[Jeff Higgins]

I like my Springfield Armory. It is a very basic, parkerized finish, no frills issue grade gun. The sights could be better and it could use a beavertail safety, but other than that, no complaints. I polished the feed ramp and opened up the mouth of the chamber on the bottom per specifications given in Kunhausen's book on 1911's. It feeds anything and everything, including target wadcutters.

When I bought this thing 20 odd years ago, the accepted practice was to buy a standard mil-spec 1911 and go to work on it. Things are much better today. You can buy guns with the good sights, beavertail grip safety, throated barrels, and all of that right out of the box. I'm particularly impressed with the new Springfields and Kimbers. You can't go wrong with either. Features are a matter of personal taste, but at a minimum I would recomend a beavertail and good sights. The beavertail will save the web of your shooting hand; the sights make it easier to hit.