CCO dilemma

[Rittmeister]

This is a "what would you do" question...

I've got a sort of hybrid, almost-a-CCO-pattern pistol made of RIA parts. You can read about it here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=599890

Bottom line, it's an Officer frame but RIA's 4" slide with bull barrel, tuned by the RIA gunsmiths to feed hollowpoints.

Since I really want a CCO-type gun (with a real 4.25" barrel and bushing) and I don't like the GI-style sights on my RIA, I've been thinking about purchasing a complete Commander-length upper from Iver Johnson. This would bring the total cost of the gun up over $800 but I'd have two slide assemblies, plus something unique with just the RIA parts - not too many of these around.

Just recently I learned of the new(er) Sig Traditional models, and particularly the Compact, which is pretty much a CCO. It's also all-steel, which appeals to me, has good sights, but has the drawback (in my mind) of being a Series-80 pattern gun.

It looks like the street price is around $800, which is where the argument is. Buy the Iver upper, or sell the RIA and buy a Sig Traditional Compact, and have spent about the same money in the end?

I like the uniqueness of the RIA but every time I've tried to be unique I've wound up further in the red before really having something that works the way I wanted...

Any input?

 

[CZF]

Bump up in quality for the SIG and get exactly what you want.

Not that I'd not own a RIA (as I might soon) but would rather have a SIG,
Colt, or DW CCO than the Rock.

 

[vail2073]

What difference is it if the Sigs are 80-series style pistols? Realistically I mean. I've shot and and I've gone to competitions with both 70's and 80's style models and IMHO, the feeling is minimal. The trigger pull is so minute that you won't notice it in a reaction situation. On the range, you might if you are really paying attention. And, if it was that much of an issue, just do a conversion from an 80 to a 70. Its not that hard.

As for the money issue. Buy the pistol you want. In the end, you will be kicking yourself for buying what you didn't REALLY want.

 

[johnnydollar]

Your one-of-a-kind Rock is steel-framed as well, the extra 1/4 inch of barrel doesn't make much difference in accuracy or velocity, and you could have the slide milled to fit the sights of your choice for not a whole lot of money. So, if your Rock is reliable (and most are), you'd be money ahead to keep it and replace the sights, especially if the SIG turns out to be less than reliable. You've already invested something in buying/having built the Rock of your heart's desire; why not invest a bit more in it and keep it?
JD

 

[bigfatdave]

RIA wouldn't put on better sights when you ordered from them?

I'm still trying to get in touch with Arnel to get my quasi-CCO ordered, but the obvious solution seems to be to have RIA put on the sights you want.

But then, I don't get the fascination with the bushing, I'm the lone weirdo that likes the bushingless bull barrel.

 

[Rittmeister]

I suppose the Series 80 vs. Series 70 doesn't make a ton of difference; I've gotten used to the 70 and like it for simplicity's sake.

Dave, I didn't order better sights and it was intentional at the time. I was trying to do a CCO on a budget, which meant going with the GI sights that they offered - at the time, they didn't have a mid-length slide with better sights available, or so I was told.

Of course, I could just add sights to my existing slide, but then we wouldn't be able to have this conversation