Which 1911: Sistema or RIA?

[The Undertoad]

Hi guys. I've done a bit of research and have narrowed down my 1911 preferences. I had a chance to shoot a THR member's Sistema last week and I think I'm hooked. I'll make sure to shoot a wheelgun too before I buy, but I'm pretty darn sure I want a 1911. It just felt right in my hand.

So - these two guns are just about the same price, but I can't find a thread directly comparing them, so I've started my own. They're almost identical in features from what I can tell - different grips though. From what I have read, the RIA's are new production from the Phillipines, the Sistemas are refinished Argentinian weapons built on the original Colt design.

They both look like excellent choices if a person wants a 1911 and doesn't have a lot of money. This would be a carry weapon, provided I can work out a way to conceal it. I also want to put a whole lot of rounds downrange. I am concerned about feeding reliability as well as general longevity/reliability over the long run, by which I mean decades.

If anyone has either of these pistols, or better yet both, please speak up! I'd love to hear your opinion. (And I know I should just get both, I'd love to when I have the money. Not in the cards at the moment though.)

 

[P95Carry]

I have a pre-owned Sistema ..... I like it but .... it is stock .. basic ... and is not remarkable. Just adequate.

I daresay if I put some time to it it'll become something better but I got it not expecting miracles. It will ''do the job'' but don't expect tight groups at 25 yds!!

Otherwise ...... can't comment re RIA.

 

[Denmark116]

I don't have either of the guns that you are looking at, and I will not muddle your decision with another suggestion (ok I might throw the SA Mil-Spec out there....), but you can look here

http://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

As there is a lot of discussion (mostly good) about the RIA...

Also look at SOG for RIA's under 280.00

Good luck and good shooting...

Denmark

 

[anapex]

If you can find a Sistema for around the price RIAs go for lemme know Otherwise I think you'd be better off looking at a new Springfield WWII Milspec.

 

[45Badger]

"I have a pre-owned Sistema ..... I like it but .... it is stock .. basic ... and is not remarkable. Just adequate."

You're gonna hurt its feelings with talk like that!

I was one of the pre-owners of said gun.

Sistemas are typically 50+++ years old, and very basic. And used. Made to Colt specs, on Colt machinery - way back when. They go bang, and are accurate at realistic handgun combat distances.

RIAs are modern manufacture. Inexpensive, and I have not heard alot about them, good or bad.

Springfield Armory offers two "MILSPEC" pistols that are reasonably priced.

Their standard MilSpec can be had for $450, and is a very reliable and accurate. It has hi profile 3 dot sights that are easy to use. Very nice gun for the money

They also offer a Milspec WW2 knock-off. Nice gun, can be had for less than $400, but the sights are itty-bitty little WW2 thingies that tend to be more difficult for less experienced shooters to use quickly and effectively.

Spend a little more and you can get a used Colt

 

[The Undertoad]

Thanks for the info so far guys... I do like the basic look of the stock 1911. I had considered the SA's too, that is likely my third choice right now.

The little sights on the Sistema were disconcerting at first but I think I could get used to them - I'm young.

anapex - The lowest price I've seen for RIA's are at SOG for $280 as Denmark said, and I've seen Sistema at $300 (neither price includes shipping or transfer fees). I think that's pretty close.

 

[Josey]

I have had two SA 1911s. Both were junk. I would go with the RIA for now. I have been getting Colt 1991A1s for $300 to $350 of late. I would get one of each of the RIAs and a Colt 1991A1. A NRM Colt would be nice. I have wanted to find a Sistema 27 myself. I would like to rebuild one and nickel plate it.

 

[phantom309]

I faced that same decision a couple weeks ago and went with the standard SA Mil-Spec. Very happy with it - getting old and I really need those three-dot sights If I absolutely could not spend over $300 I'd go with the RIA. Your chances of getting a good new RIA are much better than your chances of getting a good 50 year old Sistema.

 

[berettaman]

I own(ed) both a Sistema and an RIA.I just recently sold my Sistema to another collector as it was too nice to be really usefull for my needs.I've had my Rock Island for about 6 months now and with a few mods it's becoming one of my favorite shootin' irons.Go with an RIA you wont be dissapointed.

 

[VG]

I have a Sistema that was arsenal refinished. The tolerances are very loose and (like the one tested by Gun-Tests) shot 7-8" groups as received.
It wasn't too hard to remedy that - a new barrel link, link pin, and drop in bushing cut the group to about 4-5". But it is difficult to shoot at 25 yards because the rear sight is so tiny. By contrast, a 1944 manufacture Remington Rand USGI pistol seems tight as a drum. And the sights are better. I bought the Sistema specifically to let people shoot a USGI style pistol without wearing out a collector piece.

