RIA vs ATI vs LSI

[MarkDido]

OK, I have a hankering for a carryable 1911. 3+ inch bbl or thereabouts.

Don't want to spend a mortgage payment on one, but I'd like some bang for the buck.

I've read some very good reviews of the Legacy Sports International Citadel model (3.5" bbl) and the ATI FX Titan.

How do Rock Island Armory, Legacy Sports International and Advanced Tactical stand up against each other?

Thanks!

 

[cobblestone]

I do believe armscor makes BOTH the ria and citadel. The ati titan is a shooters arms product, out of the philippines as well. I have a full size ria tactical in the satin nickel, I enjoy the gun. I would assume the citadel is just as nice but I dont like the way it looks. I have no opinion on the ati

 

[ndoutdoors]

I have the ttan in stainless and have been fairly happy with it. im a polymer guy so and probably always will be......

 

[brandon_mcg]

RIA has a great reputation around here. I love their two tone tactical model. i have toyed around with the american classic 1911's as well and they are great guns from what i can tell. here is a link:

http://www.americanclassic1911.com/

 

[Liberty1776]

American Classis is another name for the Armscor guns. Same thing as RIA, etc... just bought the tactical Commander model. All the goodies, Nowak site, etc. $440

 

[Stringfellow]

I have been researching the 3 brands extensively, as I just purchased a full size, and my dad is looking to get a commander-size.

Armscor makes RIA and Citidel, Metro Arms makes American Classic, and Shooter's Arms Manufacturing (SAM) make the ATI pistols. They are completely different companies.

To generalize: All three companies are dependent upon their American distributors (I believe all three are operated independently from their respective Philippine manufacturers) for customer service in the US.

The Armscorp line has been sold in the US for a longer period of time. Their RIA line has an excellent reputation for customer service in the U.S. The pistols are perfectly functional and utilitarian, but not quite as pretty as higher-end ones. I just bought one, and can attest to the fact that they have a few rough/sharp edges that I would not have liked to be there, but are otherwise tight, accurate, and function perfectly.

Both ATI and AC are newer to the US market. AC had some customer service growing pains over the last year or so (horror stories, to be exact), but from people I trust, I hear they have worked things out. I have only heard positives about ATI--in fact they just hired a top executive from STI (which is one of the most respected higher-end production 1911s).

To offset their shorter track records, AC and ATI are a bit less expensive than comparable RIAs. Along with lower prices, you also tend to get a bit more features. The biggest one is that with AC, you get a higher-end looking gun, with better metal finishing and a shiny deep blued finish instead of the dull black parkerizing of RIA and ATI. AC also has fully-forged frame and slide--which may not affect daily operation, but is considered highly desirable.

Each company's models have a slightly different set of features on each equivalent product. None are necessarily wrong, but they are different. E.g., the RIA mid-sized pistol is not really a true Commander, since it has a 4" bull barrel (in contrast to AC and ATI's 4.25" bushing barrel Commander models. Folks have preferences for both variations.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices, but it is a matter of choosing the one that matches your priorities. I've had "better" pistols, but I have never had more fun than I am having with my RIA Tactical. Good luck!

 

[Stringfellow]

A couple more thoughts...

If you intend to do any upgrading, it might be easier with an RIA:

1) Supposedly Armscor was founded out of an old Colt 1911 factory, using Colt machinery and tools (unconfirmed). Their pistols are known to be closer to original Colt 1911 specs (confirmed).

2) At retailers such as Midway, there are typically lots of RIA owners who chime in with feedback about which parts are drop-in compatible with RIA pistols. With smaller user communities, it will be much more difficult to do this with AC and ATI--so you may have to look to gunsmiths for professional fitting of parts.

That all being said, if doing it over again, I think I would go for the AC. I now have a better idea of the specific details of "fit 'n finish" that matter to me, and would appreciate the higher quality of AC--even if that theoretically brought a greater risk of customer service issues.

Also, if folks such as Rellascout, Michael T, or 1911Tuner post on this thread, you would be best served by taking their advice...

 

[Viper]

I bought an ATI Titan a couple of months ago. I shot almost 300 rounds, and was still having some feeding and ejection issues, so I called ATI and talked to Ray, their master gunsmith. He said it was probably a mis-aligned ejector and said to send it in for adjustment. I sent it back through my LGS for $10, and had it back in 10 days. I immediately sold it - the guy who bought it had one FTFeed on the last round in the factory mag [Act], but said the spare Kimber mag I bought worked fine.

Just after Christmas I bought a nickel RI FS 1911. The fit and finish are excellent, and I've had no problems through 200 rounds of both bulk Ball and Remington UMC JHP.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

American Classis is another name for the Armscor guns. Same thing as RIA, etc...

I really wish people would stop perpetuating this wrong information.
American Classic pistols are made by Metro Arms not Armscor. Also, the American Classic pistols have a blued finish, not the parkerized finish of the RIA.

 

[dusty14u]

I bought an ATI commander sized and have about 500rds through it. It has been faultless so far. They come soaked in oil so make sure you do a detailed strip before shooting. It conceals very easily and I use a Fobus paddle and it works out nicely. The fit and finish were good and mine is numbered in the 300's so I figure I have one of the first batches for sell in the US. I saw no flashing or sharp edges on any of the machining when I first cleaned it. No chips or heavy machining marks.

Since I am comfortable with the reliability I carry it a good bit. I wanted a less expensive alternative to my Kimber for carry and this does the trick. I have a few carry guns and this is quickly becoming my favorite.

 

[mcdonl]

I have an ATI Military model and it is perfect. I had some self inflicted issues but the guys in support and sales set me up with replacement parts and were very helpful.