STI quality vs RIA,Taurus

RIA are good to go (even with cast frame). If I remember correctly, STI uses RIA frames for their Spartan series. I have no experience with the Taurus. I own 2 RIA and they both work.

I own both and STI is better. Better finish for sure. Both are reliable and enjoyable to shoot. But if I buy another , I'd buy another STI

Sorry. Didn't realize there were three. I own an RIA GI and an STI spartan V and Spartan III. RIA is fun. The Spartans are a great package.

The STI Spartan in made made by RIA for STI. I believe all the internals are done in Texas for other STI guns but not sure about the Spartans.

I have a Spartan III and I won't be selling this one. The finish is parkerized, and the fit is as good as any 1911 costing twice as much that I have seen. My has just over four hundred rounds through and I have had no issues with it. It is my EDC.

You get a lot with the Spartan III. Oversize dovetail sights front and rear, I do wish it was a three dot, but paint works too. Extended thumb safety. Beavertail grip safety. Commando hammer. Flat mainspring housing. Series 70 no firing pin safety. It has a nylon trigger, which I was going to switch out, but the trigger is great so I 'll leave it be.

The difference is that the folks working on the STI guns are trained, by STI folks, to fit the STI parts in the manner STI wants

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that and finish... one looks like it was finished by a 3yr old with a can of krylon while the other does not...

I won't get into which one is best. That would just be my opinion. I can say though, that the Rock 45 1911 I have is one terrific shooting pistol. Know matter what brand or type of round I've ever fed it did it ever fail to load, fire, or eject the round. As far as accuracy goes I believe the pistol is quite capable of being more accurate then my ability to so it more accuately. Good luck.

I'm with Roadking Rider on this. You don't see many complaints about RIA's.

Not quite

RIA is produced by Armscor. Armscor also produces the frame and slide for the STI Spartan...it is like Ruger making S&W 1911 frames

Both are assembled at the Armscor factory in the P.I. The difference is that the folks working on the STI guns are trained, by STI folks, to fit the STI parts in the manner STI wants

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Agreed...
And IMO STI's are excellent quality even in there so called "Lower priced guns." Of course I may be a bit bias, I use to live within 10 minutes of both STI and LaRue Tactical and I am a native born Texan.... so my opinion may not hold weight.

Love STI. Had one problem with my Spartan, the elevation screw for the rear sight broke under recoil after about 500 rounds. STI had a replacement to me in two days, no questions asked.

Here is a good review of a LOT of different 1911s. The author has pretty high opinions of the STIs.

He must have also won the lotto, as he owns all these pistols..

http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.php?511-Buyer-s-guide-for-all-you-1911-addicts...

Tuckerdog1

I've put over 11,000 rounds through my Rock Island?

Nothing wrong with the RIA's, but the Spartan series is definitely the best 1911 in that price range.

I Have a few RIA/Armscor guns and I am happy with all of them BUT....

Their repair service is Nothing short of a Joke though. I Remember a few years back Their service was top notch, You couldn't find anything thing bad about them.

That just isn't case now.

Lord help you if you need warranty work. I have had one of mine there for over 2 months. It was brand new with a mechanical Defect. Their Emails come back as undelivered and the few times I have tried to call it just rings off the hook. I Don't think I'll buy anymore of them simply for the fact their service has went to heck.

The Spartan costs around $200 more than the RIA Tactical so it's not a fair comparison.