Why Springfield 1911s Are So Popular (and Hold Their Value)

Why Springfield 1911 pistols are so popular and remain valuable after all this time should not be considered surprising, given Springfield Armory’s long history and reputation for manufacturing high-quality, reliable firearms.

At the same time, the original 1911 pistols were Colts, so that Springfield Armory jumped on the 1911 bandwagon and did such a stellar job is rather something to be explored. This short post will do just that.

What Makes the Basic Design of the Colt 1911 So Endearing

The main driver behind the quality of Springfield 1911s is actually what Colt pioneered, and not the other way around. It’s not like Springfield took a flagging platform and made it great. They just kept it great, perhaps made it a little bit better.

There is a lot to love about the original M1911, regardless of frame or variant. It’s a big, heavy steel pistol. The slide and frame are both steel, and the thin scales are usually made from wood or some durable synthetic.

There’s nothing fragile about the 1911, so to speak, which makes it extremely durable. There are originals that are still around and which work just fine. On the same note, if you get a 1911 and take care of it, it will outlast you. That is just the nature of the beast.

Yes, it is heavier than one of those polymer-framed handguns, like a Glock, but it is also much stronger, and that extra weight, though it carries a little more cumbersomely, also helps to absorb recoil, which is a welcome element, considering the fact that most 1911s are chambered in .45 ACP.

That is another thing that people love about the M1911, in addition to the steel frame and slide, though it doesn’t necessarily have to do with build quality. In a world where many handguns are now chambered in 9mm, the classic 1911 is still a .45 ACP (although there are 9mm variants available).

The cartridge may produce more recoil, but it fires a bigger, heavier bullet and produces more stopping power, which categorically makes it a solid choice for threat neutralization.

And then we have to consider the trigger, which is arguably the single biggest selling point of the 1911. It is a linear trigger, as opposed to a rocker or pivot trigger, which many handguns have.

The linear trigger moves in one direction and one direction only - straight to the rear - rather than rotating along an axis in two dimensions as is the case with a pivot trigger. This makes the 1911’s trigger superior in terms of ergonomics and also accuracy. Not only does it break crisply, but there is only one possible dimension along which any complications can arise.

That makes it more shooter friendly because it is easier to adopt good habits and break bad ones with a linear trigger than it is with a pivot trigger.

So now let’s take a closer look at what makes Springfield 1911s for sale so valuable, since there are so many other aftermarket producers of 1911 clones.

Springfield 1911s for Sale and Value

First, there’s build quality, which should be abundantly apparent. Like pretty much anything that comes out of Springfield Armory, their 1911 pistols exhibit uncompromisingly, peerless quality and durability, just like Colt 1911 originals.

Then there’s the variety. Springfield branched off a bit from the basics that Colt offers, and has some 1911 pistols in double-stack configurations, which not only vastly improve capacity, but which can also positively impact ergonomics and handling as well.

On the note of variety, they offer a great deal in terms of size and chambering options. While .45 ACP is a classic, you can take your pick of calibers, and they offer not just a bunch of full-size pistols, but also ultra-compact variants, like the Ronin EMP.

Some Springfield 1911s for sale also improve on expandability; whereas original Colt 1911 pistols offer basically no mounting points, some of the Springfield 1911 pistols in the Ronin, Operator, Emissary, and TRP series feature a section of rail under the barrel.

All in all, Springfield 1911 pistols for sale embody quality and craftsmanship effortlessly mated to unflinching reliability. Just as if you’d bought a Colt 1911 original, if you buy a Springfield 1911, you’ll be putting your money into an heirloom-quality pistol that will last a lifetime, if not several.

Explore Springfield 1911s for Sale

Interested in taking a closer look through some of the Springfield 1911s for sale that we offer here at SARCO Inc.? Take a look at our catalog via the previous link and if you have any questions about model variant or specification, or are looking for a specific model that you don’t see listed in our collection, feel free to get in touch with us at 610-250-3960 and we would be more than happy to help.