Deadheadted37
Member
What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Thanks
Need some help with choosing a 1911
- Thread starter Deadheadted37
- Start date
- Status
gutterman
Member
looking for a 1911
They are a little pricey-but look at Kimber Ultra or Pro carry. They are one of the best out there.
They are a little pricey-but look at Kimber Ultra or Pro carry. They are one of the best out there.
Full Metal Jacket
member
i bought the para gi expert. it has more features and a fantastic slide to frame fit for less money than the springer gi.
here's my full review of my gi expert:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=495030
here's my full review of my gi expert:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=495030
JTQ
Member
Handle all of them if you can. Even though they are all 1911's they will all most likely fee different in the hand.
The Kahr (Auto Ordnance) is the most realistic looking though it has a firing pin safety much like Colt uses on their Series 80 pistols. It has an arched mainspring housing. It is made in the US in Massachusetts.
The ParaUSA has the best sights of the bunch. It also has a firing pin safety like the Auto Ord. The reports are that the blue finish on the Para's wears quickly. Flat mainspring housing. Production has moved from Canada to North Carolina.
The Springfield has a good reputation, but does come with the Internal Locking System (ILS) in the arched mainspring housing and uses a unique to Springfield sized firing pin. Made in Brazil.
The Rock Island Armory has a good reputation. The least expensive of the bunch, but typically works well and has a good customer service record. Flat mainspring housing. Made in the Philippines.
I would probably pick the Auto Ordnance, since I like the look better. I already have a "shooter" so I would be choosing for the authentic look. I like the arched housing, short trigger and simple slide markings. I say this knowing that the Auto Ordnance has the worst reputation of the bunch.
The Para would probably be the easiest to shoot well right away since the sights are so much better than the rest of this group. It is the least GI looking of the group though.
The Kahr (Auto Ordnance) is the most realistic looking though it has a firing pin safety much like Colt uses on their Series 80 pistols. It has an arched mainspring housing. It is made in the US in Massachusetts.
The ParaUSA has the best sights of the bunch. It also has a firing pin safety like the Auto Ord. The reports are that the blue finish on the Para's wears quickly. Flat mainspring housing. Production has moved from Canada to North Carolina.
The Springfield has a good reputation, but does come with the Internal Locking System (ILS) in the arched mainspring housing and uses a unique to Springfield sized firing pin. Made in Brazil.
The Rock Island Armory has a good reputation. The least expensive of the bunch, but typically works well and has a good customer service record. Flat mainspring housing. Made in the Philippines.
I would probably pick the Auto Ordnance, since I like the look better. I already have a "shooter" so I would be choosing for the authentic look. I like the arched housing, short trigger and simple slide markings. I say this knowing that the Auto Ordnance has the worst reputation of the bunch.
The Para would probably be the easiest to shoot well right away since the sights are so much better than the rest of this group. It is the least GI looking of the group though.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
Get the Springer but spend a extra 100 bucks and get the Mil-Spec.
Here is a comparison.
Here is a comparison.
Full Metal Jacket
member
^^^yep, it was a lemon.
there's a moderator on family,friends, and firearms forum that's in the military, and he ran into some navy seals that are purchasing their own gi experts out of pocket. he said last he heard, they had 50 on order. great guns.
i'll look up the link if you want it.
there's a moderator on family,friends, and firearms forum that's in the military, and he ran into some navy seals that are purchasing their own gi experts out of pocket. he said last he heard, they had 50 on order. great guns.
i'll look up the link if you want it.
Last week, guy at the range had an STI Spartan. I think he paid around $550. for the thing. My recollection was the frame said made in the Philippines.
It was tight. The slide to frame fit was tight. Shot well and functioned, even with my awful reloads.
My M1911, I told him it cost me $1200 to get all the same features he got for $550.00. Way back when you had to pay a gunsmith to get the melted Bomars, dovetail front, beavertail, porting, beveling, extended safety, solid bushing.
It was tight. The slide to frame fit was tight. Shot well and functioned, even with my awful reloads.
My M1911, I told him it cost me $1200 to get all the same features he got for $550.00. Way back when you had to pay a gunsmith to get the melted Bomars, dovetail front, beavertail, porting, beveling, extended safety, solid bushing.
JohnnyOrygun
Member
Second Deep South
I second Deep South,
While I voted for the Springfield GI version, I have the Stainless Steel Mil Spec and absolutely love it. Other then the firing pin being different, it is pure "series 70" Colt, I know I have swapped in old parts from a Combat Commander. Springfield Armory uses a titanium firing pin for drop safety purposes to satisfy the peoples republic of california. I believe its titanium, if it isn't someone will be along to correct me right about now
Good Luck
JohnnyOrygun
I second Deep South,
While I voted for the Springfield GI version, I have the Stainless Steel Mil Spec and absolutely love it. Other then the firing pin being different, it is pure "series 70" Colt, I know I have swapped in old parts from a Combat Commander. Springfield Armory uses a titanium firing pin for drop safety purposes to satisfy the peoples republic of california. I believe its titanium, if it isn't someone will be along to correct me right about now
Good Luck
JohnnyOrygun
wally
Member
I voted RIA GI, but really the RIATtactical is better bang for the buck unless you really want the WWII GI look.
