Help me pick my first 1911

Help me pick my first 1911

  • Rock Island 1911A1 Tactical

    Votes: 34 50.0%

  • Kimber Custom II

    Votes: 29 42.6%

  • Taurus 1911DT

    Votes: 5 7.4%
  • Total voters
    68
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T

ThePunisher'sArmory

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Joined
Jun 23, 2009
Messages
888
Location
Belleville, Il
1. Rock Island 1911-A1 Tactical
2. Kimber Custom II
3. Taurus 1911DT

The choices here are the ones I have narrowed down to. Now please help me decide. I know the one I am leaning toward so lets see what y'all say.
Use will be Target shooting, Plinking, Comp shooting (eventually), and if needs be combat ready (SHTF). Needs to be 100% reliable....or close;).
Price range $400-$800.
 
Love my RIA, highly recommend it for your first 1911. For the price, it can't be beat. I will have a better 1911 one day, but I'm not spoiled yet so the RIA has more than exceeded my expectations.
 
Of those three, I'd take the Kimber, could also take a look at Para GI Expert, they're now made in the States.
 
Kimber= Junk
Taurus= "look at all these options for low prices that don't mean anything" no thanks
RIA Tactical= great bang for the buck, no frills and is a great gun.

JOe
 
Kimber= Junk
Click to expand...
That is simply ridiculous.

I do not care for the "lock" in the hammer on the Taurus. I would much rather have a firing pin block if I have to have one or the other.

RIA gets plenty of good press. No silly lock.
 
That is simply ridiculous.
Click to expand...

no its not. The new kimbers don't even compare to what they used to be. Too much "luck of the draw" and "Shoot 500rds before we will even consider looking at it because its not broken in yet" crap..

no thanks.

i have 3 kimbers right now, they are all finally working well but i'll never own another.

This forum is about OPINION. Sorry if you don't like my Opinion.
 
MikePGS....You read my mind. I will be getting the Hogue grip with finger groves for shooting and those or something like it for show. m500 I took a look at the Para also. I was not overly impressed. The only concern I have is that the Kimber is built to very tight tolerances. Good for accuracy but bad for functioning in dirty, sandy, or bad environments (SHTF roll). I don't think I've seen any Kimbers used by military or police. Plenty of Colts, Remingtons, or Springfields, but no Kimbers. I know that the RIA is made in the Philippines, not to bag a fan of that, but I'm also told they are quite reliable, and that their frames are often used for comp shooter builds. The only difference at this point is price and features. Both have match grade trigger (I can't tell much of a difference between them), Beavertail safety, and skeletonized trigger and hammer. The only extra features of the Kimber are front serrations, loaded chamber slot, and match grade barrel. If I can squeeze good accuracy out of a Ruger P95 I'm not to concerned about the barrel or trigger. It can always be changed...Right? Now I do like the clean lines of the Kimber but I just fear its built to tight to function dirty and reliable if needs be. Plus hey......It's my first 1911. If the RIA gets me hooked. The Kimber may be the next choice. I think I may go with the RIA and spend the saved $250 on ammo, Wilson mags, and a BLACKHAWK! Serpa. Thanks for the input so far. I think my mind is made up..............Unless someone sways me :D.
 
I voted Kimber. Some may think they're junk but that's BS to me as I have 3 and they're all great shooters and the Compact CDP is my CCW gun. To me the Kimber is easily the best of those three.
 
I've been hearing a lot of good about the Remington R1 1911 and it's a good looking gun. The RIA just don't look good in my opinion but I've felt one and they do feel like a solid gun and have heard a lot of good about them also. I'm sure you can always pretty it up as well. Just make sure you can't one that the sites can be changed and not just the welded on little front sight.
 
Bullnettles said:
Love my RIA, highly recommend it for your first 1911. For the price, it can't be beat. I will have a better 1911 one day, but I'm not spoiled yet so the RIA has more than exceeded my expectations.
Click to expand...
I agree, I have a RIA GI and it was well worth the money. Also, as someone who is wanting to start dabbling with minor 1911 smithing, It will be an excellent gun to learn on because of the low price.
 
As far as the Kimber discussion that's going on here.. I don't think it's fair to say that Kimbers are junk, but I do think it's fair to say they both "aren't what they used to be" (as mentioned above ) and really aren't the best in the price range. In the last few years I've inspected many 1911 pistols, and fired a few Kimbers and other assorted brands. I find that on many examples, the fitting and precision of machine work on the recently made Kimbers has been relatively poor, though not universally so. That being said they are a hell of a lot better than the Taurus examples I've handled. Rock Islands I have no experience with whatsoever. The thing is you're going to find fans of anything, and on the gun forums the large majority of people are always going to simply recommend the guns they personally own. Psychologically speaking, in a sea of so many firearm choices during a time when prices are high and funds are often in short supply, it is natural that buyers will seek out justification of their purchases. The point here.. is to consider advice on brand names alone with a grain of salt. Take the time to learn what makes a good 1911, then handle and closely compare the build quality and fitting of SPECIFIC guns of your various options in the price range.
 
As for me, yesterday I handled about 8 Kimbers, and bought a Colt.

Rock Islands really felt like junk.

Taurus was ok.
 
Yep, right now, if you want a really nice functioning and accurate 1911, buy a Colt. Had a customer buy a Colt GI from me recently. He is a very good shooter and told me that the rangemaster walking along the line was watching his target as he was shooting. When finished, he asked him if he was shooting his Les. His reply was, nope, my Colt.
 
IMO....

Great first 1911's

Colt anything -Hermitage
Springfield Loaded- great out of the box, great base to really customize for a good price
S&W PD series- S&W, revolver kings making some great 1911's now at aggressive pricing
STI Spartan- RIA on steroids and you can get it in 9mm if you want
RIA Tactical- great base gun, coating is enhhh but the rest is a tremendous value

Those are the guns i would look at if i was getting into 1911's again. Each of those have very strong points that separate them from others.

Yet, if you drive a lifted diesel truck, that you don't tow anything with yet you got stacks coming out the back, tuners stacked upon each other and 4wd but never go offroad.... get a Kimber LOL
 
I agree on that DW Russ mentioned. I voted Kimber but really only because I have one and love it. I like my stuff built here in the states but from everything I've read, it would be hard to top the RIA or STI for value. I won't comment on the Taurus.
 
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