At the show this weekend I checked out a Rock Island Armory Compact .45.  I am thinking of this for my off duty plain cloths weapon.  I currently carry a 1991A1 as my duty gun.  It sort of reminded my of the Officers model I fooleshly traded several years ago.  it seems like a nice pistol for $350.  Any educated opinions on this.  I know 1911s should come equipped with a horsey, but Colt don't make the 91 officers anyore and I'm not paying What a defender costs.

The word in here seems to be to avoid them. I haven't shot one, personally.

Have you checked out the single stack Para Ordnance's yet? They seem to be priced reasonable.

I used to own a Springfield Champion, avoid them as well.

I just bought one of these puppies a few weeks ago and my local range has been closed...haven't had the chance to shoot it yet.  I'd be glad to give you an eval in a few days.

According to Clark Custom Guns, the metal in the Filipino Rock Island guns is very soft, particularly in the barrel and slide lugs.