[albanian]

I can get a used but in decent shape BM for $250 plus tax or maybe OTD if I haggle or a New Rock Island 1911-A1 for around $300. I don't need it for anything in particular, just plinking and for fun. I might want to put a .22lr conversion kit on it at some point so that may factor into it. Can the BM use a Ciener kit?

What would you get and why? I wish I had jumped on the Colt 1927 Systemas when they were $200! :banghead:

[VWTim]

I've had my RIA for about 3 months, and I love it. Only problems were magazine related, as the stock Novak mag needs some breakin to loosen the spring up.

[magsnubby]

Personally i would buy the RIA. Since it's a Colt clone, you can get any replacement or custom parts you need. From what i understand the BM parts aren't interchangeable with the Colt.

The RIA guns are generally good quality guns.

[Onmilo]

Personally, I would save my dollars and opt for a higher priced pistol.
The Ballisters are bastard children with oddball parts and not much in the way of peeformance modifications available.
The Rock Island is a decent pistol but frankly there are much better guns on the market that don't cost all that much more money.

[WhoKnowsWho]

I think you should go for the Rock Island, you'll have tons of fun with it. If you decide to change parts on it later, you will have no problem getting aftermarket 1911 parts.

[camaroman]

Another vote for RIA. I bought mine used and I love it. I havent had any issues that were not mag or after market recoil spring related. I have a feeling the previous owner read somewhere on the internet to get the heavyest spring possible. It was similar to pulling the slide back on a Desert Eagle. Got a better spring and good mags. Wilson beaver tail/hammer, McCormick trigger/sear blah blah. Ill be getting another one this year.

[Ash]

It depends. The Ballister Molina has history behind it, as well as official issue in various guises. If you are a history buff, then it might be the way to go. Of course, the Phillipino RIA pistols are okay, or at least as I have heard.

Ash

[Zip06]

This week I finished off a case of S&B 0.45 FMJ with my RIA Full Size pistol.

During the first range session it became apparent that the slide stop was defective and it never did hold the slide open after the last round in the magazine was fired. That did not affect the range session. I fired 150 rounds. The magazine is stamped "ARMSCOR" but it is a dead ringer for an 8 round Meggar. When I got home I called RIA and they mailed me a new slide stop. Two days later I received it and I went back to the range and everything worked fine. I have been back to the range several times and there have been no malfunctions what so ever for the rest of the case of ammo.

The RIA cost me $273.50 from SARCO. I have replaced the wood grips with GI plastic ones which cost me $10 bucks at a gunshow and I have replaced the Main Spring Housing with a GI MSH with a lanyard loop. Everything else is stock. This is about as close to a GI Issue 1911A1 as you will find.

I have no comment on the Ballister-Molina as I have never seen or shot one.

[Shootcraps]

The RIA is an exact clone and the BM is not. If you want to make changes later, the extra $50 is money well spent on the RIA.

[albanian]

Well, I got the Rock Island 1911. I got it from a fellow forum member in trade. It looks well made and I can't find a plastic part on it! Too bad you can't say that about Colt 1911s anymore. :rolleyes:

It came with some upgrades. It has a SS extended safety, a SS slide stop lever, adjustable match Wilson trigger, bevertail grip safety and SS hex head grip screws. It also came with most of the original parts in case I want to put it back to GI specs.

The only problems I have seen so far is that the mags don't drop free and the grip frame has been cut down a bit near the grip safety to allow for the bevertail. The hammer was also bobbed so I would like to replace it with the SS Commander hammer that also came with the gun. What do I have to do to get the Commander hammer to work with this bevertail grip safety?

I haven't shot it yet so I am not sure about accuracy or reliablity but the trigger is very nice.

[Shootcraps]

the mags don't drop free


Sounds like the trigger bow needs to be adjusted. Remove the slide and look in the mag well while inserting the mag. You'll be able to see where it's dragging. Remove the trigger and make the opening just a bit bigger. It doesn't take much.

Congrats on the great purchase!