buying - Rock Island budget vs their custom pistols ?

[OkieCruffler]

I know a gunsmith who did a lot of 1911 builds (until he caught the long range pistol bug). He is quite fond of the RIA's for building platforms.

 

[tallball]

My stepbrother loves his RIA 1911, has had it for years, and has had no problems with it.

 

[marine6680]

I would look at the models with better sights than the GI, simply because of them being easier to use.

 

[LockedBreech]

My $350 RIA GI 1911 was a good gun. Great for the money. It was, however, the first gun I've ever broke Cheapshooter's rule on. I sold it for cash. It just didn't hit the spot with me.

I would not spend $700 on one. Bud's has a Colt 1911 for 710, for Pete's sake.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...guns/Colt/Colt+O1991+1991+Series+7+1+45ACP+5"

 

[georgiacatweazle]

Looks like buds has this ATI $360's ...

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_1171/products_id/75562/ATI+ATIGFX45MIL+FX1911+Mil-Spec+7%2B1+45ACP+5%22

 

[marine6680]

Here is one with the extras...

At $470 its not much over your budget

 

[georgiacatweazle]

Thanks Maine, that one is almost exactly the same as the $700 pistol in the local store, minus the grip uprades. buds has a 90 day lay-away, so that maybe do-able. the cost difference between the GI and that one is $100, but there is more than $100 of upgrade parts on that pistol.

 

[marine6680]

Should be a better platform to upgrade over time.

 

[Caz83]

Just bought a Century Arms S.A.M. ELite (another Philipino 1911 manufacturer) and it is very nice and tight and would say it is just as good if not better that a RIA. Has a flat top slide and wider slide serrations similar to a Dan Wesson. They're not as prevalent as they used to be but you can still find them for $400 if you look hard enough.

 

[georgiacatweazle]

Well last night I pulled the trigger on a Girsan gen2, it's got the novak type sights, updated trigger parts, upgraded guide rod etc. it's on layaway for $60 a month. Price was $395.

 

[marine6680]

Keep us informed... I am not familiar with that brand, so it is always good to hear reports.

 

[1stmar]

IMO when it comes to third tier 1911s (rock, ati, girsan etc) I'd stick with those that have the positive feedback AND market penetration. I've heard some good things and not much bad about girsan, but I'm not sure there is enough information out there to really judge. There are tons of rocks, with largely positive feedback.

 

[PzGren]

Another thing to consider is warranty. My son had bought a RIA Tactical a little over a year ago for $379 and it wasn't grouping well. RIA sent a shipping label and worked the gun over. They changed the front sight, too, to be right on.

They returned it within two weeks with a test target and the gun is now accurate and still reliable.

 

[triplebike]

That is very impressive. Can't ever ask for better than that kind of customer service. Back that up with an excellent firearm at a very fair price, thats a winner in my book.

 

[PzGren]

My son loves the RIA and prefers it over many other guns, his and mine. I have customs 1911s and Swiss SIG P210s and what-not but he prefers his RIA.

It is a good gun and with a little extra attention can obviously be vastly improved.