By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
I have used Springfield Armoy 1911 handguns for decades, carrying them professionally, and even gifting them to my sons when it came time for them to have their own versions of the great John Moses Browning design.
They all wore the Springfield Armory brand.
One of my sons is a Major in the Armed Services. His pistol has been to Novak’s gun shop and is one of the best custom carry guns possible. Some time ago in conversation with a research and development ballistics expert at an ammunition company he told me that Springfield 1911 handguns had the best feed ramp fitting and reliable feed reliability he had seen.
My experience is positive to say the least. Many years ago I penned a story comparing several 1911 handguns in up to the five hundred dollar range including the then new Rock Island 1911. I found the Springfield “Loaded” Model the best value in a new 1911.
Prices, alas, are no longer as affordable! Decades later I thought it worth our time to look at the present Loaded Model.
The Springfield Loaded is a well-made pistol with good features, which many people take for granted today. In recent memory the choices in a 1911 handgun were either a GI type or a more expensive target model, or a custom gun. Springfield’s Loaded (no longer listed as the Loaded Model) features important improvements that would have cost many hundreds of dollars to add to a GI or Mil Spec handgun.
The Loaded is offered in parkerized finish or stainless steel. I recommend the stainless steel 1911 for hard use. This pistol is a five-inch barrel Government Model with steel frame weighing in at 38 ounces. It is practically devoid of sharp edges. The pistol is well fitted with little lateral play in the slide. The locking lugs engage and unlock smoothly. A full length guide rod system is included. While John Browning did not design a full length guide rod he did not design a Novak sight or ambidextrous safety either. Perhaps the FLGR is superior when using +P loads or perhaps it adds to accuracy potential. If you are skeptical a standard guide rod and spring are easily installed.
The Loaded features a flat mainspring housing and long trigger. The safety is ambidextrous and the slide lock safety indents in a positive manner. The grip safety properly releases its hold on the trigger halfway into compression. Sights are Novak Lo Mount, and they are the standard by which all others are judged. My pistol features white three dot inserts.
The ejection port is nicely scalloped and lowered, while a GI ejection port may eject a spent case okay but jacking a loaded cartridge out of the chamber is more difficult.
The Springfield Delta hammer is skeletonized and makes for a fast lock time. Springfield’s crossed cannons are emblazoned on the nicely checkered cocobolo grip panels, while the serrated trigger is smooth in operation with a slight take up without creep and a smooth 5.5 pound compression. Reset is sharp. Trigger reset is as important as a smooth let off for rapid fire shooting and hitting the target.
I haven’t purchased a new 1911 in some time. I have been doing some reappraisals and restocking. A stainless steel service grade 1911 was at the top of the list, and it turned out to be a Springfield Loaded, based on value for the price and budget.
I field stripped and examined the pistol and found fit and finish good. I lubricated the pistol along the long bearing surfaces barrel hood and muzzle before the firing test. This is SOP for a new 1911. Despite the prevalence of precision machining and CNC machinery, 1911 handguns require hand fitting. As a result it has been standard to allow a new 1911 a pass on break-in malfunctions. A few short cycles or failures of the slide to go into battery are okay in the first 50 rounds of full power ammunition. While this is OK as far as it goes a failure to extract and improper extractor tension to do not fix themselves.
Most quality 1911 pistols come out of the box ready to rock. The Springfield Loaded was fed a steady diet of 230-grain full metal jacket round nose ammunition, the load I always begin the shooting with when checking out a new 1911. If the pistol doesn’t function with these loads, something is wrong.
I drew the pistol and got on target quickly. Firing rapidly at silhouette target at 7 and 10 yards, the 1911 turned in excellent results. Get on target and press the trigger as the sights line up and you have a hit. Control the recoil, realign the sights and you have another hit. There is no handgun faster to an accurate first shot than a quality 1911 in .45 ACP. The 1911’s low bore axis and straight to the rear trigger compression make for a fast shooting effective handguns.
During the test I drew the pistol from a first class leather scabbard. Bullard Leather offers holsters in many configurations for most popular handguns and some not so common choices. The strong side semi-pancake offers a good balance of speed and retention. A touch of class is the custom grade basketweave carving.
The 1911 is an excellent service pistol. This isn’t a custom handgun, but it is as effective as custom grade handguns of a generation ago. The Loaded doesn’t have a checkered front strap as the Springfield TRP does. The checkered grips and mainspring housing make for excellent control. I did not experience slipping while firing full power loads.
I may eventually add Talon grip tape to help improve my hold.
Personal defense shooting is the most important role of any pistol. This handgun leaves little to be desired for those who practice.
I like to check bench rest accuracy as well. I fired several good quality loads from the MTM Caseguard K Zone shooting rest. The K Zone rest is a great option for testing. While you must align the sights and press the trigger properly the versatile MTM rest is a good tool for range testing. Below are the results with several loads.
Loading 5 shot group (25 yards)
Fiocchi 200 grain XTP 2.1 inch
Black Hills 230 grain JHP 2.5 inch
Remington 185 grain Golden Saber 2.4 inch
The Springfield Loaded is a fine all around pistol for carry home defense and field use, even some types of competetion. I am happy with mine and you will be well pleased with this handgun.
Specifications
Make: Springfield
Model: Loaded
Action: Semi-auto, single-action,
Caliber: .45 ACP (available in 9mm Luger)
Material: Stainless steel
Barrel: 5 inches
Length: 8.6 in.
Height: 5.7 in.
Capacity: Eight+1
Weight: 38 ounces
