Posted: 10/1/2009 7:47:28 AM EDT
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Hello All, I've searched but not found anything. I'm sure it's been asked here before, so I appoligize if I am "Beating a dead horse" per say.
My question is, I wanted a good entry level 1911 and was wondering about Rock Island Armory's 1911. How is the quality, fit, finish? How are they in comparison to Springfield Armory. Any insight is appreciated! |
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RIA is a good gun, but not really comparable to Springfield. I'm not sure what RIA's warranty is like, but Springfield's is lifetime and they mean it.
You can find a RIA tactical for less than $500 new and a SA mil-spec for around $500 used...either would serve you well, I'd buy the SA personally. |
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I got my RIA for just under 330 shipped and everything about 2 or 2 1/2 years ago. Great guns for the money.
If you can find a used Springfield and it's going to be a primary gun, then I would go that route, my two primary 1911's are both Springfields, but for an extra shooter/beat around gun, the RIA is great for the money. |
| Great guns. Nobody calls the STIs crap, and they're built from Rock Island parts. I'm not a real gunsmith, but in my experience it's the quality of the build, not the name on the slide. I keep hearing about the junk that Kimber turns out with amazing regularity, and have experienced one of ther jammomatics myself. You rarely hear anything bad about Rock Islands other than "How good can a $400 gun really be?" |
| Thanks for the input, It would be a range gun mostly or carrying while hunting. I have Kimber compact for my CCW, I wanted a full size 1911 and didn't want to spend the $$$ for another Kimber. Main concern was if they were built well, I didn't know what quality was like.... |
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Quoted:
Cast frames, slides, and cast and / or MIM parts. That said, they manage to assemble a fair gun out of them... for the price. Actually, the slides are extruded, and internals are MIM. As has been pointed out, STI uses these frames, barrels and slides for their Spartan. I'll agree that a Springfield is a better gun to build on, but the RIA's are good shooters. OP: check out http://forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=17 for a lot more information. RIA customer service is great, and the factory reps hang out on the forum. |
| As much asI like my RIA I wouldn't use it for a build over a Springfield simply because the Springfield is forged. If you want a good shooter for less $ the RIA is a great buy. I paid $299 for my used GI. Adjusted the extractor, used Wilson mags and it's run wthout fail. |
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I have a rock island full size. the first 5 rounds I fired at 25 feet were touching and hit to point of aim. I have fired 230 hard ball. 165, 185 200 gr hollow point without a singe failure. I carry it with Federal Premium Personal Defense Ammunition PD45CSP2H, 45 ACP + P, Expanding Full Metal Jacket, 165 GR, 1140 fps. It has been 100 % yea its not as pretty as some others but the price is hundreds less than some also. So, in a nutshell, who spend a grand on a gun that won't work any better that 100 % anyway.
PS, I also have a colt gold cup series 70 for about 30 years now. I keep the colt in a box nice and safe from rain and snow and sweat, the rock island I just use. hope this helped with your decision. |