ltwguns.com

Alright,
So I'm almost positive I'm going to go with a "mild custom" instead of a semi-custom factory gun. Now comes the matter of base guns etc. Now a lot of people recommend the Springfield "Mil-Spec". If I go the SA route which mil-spec is generally considered to be the easiest/preferred for smiths to work on (thereby costing less money)? The "regular" Mil-spec PB9108L (blued) PB9151L (stainless) or the "GI" models PW9108L (blued) and PW9151L. I was going for a "Basic" type of pistol with maybe a bit of "retro" in there (sorta like Dave Berryhill's Basic fighting pistol, Ted Yost's 1* and 1* elite, Chuck Rogers "simple 1991" etc).

This also brings the new Colts to the table as well. I've noticed a NIB Colt 1991A1 Stainless going for roughly $625 on Gunsamerica and the SA PB9151L going for about $500. Is one significantly better than the other (materials used for internals etc.)? For example if the internals on the Colt are of better quality than the SA, the SA may not be "cheaper" in the long run (less things to be replaced). What are all of your thoughts?

Thanks so much
Rich

The Springfield Mil-Spec has lowered & fluted ejection port and a mag well bevel, where the WWII does not. The Mil-Spec has angled cocking serrations and the WWII has straight. Otherwise, I don't see much difference, assuming you are replacing the factory sights.

The stainless Mil-Spec (unless they've made recent changes) has a whole bunch of carbon steel parts that are hard chromed. A stainless frame & slide, to be sure; but not much else. If you want a truly stainless steel gun, the Colt's the better deal.

Current Colts are of nice fit and quality, whether or not they are worth the price difference may depend on how many of the original parts you want to reuse.

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shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

I have noticed that the S.A. stainless mil specs don't seem to be fit and finished as nicely as their blued carbon steel guns, I think someone forgot to tell them that stainless and carbon both cut differently and you cant use the same speeds and feeds when machining them.
I kinda agonized over the same thing as you, Ted and co. have my blued Mil-Spec and I thought about buying a blued Colt and swapping em out but decided against it. I will just buy a Colt later and and maybe leave it stock, well for a little while at least .

I still personally think, that Colt does it better than anyone (assuming no labor and/or management problems at the factory). Colts current management sems to be doing a rather good job of turning out some very fine examples of the 1911, and, as has been the case for about 15 years, their main problem seems to be under-capitalization. I'm venturing a guess, here, but one of the reasons I believe that so many aftermarket parts fit Colts better than their competitors is because I believe they were designed to fit (perhaps with the aid of factory prints), genuine Colt firearms. There are subtle differences between the various manufacturers offerings, and I always find I get better results (subtle though they may be) with a real Colt. Best,

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

AWESOME! That's what I'm talking about. Thanks so much Mr. Williams! Keep it coming guys. (Not that I need any convincing to buy a Colt..I love my 01970A1Cs "re-issue" 70 series.)

Rich

Trumpet,

Here's another vote for Colt. Colts are far better values, given the significantly better quality of internal parts, and superior metallurgy overall.

And I really agree with Don about Colt dimensions. Yes, they have certainly had their manufacturing challenges in the past, but at least they're working off the correct prints. Current Colts have just been fantastic overall, and specifically in regards to critical dimensions.

The icing on the cake is that current Colt barrels are really nice; with a fitted bushing and crown, it will serve most user's accuracy needs just fine. And there's just no escaping the history and allure of that prancing pony!

Hope your project goes great!

Best Regards

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Stan Chen Customs
http://www.chencustoms.com

Ya just gotta love that rampant horse!

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

From what my clients have done and what I have heard from the craftsman who have built those guns, it seems the newer roll mark Colts have better tolerances and spec's for the custom work than the others. Second in that order is the Springfield Milspec.

This is from the guns that have passed through my retail operation.

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Be safe and keep the brass flying

Terry Peters

Do your research but you get what you pay for front end or back end
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