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Springfield Vickers Master Class

1286 Views 24 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Whipped500, May 24, 2022

Whipped500

Discussion Starter · May 18, 2022

Anyone have one of these?
Is it a must buy at MSRP?

I have been trying to freshen up on my 1911 stuff. I was shopping for a solid but inexpensive 1911 (to me that's where Springfield comes in) and saw on the website about the Vickers Master Class and oddly enough, the grip and slide texturing is what caught my eye. So I do some more researching and people are talking it up, but very little reviews. Some say as good or better than a TRP but again no reviews.

I found one for MSRP plus tax (and still available at this point as far as i know) and I keep going back and forth as to get it or not? One day I say forget it and I'll just put that money towards another Dan Wesson when things/prices settle down. Then the next day I think the gun is so hard to find and people are talking it up that I should just go get it because it's going to be a while before there is inventory out there for a Dan Wesson.

Sorry if you have seen me asking this on other forums but not many people seem to be speaking up on getting a Vickers Master Class or just skipping and grabbing another Dan wesson.

So since neither one of these guns are a sig, what are your unbiased thoughts, especially if you have knowledge of the Vickers? Is the Vickers a must buy at MSRP or wait to see if it goes lower or pass on it all together and stick with Dan Wesson?

Thanks

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

sigke

· #2 · May 18, 2022 (Edited)

I would highly recommend a Bul Armory 1911.
I liked and shot it better than my DW Specialist ( a 2013 model)
& I'm not the only one who's had the same experience. Those Buls are amazing....

Reactions: 1

mrerick

· #3 · May 18, 2022

I have Springfield M1911a1 pistols, as well as two Dan Wesson pistols, a Specialist from 2013 and a Guardian from 2015. All are well made, but the Dan Wesson approachs custom hand fit M1911a1 pistols at about 2/3 the price of a Wilson or Les Baer. They are factory guns, but the fitting on mine are both outstanding and they shoot quite well. The only thing better is one of the hand fit guns guaranteed to 1.5 inches at 50 yards. Note that in more recent years, I have seen Dan Wesson pistols in the shop that did not display the high precision I expected. I think you have to inspect the individual pistol before buying it.

My best fit Springfield M1911a1 is not the most expensive. It was one that was completed in Brazil (a "Loaded" model in Stainless Steel). I was at the CMP games where Springfield had about 100 of them out for sale where you could check the action fitting and triggers. I went through them, and the "Loaded" I picked out was the best of them. Some Springfield models were finished in Brazil, and some were made in Genesco, Illinois from imported Imbel frame and slide castings, with final work done in the USA.

BUL is made in Budapest, Hungary. I have not handled one of them, and would be interested in trying one out when I can find one. They appear to have an adapted barrel locking system that replaces the barrel nut with the system common in Officer size M1911a1 pistols - a conical pressure fit centering it into the slide. Eastern European handguns are now widely entering our marketplace and can display some remarkably high grade hand work as seen in some of the better products coming in from Turkey and Czechoslovakia.

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Reactions: 1

sigke

· #4 · May 18, 2022 (Edited)

mrerick said:
I have Springfield M1911a1 pistols, as well as two Dan Wesson pistols, a Specialist from 2013 and a Guardian from 2015. All are well made, but the Dan Wesson approachs custom hand fit M1911a1 pistols at about 2/3 the price of a Wilson or Les Baer. They are factory guns, but the fitting on mine are both outstanding and they shoot quite well. The only thing better is one of the hand fit guns guaranteed to 1.5 inches at 50 yards. Note that in more recent years, I have seen Dan Wesson pistols in the shop that did not display the high precision I expected. I think you have to inspect the individual pistol before buying it.

My best fit Springfield M1911a1 is not the most expensive. It was one that was completed in Brazil (a "Loaded" model in Stainless Steel). I was at the CMP games where Springfield had about 100 of them out for sale where you could check the action fitting and triggers. I went through them, and the "Loaded" I picked out was the best of them. Some Springfield models were finished in Brazil, and some were made in Genesco, Illinois from imported Imbel frame and slide castings, with final work done in the USA.

