First 1911
- Thread starter Blofeld
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Wow, I started a thread about building an AR-15 SBR in Legal and suddenly My First AR-15 threads popped up in Rifles and now I've been thinking about getting a 1911 and 1911 threads have been popping up. Cool. I've heard people say good things about Rock Island Armory but the local gun shop (Tony's Guns outside of Shaw AFB) is quoting $500-ish for them. And he had a used Auto-ordnance in the $400's. A Charles Daly was going for $500ish as well. Those prices seem a tad high from what I've heard other people say though.
funnelcake
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- Oct 27, 2007
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New at 400 or less pretty much means one of the Philippine made models. Rock Island guns have a good reputation & I've read positive comments about their service. They run about 350 and up. For customizations, I'd shoot it first. If you want features like larger sites, extended grip safeties, etc. I'd spend another 50 bucks and go with the Rock Island Tactical model (start about 425) or similar up front. Upgrading after the fact will always cost more.
If you can save up another 100, the Springfield pistols are accessible as well as Taurus (read not good things about their service). The Taurus guns do have several "features" for the price. You also start seeing used Colt 1991 models in the 500 buck range.
Good luck...Funnel
If you can save up another 100, the Springfield pistols are accessible as well as Taurus (read not good things about their service). The Taurus guns do have several "features" for the price. You also start seeing used Colt 1991 models in the 500 buck range.
Good luck...Funnel
tomh1426
Member
RIA makes a great 1911 and you can get them for under $400.
possum
Member
another RIA, you are gonna have to go that route for that money. but that is ok they are reliable and accurate. stick with 230gr ball ammoi and you we will be fine, you could branch out and try swc and stuff and they might feed. in my limited experience they love and eat ball like it is no tommorow.
also RIA has several models, and i personally prefer there compact model with the commander hammer, beavertail, and ambi saefty.
also RIA has several models, and i personally prefer there compact model with the commander hammer, beavertail, and ambi saefty.
I paid $425 for my Rock Island Tactical about 9 months ago. I haven't tried anything other than FMJ in it (it hasn't hiccuped once on me). For a new pistol in the $400 range, I would go with the Rock Island otherwise look for a used one .
cjw3cma
Member
CenterFire Systems
Check out CenterFire Systems for the best RIA pricing (link goes to the Compact CSP - the tactical version with most of the bells added already).
Check out CenterFire Systems for the best RIA pricing (link goes to the Compact CSP - the tactical version with most of the bells added already).
rellascout
member
If you know your 1911s you know that for $400 you are not going to get anything better than an RIA at that price.
IMHO I would wait and save another $150 and get a good used pistol. I recently sold a GSR for $575 shipped and it was a superior pistol to an RIA in every way.
IMHO I would wait and save another $150 and get a good used pistol. I recently sold a GSR for $575 shipped and it was a superior pistol to an RIA in every way.
I accept that. But I also think that a 1911, moreso than perhaps any other pistol, if purchased used is going to be REALLY used. I've seen the used pistols that went to the range once and were relegated to a drawer, but my feeling is a used 1911 lived at a range and saw thousands of rounds.
And a new one just really appeals to me.
And a new one just really appeals to me.
rellascout
member
To each their own but a properly bought used pistol is a much better deal than a new one. The vast majority of handguns will never see more than a few thousand rounds.
A 1911 is no different then any other gun. If you must buy new I would still wait. Get to the $600 range and get a Springer.
A 1911 is no different then any other gun. If you must buy new I would still wait. Get to the $600 range and get a Springer.
XDKingslayer
member
Yep, RIA Tactical is about the best gun for that money. And that's not a bad thing, the RIA is a great 1911. You won't be disappointed.
chupacabrah
Member
I'm planning on getting an RIA for my first 1911 also....and probably second 1911. 
weisse52
Member
For 400 the RIA is a great deal.
My personal preference is to Colts and Springfields. But the RIA gets great reviews and the couple I have shot them seem very solid.
Now for the other part. This is a great gun at a great price that will enable you to determine if you like the 1911 platform. If you do not, I am betting you will get a lot of the purchase price if you decide to sell.
If you do like the 1911's then consider moving up to a better platform and just keep your RIA as your backup.
My personal preference is to Colts and Springfields. But the RIA gets great reviews and the couple I have shot them seem very solid.
Now for the other part. This is a great gun at a great price that will enable you to determine if you like the 1911 platform. If you do not, I am betting you will get a lot of the purchase price if you decide to sell.
If you do like the 1911's then consider moving up to a better platform and just keep your RIA as your backup.
XDKingslayer
member
I thought like that too. I figured I'd get the RIA and use it to learn about the 1911 platform and get used to it. But I've found not one reason to buy a $1000 Kimber or Springfield when my RIA does the same exact thing for half that.
