Best WW II Era Replica 1911 Question

[sksmith75]

I am planning to buy a 1911 pistol this year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the design, to be a companion for my M1 Garand that was manufactured in 1943. I understand it is tough to get an authentic WW II 1911 without getting into major bucks, so I am looking for the model that is the closest to being an authentic WW II era replica.

After reading many 1911 threads, it appears that the Springfiield Armory's GI Parkerized 5" barrel Model PW9108LP would do it. Does anyone have a better, or different, suggestion? The S/A is reasonably priced, but I would be willing to go higher for a better fit.

The primary consideration is authenticity, not performance. I have plenty of other hardware for personal defense and SHTF scenarios.

Here's a picture of my lonely Garand and her 16 inch bayonet (manufactured in 1942):

[24/7dude]

Colt makes a reproduction model that's a little more accurate (wide hammer, flat msh, long trigger, blued finish, etc.), but you're going to pay about twice as much as the Springfield.

[sksmith75]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[thebearpack]

The Colt reproduction is very nice from a fit & finish point of view but it's going to be twice the price of a Springfield GI if you can find one. In fact, for the price of the repro you can probably find an original Colt 1911A1. My opinion is that the SA GI is the closest thing to a late-war ('44-'45) 1911A1. The differences are minor... things like the safety lever and checkering patterns on the hammer and slide stop. Nothing major. Here is my Springfield GI next to a 1942 Colt. A 1944 Colt would look even more like the SA.

[Waldershrek]

Anybody know if any of the manufacturers are doing a special edition 1911 for the anniversary?

[The_War_Wagon]

Remington makes a very nice, basic, 1911 - very reminescent of the Remington-Rand 1911 models of that era. I'd certainly go with a Remington for the money.

I have seen SOMEONE'S 100th anniversary model already - might well have BEEN a Colt; I can't remember, or where I saw it for that matter - but you DON'T want to see the price on it. $5k seems to be the price, as I recall it.

[300plus]

I've handled the Springfield GI model as well as the basic Remington pistol. The Springfield is more GI looking, but for the same money -both around $600- I'd take the Remington. The new Colt's are stupid expensive for what you get-leave them to the guys with more money than brains.

I like Springfield's higher end 'Loaded' series pistols (I own a Parkerized loaded w/ tritium sights) much better. For just a little more money you get lots of custom features.

[Waldershrek]

I have seen SOMEONE'S 100th anniversary model already - might well have BEEN a Colt; I can't remember, or where I saw it for that matter - but you DON'T want to see the price on it. $5k seems to be the price, as I recall it.

Ha I don't doubt that

[7998]

If you can't swing a Colt than get the Remington. A 1911 should made in the USA imo.

[sksmith75]

If you can't swing a Colt than get the Remington. A 1911 should made in the USA imo.

I think you might have just made the compelling argument for the Remington. Besides, they are one of my customers, but they stopped employee/supplier discounts a few years ago when they found some employees selling their discounted firearms.

I hope they also fired them.