BUL is made in Budapest, Hungary. I have not handled one of them, and would be interested in trying one out when I can find one. They appear to have an adapted barrel locking system that replaces the barrel nut with the system common in Officer size M1911a1 pistols - a conical pressure fit centering it into the slide. Eastern European handguns are now widely entering our marketplace and can display some remarkably high grade hand work as seen in some of the better products coming in from Turkey and Czechoslovakia.

Bul, is made in Tel Aviv, Israel 🇮🇱
I would recommend grabbing a 2021 model under $1k if any are still out there.
And I really like the Bull Barrel version.
This was the 2nd ever magazine I put thru this Bul. 8 rounds of 230 fmj, at 7 yards, on hind legs. I was shocked at how easy she is to shoot. She immediately reminded of my German MasterShop X5 in how smooth & accurate she is. A real witch if their ever was one....it's just incredible these were under $900.....I could show more pics and whatnot but, the machining and fitting are superb! The action is far and away the smoothest Ive felt.

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3

Whipped500

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 18, 2022

mrerick said:
I have Springfield M1911a1 pistols, as well as two Dan Wesson pistols, a Specialist from 2013 and a Guardian from 2015. All are well made, but the Dan Wesson approachs custom hand fit M1911a1 pistols at about 2/3 the price of a Wilson or Les Baer. They are factory guns, but the fitting on mine are both outstanding and they shoot quite well. The only thing better is one of the hand fit guns guaranteed to 1.5 inches at 50 yards. Note that in more recent years, I have seen Dan Wesson pistols in the shop that did not display the high precision I expected. I think you have to inspect the individual pistol before buying it.

My best fit Springfield M1911a1 is not the most expensive. It was one that was completed in Brazil (a "Loaded" model in Stainless Steel). I was at the CMP games where Springfield had about 100 of them out for sale where you could check the action fitting and triggers. I went through them, and the "Loaded" I picked out was the best of them. Some Springfield models were finished in Brazil, and some were made in Genesco, Illinois from imported Imbel frame and slide castings, with final work done in the USA.

BUL is made in Budapest, Hungary. I have not handled one of them, and would be interested in trying one out when I can find one. They appear to have an adapted barrel locking system that replaces the barrel nut with the system common in Officer size M1911a1 pistols - a conical pressure fit centering it into the slide. Eastern European handguns are now widely entering our marketplace and can display some remarkably high grade hand work as seen in some of the better products coming in from Turkey and Czechoslovakia.

Any thoughts on the Springfield Vickers?
Looks like I need to camp out on gunbroker and find gently used older specialist and valors.

Whipped500

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 18, 2022

Sounds like I need to find a Bul to try. Did a search real quick on gundeals and couldn't find any...know where to find any?

sigke said:
Bul, is made in Tel Aviv, Israel 🇮🇱
I would recommend grabbing a 2021 model under $1k if any are still out there.
And I really like the Bull Barrel version.
This was the 2nd ever magazine I put thru this Bul. 8 rounds of 230 fmj, at 7 yards, on hind legs. I was shocked at how easy she is to shoot. She immediately reminded of my German MasterShop X5 in how smooth & accurate she is. A real witch if their ever was one....it's just incredible these were under $900.....I could show more pics and whatnot but, the machining and fitting are superb! The action is far and away the smoothest Ive felt.

sigke said:
I would highly recommend a Bul Armory 1911.
I liked and shot it better than my DW Specialist ( a 2013 model)
& I'm not the only one who's had the same experience. Those Buls are amazing....

Reactions: 1

mrerick

· #7 · May 18, 2022

I must have hit one of their European dealers when I searched for them... Tel Aviv it is. The Israeli gun makers do very high quality work.

The Vickers looks like a custom gun designed for one of the Springfield Armory distributors. I would contact the distributor it was made for and find out which dealers they are associated with.

