Post by TA on Mar 17, 2004 15:37:29 GMT -5
I started out on this 1911 quest looking at the Kimber Eclipse. I must admit, I was drawn by the sleek looks of this gun. The contrast between the mat black and shiney brushed stainless steel looked superb to me. I kept looking at more of them waiting to find the deal I couldn't refuse. Then I saw the Springfield Black SS loaded. This model came out in 2003. Gun-Test magazine gave it a great write-up with a "must buy" or "our pick", I don't recall which. It looked great and had many of the same features of the Kimber without the Series II Swartz safety. I went to local gun show and found one at one of the dealer booths. I was able to handle it and check it out well. I was sold, but it was still a little pricey. I started watching for them on the internet auction sites. I found my particular gun on www.auctionarms.com . It was sitting at $710.00 new in box with no bids. I put in my bid and got it. I don't remember the exact cost, but after FFL transfer and shipping, I had about $745.00 in it out the door. I feel it was a good deal and have not regretted the purchase at any time. MSRP this year is $999.00 .
This gun shoots really well with no problems to speak of. I did have a small problem initially. The slide was rubbing the dust cover on the right side of the gun. I sent it back to Springfield and they fixed the problem and refinished it, no cost to me. It did take about 4 or 5 weeks to get back. The factory was shut down for about a week of that time for inventory. They did a great job and I was happy. Customer Service was good to very good throughout my many phone calls. I replaced the factory recoil spring with a Wolff 20# spring and added a Shok Buffer. I then replaced the hammer spring, cap and retainer with an 18# set-up in an effort to reduce trigger pull. I kept the same main spring housing. This also eliminated the Integral Locking System (I.L.S.). The trigger pull is advertised as 5-6 lbs., but I would have to guess it was 6 lbs. or better. It did help somewhat, but I want to get it down to 3 1/2 - 4 lbs., so this gun does have a trigger job in its near future. All in all, I believe this is a good value with all the features you get in an out of the box gun. The finish is beautiful and the fit is good. The slide could be a little tighter but it glides like glass.
The guns features and specifications:
Caliber: .45 ACP
Stainless steel forged frame and slide
5" throated match grade barrel
Bo Mar target tritium night sites
Titanium firing pin
Loaded chamber indicator
High Hand beavertail grip safety
Ambi extended thumb safety
Adjustable lightweight trigger
Delta lightweight hammer
Extended mag well
2 piece full length guide rod
Lowered and flared ejection port
Slimline grips
Weighs 35 oz.
Comes with 2 SS 7 round magazines
Lifetime warranty
This gun shoots really well with no problems to speak of. I did have a small problem initially. The slide was rubbing the dust cover on the right side of the gun. I sent it back to Springfield and they fixed the problem and refinished it, no cost to me. It did take about 4 or 5 weeks to get back. The factory was shut down for about a week of that time for inventory. They did a great job and I was happy. Customer Service was good to very good throughout my many phone calls. I replaced the factory recoil spring with a Wolff 20# spring and added a Shok Buffer. I then replaced the hammer spring, cap and retainer with an 18# set-up in an effort to reduce trigger pull. I kept the same main spring housing. This also eliminated the Integral Locking System (I.L.S.). The trigger pull is advertised as 5-6 lbs., but I would have to guess it was 6 lbs. or better. It did help somewhat, but I want to get it down to 3 1/2 - 4 lbs., so this gun does have a trigger job in its near future. All in all, I believe this is a good value with all the features you get in an out of the box gun. The finish is beautiful and the fit is good. The slide could be a little tighter but it glides like glass.
The guns features and specifications:
Caliber: .45 ACP
Stainless steel forged frame and slide
5" throated match grade barrel
Bo Mar target tritium night sites
Titanium firing pin
Loaded chamber indicator
High Hand beavertail grip safety
Ambi extended thumb safety
Adjustable lightweight trigger
Delta lightweight hammer
Extended mag well
2 piece full length guide rod
Lowered and flared ejection port
Slimline grips
Weighs 35 oz.
Comes with 2 SS 7 round magazines
Lifetime warranty