The Springfield is a beautiful gun, and definitely a good representation of the original WWII 1911. The slight variation in the color scheme really sets it off. I agree completely to get something like this to make sure your 1943 lasts another 80 years or more. That's a real piece of history.

1911 is still my favorite. Used to carry on as an MP, but it was an old Colt.

A 1911 has the sweetest, iconic sound when racking the slide back.. I found my SA mil spec in a pawn shop, it was love at first sight! I know I paid more than I should have, but I consider the purchase, a rescue mission to what is now, my edc sidearm... :)

Spent almost 20 years with the SA 1911 mil-spec A-1. Was very happy with that pistol.

11:50 I was an M1 tanker in the Army, 87-91. Tank crewmen at the time carried the WWII era 1911s, the same as you have there. All different manufacturers. We used the lanyard loops with lanyards as standard. The other end of the lanyard was attached to our LBE or shoulder holster. We only used leather shoulder holsters. All our 1911s functioned flawlessly and I loved shooting them. 👍

Turned 21 a couple years ago, this was the first gun I ever owned. Do not regret, even though my collection has grown its still my favorite.

My wife was passed down an original from WWII complete with leather holster. The holster has Peleliu scratched into it along with tally marks (who knows what it’s counting). It still shoots as good as new 1911’s and is about the same shape as yours in the video except hers has a lot of wear inside the slide.

It took me forty years of shooting handguns to arrive at this model. I lacked wrist discipline and so for years shot revolvers, passing on the reliability issue from my brain to the firearm. Then one day I discovered that all that shooting had internalized my attention to grip: I found that I actually shot a Glock 9mm better than I shot my revolvers, and soon after realized I could shoot a Series 70 .45 with equal success. It wasn't long after that I cleaned out all my S&Ws and chose this SA model for my sole handgun. One consideration (as discussed in another of your videos) is that I retired to an "impossible" CCL state, where neither the law permits nor the culture requires that I feel I need to carry--so size doesn't matter. My father loved the 1911A1 but never could afford one while raising a family following WWII. I'm happy to be fulfilling his dream.

Excellent comparison! You're very calm and composed when talking about these guns. Thanks for making this video!

During my Army service “back in the day” I was issued both M1911 or M1911A1 pistols at various assignments. I’ve also played with the Springfield All Custom version with modern Novak sights. I personally preferred the smaller military sights over the modern gigantic three-dots because of the precise sight picture I could achieve even under stress. Aim small, miss small. YMMV

Just got a Springfield 1911, here in CA you have your choice between a Springfield or a kimber- literally only those 2. It’s a beautiful gun, I didn’t understand the following of the 1911 before but now I do, just something about it.

Great video. I’ve got 8 1911’s. & 1 Remington Rand 1944 US army issue 1911. I’ve had it for 30 + yrs and have never fired it. The gun is in great shape but it’s not replaceable. To me. I’m just a 1911 lover. Love your channel. Thank you for doin good info vids.

Love the basic 1911A1! Fits my hand perfectly, and I shoot "OK" with it. If I could have only *ONE* handgun, it would be a 1911!! Thanks for the video, David!

Mil-spec refers to the tolerances on the prints the gun has been made too.They are made so ALL the parts are INTERCHANGEABLE...that is mil spec!

Hell yeah, nice collection man. My grandpa was a ranger in north Africa, France, and Germany. As a retired combat vet myself, I appreciate seeing this. Good on you sir.

Excellent! Thanks for a side by side review of the Classic and modern Mil spec 1911's Excellent video bud!

Your enthusiasm elevates these videos, Dave, and makes them really enjoyable. Thanks.

I carried a Remington Rand 1911 for years back in the 70's. I installed a match barrel and bushing and it was a very good shooter. It gobbled up 230 ball without a hick up and never experience tolerance stack up with it.

Wow, perfect video for me! I have owned a stainless steel Springfield mil-spec 1911A1 for a long time. And I carried a Remington Rand in a shoulder holster while I was in Vietnam.

Bought a mil spec in 2004 sold it later and bought another couple years ago both functioned flawlessly with ball ammo which is all I shot from either. Accuracy was excellent with both for the most part, bare bones pistols. Nice video and I like that WW2 model too they just look so darn good , small sights and all.

Great video, I love my Springfield 1911 congratulations on your purchase. My wood grips came with the Springfield emblem emblazoned on the grips

Excellent video. My first 1911 was a Rock Island as well. I just purchased this Springfield and get to pick it up on November 19. In addition, I have a Colt 1911 Competition chambered in 9mm and a Ruger SR1911.

