Philippine 1911's- real deal
- Thread starter Fat Boy
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HisSoldier
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As someone who really believes in market driven competition I applaud RIA for their 1911's. The one I have is every bit as good as others I paid two or even three times as much for.
The road to excellence is through free market production of goods to meet customer desires. Against that we have the forces interfering with free market capitalism.
Socialism has never produced anything except misery. The Philippines gun manufacturers use the same system America once did, high quality production at reasonable prices, to get their share of the market. Meanwhile in America our government works hard against manufacturing, especially of products deemed by the socialists as being politically incorrect.
I love my RIA!
The road to excellence is through free market production of goods to meet customer desires. Against that we have the forces interfering with free market capitalism.
Socialism has never produced anything except misery. The Philippines gun manufacturers use the same system America once did, high quality production at reasonable prices, to get their share of the market. Meanwhile in America our government works hard against manufacturing, especially of products deemed by the socialists as being politically incorrect.
I love my RIA!
chains1240
Member
I own the American Classic Commander. Shot a few hundred rounds of ball and JHP from a handfull of manufacturers. Had only one FTF. Mine feels like it runns on precision ball bearing slides. Bought it with Gun Genie. Love it.
horge
Member
The Philippine manufacturers of 1911-pattern pistols are led by
Armscor, Shooters Arms Mfg., and Metro Arms Corporation:
Armscor builds for itself, for Twin Pines (Rock Island Armory),
and a few others, including some work for/with STI. Frames
are investment cast 4140; slides machined from 4140 stock.
SAM exports via Century Arms, etc.
Investment cast 4140.
MAC builds for RSA/SGS (ex-Firestorm) in NJ.
Investment cast 4140 frame, slide machined from 4140 stock.
That's AFAICR. If anyone knows better, please post.
Armscor, Shooters Arms Mfg., and Metro Arms Corporation:
Armscor builds for itself, for Twin Pines (Rock Island Armory),
and a few others, including some work for/with STI. Frames
are investment cast 4140; slides machined from 4140 stock.
SAM exports via Century Arms, etc.
Investment cast 4140.
MAC builds for RSA/SGS (ex-Firestorm) in NJ.
Investment cast 4140 frame, slide machined from 4140 stock.
That's AFAICR. If anyone knows better, please post.
I had an American Classic II and loved it. Never had a problem and it was more accurate than I am. I ended up trading it to a friend and buying a gun for my wife. I'd have another in a heartbeat though and if I decided to get another 1911, that'll be the one.
But IF I spent $2000-$3000 on a 1911 and it didn't work right or wasn't worth carrying, I'd either get it fixed, send it back, or sell it to somebody who REALLY wants it. I wouldn't tell anybody I'd paid that much for the name on a defective product.
But IF I spent $2000-$3000 on a 1911 and it didn't work right or wasn't worth carrying, I'd either get it fixed, send it back, or sell it to somebody who REALLY wants it. I wouldn't tell anybody I'd paid that much for the name on a defective product.
oldironsights
Member
I have had a Charles Daly (ARMSCORP) that was a very poor build. Looked good under glass in the showroom, but was a poor shooter with very loose tolerances.
It was my first 1911 & a terrible one.
I like this old Metro Arms Firestorm. Fit & finish are better than higher priced Para pistols I have held.
My most recent 1911 is a Metro Arms AC2. Great build. Fit & finish better than ARMSCORP.
The Firestorm target was shot offhand @ 25 yards with old eyes & shaky hands.
The Metro Arms 1911's just seem to me to be the better of all the Philippine
1911 makers.
It was my first 1911 & a terrible one.
I like this old Metro Arms Firestorm. Fit & finish are better than higher priced Para pistols I have held.
My most recent 1911 is a Metro Arms AC2. Great build. Fit & finish better than ARMSCORP.
The Firestorm target was shot offhand @ 25 yards with old eyes & shaky hands.
The Metro Arms 1911's just seem to me to be the better of all the Philippine
1911 makers.
LiveLife
Member
I got to range test 3 new RIA Tacticals new out of the box and was very impressed with how well they shot. So when I bought my Sig 1911 TacPac, I suggested RIA Tactical to a friend who wanted an entry level 1911.
After 7000+ rounds, RIA is still going strong without decrease in accuracy and no parts breakage (I did replace the front sight with a fiber optic sight for him). Out to 15 yards, the RIA will almost keep up with the Sig with about 1" shot group but not as much at 25 yards.
