RANGE REPORT S.A. "LOADED" 1911

CaptDave · Post by **CaptDave** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:25 am

WTS: S.A. "LOADED' 1911 .45 ACP

Just Kidding.

Went to the GRB and picked one up after mucho consideration and comparisons with Colt and Kimber for the past few months.

For the features you get, ie: a good trigger, Novak night sights, ambi safety, lowered and flared ejection port, polished feed ramp, full lenth guide rod, fwd. serrations on slide, carry treatment, match quality stainless steel bbl and bushing, beveled magazine well, high ride beavertail grip safety, 2 mags, etc...
It's not a bad deal for $619.00 plus tax. (Gun Show price A&J).

Now the hiccup.
The front sight post is a tad high. ie: I was hitting WAY LOW on the plate rack.
After following Charles' advice I shot from a rest at 25yds. and she printed about 6" low. Not to worry. Plan on sending it back to Springfield with instructions to put in shorter front sight per my results and their recommendations. Shouldn't be a big deal, just kind of a pain.

But, it should just make it all that much better (obviously) and give it some more custom tuning so it will all work out in the end.

Oh yea, fired around 150 rds without any malfunctions, save one FTF on a reloade that had a bad neck crimp.

Very Happy with the pistol.

Post by **Charles L. Cotton** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:49 am

Dave and I had the same goal - buy another pistol to take the workload of a practice/range gun, rather than the guns we regularly carry. After comparing primarily the slide-to-frame fit on NRM Colts and the Springers, I chose the Springer for this roll.

My experience was exactly like Dave; 100% reliable for about 600 rounds now (not counting Dave's one rd. with the bad crimp), including 230 FMJ's and 200 PSWC's (the same one's my Commander doesn't like at all).

Mine too shot low, about 4" at 25 yds. I called Springfield and learned they are using .180" front sights (Novak) and also have .160, and .140" sights available and will change them at no charge under "warranty." Very recently, I read some posts on other forums about Springers shooting low, so it seams many people are having trouble with the .180" sight. I thought it was just my old eyes playing tricks on me! If they weren't night sights, I'd just have Vanden Berg change the front post for me, rather than send it back.

After getting the sight changed, I suspect I'll have Vanden Berg to a trigger job (I like mine lighter

), but I'll make that decision later. This gun is a mixed blessing for me. It shoots almost as good (sight issue aside) as some of my customized guns, for a fraction of the cost. Hmmmmm :?

Chas.

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 11:06 am

Capt...

Was that the guys out of Clute, Texas???

I saw their wares, and am getting close to figuring out how we are going to wrap around a "new" aquisition...

The prices all around were pretty good...So I think this will happen sooner than I realized...

You two have given me some issues I need to consider when looking at these types of handguns...

The "Ambi" features were something that I never assumed I would really need, but they make sense to get tricked out on the piece...

All this reinforces my attitude that I do not know everything, and that discussions like this help out in the long run...

orc4hire · Post by **orc4hire** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 1:43 pm

graysoncountyffl · Post by **graysoncountyffl** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 3:40 pm

seems to be common...I picked up a 9109 model, and yep, it shot low as well. Sent it to SA and it came back with a new front site and a test target. Funny thing, I went out and tested it for myself, and my test target was identical to SA's! Cant complain about that. Enjoy.

CaptDave · Post by **CaptDave** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:34 pm

Hey Stevie:

They are A&J Guns out of Dallas.

sending you a pm

CaptDave · Post by **CaptDave** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:44 pm

Hey Graysoncountyffl:

Welcome to the board. 8)

KinnyLee · Post by **KinnyLee** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:38 pm

Congrats! I bought the same pistol as well and it shot low as well. I haven't called Springfield yet, but I'll give them a call when this semester is over. Decent pistol overall for the money. :)

dws1117 · Post by **dws1117** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 11:04 pm

Thanks for the reports. I do like my Springfield, but I can't afford a Baer or Brown so I love what I get.

HighVelocity · Post by **HighVelocity** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:13 am

The SA loaded pistols are a great value. I own two loaded Champions (lightweight and stainless). I carry the lightweight since my wife claimed the stainless as her own.

In regards to shooting low, I would call SA and ask if they offer different hieght front sights. Any competent gunsmith can change them out in 5 minutes if you can't do it yourself. You'll need a shorter front sight to raise your point of impact.

tex45acp · Post by **tex45acp** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:30 pm

Thanks fellas,

I thought I was loosing my touch. I took my new Loaded out this weekend and shooting my Federal 230gr. Hydrashoks it grouped one ragged hole at 15yards..........2" below point of aim. So I backed off to 25 yards and freehand the hole opened uo to about 2 1/2" but dropped another 5". Seven inches low, new out of the box really upsets me. I will call Deb at Springfield this week to get a fix but man I hate sending a new gun in to have it worked on. I will try to talk her into sending me the parts for replacement myself.

graysoncountyffl · Post by **graysoncountyffl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:58 pm

thanks for the welcome, CaptDave!

tex45acp · Post by **tex45acp** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:00 pm

Just got an email response from Deb Else of Springfield and they will NOT send out replacement sights for any containing tritium inserts. She suggested sending the slide to them for sight replacement. I plan on sending the whole gun and requesting a test fire with the new sights and having the test fire target sent back with the gun.

Mike,

I cannot send you a replacement rear sight with tritium inserts. I would recommend shipping the slide to our shop, with a letter asking for installation of the taller Novak rear sight. Include the serial number of the pistol in the letter, along with your return shipping address and daytime contact information.

Deb
Custom Shop Coordinator
Springfield Custom
420 West Main St.
Geneseo, IL 61254
800-617-6751
customshop@springfield-armory.com

CaptDave · Post by **CaptDave** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:49 pm

I spoke with S.A. today and just now shipped the whole pistol off with instructions to test fire after they make the replacement.

We'll see how long it takes and how it works out.

rgoldy · Post by **rgoldy** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 6:52 pm

I am glad you decided to send the entire pistol for a couple of reasons.
First if they install the sights, they will test fire it and change them again if needed until they are right. You could do that also but might take you a couple of tries to get it right, meaning considerable downtime.
Second, tritium inserts are actually kind of fragile. You can damage them if you do not install them carefully. So more better you let them do it and take the chance of messing up to the tune of replacing the replacements.
Finally, and the real reason for shipping it to them. It is under warranty.
They are responsible, they will take care of it.

TexasCHLforum.com

RANGE REPORT S.A. "LOADED" 1911

RANGE REPORT S.A. "LOADED" 1911

NO CAN DO!!!

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