If you are a collector, authentic is great. If you want to shoot much, the USGI pattern M1911's aren't great. Get something more recent, with better sights. And waiting a while and spending a little more will get you a much better pistol.

 

[P95Carry]

You're gonna hurt its feelings with talk like that!

Hey D ..... it's a toughie - you know that!!

As I said ..... like the piece a lot but never would have over high expectations of one. That is not meant to be disparaging in fact ... which I think you know! More, realism. As someone else said - VG ... it's the sort of piece you can enjoy shooting a lot without worrying about wearing out a collector piece.

I love shooting it but it ain't a 25 yd pistol .. tho given time and attention that could be changed.

 

[45Badger]

But it's a heck of a 3 yard gun! OUCH!

 

[Johnny Guest]

On the basis - -

- - of having handled several Sist. 1927s, several Springfield Armorys, and a few RIAs - - -

Examining a particular 1927 is very much like holding an old GI 1911A1. Some are better than others, but the basic piece is always good. I bought one about three years ago and have always been glad. I opened up the teeny-tiny rear sight notch, and it was much easier to shoot well.

The RIA examples I've seen are usually pretty rough. These were all the "lower grade" types. They sell for a lot less than the Sistema Colts, and in my opinion, would need a lot of tinkering to be as good.

The standard SA Mil-Spec is a good, basic piece of modern manufacture. I've been well impressed with the ones I've handled. They tend to go for a lot more money than the RIAs, but are really a nicer pistol, if you want a service grade 1911-type.

You may occasionally see a well-used Sistema for about the price of the basic RIA. If so, it is a better buy.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a Sistema and it had been used. The previous owner had changed the grips to some nice full checkered wood. It also had a oversize chamber, so a used SA barrel dropped right in. I had a local smith change the front sight to a nice wide style. All total $325 for the gun, $40 for the barrel and $25 for the front sight and now it is a great gun.

 

[The Undertoad]

Well, turns out the local shop charges $50 for transfers

So if they can order me a SA WW2 GI Milspec (or maybe the regular Milspec model) for a decent price, I'll get that.

If they can't give me a good price on one of those, I'll go find another dealer.

 

[liliysdad]

I like my RIA better than any of the multiple Springers Ive handled.

 

[45Badger]

"Well, turns out the local shop charges $50 for transfers"

STEP ONE-

Find a different local shop!

 

[Zundfolge]

Well, turns out the local shop charges $50 for transfers

Well, the BATF charges $30 for three years for a C&R.

Sistemas are C&R (dunno about RIA)

 

[The Undertoad]

Zundfolge, don't tempt me! I'm but a poor college student! That way lies economic ruin! (As soon as I graduate and get a steady job, I'll be getting a C&R though)

45Badger - I had a feeling someone would say that. If they don't give me a price I'm happy with for the Springers, I'll go to the shop I usually go to - which is about 30 minutes farther away. My usual shop also is in a city that requires people to go get a permission slip from the police to buy handguns (essentially a way for the city to get revenue) which I don't want to do, so I was hoping to find somewhere closer to me that could get me a good deal. We'll see what happens...

 

[Bob F.]

I have an RIA Compact, like it-had some problems but I think they were my doing in retrospect and only likely on the compact with it's full length recoil spring guide.

Local guy messes w/1911's lot-accurizes, shoots groundhogs, etc; says the Dan Wesson's are the best out of the box, he can't improve 'em much.

Have fun.
Stay safe.
Bob

 

[W Turner]

If you are buying with the intention of customizing, I would go with a SA mil-spec or NRM colt. If you are just loking for a good GI style 1911 to use a shooter, I think it is a tossu p between the Systema or the RIA.

I have owned a RIA for over a year and have been very pleased with it. The fit and finish was great for the price point and I can get consistent 3-4" groups with mine at 25yds. The only real advantage I see to the Sistema is that they are forged, and some people would debate over the whole cast/forged thing. With RIA's selling for about $100 less than they were when I bought mine and $100 or so less than the Sistema's I would still go for the RIA.

Here is the rundown on mine:
Mods- Colt GI grip safety and slight hammer bob to help with hammer bite, trigger job, Trijicon front night sight ($5 at a gunshow), SA take off Cocobolo grips, skateboard tape on the frontstrap, polished feed ramp

About 1k rounds fired including Wolf, Blazer, Cor-Bon, Gold Dot, WWB and Silvertips, Federal Hydra-Shok, UMC, and reloads. FMJ, SWC, HP and bullet weights of 165, 185, 200, and 230 gr. No malfunctions of any kind, ever.

Most of the rounds fired were fired in IDPA matches and when I do my part, you can't tell if I am shooting a $400 RIA or a $2500 Les Baer.

Mino