Springfield GI or Rock Island?

[dasmi]

I think around Christmas time I'll be buying my first 1911. I'm going back and forth between a Springfield GI, or a Rock Island. They can both be had for about the same price in my area. Also, how hard is it to install an ambi safety on a 1911?

 

[XavierBreath]

I'd get the Springfield.

Fitting a thumb safety is not that difficult, but do it right, and thoroughly test it once finished. Make certain you understand where to remove the metal.

 

[dasmi]

I'm not so confident in my gunsmithing abilities, so I might have someone do it. Just wondered if it was a very involved job.

 

[safetyjoe]

Here is another vote for the SA.

 

[Shipwreck]

Another vote for the Springfield. Trust me!

 

[spyderdude]

I used to own the Springfield GI. It was a good shooter, but I didn't care for the low profile sights. I ended up eventually upgrading to the Mil-Spec, and haven't really looked back.

 

[AndyC]

Rock Island Tactical model comes with ambi-safety, beavertail grip-safety, skeletonized hammer and Novak sights - $390 from SARCO

 

[GaryP]

Springfield for sure.

A word to the wise should be sufficient!

Of course you could save a few more $$ and get the real thing ----COLT

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

<<< its all in my name

i love my springfield

 

[wally]

RIA Tactical, if you can find one! Gi price, Loaded features.

--wally.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Rock Island Tactical model comes with ambi-safety, beavertail grip-safety, skeletonized hammer and Novak sights - $390 from SARCO

It appears, from my interpretation, that that price is wholesale, i.e., to other dealers, and not what non-FFLs would be able to buy them for. I've seen the standard GI at retail around here for $389 and a Tactical for $489. I 've got my eye on a Tactical, since it already has a beavertail (I find these much more comfortable to shoot) and good sights, and a safety on the other side can't hurt.

It would upset me if I were to buy one and found out it outshot my fancy SIG that cost twice as much, though.

 

[Hacker15E]

I have both the Springfield GI and the Rock Island (as well as a few more expeinsive 1911s).

They are both fantastic economy 1911s. You won't go wrong with either one. My Rock Island is actually more reliable and more accurate than my Colt.

 

[Ndenway]

RIA's arn't bad if you can get one at a decent price, I got mine for 3 bills OTD a couple of years back, if it'd would have cost much more than that I'd of gotten the springer.

the GI sights on both are hard to see in low light, so if your wanting better sights and don't have the equip/knowledge to replace them, then your better off saving up for a better equiped model.

 

[Fumbler]

I wouldn't buy a GI just because of the sights.

Go to your local gun shop and tell them you want them to transfer one from Sarco or have them order one for you for a fair price.
I paid $445 out the door at my pawn shop.
That's cheaper than a GI with the features of a Loaded.

RIA quality is very very close to Springfield and I hear customer service is just as good.

 

[dasmi]

I'm not sure the RIA tactical model is California approved, but I'll ask.

 

[bakert]

I've seen the standard GI at retail around here for $389 and a Tactical for $489.

That about what the prices around Louisville run today although supposedly cheaper in other parts of the State. For a really serious shooter the SA might be a better choice but the RI Tactical suits me just fine.

 

[Mainsail]

Also, how hard is it to install an ambi safety on a 1911?

Do this: Holding the pistol in your left hand, rotate your thumb around to the left side of the pistol and push down on the safety. See? Ambidextrous.

 

[Ala Dan]

I have the Springfield WW-II G.I. model~!

I LUV 'em so much, that I own two of them. The first was given too me by a
very dear friend, and current THR member as a gift. Its a parkerized version,
that wears the original plastic grips, and came in the cardboard box; just like
the factory supplied WW-II guns. The other, is a stainless steel model, with
the wooden "US" grips, and came in the OD green plastic case~!

 

[Quoheleth]

It appears, from my interpretation, that that price is wholesale, i.e., to other dealers, and not what non-FFLs would be able to buy them for. I've seen the standard GI at retail around here for $389 and a Tactical for $489. I 've got my eye on a Tactical, since it already has a beavertail (I find these much more comfortable to shoot) and good sights, and a safety on the other side can't hurt.

I bought my Tactical for $389 from Sarco in May. I think they figured out pretty quick I wasn't a dealer, since I had to have it shipped to an FFL elsewhere. I gave them my CC information over the phone, double-checked with the bank to make sure that's all they took out, and happy days - a couple days later, I was in the 1911 business.

I like my Rock. I got it because it has the ambi safety - as a lefty, I appreciate that. It's been good to me, but in fairness I must admit I have <500 rounds through it. I understand they have break-in quirks (FTF/FTRTB issues) which some cure with heavier springs and an extractor tune-up. I cleaned mine up well, oiled it carefully, and it's done pretty well the last couple hundred rounds or so. If it continues, I'll look at the spring kit.

I guess if price is a wash, I would look at the features and go from there. If you want the Springer name, there you go. If you want a fitted, ready-to-go ambi safety, Rock is it. FWIW, the Rock IS a basic 70 series Colt, made on old Colt machines purchased by the Philipine company about 10 years ago.

Q

 

[CWL]

Get Springfield, I have both and when compared next to each other, the SA's forged gun is so much better in fit and finish than the RIA. I'm not saying the RIA won't work, I'm just saying the SA is a nicer pistol. IMO a better fit-together pistol will run more reliably in the long run.

 

[45auto]

At the same price and higher...Springfield of course.

Forged frame and slide, base models used by custom 1911 "smiths", lifetime warranty, "known" quality and high round count ability!

RIA ??

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

SPRINGFEILD ARMORY gets my vote.

 

[Hokkmike]

Springfield. Simply a better value.

 

[AndyC]

Quote:Originally Posted by AndyC
Rock Island Tactical model comes with ambi-safety, beavertail grip-safety, skeletonized hammer and Novak sights - $390 from SARCO

It appears, from my interpretation, that that price is wholesale, i.e., to other dealers, and not what non-FFLs would be able to buy them for. I've seen the standard GI at retail around here for $389 and a Tactical for $489. I 've got my eye on a Tactical, since it already has a beavertail (I find these much more comfortable to shoot) and good sights, and a safety on the other side can't hurt.

Yup, I imagine you're right there about wholesale - didn't mean to imply that that was retail pricing, since it would have to be trasferred from Sarco to an FFL anyway - just showing what was on the site. My cost came in yesterday at $487

 

[kansas45]

I've been Springfield fan for quite awhile. I bought a RIA GI last summer, just to see what it would do & then i bought a RIA 38 Super & tomorrow, if I get off work in time, I'll pick up my new RIA Tactical. I think they are pretty good firearms! Oh, yeah. I also have a High Standard GI that is pretty much the same gun.