I was issued the M1911A1 in the 80s. My USAF match gun had a Remington slide and Colt frame. Adjustable sights and trigger were added with TLC by USAF armorers. Made me look good. The SA Mil Spec used to be made in Brazil by Imbel and assembled here; look and see if it says "Itajuba" or "Imbel" on the frame under the grips. Imbel made them for the Brazilian military (in 9x19) before they switched to the Beretta 92 (as we did). The 1911 clones made in Brazil, Turkey and the Philippines seem as well made as anything I was issued. An ISO 9000 CAD/CAM machine in Turkey can do a better job than a 1940s sewing machine company. ;)

The ONE "Mod" I did to my NM Springfield Armory 1911A1 was taking flat white modeling paint and 'enhancing' the sights by painting the front ramp and two lines on the rear (on either side of the notch). It has worked WELL over the years, and I would recommend it for those not wanting to swap out sights and keeping to the original in the way of design. I've owned that 1911A1 from Springfield Armory for some 35+ years, and it still DRIVES THE NAILS.

My first automatic pistol was a mil-spec Springfield Armory 1911 purchased brand new in 1988 for.... $315. Lightly modified shortly after purchase to include better sights (3 dot weren't standard back then), a Wilson Combat hammer, trigger and sear, and a throated, polished barrel by a friend who was my company armorer. I still have that pistol to this day and though I have a dozen other 1911s including a couple Les Baers, I'll never part with my original Springfield Armory.

Nice guns, good review. While in the Navy back in the day I carried an early colt 1911, now I find those are very rare because the Army got most of them, so I bought a new Colt Government Model because of nostalgia. It is like the Springfield with the new sight picture, I also bought the holster in black because that was what we used in the Navy.

I absolutely love my Kimber custom 2! Over 1k rds no issues, have 7 sets of grips, 5 holsters, it will hit any target I point at, put fiber a optic front sight changed all the black pieces to stainless, it’s my favorite piece! Kimber has a bad rap, mine is a beauty though!

My buddy has this same Springfield and man it is slick! Those are VERY VERY nice pistols with smooth slick nice handling controls and awesome triggers!

Very good video. I have a Springfield MIlSpec from 15-20 years ago that I bought new, I forget exactly when. When new It had black plastic grips, a lot closer to what is on your Rem-Rand. It has served me well and while I'm not currently carrying it EDC, I have in the past and do carry it sometimes still. OWB, Shoulder holster and IWB occasionally, though I generally dislike IWB, sometimes it's the only way to carry a full size pistol. For a few years Springfield made what they called a GI model, which was a lot closer to the WWII production guns than the MilSpec. Really wish I'd gotten one when they were available.

Hi Dave, Beautiful firearms, thanks again for showing me Mill-Spec and what it means. Be well

Great review DR Drake you have good taste in equipment.

Very nice review and info on 1911’s. Greatly appreciate your knowledge.

Love my MilSpec Springfield. It has always worked with any ammo.

I'm really glad to see that Springfield is getting some respect back after alot of people boycotted them. They really make the best production 1911s out there, I loved my light weight ronin commander so much I bought another one.

I have both a Remington Rand WW2 and a mil- spec, both awesome platforms.

So beautiful brings a tear to my eye. Much love and respect from Australia 🇦🇺🇺🇸

Great video. I have the Springfield also. And the holster, belt, and magazine pouch. Mine is black though. It’s from the Vietnam era. It goes well with my M1A.

Nice review! The Springfield Armory mil spec is really a decent 1911 for the money. A stainless steel mil spec was one my first 1911 pistol.

I remember seeing the MP s having the lanyard on their 1911s growing up on military bases. I always thought they looked cool on there and maybe a bit more secure.

This video just made me even more excited about my incoming Springfield 1911 Mil Spec. I can’t wait!

Great report on the 1911. I love that old war horse pumpkin roller.

I picked up one of these too - Defender Series Mil-Spec in the carboard box with just one mag, a good deal at $475 new.

Speaking of finish on the R-R, I bought a Remington-Rand 1911A1 in 1987 for $300. After wiping the cobwebs out of the barrel, I discovered it was a new or nearly new High Standard barrel as you could see the marks of the drill bit on the lands and the rifling cutter marks in the grooves.

I think the definition of mil-spec and how to interpret it as it applies to these firearms needs to be discussed. I was always told and from what i have read, mil-spec is short for military specification. I thought that meant that there are a certain number of categories and guidelines that the military set and a firearm must fall within those guidelines in order to be a quote “mil-spec” firearm. I am really sure that if a firearm meets all the criteria of what is considered mil-spec that if it surpasses military specifications that is does not get disqualified as mil-spec. It doesn’t have to be an exact copy of an original 1911 from wwII to be mil-spec. I think S/A put together a 1911 that very closely mimics a genuine original one but with a couple liberties such as the sights, grips, and checkering which really improved the gun, but still stayed true to the intention of the appearance of a back in the day govt issued 1911. I certainly do not think that disqualifies if from being mil-spec.