Since RIA has generous tapered chamber that will feed even sloppy SWC reloads (I call it the Glock of 1911), I thought about getting a RIA but when I came across a used Citadel that had essentially two magazine worth of rounds shot through at a price I couldn't pass up ($350) I had to buy it. It has better than RIA fit and finish and shoots well. I put Magpul MOE grips on which has deep mag release cutout and very happy with it. I will post some pics this weekend when I return back home.
After 7000+ rounds, RIA is still going strong without decrease in accuracy and no parts breakage (I did replace the front sight with a fiber optic sight for him). Out to 15 yards, the RIA will almost keep up with the Sig with about 1" shot group but not as much at 25 yards.
Since RIA has generous tapered chamber that will feed even sloppy SWC reloads (I call it the Glock of 1911), I thought about getting a RIA but when I came across a used Citadel that had essentially two magazine worth of rounds shot through at a price I couldn't pass up ($350) I had to buy it. It has better than RIA fit and finish and shoots well. I put Magpul MOE grips on which has deep mag release cutout and very happy with it. I will post some pics this weekend when I return back home.
Zach S
Member
Agreed.
When I was shopping for a 9mm 1911, I figured I'd have about the same amount invested, regardless of purchase price.
Tooling marks in the frame and slide arent an issue for me, but I do insist on quality small parts.
Ended up with an STI spartan.
Deltaboy1984
Member
I got to get one.
wally
Member
I've had more parts breakage on my Colts and Kimbers than my RIA and the RIA see a lot more use. They typically see a couple of range trips a week with 100-300 typically run through them.
Noting questionable about them, if you plan to shoot them you can spend more, but there is no need, and most folks are better served with the RIA and the extra money spent on ammo and range fees. Buy the name brands if you plan to sell it.
MIL-DOT
member
I recently scored a deal on what looks like a nearly new RIA 1911 Tactical from a pawn shop in my state, via a Gunbroker auction.
Other than some odd glitches with the factory (ACT) magazine, the gun has been great. I've fired it half a dozen times, with 4 different mags, and 3 different ammunitions. At the suggestion of someone here, I contacted Armscor about the sketchy mag, and he got back to me within a day and told me to send it in, they'd replace it.
I'd been looking at these for a little while, and the vast majority of the info I found said that these are solid, if not undervalued, pistols.
Other than some odd glitches with the factory (ACT) magazine, the gun has been great. I've fired it half a dozen times, with 4 different mags, and 3 different ammunitions. At the suggestion of someone here, I contacted Armscor about the sketchy mag, and he got back to me within a day and told me to send it in, they'd replace it.
I'd been looking at these for a little while, and the vast majority of the info I found said that these are solid, if not undervalued, pistols.
Hurryin' Hoosier
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- Dec 22, 2012
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- 635
I'd take my Auto-Ordnance 1911A1 over any of them. American-made, solid as a rock, and just about as authentic a WWII 1911A1 as there is.
Ed Ames
Member
Doesn't the auto-ordinance use a firing pin safety? (Not authentic for WWII 1911A1.)
Are the frames and slides made in the USA? Or are the AIs made in USA from imported parts? I assumed the latter but haven't done any digging.
Are the frames and slides made in the USA? Or are the AIs made in USA from imported parts? I assumed the latter but haven't done any digging.
orionengnr
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- 5,713
I bought a Charles Daly (Armscorp) in 2001 or '02; it must have been an early one, as one poster said they've only been biulding them since 1999.
It was very troublesome--would seldom fire two rounds in succession, regardless of mag used or ammo type.
I attempted to contact Armscorp with no response. I ended up doing some work to it myself, got it quite a bit better, but never what I would call "reliable", and it never developed a taste for JHPs. Eventually sold with full disclosure, at a loss.
I honestly don't think I will try again, though. I have had about 25 1911s in the last 25 years and through my experience, have formed some opinions.
It was very troublesome--would seldom fire two rounds in succession, regardless of mag used or ammo type.
I attempted to contact Armscorp with no response. I ended up doing some work to it myself, got it quite a bit better, but never what I would call "reliable", and it never developed a taste for JHPs. Eventually sold with full disclosure, at a loss.
I am happy to see this, although it was not my experience...Most of what I read today indicates that they have come a long way.
I honestly don't think I will try again, though. I have had about 25 1911s in the last 25 years and through my experience, have formed some opinions.
Hurryin' Hoosier
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Despite the Series 80 firing pin safety, the slightly enlarged ejection port, the longer 1911-style trigger, and the "white" barrel hood, I would submit that the A-O is still the most authentic representation of the World War 2-era 1911A1 on the market today.
The slide and frame (so far as I know) are made from German steel - not the "soft" Spanish stuff which Numrich used. All other parts are made in - and the whole thing is machined and assembled in - the USA (assuming that Massachusetts has not yet seceded).
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