Would it Come Down to Price as a "Decider"?

[CapnMac]

Let us presume some things.
Like having the wherewithal.
And the inclination to a 1911 variant.
And one was standing in the LGS looking at the same feature set in a given pistol.
So, that it would be apples to apple or avocados to avocados.

So, Commander to Commander, or Officer's to Officer's, even caliber to caliber. Also, stock sites vs stock sights. Let's also presume an equality of finish, to eliminate blue vs. stainless or the like.

So, picking between RIA, Armscor, Tisa, ATi--with all the the same-same, how would you pick?

Have those brands managed parity among themselves, or does real (or popular opinion) favor one over the others?

 

[Mark_Mark]

Let us presume some things.
Like having the wherewithal.
And the inclination to a 1911 variant.
And one was standing in the LGS looking at the same feature set in a given pistol.
So, that it would be apples to apple or avocados to avocados.

So, Commander to Commander, or Officer's to Officer's, even caliber to caliber. Also, stock sites vs stock sights. Let's also presume an equality of finish, to eliminate blue vs. stainless or the like.

So, picking between RIA, Armscor, Tisa, ATi--with all the the same-same, how would you pick?

Have those brands managed parity among themselves, or does real (or popular opinion) favor one over the others?

I just picked up a Service Black T-Sauce 1911A1 .45 for $350 out the door! it was tight, cold hammer forge everything, and $350 with tax!!!!

I’m gun Broke, so it’s cheap
everything year for me

 

[mavracer]

So, picking between RIA, Armscor, Tisa, ATi--with all the the same-same, how would you pick?

They're all equally capable of building a good 1911 they're also equally capable of sending out a turd so I'd look at the fit and finish and then price.

 

[The Night Rider]

Parkerized RIAs have a tendency to rust but RIA has good quality for price so if it wasn't a parkerized finish I'd go with the RIA.

 

[film495]

absolutely not, I would use feel as a decider, how does it feel and do you like the grip, weight and balance - and price might be an influencer, but certainly a far 2nd to feel and how much I preferred one over the other.

 

[crestoncowboy]

absolutely not, I would use feel as a decider, how does it feel and do you like the grip, weight and balance - and price might be an influencer, but certainly a far 2nd to feel and how much I preferred one over the other.

Maybe I'm just not a connoisseur... but my Taurus, colt, nighthawk, and Wilson's balance close enough for me to not be able to tell a difference. Some safety lever click smoother and more positive and some certainly shoot better. Ive never seen one with a bad trigger but sure some are better. The worse 1911 trigger made is better than any sig/HK Beretta etc etc that I have...and far better than the best Glock etc. But all my full size 1911 feel pretty much the same.

As far as those brands listed, I'd see who has the closest warranty center. They are all comparable in quality IMO. May as well have the better warranty opportunity in case its needed.

 

[ontarget]

I do think that all other features being equal that I'd agree with the others and have to go by feel. And fit/finish as well.
I mean really, what's the difference in $100.00 these days? That's barely a tank of gas in my truck anymore.. And that gas will last me 2 days if I'm lucky.
Any currently made 1911 should be capable of lasting the rest of my life. Even the bottom tier offerings.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I’ve not handled enough Tisas firearms to say 100 percent that they don’t make duds. I have seen some RIA that came with amazing triggers. I have not heard of anyone shooting one out. The rust on their Parkerized finished guns is news to me. Arent armscor and RIA one and the same? I don’t know enough about ATI. I guess to circle back. I believe I would go on reputation more than price. I’m currently hunting a TIsas tanker. As soon as I find one I will report and review.

 

[Mark_Mark]

T-Sauce has the best fit and finish. Stainless commander size with everything you would find in a $1200 gun! for $550-ish! SOLD

 

[bangswitch]

So, picking between RIA, Armscor, Tisa, ATi--with all the the same-same, how would you pick?

If my choices are limited to those, I'd go with RIA, which, BTW, is the same as Armscor. I don't know Tisa or ATI, and I own a Rock Island 1911. All things being equal in features and quality, I'd probably go with 1-RIA, or 2-SA, or 3-Ruger with 1911 purchases, and Colt 4th, mainly because they are a bit spendier for what you get. I can't say I'm not prejudiced, the 1911's I own are RIA, SA, and Ruger, and they are all fine pistols and not high dollar.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have 8 RIA'S. None have rusted. But i do wipe them down with a oil rag after handleing them.

