I managed to end up with a couple of loaded Springers. A US produced NM model and a Imbel Brazil built gun. Digging around on the 1911 forums it appears SAI severed all ties with Imbel in 2014. Apparently Imbel was overloaded with government work and couldn't keep up with demand.
Springfield now states that their 1911 line is all US made guns. Speculation is that they are bringing in raw forgings from Korea and finishing them here although for obvious reasons Springfield isn't disclosing where they are getting them. It is also possible that S&W, Colt or Kimber is providing the forgings for them although I kinda doubt it. I guess it is possible.
I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand it is cool that Springfields all say made in the USA now, and I am all about a US made 1911. On the other hand, we knew Imbel was producing some great guns and it saddens me that we are no longer getting their products (although I speculate that imbel is actually making the PT1911 frames and slides. It also concerns me since we no longer know where the 1911s are coming from. At least when they were coming from Imbel we knew it was a quality product.
Anyway, what say you?
Springfield now states that their 1911 line is all US made guns. Speculation is that they are bringing in raw forgings from Korea and finishing them here although for obvious reasons Springfield isn't disclosing where they are getting them. It is also possible that S&W, Colt or Kimber is providing the forgings for them although I kinda doubt it. I guess it is possible.
I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand it is cool that Springfields all say made in the USA now, and I am all about a US made 1911. On the other hand, we knew Imbel was producing some great guns and it saddens me that we are no longer getting their products (although I speculate that imbel is actually making the PT1911 frames and slides. It also concerns me since we no longer know where the 1911s are coming from. At least when they were coming from Imbel we knew it was a quality product.
Anyway, what say you?