I own more than one 1911. One of them being a mil spec Springfield and i think it's awesome.

Some of the real differences in the two guns that are more than cosmetic are that the New Version has a lowered and faired back ejection port along with an extended ejector, and a beveled magazine well. The sights are also a big change and I happen to like the originals just fine, but I understand I’m an outlier here… SA does make a fine gun.

very detail comparison of the two, thanks.

I have a Springfield Mil Spec 1911. It’s more a Mil Spec tribute than a part for part copy. Mine is a great shooter.

Have a stanless milspec. Beautiful pistol and functions like a sewing machine. The milspec is a fine pistol, you wont be disappointed. Great video

the SA Mil-Spec was originally a step up from their "GI Issue 1911 (back in the early 90s) the GI would match your WWII 1911 exactly. The Mil-Spec added the raised sights, a lowered ejection port, and the barrel. SA stopped offering the GI Issue, since the price point was exactly the same as the Mil-Spec. So no one was buying the GI version, except people looking for an exact WWII Army issue 1911 new in box. So now the Mil-Spec is their lower priced 1911.

Got a few of these, good work. - Neo

Excellent review!

Last year I found a small baggie of gun parts at a garage sale. Picking it up I noticed three near perfect 1911 barrels. All government marked and dated from 1944. There was also some other 1911 parts such as springs. I paid $12 for the whole bag! Because I didn't have a 1911, I sold the bag for $550 that very night.

I have a Military Model from the mid 1990's. Shot it a lot. Looks just like that one but has Model 1911-A1/Cal .45 on the slid. I also have recently a Tisas Service Special. It came with the 1911 flat main spring housing with a lanyard loop. I got an arched one to replace it with with a lanyard loop. I also inherited a 1943 Ingram pistol. Tisas makes a closer to mil-spec 1911 they call the W W II model. There pistol has the original sites on it.

Those pitting marks, the imperfections of not only the manufacturer of the time but the national crisis to weaponize our fighting men/alternatively the stuff you see on Walthers in late war....that stuff that cannot be faked...and it gives me, a history buff just the utter chills it's so cool, the tactile reminder of a period of true trials.

Great video. Looks to be a different package compared to the Springfield Mil-Spec I got around 2015. The parkerizing on mine is beautiful, it’s like black velvet. By the way, thats a nice Remington!

Got one, love it. Shoots great and feels good. Sights are different but I can adjust.

I got the SA operator and yes the first upgrade was getting a GI lanyard mainspring house on it. They got these kimber ones that are flat and comes already assembled.

I had a RIA GI 1911, i sold it to buy the springfield milspec 1911, I absolutely love it! I’m pretty accurate with it, I bought 2x magazines as well, I kinda miss my RIA and i may ask my friend i wanna buy it back lol, i also bought a springfield 10mm ronin not long ago as well!

I have the same Springfield its a very good shooter. Love it..shoots every bit as good as my Wilson.

Springfield Armory used to make a "GI" model. No lowered and flared ejection port, same lower sights, same safety lever, same arched mainspring housing, same hammer, etc.....as your Remington Rand. I currently own two Springfield Armory 1911's, a 'GI' model and a 'Loaded' model. If I carry my 'Loaded' model, it's in a shoulder holster.

Those lanyard loops were used by M.P.s, Navy Shore Patrol, Guard posts, and others. The reason you have never seen the lanyards used is, you were not in the military back when we actually carried 1911s.

Good content! Interesting and informative. I'm a cz guy but been leaning toward a 1911 lately.

I would've LOVED those sights when enlisted!

I've had that Springfield for a while now, great gun for the money. Hell, great gun for a bit more.

1911A1compartable to my hand thanks for video, David!

The Springfield has a Lowered Ejection Port too compared to the Mil-Spec.

1973 Army Military Police here. I had the remington like you show and we had to use lanyard loop all the time.

The 45 auto 1911 is my favorite handgun in the world it is the 1st one that I have fell in love with back in the seventies when I used to watch starsky and hutch and to this day it is still my all time favorite number 1 handgun.

EXCELLENT video, thanks very much. Greetings from Mexico City

Cool piece of 1911 history you have there I also like the new version 1911milspec gi both basic dependable design good video sir.

I own a a1 and a mil-spec 1911 and many other 1911s from Springfield and other different manufacturers. The mil-spec is a wonderful entry level 1911, never had a problem with the old girl

I’ve got the same gun, and I love it. Planning on making a leather holster for mine.

