I am looking at getting my first 1911 sometime in the next month, I was hoping for some advice/answers to a few questions I have.
I am on a tight budget, and I am looking at 3 different guns. I can get a Rock Island Armory Tactical with a factory duracoat finish, beavertail, and extended ambidextrous safety for $480, a Springfield Mil Spec for $575, with a mail in rebate for 2 free magazines, or a Ruger SR1911 for $650. All are 5", .45 ACP guns. I have shot 1911s quite a bit, but never owned one.
All 3 guns have very good reviews and warranties, so I am having trouble choosing the best option. I would like an extended beavertail and safety like the Ruger and RIA both come with, but the Springfield is in between the 2 in price, and would come with the 2 free magazines (saving me another $50). However, it does not come with a beavertail grip safety, or a larger safety. I already know first hand I'd like it a lot more with those features, since I shoot a high thumbs forward grip and have gotten hammer bite from GI guns before.
Would I have to switch to a more modern style bobbed hammer to use a Wilson beavertail? What are the chances that swapping the hammer, beavertail, and safety could cause reliability issues? Are the parts most likely to be drop in, or require fitting?
So my logic goes as such- If I am going to spend the money to swap all the parts on the Springfield, should I just pony up and get the Ruger instead? It comes set up exactly how I'd like. Or should I just save $200 from the Ruger and go with the RIA? $200 will buy a lot of ammo. I want as much reliability as possible, but I have really only seen good reviews for all 3 guns. Is there another gun in the $400-600 price range I should be looking at?
Thanks for the help in advance!
I am on a tight budget, and I am looking at 3 different guns. I can get a Rock Island Armory Tactical with a factory duracoat finish, beavertail, and extended ambidextrous safety for $480, a Springfield Mil Spec for $575, with a mail in rebate for 2 free magazines, or a Ruger SR1911 for $650. All are 5", .45 ACP guns. I have shot 1911s quite a bit, but never owned one.
All 3 guns have very good reviews and warranties, so I am having trouble choosing the best option. I would like an extended beavertail and safety like the Ruger and RIA both come with, but the Springfield is in between the 2 in price, and would come with the 2 free magazines (saving me another $50). However, it does not come with a beavertail grip safety, or a larger safety. I already know first hand I'd like it a lot more with those features, since I shoot a high thumbs forward grip and have gotten hammer bite from GI guns before.
Would I have to switch to a more modern style bobbed hammer to use a Wilson beavertail? What are the chances that swapping the hammer, beavertail, and safety could cause reliability issues? Are the parts most likely to be drop in, or require fitting?
So my logic goes as such- If I am going to spend the money to swap all the parts on the Springfield, should I just pony up and get the Ruger instead? It comes set up exactly how I'd like. Or should I just save $200 from the Ruger and go with the RIA? $200 will buy a lot of ammo. I want as much reliability as possible, but I have really only seen good reviews for all 3 guns. Is there another gun in the $400-600 price range I should be looking at?
Thanks for the help in advance!