Which $399 .45 to get?

[Lucky Strike]

Going to be using $400 of refund check money on my first .45

Looking at both the Rock Island 1911 and EAA Witness. Was at the gunshop yesterday and handled both. Both felt good in the hand. I kinda dig the flat black finish on the Rock Island.....didn't realize how tiny those combat sights were though.

I've shot a Witness before and liked it. On the other hand I know the old saying is that everyone should have a 1911.

Just looking for some pros and cons on these two guns

 

[Eightball]

Just because "everyone should have a 1911" rings true, doesn't mean you need one now. Between the two, you like the Witness, and though you like the looks of that particular 1911, you mentioned negative aspects.

Solution? Buy the Witness now, and save up for a better 1911 later, even if it's just the Taurus offering.

 

[Pat-inCO]

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/RIA.htm
Talks to the RIA.

The Witness is another CZ. Nothing wrong with that. I have an IPSC Standard from them and it does what it should with no problems.

The RIA will end up being a builder. If that is what you are looking for, have a ball. Do remember that a builder will probably cost you more in the long run than saving up more money and buying what you really want directly from the factory.

 

[NGIB]

I bought an RIA Compact 2 weeks ago and it is a great shooter. If you're planning on building a custom 1911 platform, I'd start elsewhere. If you want a stock 1911 thats shoots good out of the box, the RIA is a good choice. All I've done for mine is buy a few different sets of grips to get the feel I want. Right now I have a Pearce fingergroove with rubber grip panels on it. A lot of folks will tell you that you need a loaded Kimber; however, it just depends on what you're looking for...

 

[NWdude83]

1911, unless you get a 10mm EAA.

 

[papajohn]

The Witness is a diffferent system, I'd address that part first. Are you comfortable with cocked and locked as a carry system, or is that even relevant? I've got a Witness 40, full-sized and all steel, and it's totally reliable, though a little bit big for a squatty little guy like me.

If it's a carry gun, I'd prefer the DA Witness to the SA 1911, simply for the safety aspect. I've unknowingly nudged the safety off on the Witness, if you do that with a 1911 you're goinna have a large hole in your butt pretty soon. The other reason I prefer DA autos to SA's is all the ways you can carry..........Cocked and locked, hammer down on a loaded chamber (with the safety engaged or not), or hammer down on an empty chamber, if the gun is to be left in a vehicle.

I also like the way the Witness snuggles down in my hand......and I bet you do, too.

PJ

 

[Lucky Strike]

Yeah the Witness did feel great in the hand.

This won't be a carry gun (use an XD for that).....I've a got a couple months to make up my mind i suppose, thanks for the responses.

 

[skinewmexico]

RIA has a rep on most of the 1911 forums, which is pretty handy.

 

[Comanche180]

RIA

I wish I could give you a real report. I just bought a RIA 1911A1 at a show today. I will try to shoot it on Wednesday. It is a good looking gun, the trigger is good right out of the box and the fit of parts is good. It is clearly not a "high end" gun but I expect good performance from it. It will be a "play" gun for falling plates etc. and I will not be carrying it for SD. $400, I wish it had more than one mag, but I can deal with that.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I've seen M&P 45s go for that price. Much more weapon for the money if you ask me.