Reactions: 1

Whipped500

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 18, 2022

mrerick said:
I must have hit one of their European dealers when I searched for them... Tel Aviv it is. The Israeli gun makers do very high quality work.

The Vickers looks like a custom gun designed for one of the Springfield Armory distributors. I would contact the distributor it was made for and find out which dealers they are associated with.

Sorry, I meant quality/build/worthwhile of the Vickers...I found one for MSRP just don't know if I should buy or look for something better.

Adjutant

· #9 · May 18, 2022

Whipped500 said:
Sorry, I meant quality/build/worthwhile of the Vickers...I found one for MSRP just don't know if I should buy or look for something better.

Hey! Grab that Vickers at MSRP!! If not, could you tell me where you see/found it?
Its crazy that thing is still sitting there.

EDIT: Ugh! If it was a Primary Arms, its gone. It says it was in stock 5 days ago. Still showing "in stock"

sigke

· #10 · May 18, 2022 (Edited)

Whipped500 said:
Sounds like I need to find a Bul to try. Did a search real quick on gundeals and couldn't find any...know where to find any?

Yeah, you can Gun Broker & also try Paul at Oryx Arms or Gibert Perez of .....heck, I can't remember his website.....gimme a few.
I remember now, Gilbert Perez at GP Arms

Whipped500

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 19, 2022

Adjutant said:
Hey! Grab that Vickers at MSRP!! If not, could you tell me where you see/found it?
Its crazy that thing is still sitting there.

EDIT: Ugh! If it was a Primary Arms, its gone. It says it was in stock 5 days ago. Still showing "in stock"

I dragged my feet too long...it's gone.
Maybe it's a good thing, I was only interested because it seemed hard to get. At that price point, I'm more comfortable with DW. From Springfield I like the price point of Ronin and Garrison.

Reactions: 1

Adjutant

· #12 · May 19, 2022

Whipped500 said:
I dragged my feet too long...it's gone.
Maybe it's a good thing, I was only interested because it seemed hard to get. At that price point, I'm more comfortable with DW. From Springfield I like the price point of Ronin and Garrison.

For 1911 fans, that gun is a unicorn. They released 500 first, and the second batch (what you saw) just got released.
It has rave reviews from owners, and Larry Vickers knows a thing or two about how to build 1911s.
He wrote the definitive book on 1911s. That book is also a unicorn

WVsig

· #13 · May 23, 2022

Whipped500 said:
Sorry, I meant quality/build/worthwhile of the Vickers...I found one for MSRP just don't know if I should buy or look for something better.

SA just released the second run of these pistols. If you don’t like it you can get your money out.

Get it. It is a well made gun with some premium parts hand picked by LAV. He knows 1911s. He chose some nice Wilson parts for this gun. The overall fit and finish is about the same as the loaded model. They are not TRPs or Professionsls but still very good. LAV used to be one of the best custom builders in the business.

He is also a pretty good trainer…

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WVsig

· #14 · May 23, 2022

Whipped500 said:
I dragged my feet too long...it's gone.
Maybe it's a good thing, I was only interested because it seemed hard to get. At that price point, I'm more comfortable with DW. From Springfield I like the price point of Ronin and Garrison.

Dan Wesson is a better gun but will cost you more. Their appealing offerings start at $1995 ish these days. Dan Wessons are the gateway drug to high end 1911s. The Vickers SA is very close and if you look at the parts list as I said it is very nice. I would take this gun over a Pointman or Razorback from DW. I am not a big fan of the new Valor. I hate the trigger. To me DW hit its peak about 5 years ago. I personally think they have gone a little sideways in their line up and aesthetic but that is a subjective opinion. All that said they are the best production 1911s on the market right now but they are still a production gun.

Whipped500

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 23, 2022

WVsig said:
SA just released the second run of these pistols. If you don’t like it you can get your money out.

