Need some help from you 38 super fans....
I've decided that I must have a 1911 chambered in 38 Super and Ive narrowed my choices down to either a Rock Island 1911A1 or Taurus PT1911. My budget is $500 and both of these handguns fall in that range.
From reading online the RIA seems to get very favorable reviews. It's a bone-stock GI type 1911 that would lend itself well to future customization so that I could eventually end up with exactly what I want. This will, of course, cost extra though. RIA customer service seems to get good reviews online as well. Buds has them for $412 shipped.
The Taurus PT1911 on the other hand offers pretty much most of the features I would end up adding to the RIA 1911 and has the benefit of also being stainless steel and is only $82 more at $494. There are some things I don't like about the Taurus like the Ambi thumb safety (easy fix) and the fact that the slide looks like a freaking billboard add for Taurus USA ( not really fixable to the best of my knowledge.) Also, I am having a hard time finding a really detailed review of the PT1911 in 38 Super. 45ACP reviews seem pretty positive but it's not the same.
I have read that the PT1911 chamber is not fully supported. I will be handloading for this handgun and Im not sure if this is an issue.
So.....please feel free to chime in especially if you have experience with either of these handguns. ( the PT1911 in particular.) I'm aware that there are better 1911's out there but these two fit my budget.
Btw...I really did consider the Witness Match Elite in 38 super, but I guess I just have my heart set on a 1911 platform. Life hasn't been the same since I sold my Para SSP.
I've decided that I must have a 1911 chambered in 38 Super and Ive narrowed my choices down to either a Rock Island 1911A1 or Taurus PT1911. My budget is $500 and both of these handguns fall in that range.
From reading online the RIA seems to get very favorable reviews. It's a bone-stock GI type 1911 that would lend itself well to future customization so that I could eventually end up with exactly what I want. This will, of course, cost extra though. RIA customer service seems to get good reviews online as well. Buds has them for $412 shipped.
The Taurus PT1911 on the other hand offers pretty much most of the features I would end up adding to the RIA 1911 and has the benefit of also being stainless steel and is only $82 more at $494. There are some things I don't like about the Taurus like the Ambi thumb safety (easy fix) and the fact that the slide looks like a freaking billboard add for Taurus USA ( not really fixable to the best of my knowledge.) Also, I am having a hard time finding a really detailed review of the PT1911 in 38 Super. 45ACP reviews seem pretty positive but it's not the same.
I have read that the PT1911 chamber is not fully supported. I will be handloading for this handgun and Im not sure if this is an issue.
So.....please feel free to chime in especially if you have experience with either of these handguns. ( the PT1911 in particular.) I'm aware that there are better 1911's out there but these two fit my budget.
Btw...I really did consider the Witness Match Elite in 38 super, but I guess I just have my heart set on a 1911 platform. Life hasn't been the same since I sold my Para SSP.