First 1911 Poll. STI Spartan, RIA, Taurus

[Joshua M. Smith]

RIA milspec here.

The reason for this is that I feel the "Tactical" is loaded with parts which have proven weak in the long run. The most glaring is the ambi safety which is retained by the sear pin. It was abandoned by Colt years back, and the only people I know who are currently making it are a company called Mueschke. They're not known for their quality.

I bought an RIA milspec and made it my own by fitting a Brown beavertail safety, a Kimber thumb safety (I'm left handed and like the hammer pin retention; it will be upgraded to a King's when they get them back in stock), a new sear, a Wilson spring kit, and a Commander hammer.

Not to toot my own horn, but it is much higher quality than the factory Tactical when compared side by side, simply because I used higher end components.

If I had to buy one from your list and only make minor mods to it, I'd have to pick the Spartan and replace the front target sight and install an ambi thumb safety. The internals are already very good quality.

Josh <><

 

[Juna]

XavierBreath,

Thanks for the link. I read your blog. Good info there.

 

[senior]

RIA

I got and paid more for the compact tactical than i should have i know, but at 500.00 i got the better trigger, hammer, sights and beaver tail + decent wood grips. Been very happy with it and accurate to a fault almost, no problems at all right outta the box