My first 1911 - Springfield 1919-A1 V-12?

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IMtheNRA

New member
This will be my first 1911-type, to be used only for range fun and possibly for steel matches. I'm used to Glocks and BHPs, so I'm in need of advice on this gun. I'm looking for maximum accuracy without buying a custom gun, and I think I found a pretty good deal on a "beginner" pistol.

This is a stainless ported model, polished flats, adjustable sights, and the trigger is the best I've felt on a semi-auto. I'm sure it's been worked on. Breaks surprisingly cleanly, no creep, grit, or anything else. Feels like it is 2 to 3 pounds! The gun is in the consignment case for $550, and it looks like it has been taken care of very well. The only signs of use are on the barrel where the blueing has been rubbed off by the slide and the charred marks on the porting. Otherwise, it is flawless!

The gun comes with one blued "italy" magazine, so I'm sure it is an aftermaket mag, not the original one. Normally, I would buy a new gun, but this one has a much better trigger than what I felt on the Springfield V-12s in the new case for $680.

Here's a link to the manufacturer's page:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-fs.shtml

A few questions:

When the gun is in battery, I can move the tip of the barrel with my finger about 3/4 of a millimeter in all directions. Is this normal? I thought the barrel bushing is used to prevent this type of movement...

What accuracy would you expect from this gun at 25 yards? 50 yards?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
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A V-12 is a very nice choice, but it does have a few traits you need to be aware of.

Because it is ported, it has a bull barrel. Therefore, no barrel bushing. This means it is more difficult to take down and re-assemble. This is the reason you can wiggle the tip of the barrel. I would think that as long as the barrel doesn't rattle when you shake it that it is locking up correctly.

Of the three Springfields I have had intimate contact with, there was no sign of any finish on the grips. I varnished the grips on both of the Springfields I own and it made a huge improvement in the look and feel of the grips.

The sights are black on black. This falls in the personal choice catagory, but I would like a different rear sight if I was to use it for competition. I asked a gunsmith about replacing the rear sight on my V-16, but he did not think he could find one that would fit without major work on the slide. But then, he didn't look very hard.

The feed ramps on the three guns I've known all needed polishing. Easy to do yourself.

The factory mag, if you get one, sucks. I'm not sure, but it sounds like the one you describe is factory.

It comes with a two piece full length guide rod. Most of them start to unscrew as you are shooting the gun. A little teflon tape on the threads will cure that.


The V-12 that I have shot is a very nice handgun. The porting reduces muzzle climb by about a third, allowing you to get back on target faster. The issues I pointed out above are minor annoyances. The difficulty with re-assembly is a pain, but you get used to it.

I think Springfield gives you a lot of gun for your money. I just wish they would ship them with better mags.
 
I believe the factory mag would be stamped "SA 45NM" on the floorplate. A mag stamped "Made in Italy" is probably a MecGar, the company that makes factory mags for Beretta and SIG among others.

I have a V-10 and love it. I believe you'll enjoy your V-12. Did you get the marshmallow roasting attachment with yours? ;)
 
Springfield V12

Good luck with the V12, I'm sure you'll love it, I love mine ;) I believe it to be a great handgun for the money:)
 
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