Which Rock Island 1911 should I buy?

[joepa150]

I checked out a few guns stores in my area. Prices did vary but these are the lowest I can find in my area. The Tactical Compact has to be ordered because no one in my area has them.

I do plan on using the RIA 1911 as a carry gun. Besides maybe grips, I probably will not change anything unless it breaks.

 

[rellascout]

Search feature is your friend.... LOL.

Nothing wrong with the RIA if you understand its limitations and the short cuts that were taken to get to that price point just like I said in your last thread. If you are carrying I would suggest a commander sized gun. RIA list a gun they call a commander but I believe it is 4" not 4.25" barreled gun and I am not a fan of the bushingless barrel.

 

[brandon_mcg]

compact tactical is your friend as well. hard to beat the two tone.

 

[Greg528iT]

for carry, I'd go Compact tactical in the 3.5" and officer frame. Surpisingly smaller than a full size.

While these are Springers, and the 5" has a compensator, you can still tell how much smaller the 3.5" is.

 

[joepa150]

I don't know much about 1911 but is looks to me that the RIA come in a full size (Govt model), Mid Size (Commander), and a compact size (Officer). I don't think I saw a Mid size RIA yesterday. I appears the RIA MS is hard to find.

 

[joepa150]

I found a standard GI Commander size locally for $409. I want the tactical but cannot find any in the Commander or compact size.

Should I jump on the Commander GI or wait and order a tactical compact?

 

[viking499]

Wait. The tactical is worth the extra money......and the wait.

 

[BlayGlock]

Get the tactical for the better sights.

 

[rellascout]

Fullsized tactical... or a commander length tactical.

When you go under 4" the reliability of 1911s goes down. Not to say they do not run but the issues with bullet trajectory can cause FTF with hollow points. Plus when you are pushing 45 ACP out of a 3.5" barrel there is not a lot of speed. Hollow points may not expand properly.

I always advise getting to know the fullsize move down from there is needed.

 

[joepa150]

I can get a full size tactical today for $469. I still haven't found a compact tactical that I can buy today.

I am worried that the full size 1911 would be too big to carry comfortably vs the compact. Is there much of a difference? I guess concealablilty should be the same since the barrel just extends longer down your leg, right?

On the other hand, I do not want reliabilty issues with the shorter barrel.

 

[rondog]

Here's my RIA Compact sitting on top of a RIA GI model. You can clearly see the difference in sizes, it's not that much IMO.

 

[joepa150]

Thanks Rondog for the pics. There isn't a huge difference.

It is such a tough decision.

Here's a question. I don't plan on changing much but I am sure the full size 1911 has a really huge amount of parts/accessories available.
Does the compact size have still a pretty large selection of parts/accessories?

 

[joepa150]

Before I posted the poll, I didn't know there was the midsized "commander" 1911 RIA. I don't believe that comes in tactical.

I want a tactical BUT I think the mid size would be a could compromise.

 

[ttraylor]

I decided on the full size tact, got it yesterday and shot it today. I won't use it for CCW so it is a great shooter for me. At Budsgunshop.com you can get it for $458 shipped with no tax. A credit card will cost you 3% more and there is a $5.00 add for full insurance but it is still cheaper than the $489 that I found it for around here and with 9% sales tax there is no comparison. I think that Centerfire might have a little cheaper than that.

 

[joepa150]

If I wasn't going to use it for carrying, then full size I would go with without a doubt. While I carry for protection, I really enjoy actually using my guns everyday.

 

[bannockburn]

joepa150

For me, a full size M1911 would be my choice primarily for the range, with a Commander or Officers model for CCW. I would also try to get either of those two models in a lightweight (aluminum alloy frame), if possible.

 

[frankiestoys]

I have a compact GI and wish i had bought the tactical version only because the sits are much better, other then the trigger its the same gun. I like the compacts over the full size myself any of the choices would be great the RIA are a good value no matter what you pick.

 

[HKGuns]

If you're going to get an RIA, in my view, the best reason to do it is the rock bottom price. Getting anything but the most basic model for the absolute lowest cost doesn't make any sense to me. If you're going to spend the money on the Tactical, you're probably better off getting a lower end Springer. I say don't let them up sell, get into one for the absolute lowest cost and if it works well you're golden, if it doesn't, you're not out a lot of money.

The GI sights on my base model work very well. Sometimes I think sights and triggers are excuses for poor shooting form or skill. If GI sights were inadequate you'd have a lot more KIA GI's from WWI & II.

 

[Fred_G]

I like this one.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/876/products_id/411539801

Might be a tad large for CC, but is a very good gun in my opinion.

 

[possum]

if i was going to buy one i would get the full size tactical.

 

[rellascout]

$650 for and RIA...... No way. You are entering "real" 1911 territory for that price. LOL

 

[Fred_G]

$650 for and RIA...... No way. You are entering "real" 1911 territory for that price. LOL

Yeah, it actually is a real 1911. Originally, I wanted the equivalent in the Springfield flavor, but they were out of stock in the places I looked. Sos I got the RIA. Like it.

 

[Furncliff]

Joepa150...it's just my .02 but, if you're going to carry...

After you have had it at the range a few times take it to a competent smith and have him do a reliability job it.

 

[tmoore912]

I voted full size tactical. Very good shooter. I dressed mine up with a Fusion Firearms Stainless Bushing, GI plug (because I can't stand FLGRs) and stainless cap. I prefer bushings on my 1911s. Much easier take down. I carried mine all the time and it ate everything straight out of the box.

 

[joepa150]

Furncliff

Are these guns not realible enough to carry?

What is a reliability job consist of?