Looking for a new .45 Auto

Either one will do a good job sending 230 gr balls down range.......what do you like the best?

If you are new to the 1911 design, it will probably take a lot longer to become proficient with that firearm compared to a polymer one like the Ruger American.......it's really a matter of wants or intended use.

Also, please check that price on the Ruger......seems about $50 - $75 too high.

Don't count out the glock. Rock island is a good 1911. Get what you like best.

If your looking at the full size basic Rock Island GI, it is an exact replica of the 70 Series Colt 1911. It is amazingly well made with extremely tight tolerances. It is a plain simple 1911 and runs like a champ. It is available for about $430 online. There is an up grade model which which has a few up grades, an adjustable rear sight, a skeletonized Trigger and Hammer and a slightly longer beaver-tail. They can be had for about $475 online.

We have both of the them and they are amazingly well made. They both run like champs, no issues of any kind with several hundred different factory loads and my hand-loads.

If fact, just today, I ordered the same gun in a 4.25" Commander Style.

I know half a dozen people who have Rock Island Armory Model 1911s that have performed flawlessly. I have shot a few and they shoot as well as my Springfield Armory Model 1911 A1.

But I have also heard good things about the Ruger Model 1911.

I prefer the RIA 1911s without the full-length guide rod, but that is just me.

If you want American made reliability and the ability to put .45 holes in things, get with the modern era and go Ruger.

Consider getting the CZ 97 B or BD.

When I was debating which 1911 to buy a while ago I looked at many. I ended up upgrading the 1911 I already owned but if I were to buy new I was set on the Ruger SR1911.

If you can spend more on your 1911 I was also thinking of buying one of the newer S&W E Series 1911s. The E Series 1911s are very nice pistols loaded with extras.

Those were the two I settled on. Of course those are just my opinion but if you look into both you will see why they were the 1911s I was considering buying.

Is this just a range toy? Personal defense? Ever owned a 1911 before?

They will both serve you well, but after buying my Ruger SR1911 and having such a pleasant shooting experience with it (my first 1911), I'd have to vote for the RI 1911.

Hanzo581 said:

Is this just a range toy? Personal defense? Ever owned a 1911 before?

They will both serve you well, but after buying my Ruger SR1911 and having such a pleasant shooting experience with it (my first 1911), I'd have to vote for the RI 1911.

Click to expand...

Which Ruger did you buy and if it was so pleasant why are you recommending the Rock Island?

ArchangelCD said:

Which Ruger did you buy and if it was so pleasant why are you recommending the Rock Island?

Click to expand...

Oh I'd much rather him buy the Ruger SR1911, I was just selecting from the options he was set on and assumed that was his budget, $500.

I bought this one.

I second this. Get a CZ 97 and be happy. I prefer the B version with Saftey to the decocker model.

No contest.....Go with the 1911 and you will surely be happy....Everybody should own at least 1.

Are we talking about the same Rock Island POS described in this article?

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...eview-rock-island-armory-gi-standard-fs-1911/

Get the 1911. You'll be glad you did.

Rev. Chad

Tough choice between two different .45 platforms. Have to ask which one feels better in your hand and which one has the best (for you), design features and ergonomics?

Out of what you posted , I'd pick the Rock Island 1911. I have shot both and the Rock Island can be taken completely apart with hardly any tools. It is very reliable and parts are easily available.
The Ruger American has a very complex trigger/firing group mechanism and lots of small springs and parts. It is very complex and I don't see it being reliable over a long period of time. I shot both and I still have the Rock Island .
Now if you want a polymer pistol to shoot 45ACP I say go with the Glock 21. I have that too and its an awesome pistol !

RX-79G said:

Are we talking about the same Rock Island POS described in this article?

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...eview-rock-island-armory-gi-standard-fs-1911/

Click to expand...

I have no idea what gun this guy was sent, but I have two of them and a 3rd on the way. My guns do not show any of the issues this guy brings up, especially about being cut up while shooting. That's absurd!

He states that it looks very much like the original 1911's. Apparently he doesn't even know that they were the series 70 1911's and the RI is a copy of it.

