Ruger SR-1911 vs Armscor/RIA/Citadel 1911

[Wolfman Zack]

Looking at getting my first 1911, and have more or less gotten it down to either a Ruger SR-1911, or one of the Armscor or related brands from the Philippines.

The features I'm looking for are:
Full size 5" pistol in 45acp.
Extended beavertail and loop hammer.
Standard mil spec plunger and guide rod with barrel bushing.
Good sights.
Affordable price while still being something I can trust.

That leaves me looking at either a SR-1911, or the Armscor equivalent with similar features.

What would you recommend???
Is the Ruger worth the $200 or so more, or is the Armscor just as good at a better price???

 

[PabloJ]

The SR-1911 is stainless and made in USA, therefore, it should be worth $200 extra.

 

[tarosean]

Standard mil spec plunger

Your not going to get that with either of the budget guns.

Rugers plunger tube is a cast part of the frame and RIA is glued.

Mil-Spec would be staked.

 

[LiveLife]

A friend bought a RIA Tactical and while the outside looked OK, parkerizing was thin and wore fast during 7000+ rounds we shot. Inside of RIA was rough in many areas that should have received additional machining/finishing. RIA Tactical has generous tapered chamber barrel that reliably fed and chambered even sloppy lead SWC reloads.

Citadel's finish looked better and the slide action was smooth and tight (better than my friend's RIA Tactical). When I field stripped the pistol, I noticed the internal parts were machined better with much better finish than friend's RIA and new RIA models I examined. The barrel has tighter chamber than RIA barrel but still reliably fed lead SWC reloads.

As to comparable accuracy, I have a railed Sig 1911 XO which shoots sub 2" shot groups at 25 yards with hands resting on a small ice chest. While RIA/Citadel would duplicate sub 1" at 15 yards but Citadel would produce slightly tighter shot groups at 15/25 yards depending on the load - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=761471

Based on user reviews and accuracy testing, I would not hesitate to buy Ruger/RIA/Citadel 1911 at the right price.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I realize it wasn't in your list of choices, but I'd recommend taking a look at Springfield. For starters, their frames and slides are forged rather than cast like I believe all the others are.

 

[critter]

First three choices in order are Ruger, Ruger and Ruger.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Get the Ruger. Not that the others are bad but for a first one I think the Ruger will give you a lifetime of service.

 

[maxxhavoc]

I realize it wasn't in your list of choices, but I'd recommend taking a look at Springfield. For starters, their frames and slides are forged rather than cast like I believe all the others are.

I would second this - Springfield makes an excellent 1911.

Of the two you listed, RIA is a much better value, although fit and finish are better on the Ruger. Functionally, the RIA does the same thing and shoots as straight. For the extra money you get a the Ruger name on it, and a much more aesthetically pleasing gun.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with the Ruger SR1911. A decent gun at a decent price backed by really excellent customer service.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

realize it wasn't in your list of choices, but I'd recommend taking a look at Springfield. For starters, their frames and slides are forged rather than cast like I believe all the others are.

As best I can tell, the Ruger slide is forged -- the frame is cast.

Ruger's Pine Tree Castings may be doing the world's best castings -- and do work for many gun companies on the side; it should be noted, however, that a lot of guns have cast frames.

The real problem area in a firearm is in the barrel and slide. Not many companies cast slides.

 

[SDGlock23]

In that approx. price range, the SR1911 (std or night watchman) or Springfield PX9109LP are the best options. I've had both and both are very good 1911's for the money, the SR1911 Night Watchman and Springer PX9109LP both come with night sights and run ~$750. The Springer has FCS (front cocking serrations) and a FLGR (full length guide rod) which I personally don't like, so I tend to lean towards the Ruger.

I've had a RIA and while not bad, not as good as the above two, by far.

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned nearly all of the manufacturers of 1911s...often, several of each.

Only one of the Phillipine 1911s, a Charles Daly, built by Armcor. Charitably, it was a POS.