What is there to possibly upgrade to when the RIA is drop dead reliable so far and as far as accuracy goes will group all 8 rounds touching at 15 yards?
weisse52
Member
I like a 1911 with a better fit and finish than RIA offers.
They are nice guns, if they fill your requirements then they are perfect.
They are nice guns, if they fill your requirements then they are perfect.
possum
Member
my 1st 1911 was over $1000 and i plan on getting a RIA next, if that tells you anything.
if a $1000 gun is 100% reliable, and a $400 gun is 100% reliable, seems to me that they are on pretty even playing fields right off the get go.
if a $1000 gun is 100% reliable, and a $400 gun is 100% reliable, seems to me that they are on pretty even playing fields right off the get go.
oklahoma caveman
Member
my ria tactical from sarco has run great. cost 425. shoots hps as well as fmjs without a problem, good accuracy and ria has great customer service from all that i hear. if you interested in them go to 1911forum.com they have a ria forum there and 2 of the representatives of ria are registered members that are on there daily
Sagetown
Member
At the gun shop, a few weeks back, I was shown an RIA GI for $365, and an RIA Tactical for $415. All other brands began at $100 above the Tactical and went up^$$$.
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My first 1911 is an RIA. Now I am looking into the other variants of this Masterpiece. It's my second love (firearms wise). The first is the heaven sent M60. The Rock Island feels great, shoots great, hits hard, and will fire every time, therefore near a perfect unit. You could pistol whip a buffalo with a 1911!
The problem is, once you go, one is not enough. Now I HAVE to have another.
The problem is, once you go, one is not enough. Now I HAVE to have another.
FlyinBryan
Member
if what all you guys say is true about rock islands (and i cant imagine all of you having the same story and it not be true, lol)
then im impressed with rock island. especially on the running 100% part.
my first 1911 back in about 86 was a colt government model. it was the most beautiful job of bluing a slide ive ever seen, still to this day. it literally looked like a black mirror. it also shot like a dream and NEVER JAMMED.
my second was a colt gold cup. the gov. model was better.
mt current model is a kimber pro-carryII. it didnt run good at all when it was new. now with hand loads it will stovepipe every 100 rds or so and seems to be getting better and better.
with all the positive feedback im hearing on the RIA pistols, im considering one myself.
then im impressed with rock island. especially on the running 100% part.
my first 1911 back in about 86 was a colt government model. it was the most beautiful job of bluing a slide ive ever seen, still to this day. it literally looked like a black mirror. it also shot like a dream and NEVER JAMMED.
my second was a colt gold cup. the gov. model was better.
mt current model is a kimber pro-carryII. it didnt run good at all when it was new. now with hand loads it will stovepipe every 100 rds or so and seems to be getting better and better.
with all the positive feedback im hearing on the RIA pistols, im considering one myself.
ezypikns
Member
You can't go wrong with Rock Island.
I've owned two. Both Mil-Spec types (small "G.I" sights). I put larger sights on one. The other I used as it was out of the box. Both accurate enough for anyone. Both reliable. Buy one with confidence.
I've owned two. Both Mil-Spec types (small "G.I" sights). I put larger sights on one. The other I used as it was out of the box. Both accurate enough for anyone. Both reliable. Buy one with confidence.
MarshallDodge
Member
Oh brother
A Rock Island is what it is, a fairly reliable $400 1911, and probably not a bad gun for starters. The frame is cast not forged, the fit and finish is OK, and the small parts will probably last for about 5, maybe 10K rounds. It is not a $1000 1911 nor will it shoot like a $1000 1911 unless someone on here has the targets to prove me wrong. , or maybe you spent too much for the gun.
But hey, you can buy two and a half of them for $1000.
My recommendation would be to save a few more dollars and get a used Loaded Springfield.
A Rock Island is what it is, a fairly reliable $400 1911, and probably not a bad gun for starters. The frame is cast not forged, the fit and finish is OK, and the small parts will probably last for about 5, maybe 10K rounds. It is not a $1000 1911 nor will it shoot like a $1000 1911 unless someone on here has the targets to prove me wrong.
, or maybe you spent too much for the gun.But hey, you can buy two and a half of them for $1000.
My recommendation would be to save a few more dollars and get a used Loaded Springfield.
possum
Member
for starters that is funny, i don't think the guys that own 8 RIA 1911's are "starters", or the fellows that have been shooting 1911's thier whole life who own kimber, sa, les baer, s&w and RIA pistols, these people can be found all over the 1911 forums. www.1911forum.com in particular, and www.m1911.org check em out there are alot of happy owners, and if they run they run, that is all the re is too it.
like i said before.....
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