SA 1911 Questions

H

hubris

New member
Just added a SA 1911 Loaded to my wish list at LGS. Two questions for both SA owners and general 1911 owners...

1.Does the SA 1911 require SA mags only?

2. I'm a lefty so need the ambi safety. When drawing the pistol, is it better to disengage the safety with left thumb during the draw or with the right as taking my grip? The first seems more logical, but I defer to those who actually know.
 
1911 mags come in two sizes. Standard/government and compact/officers.
You want the standard size mags, all brands should wrk in your Springfield. I prefer Wilson etm and Mecgar 8rd mags. I use my strong hand thumb to disengage the safety and use it as a thumb rest too while shooting.
 
Using either thumb should be fine. However, it might be better to develop the muscle memory to disengage the safety with the hand you use to draw your weapon. You may be forced to shoot without your supporting hand. Also, a lot of accidents have happened flicking 1911 safeties off during draw. It can be left engaged until you are on target, or at least real close.
 
Also, a lot of accidents have happened flicking 1911 safeties off during draw
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The safety has nothing to do with when the gun fires; the gun will not discharge during or after disengagement of the safety unless you pull the trigger!
If you pull the trigger during the draw you're doing it wrong, and you shouldn't expect a manual safety to "save you".

You don't want your right hand near the gun until the latter has cleared the holster and is rotated downrange. Once it's oriented downrange, flip the safety off with the left thumb.
The "modern technique" dictates riding the safety with the thumb while shooting; you don't have to reposition your grip after disengagement, your thumb won't be in position to inadvertently flip the safety back on, and it opens up space on the frame for a better grip with the weak hand in a two-handed grip.

I used Check-Mate mags in my Range Officer, but would expect any well-made mag to work.
 
Frankly SA makes good mags. In addition, Checkmate makes some fine magazines.


Other brands may work, or not, ....
 
I have had a Springfield Loaded model 1911 since about 2013/14. Love the pistol, will absolutely never sell it. Only pistol i currently have

Only downside is the ejectors are not pinned, and there is in fact no hole drilled to install a pin.

Has had absolutely zero malfunctions with its factory supplied magazines, a kimber stainless 8rd, and a Wilson combat extended plus power 7rd magazine. The only issues i have ever had with the gun, where with a colt brand magazine (7rd) i ordered from midway. That magazine is now a range only mag, even though it has seemed to work itself out.

There are a few different styles of 1911s and magazines to go with them

1. Standard goverment/commander grip size (these will usually be 7 or 8rd, though extended 10, 15, 25, etc are available)

2. Officers 1911 Grip (usually 6rd capacity in .45acp, i am not sure if the Colt defender uses Officer magazines or not)

3. Double stack 1911 (there are Full size Paras, and compact paras, and i am not sure if the Caspian or STI double stack frames utilize para magazines)

4. Springfield EMP (only available in 9x19mm or .40 S&W)

There are also several calibers available in double stack and single stack guns (10mm, .45ACP, .40S&W, .38 Colt super auto, 9x19mm, etc)

The Loaded model is a fantastic gun though, it should be accurate and reliable for you. I chose to swap a few parts, as i did not like the two piece FLGR, nor the long aluminum trigger, nor the ambi safety, etc

When unholstering and preparing to fire, the safety should be disengaged with the thumb of your primary hand
 
Since you are a lefty, buy a 1911 with an ambi safety. You use the thumb of your shooting hand to disengage the safety. You swipe down where you thumb naturally will fall on the gun. After awhile it becomes second nature. I even swipe imaginary safeties from Glocks.

A single action gun will only use the mags that fit it so no worries about double or single action mags. Mags will come in different sizes though so get them that fit the size gun you buy. With a 1911 they come in Officer/compact and Full size. I prefer a commander sized gun because it has a 4" barrel instead of the 5" on a full sized 1911. I feel that it balances better in my hand but own both sizes.

So buy a 1911 with ambi safeties and it will come with at least one mag and if you buy extra mags. Just buy the one that is for your size gun.
 
...It (the safety) can be left engaged until you are on target, or at least real close.
Click to expand...

That's the method I prefer. While it's true that the gun won't fire until the trigger is pulled and that the trigger finger should not be on the trigger until the gun is on target and you intend to fire, I guess I just think it's a good idea to "play it safe" as long as possible.
 
I have the Springfield Armory Loaded in 9mm. That takes special mags ;). Congrats on a great pistol. There are so many aftermarket parts for the 1911 that you should get what makes you most comfortable. Mine has an ambidextrous safety, with the right side safety being smaller than the left.
 
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