Springfield Armory MILSPEC ( excellent high fixed sights, NOT "G.I" version with small fixed sights) , or Range Officer ( adjustable rear sight, extended beavertail grip and safety), but sadly, now discontinued. Grab one while you can on the used market.
https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/1911-mil-spec-handguns/https://www.springfield-armory.com/1911-series-handguns/1911-range-officer-handgunsHere are some things to consider about them:
Pistols with "NM" prefix serial number indicates the parts (ie frame and slide) were both forged AND finished in the USA. It does not mean "National Match.".
Pistols with "N" pre-fix s/n indicate parts were forged in Brazil ( Imbrel) and finished in the USA.
I have four Springfield "NM" pre-fix 1911a1 pistols in 45 acp. All have been 100% reliable with everything shot, from 185 grain jacketed HP, 200 grain homecast SWC- SAECO #69, to 230 grain jacketed ball. FYI, I did replace the ILS lock system on all of them, with standard "Colt-style" trigger spring and rod. I changed them because I wanted to "purify" them, not because of any function issues.)
They are:
- one Range Officer,
- 3 MILSPECS. (one kept bone stock, except a trigger job and long trigger added. one was turned into a match hardball gun with Kart barrel/bushing long trigger and trigger job, one turned into a true match wadgun with slide-mounted UltraDot red dot sight).
FYI, the Range Officer is essentially the MILSPEC, but with beavertail grip, adjustable rear sight, and long trigger. It is not built to any tighter build specs than the MILSPEC. They are built to the same build/accuracy specs. I called Springfield Armory directly years ago to ask about this, and this was their response. The Range Officer has a lot of nice features-if you want an "upgraded" package
All have been "dead nuts" reliable. You gotta love the Springfield 45 acp MILSPEC or Range Officer 1911a1 pistol. I do.
