You know Paul I have read many, many favorable comments about SA in this forum to the point where I would seriously consider one, but I have to relate a story to you.
There's a guy I shoot IDPA with who had a Springfield 1911. He had an extractor problem with it and ended up sending it back to SA--twice. When he got it back and the problem was still there he called them again to talk about it and the next step in solving the problem.
During the course of the conversation the Springfield rep. asked my friend where he lived. When he answered Colorado, the guy determined that the problem was related "the altitude." :shock:
Frankly, his story has probably affected lots of us who shoot together and oddly enough, I can't think of another guy shooting an SA now. My friend immediately traded in his and has an STI and ... trying to think of the new one in 38 Super... I think a Les Baer.
He probably should have called or written someone (like the SA president) about the situation, but I can't blame him. He had already sent it in twice and when he got that stupid answer he had enough. Word of mouth is the best advertisement--and also the worst if it's negative.