Which Springfield 1911

[mitchr]

I am considering Springfield as my next 1911 & just want to be sure I haven't overlooked one that fits what I want. I basically have two requirements.

I want the 4" Barrel - for concealed carry
I want stainless steel because of east Texas humidity

To the best of my ability (very limited) I have checked their web site & looks like my only choice is the "Champ Loaded" Model PX9142LP. Is that correct, or is there any I am overlooking?

Thanks for your help.

[tclu1308]

Sadly, I think you are right. I've been poking around on their website a lot lately trying to decide on a purchase myself, and I'm pretty sure all their stainless 1911's are 5" I think a stainless GI w/ 4" barrel would be sweet!

anyway, maybe try dropping them a line via e-mail. sales@springfield-armory.com
or customshop@springfield-armory.com

[mitchr]

I may try that. But, I know the custom shop is going to be more than I want to spend. The Champ. Loaded is already within $200 to $250 of a Dan Wesson CBOB, so if I'm going much higher, I'd get the DW.

[KW Gary M]

I love my 1911 Springfiels but the 4" barrel is going to leave you limited. Mine is a full size 5". There are some but not many.

Springfield CHAMP TNS 45SS Package for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $794.00

Will Stainless with a black frame work? Here is one:

Springfield OPR LW TNS RL 452TN Package for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $1,110.00

Or if you'll take a 3.5" barrel

Springfield UC TNS 3.5" 45SS Package for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $794.00

I love my Springfield 1911. Great gun.

[mitchr]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

I love my 1911 Springfiels but the 4" barrel is going to leave you limited. Mine is a full size 5". There are some but not many.

Springfield CHAMP TNS 45SS Package for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $794.00

Will Stainless with a black frame work? Here is one:

Springfield OPR LW TNS RL 452TN Package for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $1,110.00

Or if you'll take a 3.5" barrel

Springfield UC TNS 3.5" 45SS Package for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $794.00

I love my Springfield 1911. Great gun.

I may look at the 3.5". I have heard a few negative things about muzzle flash, recoil, etc. on short barrels. Concensus has been that 4" should be minimum. I realize this could be just a personal preference so I'll check into it more. I opted not to go with 5" for carry because I have a Kimber with 4" barrel & it is about maximum for comfort in sitting position. I think 5" might dig into the seat. I could get a holster which is canted but, most of the time I carry for cross-draw (also because easier to draw when sitting) and only holsters I see which are canted, are canted the wrong direction. I sure don't want to spring for a special made rig:$$$$. Appreciate your help.

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by mitchr

I may look at the 3.5". I have heard a few negative things about muzzle flash, recoil, etc. on short barrels. Concensus has been that 4" should be minimum. I realize this could be just a personal preference so I'll check into it more. I opted not to go with 5" for carry because I have a Kimber with 4" barrel & it is about maximum for comfort in sitting position. I think 5" might dig into the seat. I could get a holster which is canted but, most of the time I carry for cross-draw (also because easier to draw when sitting) and only holsters I see which are canted, are canted the wrong direction. I sure don't want to spring for a special made rig:$$$$. Appreciate your help.

I agree on not carrying the 5". My 1911 is a 5" barrel. I have carried it but not the most comfortable. My main carry gun is an XD Subcompact .40 with a 3" barrel and I have never had an issue with muzzle flash. I've shot the 3" in pitch black night time just to test that and no issues at all. You see the flash but not blinding.

[SightNSqueeze]

Does it have to be stainless. I carry a Colt Officer's ACP with a parkerized finish in hot and humid South Carolina. You would have to at least wipe down "any" pistol with "any" finish at the end of the day. Just a thought.

[ackspac]

Originally Posted by mitchr

I am considering Springfield as my next 1911 & just want to be sure I haven't overlooked one that fits what I want. I basically have two requirements.

I want the 4" Barrel - for concealed carry
I want stainless steel because of east Texas humidity

To the best of my ability (very limited) I have checked their web site & looks like my only choice is the "Champ Loaded" Model PX9142LP. Is that correct, or is there any I am overlooking?

Thanks for your help.

I bouth the GI Champion Model last month and it is my favorite handgun. The 4" barrel conceals very good and it is as accurate as the 5" model.

[deserthobbies]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

I agree on not carrying the 5". My 1911 is a 5" barrel. I have carried it but not the most comfortable. My main carry gun is an XD Subcompact .40 with a 3" barrel and I have never had an issue with muzzle flash. I've shot the 3" in pitch black night time just to test that and no issues at all. You see the flash but not blinding.

Gary, I have one of the blachhawk paddle holsters and you can remove the paddle and use it for a belt holster and it has about 4 different cant you can adjust both ways, as you can see in the pic the barrel 4" dont even come out the end , cost me 34.95 brand new

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by deserthobbies

Gary, I have one of the blachhawk paddle holsters and you can remove the paddle and use it for a belt holster and it has about 4 different cant you can adjust both ways, as you can see in the pic the barrel 4" dont even come out the end , cost me 34.95 brand new

I have seen those holsters. Almost bought one at the last gun show and wish I had now. The problem I have still with carrying a full size 5" barell 1911 is I live in Key West where we wear shorts, t shirts and flip flops as formal business attire. I only own 2 pair of long pants and maybe 2 sweat shirts and one jacket.

[mitchr]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

I have seen those holsters. Almost bought one at the last gun show and wish I had now. The problem I have still with carrying a full size 5" barell 1911 is I live in Key West where we wear shorts, t shirts and flip flops as formal business attire. I only own 2 pair of long pants and maybe 2 sweat shirts and one jacket.

