I've been thinking about the differences between the discontinued GI
model vs the continuing low end Mil Spec model and it seems to me
that the mil spec is no more expensive to make and therefore they
just decided to only sell the better pistol if it costs the same to make.
here are the features that are different
1. enlarged ejection port in the slide.... I dont think that is any more costly or difficult to make if it is done originally.
2. sights slightly improved..... the rear sight is still basically fixed and they
dont seem do different that they would be more expensive to make
3. polished feed ramp and throated barrel ......... These items along with
the ejection port, just seem like ordinary procedures during a mfg process and
to tell the truth sound like the gun would be more reliable as a result but
my GI model has always been 100 percent reliable anyway... perhaps there
are some bullet shapes that would work better but I dont shoot the expensive
stuff and makes this seem irrelevant.
4.Angled serrations on the slide..... who cares. I personally like the
grooves to be as with the original guns but it should not cost any more
to cut the grooves at an angle.
5. Flared mag well......... Now this is something that could make inserting
the mags a little easier and I would like to have but I dont see how it
causes any greater expense. I mean this area of the gun has to be machined, and polished anywyy so all they did is change the profile.
6. Different grips showing "springfield armory" COAT-OF-ARMS....
I much prefer the wood grips showing "US" instead of a billboard
advertising SpringField Armory anyway.
7. They say the handle or grip is somehow higher with the Mil-Spec
than the GI model but I cannot see it. The grip on the GI model
certainly has not been a problem for me but maybe side by side
I might see some kind of difference.
Going back 3 or 4 years, I cannot remember what the MSRP price difference was on the SA website between GI and Mil Spec but I do remember that
it was only 50 dollars more for the stainless version of the GI.
OH YEA, they dropped the Olive Drab green versiion of the Mil Spec pistol.
That was my favorite color and what I have. I realize the black is the
more authentic color but I really like my green model.
