to go all the way forward after I fire. I have to push it forward often. What's the point of a semi-auto if I have to touch the slide everytime?

But anyways, I've only put 50 rounds through it, so is this something that will fix once I've put closer to 1000? I've oiled it up using Hoppes No. 9, cleaned it and looked it over(using what little knowledge I have), but the slide still stops short.

Other than that, this gun is great. Any recommendations? Will I need to replace a part to remedy this, or am I fretting too soon?

Thanks!

Asmodeous

31st August 2004, 18:59

Hoppes No.9 is NOT gun oil. If you're shooting the gun completely unlubed, I'm not surprised it doesn't cycle properly. A drop or two of lubricant on the slide rails should solve the problem.

Dnglbry

1st September 2004, 02:36

To conclude asmodeous observation, Hoppes #9 is both a real man's after shave and a gun cleaning solution designed to help remove fouling. While not the best gun cleaner, it has the most manly smell in the world (along with WD-40).

Noris

1st September 2004, 05:14

Hoppes No.9 is NOT gun oil. If you're shooting the gun completely unlubed, I'm not surprised it doesn't cycle properly. A drop or two of lubricant on the slide rails should solve the problem.

I should reword that. It says Hoppes No. 9 Lubricating Oil on the bottle. I also have the solvent within the same kit, but I used the oil ;)

Melkor

1st September 2004, 23:39

well , this may be a number of things, first get a new recoil spring , maybe a 18 pound or 18.5 if a fullsize. This shoul fix the problem, Sprinfields are notorious for hanging up. Next try different ammo, and then get a littel gun greese , tetra will do, an put a little in the rails and a bit of oil on the disconector. Then sell it and get a better made gun.

Asmodeous

2nd September 2004, 09:05

Noris -

Put another 150 rounds or so through the gun before you start worrying about it.

Does the gun refuse to cycle on every round? Or just after the first few in a magazine? You might want to try a different mag (different brand, too), before you start replacing internal components or send the gun back to Springfield.

lil toad

4th September 2004, 18:40

Did these guns give you any inclinations as to their problems when you purchased them. I make it a point never to order a 1911. I want to see and feel the gun out before I buy it. Often as not a good inspection can fortell future problems.

jws

5th September 2004, 12:33

How can you tell if the gun is going to have any problems down the road just by looking at it?

lil toad

5th September 2004, 14:07

The three f's. Fit, finish, and feel. You can inspect some of the problem areas without even taking the gun apart such as the extractor hook, slide stop button to tell if it is forged or cast, similar to the feel of the barrel unlocking especially upside down to feel if the link is the right length. A gun with all of the so called bells and whistles doesn't necessarily mean they are of good quality. The extended safeties and slide stops may look pretty but they may be junk and not fit properly.
I wasn't trying to offend you by any means sir. I was simply asking if it showed any quirks when you bought it. Sorry that I came off the wrong way.

jws

5th September 2004, 15:52

I was not offended, I honestly did not know. Other than working the action and making sure that everything moves ok without hanging up, I'm not sure what else to do. I have heard of checking the barrel lock up and so forth but don't actually know how to do it. I thank you for your help.

lil toad

5th September 2004, 16:53

Your average 1911 resource manual can shed some light on problems. New guns shipped to market are for the most part function tested only. That means they simply put three shells down range and then ship it if fires all three rounds. This necessarily doesn't mean the gun is going to be a sound gun. Forums like these are excellent for ironing out brand defficiencies as well.
I recently purchased a Sprinfield Mil Spec that is an excellent 1911 for the price. It has alo of slop on the disconnector and all of the springs are excessive, but it is a sound 1911. It will have upgrades installed over the next couple of days, not necessarily because it needs them, but I have enough experience with the gun to fit parts to make it utterly reliable.

dakota1911

3rd March 2006, 04:01

I love reading the forum. I do not have any SA's and have only shot a few that friends have owned, and their experiences with them was mixed. I was thinking of ordering one of their 6 inch models in the future after the review by "Gun Test Magazine". Now I think I may wait till I see one in a gun store or gun show somewhere and actually handle the gun I am going to buy.

