Another Springfield Armory vs. Rock Island Armory thread.

[Hammerhead6814]

This time, were talking about two VERY specific handguns, and not the manufacturers as a whole.

The Springfield Armory for $475.

vs.

The Rock Island Armory for $400.

All things being equal here, which one is a better buy? The Springfield has a case with it, the R.I.A. has two eight round magazines. The Springfield has some scratches, the R.I.A. has a trigger job (see below).

The problem with that R.I.A.'s trigger job is this: The seller cannot produce any means to prove it had a professional trigger job. No receipt, and he didn't say WHO did it. For all I know it's something he did himself in his garage, which isn't something I'd give $400 for.

The Springfields only flaws are that it's scratched, and comes with two G.I. magazines as opposed to two eight round aftermarkets.

What do you guys think? Which is a better buy?

 

[patsue]

No question for me. The Springfield.

 

[kanook]

another vote for SA

 

[1911shooter]

Unless the trigger is not safe and there are issues with it, then the RIA is not a bad buy,
The springfield is well a springfield, great customer service good product, but these are both on a whole apples to apples in compareison.

 

[ckone]

Get a RIA "Tactical" for $445: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=147057565

or for $10 more than that base Springer, you could get fancy and get one in nickel/duo-tone:http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=147165568

...either way, the "Tactical" has better (and more easily upgradable) sights, and a few other things out-of-the-box that you'll probably want and won't have to upgrade with those "G.I." models (ambi-safety, extended beavertail grip safety, better trigger, etc.).

The RIA "Tacticals" are the best buy going, and rather than wondering about the quality of the work or the guns previous life, you could get your own trigger job done for short money and have a brand new gun that's better from the get go IMO.

 

[highorder]

In this case, the SA.

I saw 3 RIA's NIB for less than $400 this weekend... at the gunshow no less.

I have an RIA that I love, but I paid $319 for it 3 years ago. They are available for $389 NIB these days.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i'd feel more comfortable with the Springfield too

 

[Quack]

Springfield frames and slides are forged and are great base guns for custom builds.

 

[Kingofthehill]

That close of price... Springfield.

Now a Springfield GI locally for me is about 600... SO.... the $450 rock islands are one heck of a buy... but your talking about a few bucks for a lot of heritage and a more superior product IMO.

JOe

 

[inSight-NEO]

In a word (actually two), Springfield Armory.

 

[lexjj]

I love Rock Islands, but in this case, Springfield.

 

[DeepSouth]

Springer for sure, but I personally would get the Mil-Spec not the GI.

 

[Magnumite]

SA! When you go to improve it, you'll be impressed with the steel quality. For that price, I don't see alot of comparison. The RIA is not in the same league as a SA pistol.