There are hundreds of round through my guns and not one issue of any kind! They are copies of the original combat issue 1911. They shoot to point of aim and they keep shooting. No bells and whistles of any kind!

RX-79G said:

Are we talking about the same Rock Island POS described in this article?

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...eview-rock-island-armory-gi-standard-fs-1911/

Click to expand...

That sounds like the POS RIA I used to have. After going back to the factory twice they gave up on it and sent me a new one, which I sold.

Why get a copy? Spend a bit more and get a Colt 1991 for $749 online at Bud's, forged slide and frame and will hold it's value better.

Rev. Chad you are looking at 2 different types of firearm. The 1911 is a timeless design that works & works well. All steel, single action with a thumb safety & a grip safety. I don't personally have any experience with Rock Islands version so I can't comment on that. I do own a SR 1911 (Rugers version) & like it but it is more expensive than the price range you are looking in.

I recently bought my wife the 9mm version of the Ruger American Pistol. I haven't gotten to shoot it much but so far I like it. Polymer framed, Single action, striker fired. There are versions with or without an external safety depending on your preference. It also comes with interchangeable grips.

In my mind it depends on what you want it for. If you want something to shoot at the range & maybe tinker with I would go 1911. If you are looking for something more rugged to carry on your person I would go with the Ruger American Pistol. Parts for a 1911 can be found pretty much anywhere but Ruger has one of the best customer service reputations in the industry. If you have a problem they will make it right.

It depends on what you want to do but if you are open to buying online you could save some money though you would have to pay shipping & to get a local FFL to receive the gun & transfer it to you. I would check with a local FFL & see what they charge to do a transfer before ordering. Here is a link if you would like to look at some of the prices offered by online sellers- https://www.wikiarms.com/guns?q=ruger+american+pistol

If the Rock Island is GI style and the RUger is
outfitted with Commander style hammer and Beavertail Grip Safety
Novak style dovetailed sights etc. the Ruger
is the better value and it'll be more confortable
to shoot with the Beavertail Grip Safety

$ 500 is the lower end of the 1911 options/market.

My $ .02

Randall

I just recently purchased an RIA 1911 CS (officer's) in FDE. My son and I took it to the range this past weekend. Brand new, never fired once fired before. We ran 200 rounds through this pistol. No FTF, no FTE, no stovepipes, no problems whatsoever. This pistol is the "tactical" (hate that term) model. It has the skeletonized hammer & trigger with the beavertail grip safety and Novak style sights.

I paid $440 for the pistol, $17 for shipping and $10 for FFL transfer. $467.00 total for this pistol. I do have some VZ "tiger-stripe" grips on the way.

For the $$ I paid, I could not be more pleased with this purchase.

So this jackass has the dust cover and slide pushed down into a pillow and is surprised with FTF issues? M'kay.

If on a 500.00 max budget, the Rock and Tisas are hard to beat. I have 3 Rocks (Armscor) (had 5), a Tisas, Norinco, 2 Colts, Cimarron (Armscor) Springfield, CZ 1911, DW Valor. All are .45acp. My Rocks are 2 full size basic G.I, types and a compact. The 3 are reliable and accurate for defensive use. One of the two full size is crazy accurate. I actually like the Tisas better only because of the finish. It too is a very solid pistol. With the Rocks you get a lifetime warranty and their customer service is usually excellent. I purchased the Tisas from Bud's and purchased their lifetime warranty for an extra 20.00. Have never needed the warranty but I have seen a couple of folks in forums who used their Bud's warranty. It was every bit as good as the RIA warranty. I was glad to see that. I would not hesitate on purchasing the RIA or Tisas. The Rock offers more options. The Tisas comes in both 80/70 series style. I've read good things on the 1911 manufactured by S.A.M. but I have no experience with them.

I've had good luck with a Rock Island in the past. My eyes no longer care for the GI sights, so I'd probably save a little more and go with the Ruger SR1911. I just checked and they're a couple hundred more, so that might not be an option--I thought I remembered them being closer to $600, which would (IMO) make the SR1911 a no brainier over the RIA.

I'd go 1911 over plastic, but make sure you're comfortable with the platform before buying.