I had a Springfield, a stainless no frills 1911, full size. Dumbest thing I ever did was sell that gun. It ran perfectly from the first day. After owning lots of 1911's over my many years of shooting (Colts and Kimbers mostly), I found that the only one that ever ran flawlessly out of the box and with good accuracy was the 5" Springfield.
I'm getting another one ASAP. I've concluded that if one sticks with a basic platform (like the thing was designed to be), it will serve well. The older I get the more I realize that tiny groups from super-tight 1911's are not what make them special. Neither do I need night sights or even adjustable sights. A 5" 1911 is the best defensive handgun on the planet, and 'tis my useless opinion that upgrades like skelitized triggers and extended mag releases and ambidexterous safeties and beveled magazine wells and different springs will save your hide. A full size Springfield works as is out of the box. When a manufacturer or individual starts messing with shortened barrel and slide and tight tolerances, they are risking fixing something that ain't broke, but will be broke once the fixes are in place.
I hate to admit what I paid for my last 4" Kimber. It had it all. Groups were under 3" at 50 yards. BUT, it jammed. Not often, but too much. Even after the recommended break-in time, I'd get a jam about once out of every 3 clips. Also, it would not feed 230 grn. hardball. Whoever heard of a 1911 that wouldn't feed hardball? It demanded 185 grain ammo, which have a shorter ocl. But even so, whether the magazines were Kimber, McCormick or Wilson, that one in 3 clips would not go away. I shot the thing enough that the mainspring had to be replaced, according to the manual. Still, the jams were there.
I sold it and bought a Ruger SR9c, which has never jammed with any ammo. Yet, it's still just a 9mm, and I can't live with a 9mm as my main carry gun. I gettin' a 5" Springfield.
