Anyone who knows much about 1911s knows there are two basic variations. Those with passive firing pin blocks and those without. The conventional wisdom is that the series 70 pistols have the better trigger pulls. I am going to tell you all why I disagree.
Springfield in order to make their guns drop safe have had to go with a light titanium firing pin and a very heavy mainspring. Kimber and Colt on the other hand have steel firing pins and passive block safeties that disengage in Kimbers case when you depress the grip safety and in colts case when you pull the trigger. While old 1911s made prior to series 80 were known for having great triggers, the springfield series 70 is not made to the same standards.
In addition to a heavy mainspring and titanium firing pin, the sear, hammer and disconnect on loaded models are MiM. I replaced my sear and disconnect with tool steel parts but the trigger pull on my loaded Springfield still sucks compared with Colt or Kimber. I suspect the combination of high strength sear and soft hammer along with the extra heavy hammer spring are causing the parts to gall a bit during my trigger pull. I also have way more light strike issues with this gun and none in those with firing pin blocks and steel firing pins. The Kimber I have has a great trigger and hits primers great without changing parts. I like the feel of my Springfield and may get a tool steel hammer and steel firing pin for target shooting but it will never be a carry gun then because of the chance of accidental discharge. But maybe after I change a few more parts, it will be up to the same standards as an older pre 80 colt. Out of the box, a modern Springfield is simply not as good as a true Pre 80 1911!
Springfield in order to make their guns drop safe have had to go with a light titanium firing pin and a very heavy mainspring. Kimber and Colt on the other hand have steel firing pins and passive block safeties that disengage in Kimbers case when you depress the grip safety and in colts case when you pull the trigger. While old 1911s made prior to series 80 were known for having great triggers, the springfield series 70 is not made to the same standards.
In addition to a heavy mainspring and titanium firing pin, the sear, hammer and disconnect on loaded models are MiM. I replaced my sear and disconnect with tool steel parts but the trigger pull on my loaded Springfield still sucks compared with Colt or Kimber. I suspect the combination of high strength sear and soft hammer along with the extra heavy hammer spring are causing the parts to gall a bit during my trigger pull. I also have way more light strike issues with this gun and none in those with firing pin blocks and steel firing pins. The Kimber I have has a great trigger and hits primers great without changing parts. I like the feel of my Springfield and may get a tool steel hammer and steel firing pin for target shooting but it will never be a carry gun then because of the chance of accidental discharge. But maybe after I change a few more parts, it will be up to the same standards as an older pre 80 colt. Out of the box, a modern Springfield is simply not as good as a true Pre 80 1911!