Springfield GI 1911 or Rock Island Tactical

[joepa150]

I am looking to buy my first 1911. I have a max budget of $500-550. I know this isn't much to spend on a 1911 but I am not going to wait and save up. I have been really looking at a Rock Island compact tactical but I was thinking of getting a Springfield GI Champion.

I know the Springfield has less features but I am looking at reliability and quality. I don't want a gun that is finicky with ammo and mags. I do not plan on doing many upgrades other than grips.

I decided to get a "officer" or a "commander" size 1911 vs the full size govt

 

[GURU1911]

JOE:

Either model in the 5" government model is the most comfortable & accurate to shoot. However, it is also the most difficult to carry in anything except an out-of-the-pants holster or an inside of the pants such as a milt sparks summer special.

The commander size is a full-size frame, but with a slide about 4-4 1/2' . The officer model has a shortened slide & frame. It is the easiest to carry & conceal, but it is also the most difficult of the 3 sizes to master.

Conclusion: The commander size is the "goldie-locks" model to choose---it is just right !!!! Not too big & not too small.

Considering your $$$$$ budget, get the "rock island armory" version of the colt commander model & be sure the frame is steel & not aluminum alloy, as it wears out sooner with sustained shooting.

30 years exp with this genre of pistol & no charge for the consultation---what a deal dude !!!!!!!!

 

[joepa150]

Thanks Guru 1911. I don't think rock island makes a Commander Tactical model, only a GI. They do make a compact 3.5" tactical though. I would save maybe $30 if I bought the Commander GI but will not have all the other features of their tactical model

 

[SteelManCM]

RIA does NOT make a 4" Tactical. That was one of the reasons that I went with the American Classic Commander. I paid $425 OTD, My father found one for $440 OTD. Great guns, 4.25", Bushing Barrel, beautifully blued.

I own 3 RIAs, by the way. I love them, but was not willing to settle on the 4" with a bushingless barrel and in a GI only configuration.

 

[joepa150]

SteelManCM

If I went with RIA I would go with tactical compact since they do not make a 4" tactical.

Also forgive my ingnorance but what is a Bushing Barrel? Why is that better? Does RIA tacticals have a bushing?

 

[SteelManCM]

joepa,

I have the Compact Tactical and it's great. It has a Bull Barrel, no bushing. There is a cone on the end of the barrel. As far as I know, there are no 1911s less than 4.25" that have a bushing. RIA used to do it, but started using the Bull Barrel due to the high number of bushings breaking. When I was looking for my commander, I called Armscor and asked this question directly and that was the answer given.

For me, a barrel with a bushing was more desirable in a commander-sized pistol so that if I had to, I could get an after-market bushing to tighten up the slide-to-barrel fit.

The only RIA Tacticals that have the bushing are the 5" models. all if their 5" and most 6" models have a bushing.

 

[brandon_mcg]

woops, i voted for the RIA before seeing that you had ultra compact following the GI. i vote for the ultra compact but if you cant go to that price range then stick with the RIA tactical.

 

[IlikeSA]

I'd not do the shortened barrel but of the choices would take the Springfield for the warranty.