base gun: SA SS Mil-Spec vs. new Colt Series 70 SS. A conundrum.....

[bluebottle]

Looking for a base gun to make a special, to me, 1911. A shooter, carry gun, and all around companion. Will be customized, gutted, and modded to fit my preferences. Like a Jedi crafting his own personal light saber.

There is a SS Springer Mil-spec that looks nice at a local shop, the price is in line with online prices and I was able to hold it and check it out. A Colt series 70 would be $200 more and would be ordered with a deposit.

I have had several Springers, all good. Never had a Colt. Don't really care about the brand or the pony, and don't like the fact that UAW workers are putting them together. Made in Brazil on a SA does not bother me a bit. Imbel makes good stuff.


Colt, or SA, that is the question. I'm leaning SA, but my mind could be changed and am looking for some fresh perspectives on this often discussed conundrum.


Opinions?

A SA in the hand or a Colt in the bush?

 

[sovietak474u]

I love my springfield loaded stainless. Put together very well. If you plan to gut it anyway id go with a rock island or something.

 

[jglenn]

I love the springers but if you can find a good 70 series colt... go for it... reall not much better for a base than one of the 70 series...

 

[mayoke]

If you're going to leave it alone, buy a Colt because if you gut it and start fooling with it, a lot of people will scream like you just finger painted over the Mona Lisa. I've owned plenty of Colts and none of them shot any better than any of my Springers or my prized Norinco that I tuned. Matter of fact, I shot IDPA for years alternating between my EDC 70 Series LW Combat Commander and my tuned Norinco because they were both equal in accuracy, the Colt being a good bit lighter. (Which is why I carried it.) *shrug* If you ask 100 people this question, you'll get 100 different answers. Both are solid choices imo.

 

[bluebottle]

Thanks for the input everyone!

This topic has been covered many times on the internet, but not much in the past few years.

Anyone seen, shot, inspected a series 70 made recently? With the Colt, I'm concerned about putting down cash on something I haven't seen. How is the Colt QC these days?

 

[NGIB]

I bought a new Commander 3-4 years ago and it was perfect. Fit & finish was great. At $200 difference, I'd probably go with the Colt...

 

[Chef Ray]

I personally wouldn't mess with the colt people are pretty finicky if you wanna re sell it and it it doesn't have all original parts it can be a tough sell and you will never recoop what you put into the gun, it will actually decrease its value. I found out the hard way with a delta elite I owned previously. Mayoke hit the nail on the head with the colt. Go with the springer and put the extra 200 bucks into that gun.

My 2 cents.

 

[PapaTokarev]

If this is going to be a special companion, the choice is clear...
Colt, or I imagine you'll be selling it inside of a year if you're anything like me.

 

[fattboyzz]

If I got the Colt it would stay like they made it ...

IMO ....The Springer Mil-Spec is probably the best 1911 to do what your wanting to do ..... especially the stainless one !