Awesome《☆》The GI cardboard box from Remington is in remarkable shape & probably just as important as the actual gun👍🤓

When we lived near Springfield, MO I saw a WW-1 issued m1911 that was manufactured in 1916, and had served in the same artillery unit as Harry Truman. I also bought a Springfield Armory m1911a1 GI model, (one step down from yours) which unless You have a very good knowledge of the original, and really good eyesight, I doubt you could tell it from an issued WW-2 handgun. And it has a lanyard loop. 😁

I bought the SA 1911 mil-spec in december of '20. Put maybe 300 rounds through it and I love it. The only issue I had was with some colt magazines I picked up from gunshow not feeding properly. Only things i swapped out from it was the barrel bushing and the grips. I wanted that classic look of a black barrel bushing and brown checkered grips over the cocobolo wood grips with the SA insignia.

As with prices I got the RIA 1911. Comparing apples to apples it wasn't a rotten apple by any means. That Springfield is nice also.

That Remington 1911 might have tired springs, particularly the recoil spring and the firing pin spring. Wolff Gunsprings make really good springs for the 1911 pistols.

I’ve had two of the bare bones Mil-Spec since 2002. Only change I made was to replace the original cheesy plastic grip. Great pistols, after thousands of rounds, never had a problem.

Nice pistols both! I have a Colt 1911Series 70 model which I also like. I wish it had the Springfield sights though.

Love your WW2 1911 Very nice weapon. I have one of the mil spec springfield 1911. Been very reliable Have taking it to the range of a few times and have not had one malfunction.

Nice review. Would have liked to see trigger pull weight (lbs) of the SA Mil-Spec vs RR.

Great vid, Drake! 💪🏻🇵🇷👍🏻

Nice Comparison ! I have Owned a Colt Combat Elite 1911, and a Colt M1 A1 Both series 70's, I now have a Rock Island 1911 Copy in tactical Form SS, Also a series 70 Clone. .Everyone should own at least One !! Good Video !

Congratulations Very nice vídeo. I’bought a Springfield Milspec here in Brasil.

That old Remington Rand looks pretty good to be made by a bunch of typewriter people. That's a really nice WW2 original gun. One thing about the old military 1911;s was they would rattle when you shook them, there was a pretty good amount of play between the frame and slide, you could actually feel the loose tolerances of the frame/slide fit. Question: Is the new one anything like the old ones on the loose tolerances? I would imagine the new ones are probably quite a bit tighter than the old ones.

Here in Brazil we have a company called Imbel, wich produced a mil spec 1911A1, but unfortunately they have recently annouced the stoped the production of theese. It has a lanyard on the mainspring housing like your original, but comes with a cold hammer forged barrel, bakelite grips, modern ejection port and modern sights, I actually own one. Imbel is a very respected company, they have produced 1911s for springfield for years

David, I was wondering about the beaver tail or hammer bite to the web of the hand. I have a scar from years of shooting my uncles pistol. On the A1 improved version, is that web bite caused mostly by the sharpness of the tail or from hammer biting? Fun fun video here. Randy-IL

SA 1911A1 Mil- Spec is a great pistol. Only mod I made was an extended slide release and that was only because age is catching up with me and the longer release is a little easier for me to operate. For you young folks, do nothing to the pistol except take it to the range and practice-practice-practice...if ammo ever becomes available in quantity again.

Looks amazing and I believe it would look even better on my hip ! Thanks for showing

Loved mine! Wish I had it back

Favorite pistol. I have a colt made in 1942 . It was my dad's gun. I gave it to my son.

The Turkish made Tisas M1911A1 “U.S. Army” imported by SDS is the closest clone currently in production that’s out there.

You can see physical differences in tolerance of slide to frame fit. Very interesting

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING VIDEO

Thanks for the great review. I qualified with an Ithaca M1911A1 during my Army service in South Korea. The sights are rudimentary because the original 1911 was not designed for accurate target shooting. It was meant to be a close quarters combat, point and shoot, and quickly hit your enemy pistol. There was no zeroing of the weapon itself, the zeroing range was for zeroing the shooter. So while the sights of that Springfield would have been nice to have on the range for paper competitions, it could prove a deadly distraction during an enemy engagement at close quarters. I wouldn’t hesitate to carry one as a personal defense weapon.

The sound of the hammer cocking sounds like the signature sound for Hammer cocking guns in the movies.

Nice, I have a Remington Rand aswell, cool to see another one around, my grand put stag grips on it tho and NGL, I like em better than the standard checkered grips

The big difference is the size of the ejection port. As for the serrations on the mainspring housing and slidestop, later Remington Rand and Colt pistols in WW2 were also serrated. From early 1944 to end of production.

My 1911s are strategically located around the house for security purposes, although I don't shoot them anymore. For carrying, my favorite is a SA Champion (commander) TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) that says Brazil F1. The front strap came checkered, which is nice.