Not that I didn't come close to owning one, but that story starts years ago when I lived in another state, was younger, and shopping in a big sporting goods store that sold guns. I looked at the gun in question, which was on a super special, and decided to buy it. Then I filled out the paper work, paid the money, and then the clerk said, "I'll get you a new one." Now I wanted the one I had held in my hands, but that was the "display model" and not for sale. The gun was a Ruger MKI .22 and I enjoyed shooting thousands of rounds through it over the years before trading it off. Happy ending.

Since then I always identify up front that the gun I am looking at is the gun I am buying; usually not a problem except in large gun stores. Twice I have not purchased guns because, "The display version is not for sale." The first time was with a revolver (Charter Arms as I remember). The last time was with a SA in .45. I don't even remember how much or exactly the model. It was a "full size" or "government model" pistol. At the time I thought it was a good price and looked at the "display model". It looked pretty good for the money. To make a long story short I had the clerk drag out about 5 more that did not look so good for the money before he started saying things that are not repeatable in a family forum. I ended up with no SA pistol.

I do think I have a slight understanding of why some women love to shop for shoes however.

jeff1124

3rd March 2006, 11:57

My full Size Loaded seems to work fine. Wichaka, I fully understand where you're coming from, being an LE means you have a total dependancy on reliability, whereas, being a casual shooter means you can replace as needed. I would like to know what the most likely items to break are and, also, mine is Parked, how do blued parts look on a Parked gun ( slide stop for instance)???
Are there Parked replacement parts out there? Brownells seems to offer Blued or stainless. Thanks.

jeeprat

3rd March 2006, 12:26

Hi I have a black stainless PX9152L that had exacactly same problem in the first 100 rounds .It would hang up and just the lightest touch on the back of the slide and the round would pop in. I got out the Dremel!!!! felt pads and jewellers rouge . Polished the feed ramp, barrel throat,the part of the slide that the disconnect rubs on and the lightest polish in the slide and frame groves.Cleaned off every trace of polishing compound .What a difference .Shot another 300 rounds so far including two 10 round mags as fast as I can pull the trigger , perfect I even sounds better when I rack the slide (on a snap cap) I know it's early days yet with only 400 rounds fired but so far I am very happy, the barrel has a mirror finish ,shoots like a dream

But anyways, I've only put 50 rounds through it, so is this something that will fix once I've put closer to 1000? I've oiled it up using Hoppes No. 9, cleaned it and looked it over(using what little knowledge I have), but the slide still stops short.

Other than that, this gun is great. Any recommendations? Will I need to replace a part to remedy this, or am I fretting too soon?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

Dziamski

3rd March 2006, 22:07

I guess I don't know what all the fuss is about. I have 3 Springers, a SS Loaded, A SA Custom Proffessional (Both of wich I have posted pics of in a previous post, "My Stainless) and a custom shop custom carry (I sent in to have a beavertail safety, a delta hammer, a 2 pc mag funnel and refinish) which is 22 years old. I have not had any problems with any of them. The last one I mentioned, I sent in for the work with a qouted turn-around time of 8-10 wks, and recieved it in 3 wks. I think that customer service is phenominal. If you have problems call Deb Elise at the custom shop. She is a fantastic representative of their GREAT customer service. This is of course in my honest opinion.

MarineTech

4th March 2006, 16:50

I guess my luck is holding too. I've owned 3 SA firearms (a 1995 Loaded 1911, a 2001 M1A Loaded, and my current Mil-Spec), and all ran fine out of the box.

Knucklehead2

4th March 2006, 17:46

in Jan 06. Although it went bang when the trigger was pulled it was not accurate. I should say all over the place. Upon inspection the barrel hood had .020 clearance on the sides and .018 on the breechface. Between the first slide lug and barrel an .008 shim would slide in easily. In addition the barrel was locking on the link vertical and smacking the first lug on the side of the slide peaning it over. Oh I almost forgot the frame was getting peaned up from the barrel smacking it in the cradle or bed radius. When I called Springfield they offered to replace the barrel. I just paid over $500.00 dollars for it and really wanted to shoot not wait. Barrel bushing slop .005. I replaced the barrel with a Kart EZ fit. I am a toolmaker so I also noticed the slide was deburred on a belt sander as was the barrel hood sized. I could go on but I think you get the idea. Thanks to all on this site because lurking here I made up my mind to install the barrel myself and it came out great.