Posted: 7/14/2013 4:19:46 PM EDT
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I have long stayed away from the 1911 platform because I was afraid it would be too addicting but I'm ready to step in...I think.
I'm looking at the Rock Island 2011 full rail model 51485 .45 VZ grips/fiber optic front sight. Price around $650 Use would be nightstand duty and occasional duty use in my patrol bag as a backup. Thoughts? Other options? The cool factor seems strong with this one. Picture for reference: 
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If money is no object, then Wilson, Guncrafter, or Les Baer. For a very good gun for the money, take a look at Springfield Armory. I would like to get into the game below $700...if I can get something good for $5ish that I can customize that's fine too. This RIA just drew my attention because of the full rail and the fact that it comes with some sweet grips and a fiber optic sight. I probably wouldn't change much on it until I had shot it a bit. |
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Well..went to order it just now (it was in stock 5 hours ago when I got the money out) and its...ETA UNKNOWN.
Really frustrated...the only vendor that has it in stock is at least $70 more and I don't think I can bring myself to pay that much more for the same thing. (about $730) |
| That looks like a nice pistol. I have no experience with RIA, but hear great reviews. An excellent first 1911 would be a SA range officer. I do have lots of experience with SA and it's probably the best 1911 for the money hands down. Trade/resale value would be better with a springer |
| I picked up a new RIA TAC II (same as above but with adj. rear sights and without the tac rail) a few months ago for $600 at a local gun shop. The Range Office is a great gun for the money but I've never seen one for less than $900 over the counter, online prices seem to be running around $850. if your budget is $700 or less I don't think you can find better than a Rock Island. A local pawn shop that sells new guns had two RIA 2011s for $700 each, looked like last years models as they didn't have the viz grips. Think twice about a GI model, I've had a RIA 9mm GI for years and it's been great but those tiny GI sights are frustrating and options are few. |
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Rock Island Tactical was my first 1911. Still have it, probably always will. Great gun, accurate, reliable, fit and trigger are way better than one ought to be able to expect at an entry level price point, shoots any bullet from any magazine. Hope yours treats you as well as mine has me.
After the infection sets in you might want to take a look at the Rock Island TCM. 
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That looks like a nice pistol. I have no experience with RIA, but hear great reviews. An excellent first 1911 would be a SA range officer. I do have lots of experience with SA and it's probably the best 1911 for the money hands down. Trade/resale value would be better with a springer I agree the RO would be a great first. But I can't get over the huge adjustable rear sight. I hate adjustable rear sights, especially if this pistol is going to be carried. I wish they would drop that feature. So IMO, a Loaded would be a better model choice. If your lucky maybe you can find a used "NM" serial prefix Loaded in your price range OP... |
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I agree the RO would be a great first. But I can't get over the huge adjustable rear sight. I hate adjustable rear sights, especially if this pistol is going to be carried. I wish they would drop that feature. So IMO, a Loaded would be a better model choice. If your lucky maybe you can find a used "NM" serial prefix Loaded in your price range OP... Quoted:
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That looks like a nice pistol. I have no experience with RIA, but hear great reviews. An excellent first 1911 would be a SA range officer. I do have lots of experience with SA and it's probably the best 1911 for the money hands down. Trade/resale value would be better with a springer I agree the RO would be a great first. But I can't get over the huge adjustable rear sight. I hate adjustable rear sights, especially if this pistol is going to be carried. I wish they would drop that feature. So IMO, a Loaded would be a better model choice. If your lucky maybe you can find a used "NM" serial prefix Loaded in your price range OP... Yeah. Loaded's are great. You can't really go wrong with ANY Springfield 1911. It's just a matter of figuring out what you want to spend and deciding which model fits your needs and your budget. |
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Well won a gunbroker auction for the rock island at $578. I'm already thinking the range officer may be my next purchase! Thank you for your suggestions. Personally, I don't want adjustable sights on a 1911. I own several springfields and am pissed off at several things I have found with them. (1) ILS (2) Fireing pin is not interchangeable with standard 1911 fireing pin, ie; proprietary part. (3) I HATED the 2 piece FLGR in my loaded model, it kept unscrewing while shooting. I finally replaced it with a standard Mil-Spec type. While I kinda like my springfields, I am a JMB purist and don't like that in a EOTWAWKI scenario I can't use my spare GI fireing ins to keep a springfield going. IMO, RIA is very close to the original 1911 specs. I have a couple G style RIAs and they are every bit as acurate as any of my springfields and I haven't had a single malfunction yet. |
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