Boy, you do have a problem! They say "dress for what you carry" but, in your case, you'd look wierd trying to carry much more than a pocket gun. Maybe one of those little "purse thingeys" you wear around your waist?

[mitchr]

Originally Posted by SightNSqueeze

Does it have to be stainless. I carry a Colt Officer's ACP with a parkerized finish in hot and humid South Carolina. You would have to at least wipe down "any" pistol with "any" finish at the end of the day. Just a thought.

Not an absolute must, just kinda like the stainless, plus it gets pretty humid here in e. Texas. I wear tee shirts underneath outer shirt anyway so it is between my pistol & my skin, but it still gets sweaty. I may look at some of the blued models & maybe just plan on oiling them down good every day. I don't want to go to the expense of some kind of special finish for protection.

[SightNSqueeze]

Originally Posted by mitchr

Not an absolute must, just kinda like the stainless, plus it gets pretty humid here in e. Texas. I wear tee shirts underneath outer shirt anyway so it is between my pistol & my skin, but it still gets sweaty. I may look at some of the blued models & maybe just plan on oiling them down good every day. I don't want to go to the expense of some kind of special finish for protection.

You might want to consider a soft suede leather in-the-pants holster with straps that snap around your belt outside of your pants. Bianchi made the one I use and it is pretty low profile; ideal for a flat 1911 compact type pistol. The only problem is that your outer shirt would have to hang over it untucked. A lot of people here wear tropical cut shirts that are meant to wear over the belt. I might start wearing them during the summer months so that I can carry the .45 Colt Officer's ACP year round.

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by mitchr

Boy, you do have a problem! They say "dress for what you carry" but, in your case, you'd look wierd trying to carry much more than a pocket gun. Maybe one of those little "purse thingeys" you wear around your waist?

I do carry a fanny pack holster often. I got the lambskin one at Sportsman's Guide for about $20 at the excelent suggestion of TX Pilot. Wearing a fanny pack in Key West makes me look like either a tourist or a homo but either way I blend in with the crowd (we have many of both) and have a gun that nobody sees.

[Deersniper]

mitchr, I've had one for three years now, and not one hiccup. one of the best guns made. If you can find one, get it. All the custom shop features for about 8-850.00. It's 37 oz, but it's all quality. Make sure you get the tritium night sites. This gun is accurate, I shot at a stump this weekend and put one HBRN bullet inside another one!

[mitchr]

Originally Posted by SightNSqueeze

You might want to consider a soft suede leather in-the-pants holster with straps that snap around your belt outside of your pants. Bianchi made the one I use and it is pretty low profile; ideal for a flat 1911 compact type pistol. The only problem is that your outer shirt would have to hang over it untucked. A lot of people here wear tropical cut shirts that are meant to wear over the belt. I might start wearing them during the summer months so that I can carry the .45 Colt Officer's ACP year round.

Already wear those type shirts & carry either my Kimber or a Bersa .40 cal. in OWB straight up holster & this limits me on gun length. If I go to IWB type holster, will have the same problem, plus have to replace all my pants. Already pretty snug on me. I'd never be able to draw the pistol because too tight. I was told about a kydex paddle holster that had a removable paddle & holster could be rotated to cant either direction. If I can find one & can make sure it'll work, I'll get it.

[KW Gary M]

Originally Posted by mitchr

Already wear those type shirts & carry either my Kimber or a Bersa .40 cal. in OWB straight up holster & this limits me on gun length. If I go to IWB type holster, will have the same problem, plus have to replace all my pants. Already pretty snug on me. I'd never be able to draw the pistol because too tight. I was told about a kydex paddle holster that had a removable paddle & holster could be rotated to cant either direction. If I can find one & can make sure it'll work, I'll get it.

I buy all my holsters at the gun shows. I bring my gun with me. I know in FL you are allowed to bring an unloaded gun into a show. They just put a wire tie through the barrel and ejector so the slide stays open a bit. I will actually put my gun in the holster and see how it fits. If I am buying holsters for more than one gun most holster vendors will trust you to take a holster over to a dealer who has your gun on his table to try the fit. Much better selection at the gun shows. I find prices at shows for actual guns or ammo to be very high but accesories like holsters, range bags, magazines, hearing protection they are usually pretty cheap. I don't think I've bought a gun at a gun show in 10 years. I hold them, feel them, decide if I like them and go home to order it from Bud's at a much lower cost.

[mitchr]

Originally Posted by KW Gary M

I buy all my holsters at the gun shows. I bring my gun with me. I know in FL you are allowed to bring an unloaded gun into a show. They just put a wire tie through the barrel and ejector so the slide stays open a bit. I will actually put my gun in the holster and see how it fits. If I am buying holsters for more than one gun most holster vendors will trust you to take a holster over to a dealer who has your gun on his table to try the fit. Much better selection at the gun shows. I find prices at shows for actual guns or ammo to be very high but accesories like holsters, range bags, magazines, hearing protection they are usually pretty cheap. I don't think I've bought a gun at a gun show in 10 years. I hold them, feel them, decide if I like them and go home to order it from Bud's at a much lower cost.

Thanks for the tip. I haven't been to a gun show in a long time - prefer to buy pistols from the local dealers & have always tried to buy new. But, since I decided to look for a new 1911 & can't find what I want in a store, will be going to shows to maybe be able to handle one like I want, then have local dealer order it. Think I'll give them a look. Thanks