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Springfield vs. Colt - talking 1911s

Posted on 9/10/13 at 4:36 pm
Posted by LSUnowhas2
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
21981 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 4:36 pm
I was at Jim's Firearms the other day and one of the guys behind the counter was saying to another customer that SA is presently using a higher grade of steel in their 1911s than Colt. To summarize the guy said that even in the entry level SA models the steel used for the various parts was of a higher quality than even some of the more expensive Colt models. Was the salesman just trying to sell a SA over a Colt or is there any actual validity to this?

Just curious. I have no dog in this hunt as I have yet to join the 1911 club. I hope to remedy this gap in my collection very soon.
Posted by LouisianaChessie
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since May 2010
2582 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 4:47 pm to
When I was in the market for a 1911 a salesman at Jims let me hold feel and rack the slides on any gun they had. When it came down to it I was between a colt special combat government and the springfield trp. The special combat government was the more expensive of the two and compared to the trp was unbelievably sloppy for fit. He said my gut instinct was right and between the two it was no contest. Fwiw he didn't know if I was buying from him or not and in the end I didn't because they wanted over 1800 out the door for the trp. Would have been about 2-300 more for the colt if memory serves me correct.
Posted by BAMAisDIESEL09
Member since Jul 2012
2658 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 6:43 pm to
Honestly... You can't go wrong with either one. I like collecting Colts so I bought a Colt Combat Commander and its my favorite gun. You definitely pay a little more for a Colt for less features such as night sights, a skeletonized trigger and wooden grips which come standard on the "cheaper" springfield. Buy whichever one you like the feel of the most and you'll be happy.
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 6:52 pm to
quote:

one of the guys behind the counter


These guys are normally experts on everything.

Colt probably uses the highest quality steel forgings of anyone and has more forged parts than any other manufacturer AFAIK. The steel for Colt's is made in America. The steel for Springfields is made in Brazil.

BTW: How many Springfields does Jim's have in the case for sale? How many Colts? There is your answer.
This post was edited on 9/10/13 at 7:07 pm
Posted by LSUnowhas2
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
21981 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 7:18 pm to


I will say that some of the guys at Jim's are more knowledgeable than a lot of behind the counter experts you may encounter.

The country of origin of the steel doesn't really matter. Japan has some of the best steel in the world. Ask any knife maker about steel quality.
Posted by Tom288
Jacksonville
Member since Apr 2009
20980 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 7:29 pm to
quote:

How many Springfields does Jim's have in the case for sale? How many Colts? There is your answer.



Yeah, because just like the men behind the counter the average joe in front of the counter is also an expert on everything.

I'd personally go with Springfield and the TRP is one of the best values on the market for a 1911.
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 7:33 pm to
quote:

Japan has some of the best steel in the world.


Brazil ain't Japan.

Buy what you like.
Posted by Tom288
Jacksonville
Member since Apr 2009
20980 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 7:35 pm to
quote:

Brazil ain't Japan.


Luckily they're not trying to produce a 35-40k dollar sword.
Posted by dawg23
Baton Rouge, La
Member since Jul 2011
5065 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 8:22 pm to
quote:

The special combat government was the more expensive of the two and compared to the trp was unbelievably sloppy for fit.


That "sloppy fit" is intentional for combat handguns. They're designed to function even if some dirt//sand//crud//blood gets in the action of the gun.

The loose tolerances are a huge benefit in terms of building a reliable weapon. But for those seeking a range gun that will be uber-accurate, the "sloppy fit" is a negative. It all depends on what you think you'll use the gun for.

The high-end, high dollar Kimbers, Nighthawks, Wilsons and Baers will impress your friends. A Glock will impress your enemies.
Posted by LongueCarabine
Pointe Aux Pins, LA
Member since Jan 2011
8205 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 8:30 pm to
quote:

The high-end, high dollar Kimbers, Nighthawks, Wilsons and Baers will impress your friends. A Glock will impress your enemies.


Yeah, if it doesn't grenade on you. I keed, I keed.

It's a running joke on Arfcom.

LC
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
16538 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 9:10 pm to
quote:

A Glock will impress your enemies.


A H&K will will make them shite bricks.
Posted by Tom288
Jacksonville
Member since Apr 2009
20980 posts
Posted on 9/10/13 at 9:30 pm to
quote:

A Glock will impress your enemies.


If you're using your sidearm in combat your enemies are probably doing a little too well.

But I can't argue with the 100+ years of combat history the Glock has going for it...wait, that's not right.
Posted by LSUnowhas2
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
21981 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 9:21 am to
quote:

If you're using your sidearm in combat your enemies are probably doing a little too well.

But I can't argue with the 100+ years of combat history the Glock has going for it...wait, that's not right.


Burn.....
Posted by Jma313
Member since Aug 2010
5157 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 10:10 am to
You do realize that most people working at a gun shop have no fricking clue what they are talking about right? I mean these are the same people that suggest to women that an air weight .38 spcl are a great first gun. These are the same people who say revolvers are super reliable (which is complete bullshite). Don't believe a word those idiots say. Both Springfield and Colt make quality guns its just what you decide you like better and if the price is right.
Posted by Jma313
Member since Aug 2010
5157 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 10:15 am to
quote:

If you're using your sidearm in combat your enemies are probably doing a little too well. But I can't argue with the 100+ years of combat history the Glock has going for it...wait, that's not right.


In combat I want the following: reliability, large ammunition capacity and a decent caliber cartridge. The 1911 is a great pistol however it is not as reliable as say a glock, they always have feeding and jamming issues. They only hold 7+1, sorry for me in combat I would want a .45 that can hold 15+1. Glock, Springfield, sig, S&W all have semi-auto pistols that can do this better than a 1911
Posted by JAB528
The Mexican Ocean
Member since Jun 2012
16870 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 10:18 am to
quote:

These are the same people who say revolvers are super reliable (which is complete bullshite).


Posted by BAMAisDIESEL09
Member since Jul 2012
2658 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 10:32 am to
quote:

These are the same people who say revolvers are super reliable (which is complete bullshite).


Da fuq? Also, my Colt 1911 has never jammed, fte or ftf. Not one single time.
Posted by LSUnowhas2
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
21981 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 10:45 am to
quote:

You do realize that most people working at a gun shop have no fricking clue what they are talking about right? I mean these are the same people that suggest to women that an air weight .38 spcl are a great first gun. These are the same people who say revolvers are super reliable (which is complete bullshite). Don't believe a word those idiots say. Both Springfield and Colt make quality guns its just what you decide you like better and if the price is right.


Just like most people buying guns also don't know shite about what they are talking about. I find Jim's to be high on some stuff but they do have a few guys (mostly ex-military) that have been there for a while that are pretty knowledgeable. I posted the topic because there are some folks on this board (talking about Bapple, King Ranch etc.) that do have a wealth of knowledge about gun related topics and particularly 1911s. I will freely admit I don't know much at all about 1911s or the quality control of reputable 1911 manufacturers. This is why I wanted to see if some of the more knowledgeable folks on the board had an opinion on if this was legitimate or bullshite.
Posted by LSUnowhas2
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
21981 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 10:47 am to
quote:

These are the same people who say revolvers are super reliable (which is complete bullshite).


and this is not bullshite. The design of a revolver is inherently more reliable than a semi-auto if for no other reason than there are far less moving parts.
Posted by JAB528
The Mexican Ocean
Member since Jun 2012
16870 posts
Posted on 9/11/13 at 10:53 am to
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