[axeman_g]

Title says it all. Looking for a 1911 on the cheap.

[f4t9r]

Easy go with the SA

[kentucky_smith]

RIA's aren't bad. Bought one a couple of weeks ago, have put 200 rounds without nary a hitch.

Local gunshop has sold a bunch without any complaints. They really like them a s well.

For the $300 I paid for it, I am very happy. Fit and finish are fine (it's parkerized) and tolerances seem pretty tight.

[wally]

+1 on the RIA.

I've got a J-Point red dot sight on mine and well over 2000 rounds thru it with no problems. Initially the slide lock lever worked with the supplied mag but failed to lock the slide back on maybe 1/3rd of my 28 other mags (I like to pre-load a couple of hundred rounds to be ready to go at the plate rack). A quick call to Armscor had a replacement slide lock lever in the mail that cured the issue three days later. I've seen them priced at gun shows here as low as $290. Mine had an out of the box trigger that compares very favorably to that of my Kimber. Shooting them side by side has me asking what did I get really get beyond a fancier finish with my ~3X more expensive Kimber.

--wally.

[HighVelocity]

Springer all the way. I own 2 and have had zero malfunctions with either.

[Mute]

If you're going to leave it stock, doesn't matter. If you plan to have any work done on the gun, I suggest the SA.

[tc300mag1]

I have both my springfields have been problem less i have 4 of them.

My Ria has also been flawless More tool marks than the Sa but i have no complaints with either

[ssr]

Springfield.

Production 1911s, (as well as semi-custom) all run the risk of individual problems or issues. That's just a matter of chance. Springfield has a good warranty and will try to make right any wrong, generally, from the feedback I've heard. I've had many Springifelds. They haven't all been perfect, but the ones that weren't just had minor issues. I still like them as a company and like their guns.

[larry starling]

Not to get the RIA thing going again, But I would go with the Springfield IMHO even though it is made in Brazil I would think the metal and Quality of workmanship would be better than a gun coming from the the philippines.....:D

[Black Majik]

For a low cost 1911, the lowest model I'd go would be a SA GI, and I still think they're a great value.

If its one or the other and price is not a concern, go for the GI!

[Lonestar.45]

I can't say enough about my GI Champion. 600 rds of all kinds with zero issues or malfunctions. The factory mags work, Chip McCormicks work, they all work in my gun so far. A great pistol for the money.

[Longbow]

I got 4K+ rounds through my Armscor (they make RIA) with no problems. It feeds even HP's. ' really happy with it.
Tool marks are indeed present but very minor. Its mostly in the inside of dustcover.

[el44vaquero]

GI all the way. 12 and counting.

[Dienekes]

I like my SA Mil-Spec. Same basic gun as the GI but better sights. And, yes, I grew up on those small GI sights and someday you will want ones you can *see*.

Only have about 900 rounds through the pistol but it looks like a good one.

[VWTim]

You can't go wrong with either gun. I bought an RIA as I could buy it local for $309 OTD. I haven't regretted it once. And the warranty is a moot point, Ivan at Armscor is a great person and has gone out of his way to help people. He's a regular over on 1911forum.
hth,

[stealthmode]

where do you send your RIA if you have a problem? even though parts are made in brazil, with a springfield if you have a problem you send it right back to them via warranty in the US.

thats how i look at it

[Shootcraps]

where do you send your RIA if you have a problem? even though parts are made in brazil, with a springfield if you have a problem you send it right back to them via warranty in the US.

thats how i look at it

They do have a warranty office here in the states. Ivan is very visible and helpful on the 1911forum. ;)

[Shootcraps]

If I had only $300, I'd buy another RIA in a minute. (I have two). For the money you can't beat it.

For $400 I'd look at the Springfield.

[Longbow]

Not to get the RIA thing going again, But I would go with the Springfield IMHO even though it is made in Brazil I would think the metal and Quality of workmanship would be better than a gun coming from the the philippines.....:D

Hhmmm...like his one on this thread?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=62390&highlight=reason+buy+colt

[mattw]

RIA - cheap, mostly reliable

SA - almost as cheap, very reliable, better quality steels and manufacture

SA is in it for the long haul, but go RIA if you dont plan on shooting much

[wally]

RIA/Armscor service is handled by API in Pahrump, NV. RIA saves you $50-100 over GI prices and in the ones I've handled of both a generally better out of the box trigger. Armscor gets you Springfield "loaded" features (extended ambi safety, beavertail grip safety and skelitinized hammer with better grips -- if the GI grips are not the ugliest you've seen on a 1911, I don't want to look!) at a tad under GI prices.

--wally.

[GAC]

I frequently read about how Arsmcor uses a poorer quality steel than Springfield and other manufacturers. But, does anyone have any objective evidence to prove this?

I don't mean stories about how this broke and that cracked and there are toolmarks on the underside. Actual scientific proof is what I'm curious about.

[wally]

SA - almost as cheap, very reliable, better quality steels and manufacture

And you get a two piece barrel at no extra charge!
As long as we're talking "quality" BS.

Parts break on guns that cost a *lot* more than either SA GI or RIA and probably have fewer total out there actually in use:

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122017
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115768
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126998
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127767

Amazes me how a $12 part breaks on high dollar gun and "its still a great gun" but when the same part breaks on a Daley or RIA "its what you get for buying cheap".


SA is in it for the long haul, but go RIA if you don't plan on shooting much

RIA is bone standard 1911 so replacement parts won't be a problem.

Since putting the J-Point red dot sight on my RIA I've got over 3000 rounds thru it with zero problems. I shoot steel plates with lots of pre-loaded mags ready to go at the start. I shoot it long and hard such that I often have to put it down because its too hot to hold on to!

--wally.

[Tropical Z]

I'd get a S.A.M. made gun.

[Shootcraps]

I frequently read about how Arsmcor uses a poorer quality steel than Springfield and other manufacturers. But, does anyone have any objective evidence to prove this?

I don't mean stories about how this broke and that cracked and there are toolmarks on the underside. Actual scientific proof is what I'm curious about.


+1. As a gambling man, I would bet there is no proof. Just hot air. ;)

[Longbow]

And you get a two piece barrel at no extra charge!
As long as we're talking "quality" BS.

Parts break on guns that cost a *lot* more than either SA GI or RIA and probably have fewer total out there actually in use:

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122017
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115768
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126998
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127767

Amazes me how a $12 part breaks on high dollar gun and "its still a great gun" but when the same part breaks on a Daley or RIA "its what you get for buying cheap".


Here's one more,
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116333&highlight=rifling+twist