 

[Hangingrock]

I can not afford cheap applies!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Just my 2 cents, but Id rather support the economy of a nominally democratic ally like the Phillipines over that of an increasingly hostile Islamist dictatorship like modern Turkey.

So, for me, Tisas is out.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Just my 2 cents, but Id rather support the economy of a nominally democratic ally like the Phillipines over that of an increasingly hostile Islamist dictatorship like modern Turkey.

So, for me, Tisas is out.

wish they would make a high quality 1911 for $400 here in America! PSA! we want cheap 1911’s

 

[Howland937]

So, for me, Tisas is out

Me as well, for precisely the same reason. Price isn't even a consideration in that regard, nor is any other attribute.
ATI, Citadel, RIA... Just pick one, or pony up another $100-$150 and get the Kimber LW.

 

[ontarget]

Just my 2 cents, but Id rather support the economy of a nominally democratic ally like the Phillipines over that of an increasingly hostile Islamist dictatorship like modern Turkey.

So, for me, Tisas is out.

Me too.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I sold my soul and I bought a T-Sauce. Didn’t think Turkey was our enemy

 

[Howland937]

I sold my soul and I bought a T-Sauce. Didn’t think Turkey was our enemy

Sorta like the Saudis...not really our enemy, just not the ally they pretend to be. You know, influential people supporting terrorism and such.

I feel the same way about the Canik stuff, but I've heard they're great pistols. I'd never look down my nose at anyone for buying what they can afford, whether it came from Turkey or Target.

 

[kidneyboy]

So, picking between RIA, Armscor, Tisa, ATi--with all the the same-same, how would you pick?

Overall feel, fit and finish and the best trigger of the lot.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Sorta like the Saudis...not really our enemy, just not the ally they pretend to be. You know, influential people supporting terrorism and such.

I feel the same way about the Canik stuff, but I've heard they're great pistols. I'd never look down my nose at anyone for buying what they can afford, whether it came from Turkey or Target.

thanks man, my gun budget this year is very minimal. And buying guns is one of the things that keep me smiling.

 

[DeepSouth]

All other things being equal, I’d do a little research on customer service.

 

[Tallball]

I've owned several three Armscor 1911's (two labelled as RIA and one labeled as Citadel) and a Tisas.

Is there another Filipino 1911 maker? My FiL has a Filipino 1911 that seems different than the RIA's.

If there were a bunch on the rack in front of me, I would take the one with the best finish, if the triggers were equally good. If one trigger was way better, I can live with scratched finish.

The finish scratched pretty easily on the Tisas and one of the RIA's. I think that would be the parkerized type finish previously discussed.

It is well worth it to pay $50 more for large adjustable sights and maybe a larger beavertail. The Tisas' tiny GI sights limited my accuracy with it.

One RIA had to go back to the factory twice and is fine now, though picky about ammo. The rest of them have been completely reliable.

This is the prettiest. I lucked out on an auction a couple of years ago and got it NiB for something like $400 OTD.

I shoot this one and my 9mm Citadel very often. I like to shoot them and my CZ75 clones the most out of all my service type pistols.

RIA 1911 45acp

• Tallball
• Jun 26, 2019

 

[tarosean]

wish they would make a high quality 1911 for $400 here in America! PSA! we want cheap 1911’s

Slave labor is illegal in the USA.

Is there another Filipino 1911 maker?

SAM (Shooters Arms Manufacturing)

 

[Mark_Mark]

Slave labor is illegal in the USA.


SAM (Shooters Arms Manufacturing)

Robot Slaves

 

[JShirley]

I reviewed an ATI compact while at GunSite. I had some malfunctions, but even more troubling over a long course of fire, it chewed the absolute hell out of the base of my thumb. Switching to STI Spartan- still made in the Philippines, but with STI QC- not only solved the abrasion issue, but my first two shots from rollover prone were just outside touching at 25 meters! I later hit a half-sized silhouette at 75 meters, just before for the RSO could stop me from taking the shot because it was "too far"*. (Though the distance was enough that the hit didn't knock the popper down.)

*I then experienced my first malfunctions with that STI, because when I dove into prone, my holster scooped up some sand. I then reholstered, not realizing I had sand in my holster. Malfunctions stopped after the sand was blown out.

John