Rock Island Tactical or Taurus 1911

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schmeky

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Just curious. I thnk I read the RIA is a cast metal pistol and the Taurus is forged. Both look like good 1911 values, just curious about owners experiences and their opinions.
 
Check out the Rock Island Tactical. Awesome pistol for $200 less than the Taurus.
 
The Rock Islands I've handled have been quality guns.

That said, I got to shoot a customer's Taurus, and I have to say, they appeared to get everything right. Good tight lockup and a decent trigger. Functioned flawlessly, and I was surprised by its accuracy.
 
Both guns got their acts right. Both will do the job right. I just preferred forged steel reason why I am more inclined to the Taurus.
 
valor1,

I know forged is better than cast, however, I doubt I would ever have any problems or failures with a cast frame and slide unless I did an extreme amount of shooting.

Like I need another 1911, but these things are addictive. I already have 4 1911's alone.

Thanx for the input.
 
I would go for the Taurus. The RIA is cheaper, and from what I have seen they are perfectly serviceable guns, but you just get more for your money with the Taurus.
 
If you go over to the m1911.org forum, the RIA forum is filled with people showing off their pistols, doing mods, and generally being happy. Three of the guys who run the company in Nevada are frequent posters and are happy to answer any questions.

The Taurus forum is full of pistol problems, right now there are threads on

Slide stop engaged
Finish problem
fails to feed

and other issues. I like Taurus as a whole, I've got a 651 revolver that I depend on, but I'll take a Rock over a Taurus, at least until they get the bugs worked out.

...and aesthetically speaking, the Rock looks better without the colored in Banners on both sides of the Taurus and no front serrations.
 
kentucky_smith, I've noticed the same thing. I'm sure Taurus makes some good guns -- there are a lot of owners on the forums that would defend their Taurus pistols until the bitter end -- but the ratio of good/bad (not to mention the CS horror stories) makes me uneasy.

You also get a lot of bang for your buck with a Hyundai, but that doesn't mean I'd buy one...
 
but you just get more for your money with the Taurus.
Click to expand...

How so? I don't see anything on the Taurus that the RIA doesn't have...unless you want superfluous things like front serrations and whatnot.
 
the Taurus does have a thin finish, im guessing peoples other problems are mag related, Taurus has always had cheap mags... buy some chip mccormicks, problem solved.
 
I'm seeing a number of complaints about the "finish" on the taurus 1911. Can anyone be more specific for a novice? How expensive is the fix?
 
Kentucky_smith,

Is that a nickel finish on your RIA? I had a Norinco 1911 in nickel years ago and wish I still had it. I would seriously consider a nickel RIA.

I need to find the RIA website for a list of what's available currently.

I too have heard complaints of the "thin" blue on the Taurus. Refinishing is very expensive, so if the RIA has a more durable finish, the cost of long term ownership would be better.

I have never been a fan of the front serrations on a 1911, the more classic look the better IMHO.
 
According to Ivan, it's polished hard chrome, but RIA only makes 'em in .38 Super.

Probably the best source of information is forum.m1911.org, the actual RIA site is pretty sorry,

The manufacturer's website is: http://www.armscor.com.ph/
 
Don't have an opinion here, but just a note that forged frames are not necessarily better than cast, F.N. went to cast frames when they came out with the HP in .40 because it held up better.
 
cast is softer, less dense? maybe the slide slamming it would compact the metal instead of crack it? there's a reason knives are forged... maybe that particular design was easier on the metal to cast, maybe forging put more stress in important areas?

i have always been under the assumption that forged is stronger than cast.
 
Went to the 1911 forum and read owners feedback on the RIA. They seem to be a very happy bunch, much more so than most other 1911 owners.

Customer service is reported to be one of the best if and when needed.
 
"cast is softer, less dense? maybe the slide slamming it would compact the metal instead of crack it?"

Casting are not as homogenous as a forging, therefore less strength. You're more likely to see a crack in a casting then a forging.

kentucky_smith
That 1911 has been nicely dehorned..or appears to be in the picture. Is that a factory job, or did you have it done?
 
The RIA and Taurus PT1911 are both great guns for the money. Which one you buy depends on what you want to do with it. If you want a base gun to do some home smithing on then I would go with the RIA. But if you want a gun with most all of the bells and whistles on it then go with the Taurus.

I bought the Taurus as a second choice because I couldn't afford another Kimber at the time. It's not a second choice by any stretch. It's very accurate, good 4 lb trigger out of the box, forged frame and slide, decent checkering, and the finish on mine is holding up just fine. In the Seattle area the RIAs are running $435 - $480 depending on the model. The Taurus are running around $500 - $550. Like I said it's up to you and what you want the 1911 to do.
 
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