Page 5 - Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec. Reviews

I have several .177 pellet target pistols that I shoot at 10 meters. With my new purchase, I think Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec. CO2 BB pistol with its heft and realistic blow-back will make an excellent practice tool for defense shooting at 7 to 8 yards. Defense Shooting, I shoot five shot series - single (15), double (16) and three individual 5 shot multiples (15) at self-defense ranges as noted for a total of 46 shots. At that usage, the cylinder is running out of gas. I may have to change last series to 4 shot multiples and pause more between each series

Nothing

Based upon what I have seen so far, I would purchase another product from this manufacturer. PLEASE NOTE: My name is my CAS alias

This version is much like several previous guises of this 1911 A-1 replica. The exception is in cosmetics with the Springfield version having a satin matte black finish without any outlandish white lettering. What lettering that exists is quite small and limited. Also the faux wood grips are very realistic in appearance and the Springfield Armory banner is very sharply moulded into each panel. The frosted "in the white" barrel bushing is a very attractive contrasting accent. I would have to give this version the edge for the best looking version of the 1911 A-1 replicas and I have them all. The trigger action and pull weight initially was a little stiff but gradually lightened up and was excellent after the defect mentioned below was corrected.

Nothing; but I am giving this gun a little slack and did not deduct from the rating. It began shooting fine from the start but gradually the trigger began to reset reluctantly and only worsened as I continued shooting. I would have to pull the trigger back and release it several times before it would reset to allow the pistol to be fired. I removed the slide and would work the action manually until I was able to discover what had developed to cause the problem and found that the trigger body itself was unable to travel forward enough in the frame. Just a minute amount of pressure applied to it from the rear would allow the stirrup to move forward enough to reset the sear and related parts in the rear of the frame to allow the gun to be fired. I gave the rear of the trigger body a moderate tap with a punch and hammer and everything worked excellently afterward. I decided that since the gun had worked initially that this was no glaring fault but a matter of tolerances being very tight.

This specimen shot every brand of BB I have tested in it to the exact point of aim except one which shot a tad to the right. I shot a full magazine of each and while group size varied, only one BB specimen did not produce a well distributed pattern of shots into, and evenly around, the bulls eye. A few of those examples tested grouped tightly enough so that there were at least 12 of 18 shots into a single hole about 5/8" across. This is why I determined to void my warranty in an attempt to repair the problem with the trigger rather than return it as a defective specimen as it had already shown this accuracy potential. Accuracy after the trigger reliably reset with every shot made shooting offhand a lot less taxing and helped me shoot even better. When measuring velocity the temperature was only 60 degrees so I expect it will shoot somewhat harder on a warmer day. The average measured was 315 fps - very close to the rated performance and very uniform.

First of all, WOW! Second, it’s a $100 BB gun not a $2000 acurized Ball Gun so the fit is not going to be as tight. That said, it is a great way to practice sight recovery for sustained fire. Compared to the Springfield 1911 A1 powder burner. Weight w/loaded mag 2lb-2oz, PB 2lb-5oz w/o mag. All exterior dimensions are very comparable. Field strips whole slide at once or removing bushing and individual pieces. Removing main spring, manual and grip safety any 1911 guy will recognize all parts. Leaf spring can be adjusted, however, the air mechanism affects most of the trigger pull. If you are used to a roll trigger, you will love it.

I shoot left handed. The indent on the manual safety is not very strong and the combination of the recoil and my finger keeps engaging the manual safety. Thinking of a solution. Drill a small hole in the magazine loading block to insert a steel pin to hold open while loading BB's. Much easier on the thumb.

I finally got to order this great replica and I'm thinking seriously about ordering a second. I have been a competitive 3 Gun Bullseye shooter for many years and competed at the National Matches at Camp Perry Ohio. Back in the early 1980s this same Springfield Armory produced a bare bones 1911 A1 "KIT" gun that came unassembled with the major parts groups in plastic baggies. Priced at, Parkerized for $250.00 and Blued for $275.00, there has never been a better deal. This replica is the spitting image of the Parkerized version (minus target sites) I sent off to Jimmy Clarke Custom Guns in Keithville Louisiana and had him make me a "Hardball Gun" which I still have. Although I had carried a 1911 A1.45 in Vietnam I never really mastered it until I was out of the Service. I'm writing this review backwards since I don't have mine yet but if you can find Dennis Adler's 5 Part Review this promises to be one amazing replica pistol. I'll add to this review when I get mine.

Nothing to change.