Yo, Joe, dat you?
My personal opinion of the Rock Island are that they are cast pistols made in the Philipines, the same source as the Charles Daly 1911 pistols. Had a poor reputation, but is getting better.
I would suggest ponying up a little more $ and getting something like a Springfield Milspec. I just got a parkerized Milspec a couple months ago. Came out to $470 before tax and stuff. Great pistol! I'll bring it to a highpower match, if I can ever make one.
They got me working on Sundays now, so for at least a couple months, I'll probably miss the ARC Highpower matches. And I'm still waiting for that sight for my Enfield. Hopefully I'll get that soon, and be able to work up a nice, accurate load for it.