Springfield...well, only owned three, and won't buy another.

Ruger...no, I have not owned one, but advised a friend to try one, and he has had good service from his.

 

[Tcruse]

I would certainly have nothing bad to say about the SR1911, great gun at a good price.
Now, I would add the Regent S200 which is also stainless steel and good at about $500 street price. I have shot about 2000 rounds thru mine and it seems to be every bit as good as my friends SR1911 purchased the same day and shot only a little less. Either gun would be well worth the price. SR1911 is a series 70 style and the Regent is a series 80 style.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Quote:
Standard mil spec plunger
Your not going to get that with either of the budget guns.

Rugers plunger tube is a cast part of the frame and RIA is glued.

Mil-Spec would be staked.

Is should clarify that what I meant was a short guide rod arrangement, as opposed to the full length guide rods that are in vogue with many makers.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Nobody is wearing out a modern, investment cast frame. It just doesn't happen. I wouldn't even put that on a list of considerations on what 1911 to buy. A functional RIA vs a functional Ruger will probably be a wash. Both companies have CS dept. as well, in case you get a lemon. If the $200 is worth the gun being stainless, it seems like an easy choice.

Lots of good things are being said about the 1911s coming out of Turkey as well.

 

[RT.45]

I bought a new SR1911 last year and have since shot over 1000 rounds thru it with no failures of any kind. I could not find anything to dislike about the gun. It is more accurate than I'm capable of ( they all are) and as per Ruger it is built like a tank. I think for the money the Ruger is one of the best purchases you can make. I've been tempted to try a Rock Island but haven't yet. YMMV.

 

[Fishbed77]

For the price Colts are going for these days, you could just up your budget $200-250 or so and nab one of those. Then you would have a forged (as opposed to cast) US-made 1911.

Just tossing that out there.


.

 

[anothernewb]

Not that I will bash Philippines made frames, I think my STi frame is from there. But, the Ruger seems to be a heck of a good gun for the money. The new Remington is too.

Is it worth $200 more? for the way it looks and the usa label, it is to me.

Are the others inferior? I doubt they're that much "inferior" they'll have their quirks and shortcuts, but they can be nice units nonetheless. If the budget is only that high, they're great guns. If the budget allows for the Ruger. then go with the Ruger.

 

[ID-shooting]

The only thing I would ever give my SR1911 up for is to swap it for a USGI surplus 1911.

Ruger over any sub-$1k 1911 any day of the week.

 

[Fishbed77]

Ruger over any sub-$1k 1911 any day of the week.

Well, after Colt, Springfield, and STI anyway (and S&W & SIG if you can tolerate external extractors).

 

[NWcityguy2]

The difference in value, between any of those brands, is in the eye of the beholder. This discussion however, isn't about any of them.

 

[TomJ]

I can't speak to RIA, but I have a SR1911 and it's been great. I have a few hundred rounds though it without a malfunction, and it's as accurate as anything I own.

 

[JDR]

if you can still still find an STI Spartan V, this is a Phillipine Armscor gun that has the STI fire controls and this already has the LPA rear sight and the F.O. front sight. These features make this gun a really good target shooter for around $600.00. These are now out of production, so if you see one, buy it!

 

[anothernewb]

if you can still still find an STI Spartan V, this is a Phillipine Armscor gun that has the STI fire controls and this already has the LPA rear sight and the F.O. front sight. These features make this gun a really good target shooter for around $600.00. These are now out of production, so if you see one, buy it!

wait, what? they discontinued them? what a bummer. they were a great deal for the money.

 

[Fishbed77]

The difference in value, between any of those brands, is in the eye of the beholder. This discussion however, isn't about any of them.

Actually is is, if you read the list of features requested in the OP, and as a response to the inaccurate statement posted by ID-shooting.

The Ruger SR1911 may very well be the best 1911 available under $600. Under $1000, however, there are a good many better 1911s available that are built on forged frames.

One can not adequately discuss one brand versus another and not take into account other competing products.