1911- Rock Island or Remington??

Which Woulld You Choose?

  • Rock Island 1911A1 Commander

    Votes: 49 38.0%

  • Remmington 1911 R1

    Votes: 56 43.4%

  • Other

    Votes: 24 18.6%
  • Total voters
    129
  • Poll closed .
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T

TX_QtPi

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Messages
26
Location
Dallas, TX
Looking at picking up a 1911 for My collection,
Stuck between a Rock Island 1911a1 and A Remington 1911 R1

Before anyone says "go and try them both out"
I have, I like them both about the same.
Neither pulls me enough to sway me one way or the other

Any thoughts?

Comments are appreciated.
-Cynthia
 
Isnt there a good price difference between the two? Neither appeal to me, but I recall Rem having the better finish.
 
Price Difference is negligible. about $60 between the two. Remington is blued, Rock Island is Parkerized, so they have a different finish
 
Stick with the Remington then... Look on TX guntrader and you can see how RI doesn't hold their value at all. In case you find out you dont like it after all or want to upgrade.
 
My RIA was 100% reliable. Ate steel, junky reloads, ball, and hollow points with accurate fervor.

However, I voted "other"

Me being you, Id get a Rock Island Tactical II FS in 10mm. It has more features than most guns several hundred dollars more expensive.

I haven't owned or really acquainted myself as much as I should with the R1. Looks like a nifty piece.

I have, however, compared to great lengths my above aforementioned pistol to the Ruger SR1911. The Tactical II was a more reliable, better valued piece. With adjustable sights, it was on target with tight groups in no time, out shooting the Ruger as well.

As for holding value, that matters not if you actually keep your guns. However, I sold my .45 Tac II for an unforeseen bill, and I made a $50 profit. Guess I won't sell my guns in TX.:uhoh:
 
I voted RIA as I have worked on them (upgrades not repair work), and found them to be very well built for an entry level M1911.
 
First thing, I think you're being charged too much on the RIA. Last gunshow I went too here in DFW they were still in the $475 range for the no frills model. The Remington runs around $625 from honest dealers, a little more for the stainless.

I too have shot both. My nod, even for the money difference would be to the Remington. Better finish, better trigger, much better rear sight. Nothing against the RIA, just by the time you have someone smooth up the trigger and replace sight, your price difference has narrowed.

In the same range, and where you might look, is the Ruger. Again, find a dealer who chargers the right price. Should run about $625, not the $800 that some think they are worth due to short supply.
 
I do not personally know a thing about the Remington so no comment , but I do own a RIA GI 1911 and can honestly say it has chambered, shot, and ejected ever type of ammo I've put in the mag. flawlessly, including reloads. It does not appear to be ammo picky in the least. Just a guess but I'd say I have about 800 rounds of many differed brands through it. The truth is I was having so darned much fun shooting the thing I lost count and just gave up on the round count. Really how important is it anyway when the gun shoots so well. The ROCK GI model does not have a firing pin safety which makes for one great trigger pull.
Good luck with whatever so decide to buy.
 
Remington 1911 R1 enhanced

I have a Remington 1911 R1 Enhanced and it is an excllent pistol---a little more pricey than the non-enhanced but great. Don't know anything about the Rock Island stuff other than it is originated in Phillippine scrap metal,
 
never could get my ria to run reliably
Click to expand...

Then you should have tried their warranty service, which I hear is excellent. If they couldn't get it to run, either, they'd have replaced it.

You listed an "other" option, so I'll second an STI Spartan. Pretty much the best value in the budget 1911 market. And you get STI's warranty, which is supposedly second to none. I've had the chance to speak to them about my extractor not having enough tension, and their guys are top notch. Walked me through the process of tuning it myself, but also offered to send me a brand new one.
 
I don't have either one, but my oldest son has a Kimber, a Colt and a Rock Island, and for whatever reason, he likes shooting his Rock Island the best.
 
I have a RIA tactical bought new 2 months ago just as fun gun house gun that cost me 460 dollars new at local general store. Know that it is a model 70 type trigger group. I found that mine seems to shoot any bullet type so far 100%. Even feeds some of a buddies match 200gr SWC ammo powder puff loads very nicely and not many higher dollar production 1911's will feed SWC bullets. Accurate enough to out shoot some buddies springfield 1911's old and newer models that cost more than a bit more and with them shooting it. For me the trigger could be better but with a 5. 3oz lb pull its not bad just a bit to much take up for me.

RIA has great CS if needed . Even the finish when rubbed with some clp and leather softens to more of a nice satin blue look.

To me , if you can't justify a les bear, dan Wesson the RIA is a viable choice for a basic 1911. Oh those STI spartains are from the same company that make the other amrscor 1911's just with a different metal finish and some extra detail milling on them.

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What brand/model of 1911 you choose should depend upon your intended use for the gun first, then your budget, figure out what you want to do with the gun then buy the highest quality piece you can afford.

I have owned RIAs in the past and they're decent, solid guns, and if what you want is a fun gun for casual plinking and range use, then the RIA will serve you well. However, remember that they are entry level 1911s built to a certain price point and, though they dominate that market segment, the materials and workmanship reflect that focus. The Remington is, in general, a better quality gun, in terms of materials and workmanship. Given the choice between those two brands of guns, I would buy a Remington. However, I'd be shopping hard, because for the price you'll pay for a new Remington there are deals out there to be had on good used Colts, Springfields, etc..
 
Oh those STI spartains are from the same company that make the other amrscor 1911's just with a different metal finish and some extra detail milling on them.
Click to expand...

Oh but they aren't. STI, based in Texas, wanted to offer a value line 1911 to compliment their otherwise extensive line-up and they source contracted Armscor for that purpose. They sent a team to the Phillipines to spec. out the Spartan, trained the Armscor employees and send STI internals for small parts.

The Spartan benefits from a quality manufacturer producing the frame and slide at reduced cost, same as Springfield Armory, with high quality sights and small parts. You can pay a little less for a Remington with fewer features, an inferior trigger and MIM parts, even less for an RIA with the same but the Spartan will cost less should you decide to replace or correct the shortcomings of the other two to have a pistol you actually enjoy shooting.
 
The RIA is a fine serviceable gun but parts dimensions are somewhat liberal relative to blueprint. That isnt bad, per se, since the guns are assembled to be functional within those specs.

The Remington is built to a tighter set of dimensions relative to original specs and is generally more expensive as a result.
 
I would not buy a new Remington firearm of any kind. Just my prejudice. After examining several new Remington rifles, I simply cannot support a company that produces a firearm with shoddy fit and finish and lack of attention to detail. If I didn't already own a 70's era model 700 I would have been none the wiser, as are much of the buying public.
 
The nice thing with Remington is the blueing finish. But the new Rock Island 1911 in 10 mm caliber is something to have.
 
You certainly have gotten a lot of good opinions here.

There is nothing wrong with an RIA or Remington, but you will not want them for long. Soon, you will look to upgrade. It is just that way. When you get into shooting a 1911 in .45acp, you will want one that is a bit higher grade.

I had a RIA, liked, shot it well. But, upgraded and upgraded. Went through Colts (old beat up ones), Kimbers and Springfield Armory. Now, settled on SA.

And so, I would say, skip over the RIA and Rem and look for a Springfield Armory. New or used. There are many models to chose from, the Loaded may be your best option, but you could start off with a Mil Spec one and upgrade the sights later. You can get a mid sized model. Many to chose from.

Would not worry about how the trigger felt, would just get or do a trigger job asap.

Anyway...just an opinion. Get a SA in stainless, mid sized and you will probably keep it. And it will shoot well for you.

Hope this helps

John
 
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