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Aside from the obvious stainless difference, what other major differences are there between these two Springers? Obviously the Stainless is the newer design, but would the GI make a good, reliable, safe concealed carry firearm for a newbie to 1911's? I apologize if this has been discussed - I wasn't really sure what to search for. I would love the Stainless version, but my budget won't really allow it right now unless I sell a ton of stuff...

Hi, I have the Champion (4") version of both.

The advantages to the ss (loaded) version are:

1. Better sights. Probably night sights, which are worth the money. I am pushing sixty and can't hardly focus on the "US" version sights, much less get them up and lined. The "US" version sights are difficult to modify later, comparitively.
2. Safety on both sides. For a carry weapon, you might be forced to use your off hand, this safety can be released with either.
3. The barrel is more accurate and vented, less time to resettle on target and less kick....more accurate is dependent on your ability.
4. SS....summer in Texas and sweat.
5. Ramped feed.....more likely to be able to use all kinds of HP and JHP nose configurations on personal defense rounds.
6. The "US" version is all steel and about 20% heavier, which at the end of the day can make a difference.
7. sure I'm forgetting something else, but..........

Good Luck with your decision. I'm sure either will serve you well.

i prefer the combat style over the gi.. gi has low mount iron sights that are pretty hard to focus on, followed by a low rise beavertail but some prefer it since its easier to carry and doesnt snag on anything.

iwould avoid bouth and stear away from 3 inch, my personal opinion but sacrificing an inch and accuracy just for comfortable concealment isnt worth it to me. again my opinion.

you can find yourself a nice concealable STI which IMO would be more worth the money.

Was concerned with the range qualification part of my CHL using my 3" Colt. Hadn't been target shooting with it a while so took it to the range to see how I could do.

Ran the targets out and fired away. Even at 15 yards everything was in the 8 ring. More than enough to bring down any BG.

I'd shy away from a ported barrel, way too loud & the blast can be distracting.

Be patient...save your money and buy the stainless, you'll be glad you did.

I know what I forgot;

The ss beaver tail is much easier on the hands with .45 pop.

The hammer is a no snag design, also not sharp as in the "US". It is unpleasant and will cut your finger pads.

Save your money, get the better one.
Cotton

From experience go with the 4" model in the stainless loaded. As mentioned, the sights on the GI are horrible.
Also, as far as concealability, the 3" compact only has about 0.5" difference in grip length.
As far as Parked vs Stainless. I'd get a parked model and send it in to be Armor Coated.

I don't know if you have shot a 1911 without a beaver-tail, or know what the words 'hammer bite' mean, but if you go with the GI, you will soon learn.

3" versions are a little more temperamental and may require some adjustment to get it right. After the initial adjusting, they usually run great.

As far as the 3" barrel vs a 4" barrel, there really is no difference in concealability. For almost every type of gun, the hardest part to conceal is the grip(especially if you carry IWB). With a 1911, you start out ahead if the game because the grip profile is so thin.

From gunsamerica, the GI is showing a MSRP of $667. I'm not sure what they would actually charge. http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/defa ... m=PW9801LP

At http://www.chltx.com/KIMBERS.php they have the Kimber UltraCarry II and the Kimber Custom 3" for $699. If you were to buy used I am sure you can find a nice Springfield Loaded or a decent Kimber for around $600.

If you're willing to compromise on the 3" barrel, you're options would open up quite a bit, like the Taurus p1911 which has a lot of features on it for the money and can be had right at about $500.

Whatever you go with, welcome to the 1911 family. I'm sure it won't be your last.

As far as the GI specifically, it's been in service for almost 100 years. I would say it has definitely stood the test of time. And you could always get the GI and upgrade/customize as you find out what is importatant to you and as funding allows. The beavertail grip safety really is an important one though...that hammer hurts when it hits the web of your hand.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I've been reading a lot of people saying that newbies to CC want something small and easy to conceal, and I guess I've fallen into that. I'm just not sure how comfortable it would be to wear my XD .40 4" service model when compared to a single-stack 1911.

I think I'm convinced to stick with a 4" version, and I've experienced slide-bite with my little .380 junk gun - I imagine hammer bite is equally unpleasant! I'm definitely not opposed to used... Thanks for the excellent responses.

For all the reasons stated above, save and get the SS loaded version. You will be glad you did.

particle wrote:Thanks everyone for your responses. I've been reading a lot of people saying that newbies to CC want something small and easy to conceal, and I guess I've fallen into that. I'm just not sure how comfortable it would be to wear my XD .40 4" service model when compared to a single-stack 1911.

I think I'm convinced to stick with a 4" version, and I've experienced slide-bite with my little .380 junk gun - I imagine hammer bite is equally unpleasant! I'm definitely not opposed to used... Thanks for the excellent responses.

My primary carry is a 3" 1911. However, I also sometimes carry an H&K USP Compact in .40 which has a 3.58" barrel, double stack 12 round mag, and is probably close in size to your XD, and it carries just fine. My guess is that your XD .40 will carry just as easily. I have a soft spot when it comes to 1911s, and I'm glad I bought my little Kimber, but I can carry the H&K all day, and have done so, and it doesn't feel any more of a burden than the Kimber, even though it weighs a little bit more.

The point is, get a small 1911 if you want one, but only if you want one. Mind you, they are great pistols and I love mine, but It isn't going to prove to be a panacea compared to your XD in so far as carrying it is concerned. All pistols will force you to make some compromises, either in the way you dress, or carry yourself, or the belt you choose, etc., etc. The only way you're going to know for sure is to carry what you've got for a while and decide whether or not it works for you. Then if doesn't, go ahead and get something else. Smaller isn't always better, but neither is bigger. It's about what works for you, so that you'll be confident to carry every day, armed with as much gun as you can carry without making it impossible for yourself to move around.

I have a 3" Micro similar to the stainless one you posted a picture of. When I bought it, it was considered a "Loaded" model, which is what the stainless Micro is. Mine, unfortunately, does not have a beavertail grip safety(or the ambidextrous safety) , but it does have an extended tang, which prevents hammer bite. The bad thing about that extended tang is that recoil forces it into the web of your hand, and will rub it raw in less than a box of ammo.

Mine has been 100% reliable with good ammo and good mags since the day I bought it. It did, however, have an erratic ejection pattern which Springfield fixed. I've hit 20 gauge shotgun shells at ten paces with it, and can easily hit a man size target at 100 yards. You aren't giving up any accuracy by going to the short barrel, but you will lose velocity and sight radius. The shorter sight radius makes it more difficult to shoot accurately. The loss of velocity may be enough to cause JHP ammo not to expand.

I suggest buying a Loaded model, such as the stainless version pictured. It should also come in a black phosphate type finish that is less expensive. It will come with better sights, and controls that are easier to manipulate than a GI or Mil Spec model.

Mine is easy to conceal, but I prefer revolvers, so it doesn't get carried much.