Springfield 1911 made in Brazil....WTF??

[The Norseman]

Just made a big ticket purchase of a Springfield Armory Micro Compact Bi-tone in .45 ACP. I had handled the gun more than a few times in the shop. I never thought to look at the manufacturers mark in the frame. Well when I got it home and looked it over real close I was astounded to see "Made in Brazil - IMBEL" on the frame....Brazil??!! I got a huge dose of buyers remorse that instant. I had assumed (I know, I know..) that Springfield was US made. Nothing on their website would indicate otherwise and, really, they tout themselves as "The First Name in American Firearms."


At this point I don't know what to do. Should I try to return it to the gun shop? Just not care and go shoot it? I feel strongly about buying US made product, especially at this price point and nothing pisses me off like companies offshoring stuff and then pricing it as if it were made in the US.

Any thoughts? Advice?

The Norseman

[Gunner]

Won't be able to return it most likely

[BPTactical]

Relax Norseman- Springfields have had the rough forgings made by Imbel for a long time. About the only entirely US made firearms are Rorbaugh and Henry. Even stalwarts like Colt, DPMS and just about everybody use some foreign made components. Hell, even a large majority of steel we use is no longer good old Pittsburgh steel but rather from Japan or China.
She was still final machined and assembled in Geneseo Ill.
The XD and XDM are built in Croatia BTW.
Unfortunatley it is just the way the business world is anymore-more raw materials come from foreign sources than we can produce and still sell a reasonably priced product. The by product of a "Global Economy".
As far as returning it, I would suppose somewhere on your reciept it states "All sales are final".
Nothing wrong with Imbel of Brazil, they are the government owned arms manufacturer in Brazil and if you are worried about quality dont-the finest FAL recievers next to a Belgian FN are Imbel "Gear Logo" recievers.
It's just the way it is anymore.
I know how you feel though-the last bike I built needed some tranny gears so I went to Harley and chunked the cash over for genuine Harley parts.
I waited 2 weeks to get them and when I unwrapped them I noticed a "Made in Japan" tag inside the box

Go shoot your new pistol and enjoy.

[Graves]

BP said it, I'd be more worried about the fact that I chose a 3" over a 5" if I were you.

[akguy1985]

it pissed me off a couple months ago when i bought some Justin boots that i assumed were made in the us. I got them home and went to open the box and there was a big made in china in my face. I do love the boots, theyre good quality but it just made me mad that theyre advertised as an american product and not made in the USA.

[BPTactical]

I'd be more worried about the fact that I chose a 3" over a 5" if I were you.

I like my "Little Firebreather". If I dont hit ya the muzzle flash and blast will kill ya!

[Graves]

Yep I gotta admit, that little super sure is trick!!

[The Norseman]

Thanks for the input.... I was figuring on speaking to the shop in a reasonable manner. Might be another Micro that has " Geneseo, IL" on the frame they'd trade straight across.

Maybe I should just go shoot it. Just such a bummer to be let down like that. Maybe Lance Armstrong really is on the juice and the tooth fairy doesn't exist after all....

The Norseman

[ray1970]

Not sure if this will help or hurt your situation but here is a little information about the Springfield 1911. Imbel makes the frames and slides for them. Some of the models ( the G.I. for one ) are actually assembled in Brazil as well. Their higher end models and built and fitted here in the states. The part that really disappointed me about my last Springfield was the fact that darn near every part other than the frame and slide were metal injection molded parts. I ended up changing out everything but the frame, slide and barrel to get rid of all of the MIM parts.

[BPTactical]

Might be another Micro that has " Geneseo, IL" on the frame they'd trade straight across.

The Norseman

Your's should have the same "Geneseo Ill" on it. Manufacturer/Importer marks must be on the serialized portion of the firearm per BATF regs.
I think if you try to trade in two things are gonna happen:
You will lose a chunk of cash.
You will be laughed out of the shop. You really don't have a valid argument from a shop owners point.

Shops don't "return" firearms.
You had ample time to inspect the firearm in the shop correct?
Once you leave the shop, the firearm is yours.

What make of vehicle do you drive? What brand of power tools or computer do you have?
It's reality- I understand it is disheartening but face it, we all have offshore products touch us everyday.

Ray1970- you are right on the money on the MIM parts. They are far more of an area of concern than a Brazilian frame and slide.