The STI Spartan is basically the RIA Match, either would be a good step up. I think the Spartan is easier to find.
--wally.
The STI Spartan is basically the RIA Match, either would be a good step up. I think the Spartan is easier to find.
--wally.
unless you are married
to the idea of a truly vintage look I would look at the Springfield Mil-spec or the RIA Tactical. I had a Springfield GI for about two weeks and traded it toward an upgraded Mil-spec. At the time I bought the GI I was looking for the RIA Tactical. The Mil-pec is close enough in looks to the GI that most people won't know the difference but it has the advantage of the lowered ejection port and slightly better sights.
to the idea of a truly vintage look I would look at the Springfield Mil-spec or the RIA Tactical. I had a Springfield GI for about two weeks and traded it toward an upgraded Mil-spec. At the time I bought the GI I was looking for the RIA Tactical. The Mil-pec is close enough in looks to the GI that most people won't know the difference but it has the advantage of the lowered ejection port and slightly better sights.
get the Springfield GI 45 or Springfield Mil Spec. The ILS can be removed.
Choosing a 1911 (Xavier)
More on Springfields from Xavier
Choosing a 1911 (Xavier)
More on Springfields from Xavier
Last edited:
devildog32713
Member
If money isn't a large issue, I would go with the Springfield Mil-Spec, just my preference.
dogngun
Member
I voted for the RIA from my experience
with these ARMSCOR - made pistols. I shot my first 1911 over 40 years ago, and I own 2 Armscor pistols, not RIA, but Charles Daly, which was the same gun with a slightly different finish and checkered grips. I have the full size and a compact, which is on my belt right now. They are extremely reliable and accurate 1911's - I have had no problems with either one in the several years I have owned them - and carry one or the other frequently.
I recommend you check the 1911.org. site and find the ARMSCOR/RIA owners forum: http://forum.m1911.org/
You will find a lot of posts by owners who have thousands of rounds through their RIA pistols. I really recommed them to anyone who is not afraid to spend less money for a very good pistol.
mark
with these ARMSCOR - made pistols. I shot my first 1911 over 40 years ago, and I own 2 Armscor pistols, not RIA, but Charles Daly, which was the same gun with a slightly different finish and checkered grips. I have the full size and a compact, which is on my belt right now. They are extremely reliable and accurate 1911's - I have had no problems with either one in the several years I have owned them - and carry one or the other frequently.
I recommend you check the 1911.org. site and find the ARMSCOR/RIA owners forum: http://forum.m1911.org/
You will find a lot of posts by owners who have thousands of rounds through their RIA pistols. I really recommed them to anyone who is not afraid to spend less money for a very good pistol.
mark
HZOX221
Member
STI Spartan would be my choice.
Deadheadted37
Member
I was able to handle the Springfield and the Para at the same time today. Para is definatly out, the display model's finish was warn and flaking off of the grip safety. The side lock would not engage on a empty magazine and the mag has a plastic follower that was all chewed up. I handled this exact gun 1 week ago and it was fine, after one week of customer handling and it is trashed. Scratch Para off the list.
While everyone has their opinion, I would suggest upgrading the "grip safety" if you DO select a G.I. model to a high rise beavertail. The stock grip safety(again, not EVERYONE) will beat up the webbing of your hand if you grip it high up. I had a Springer G.I. and the thing just wouldn't stop! Bone stock too. Prolly shouldn't have sold it.
I have a colt special combat gvt in hard chrome, and it has been the most reliable 1911 I've ever owned. Never FTE, never FTF and it has 2500 rds that I put through it. Hp/FMJ, you name it. Drop the slide, click, BANG.
Try and feel as many as you can, and even rent some to see how you like the feel/recoil etc. Though they can look the same, their balance, recoil characteristics, etc are NOT the same.
Good luck with your choice.
I have a colt special combat gvt in hard chrome, and it has been the most reliable 1911 I've ever owned. Never FTE, never FTF and it has 2500 rds that I put through it. Hp/FMJ, you name it. Drop the slide, click, BANG.
Try and feel as many as you can, and even rent some to see how you like the feel/recoil etc. Though they can look the same, their balance, recoil characteristics, etc are NOT the same.
Good luck with your choice.
RobMoore
Member
Spartan
RIA Tact
Spr Mil-Spec
Para GI
in that order
RIA Tact
Spr Mil-Spec
Para GI
in that order
GojuBrian
Member
I got the pro carry 2 and couldn't be happier.
t george
Member
RIA is what I choose to get me started with a 1911 and so far I have no complaints at all! so far its been 100% reliable and is very accurat... I should have never bought a 1911 now im hooked!
PigButtons
Member
I have the RIA and love it. It is 100% clone so parts are easy to get if you want to spiff it up a little. Fit and finish are great and it is as accurate as any I've shot. You can spend that extra cash on ammo.
ol' scratch
Member
I voted for the Rock Island base model. It is a great deal.
- Status
