The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: jaybet on March 07, 2008, 01:39:45 PM

Title: Springfield Champion
Post by: jaybet on March 07, 2008, 01:39:45 PM

Does anyone know anything about a Commander sized gun called the Springfield Champion?
I've looked it up online and can't find much on this one- it says "Made in Brazil" on the bottom. It has a locking system that looks like a Taurus system, so I'm thinking it's a Taurus-made Springfield? Is there such a thing?

Fit and finish are ok- not up to what I'm used to seeing on a Springfield. There's a very slighly used one in a local shop for pretty cheap (under $400) but I'm suspicious of the quality.

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: DDMac on March 07, 2008, 02:04:33 PM

Hi, Jay. Sounds like a slide from a Springfield Champion, with 3 dot or Novak night sights, mounted on a 1911 frame which may very well be Taurus. If you want to IM me the serial number I can match it to reference stuff. Mac.
Oh, I forgot, it's not in hand, sorry. DMc.

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: jaybet on March 07, 2008, 03:36:18 PM

Hmmm..it didn't look mismatched- same exact finish and everything. I may go look at it again. If I do I'll try to get the S/N

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: Swamp Yankee on March 07, 2008, 03:43:27 PM

Jay Im am pretty sure that all of the  Sringfields are made in Brazil except the ones from the custom shop. The Champions are a decent gun for the money if you go onto the M1911.org sight you should be able to find out more information.

Mike Mc

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: jaybet on March 27, 2008, 02:35:31 PM

Gun is gone- one less thing for me to worry about.

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: DDMac on March 27, 2008, 02:56:33 PM

Rats! I wanted to know. The XD line is made in Croatia, so it (Champion) may have been a S.A. made import as well. I was just curious. Mac.

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: jnevis on March 27, 2008, 03:13:14 PM

All the SA 1911s I've seen recently are all marked Geneso Il

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: pioneer on March 27, 2008, 03:18:10 PM

I bought one about 3 years ago after reading a good review on them in a couple of gun magazines.  They are marketed as being "GI" which is what I was expecting, but it isn't.  It is a 1911a1 clone in most respects, and it looks GI, but really isn't.  Because it is supposed to be a military copy (they never said who's military) it has very small sights and the ejection port isn't enlarged, but it functions very well and I intend to hang on to it.  It has military thumb safety and standard grip safety, with no beaver-tail.  One side of the slide has Springfield markings, with "Champion" on the other.  On the bottom of the dust cover is marked "Brazil."  Springfield makes and sells a Champion model, which is pretty well tricked out, but this isn't it.  This is their GI model, not to be confused with the mil spec model.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=16


I really don't care if it is actually made in Brazil.  If Springfield allows their name and reputation to be marked on it, that's good enuf for me.

I use it as a back-up carry gun when my regular carry gun (S&W 457) is on vacation.  I was able to spend less than the asking price, at the time being in the gun business with a friend who has a friend at Springfield and got it wholesale.   8) 

Here's mine........

(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/Guns%20-%20Pistols/Pistols08008-1.jpg)

Title: Re: Springfield Champion
Post by: DDMac on March 27, 2008, 07:17:33 PM

Oh hell yea, I recognize it now. Nice pistol.
Mac.