Get it. It is a well made gun with some premium parts hand picked by LAV. He knows 1911s. He chose some nice Wilson parts for this gun. The overall fit and finish is about the same as the loaded model. They are not TRPs or Professionsls but still very good. LAV used to be one of the best custom builders in the business.

He is also a pretty good trainer…

Thanks for the reply!
What I was reading and had got me interested in it in the first place was that it was comparable to the TRP's, some saying better. If they are comparable to the loaded, that is kind of a letdown.

WVsig

· #16 · May 23, 2022

Whipped500 said:
Thanks for the reply!
What I was reading and had got me interested in it in the first place was that it was comparable to the TRP's, some saying better. If they are comparable to the loaded, that is kind of a letdown.

I would say in terms of fit and overall finish they are close but the TRP is better. If you look at the price point it makes sense. $1495. vs $1650 These are a step up from the loaded and to me lots of dealers are calling them a SA Vickers TRP but nowhere in the SA verbiage do you find it being called a TRP. Now I guess that does not mean it is not the same as the TRP. Some say they are coming out of the SA custom shop. Don't take my comments as a negative it is a excellent gun and a good value if you like the styling. There is a lot of hype to the Vickers gun. It is cool looking ad the Wilson hammer, sear & safety plus the Vickers sights are nice. The part that people love or hate is the grip texture and slide texture.

Adjutant

· #17 · May 23, 2022

WVsig said:
SA just released the second run of these pistols. If you don’t like it you can get your money out.

Get it. It is a well made gun with some premium parts hand picked by LAV. He knows 1911s. He chose some nice Wilson parts for this gun. The overall fit and finish is about the same as the loaded model. They are not TRPs or Professionsls but still very good. LAV used to be one of the best custom builders in the business.

He is also a pretty good trainer…

Show off! I have a world of respect for LAV. Super cool you got to train with him!
Thanks for your much more in depth on the Master Class. I would have thought it would have surpassed the TRP in fit and finish? Ive handled the TRP a few times, but never a LAV 1911.

WVsig

· #18 · May 23, 2022

Adjutant said:
Show off! I have a world of respect for LAV. Super cool you got to train with him!
Thanks for your much more in depth on the Master Class. I would have thought it would have surpassed the TRP in fit and finish? Ive handled the TRP a few times, but never a LAV 1911.

You have to remember that the TRP and even the Professional from SA are still production guns that are fluffed and buffed by the SA Pro shop. They are not true customs in the that sense. They also could not make the LAV SA too nice. LAV has a deal with Wilson. If you start getting into the SA Pro range you are stepping on their toes. They had to find a sweet spot for this gun. IMHO

I do not own a LAV gun but I own full house customs from some of the top smiths. LAVs guns were as good as anyones. Training with LAV was cool. This guy was also there.

This is the nicest 1911 I own.... #yost

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5

Adjutant

· #19 · May 23, 2022

WVsig said:
You have to remember that the TRP and even the Professional from SA are still production guns that are fluffed and buffed by the SA Pro shop. They are not true customs in the that sense. They also could not make the LAV SA too nice. LAV has a deal with Wilson. If you start getting into the SA Pro range you are stepping on their toes. They had to find a sweet spot for this gun. IMHO

I do not own a LAV gun but I own full house customs from some of the top smiths. LAVs guns were as good as anyones. Training with LAV was cool. This guy was also there.

This is the nicest 1911 I own.... #yost

Gorgeous 1911!!
Ill quit bugging you after this. Did you train with Larry and Ken at the 100th anniversary event? I know thats a question out of left field. However, those 2 together, 1911s, and the scenery looks correct for that event. I wasnt there....just asking

WVsig

· #20 · May 23, 2022

Adjutant said:
Gorgeous 1911!!
Ill quit bugging you after this. Did you train with Larry and Ken at the 100th anniversary event? I know thats a question out of left field. However, those 2 together, 1911s, and the scenery looks correct for that event. I wasnt there....just asking

No it was a training in the NC area put together by a guy I know who is friends with LAV.

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