Sistema or Rock Island 1911

W

WiFAL

New member
I'm getting the itch to own a 1911 .45 again. Thinking about getting either an old Argentine "Sistema" or the new Rock Island Armory. Both are priced the same and both are fully interchangable with 1911 US parts.

I like the Rock Island because it's new.

I like the Sistema because of its initial quality.

What's your opinion on the best way to go? Thanks in advance for your reply.
 
Definitely the sistema because it is, in all respects, a pre-war Colt. God only knows how that other one is put together. My sistema shoots great and feeds Remington Golden Sabers flawlessly. I carry it often.:D
 
What Glockorama said. I've been thinking of getting a Sistema myself. I handled the Rock Island at a gunshow and I was not impressed.

-10CFR
 
I don't know this to be the case, but have read that the Rock Island Armory guns are, in fact, made in the Phillipines like the Charles Daly's. The quality may be good, but there's no way they're going to approach the quality of a Systema.

(The Systema is 1930's quality Colt, made to Colt's then HIGH quality standard, by Colt-trained machinists, using Colt equipment, in Argentina. Great guns.)
 
Systema Colt. I own and carry mine almost everyday.It's an older gun but great quality.With the newer 1911's just remember you get what you pay for.
 
I have been pondering a purchase similar to yours. I want my first 1911, and I want it for cheap, to see if I really like the 1911 style pistols.

I have not actually held any of the 1911's listed above, but from what my research has led me to believe, the Sistema is far and away the only way to go.

I went to a gun shop this past weekend and held a Kimber Custom II, a S/A Mil-spec, S/A Loaded, Charles Daly and the Colt 1991. Of these guns I would purchase them in this order:

1. Kimber Custom II
2. S/A Loaded
3. S/A Mil-Spec
4. Colt
5. Charles Daly

And the only one I would remotely consider buying for the price was the Kimber at $699. The Kimber was a really nice pistol for the price. Unfortunately it is about $300 over my current price range.

My problem is that in the PRK, I am having a difficult time finding a way to get the Sistema, without paying through the nose to get it transfered to me. I guess I will just put this purchase on the back-burner for a while, and wait until I leave this great state.
 
Glockster

I just went throught the exact same process--and ordered a Sistema from Cruffler.com. I too live in CA. Adding up all the charges you still get a good classic Colt for $400--worth it? I think so. As for FFLs, try either B&B Sales (North Hollywood, CA) or Red Star Museum (Culver City, CA). Both want about $60 for the transfer and DROS (and add in CA sales tax).
 
Just be careful who you get your Sistema from if that is what you choose.Mine came in from CDNN and although i've had good luck with them in the past,mine came in more like "very good " condition rather than "excellent" as they described.
 
I just bought a Sistema from CDNN and I asked Dave there the "handpick" one for me. I expect it to be better than VG condition. Purchase cost incl. shipping $312. FFL-DROS cost $40. =Total cost $352.

By the way, these Sistemas are post WWII since that is when Argentina bought the equipt. from Colt. The machinery/tools themselves are circa 1927. Ones made prior to then are marked "Colt"
 
CWL

Your dealer, in California, is obliged to charge CA sales tax at your end (8%) on that purchase. At least that's my understanding, from what I've been told by local dealers. Who are you using for your FFL? Or do you have a Collector's permit from BATF?
 
longeyes,

email me separately if you want his contact info in the Bay Area, -unless you're a "revenuer", that is.
 
Glockster35, are you in so. cal? My buddy found an ffl on gunbroker that does it for a flat $30 (includes transfer) He sends a copy of his ffl and you order the pistol. Mark
 
Thanks everybody. I was leaning toward the Sistema and your posts confirm my inclination.

Fortunately there was a gun show in town this weekend. Found one Sistema that had importer marks on it and had been refinished. A little too much pitting for my taste but the dealer was very helpful. Was able to compare the Sistema to the Rock Island and came away thinking the Sistema is a better piece.

I placed an order for one of the arsenal refinished pisitols. Should be here next week.
 
SoCal FFL Dealer

Here's a good place to try if you live in the S. Ca region:

Crown City Loan & Jewelry
65 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 793-5404

They charge $20 transfer plus ($14 DROS + tax) which comes out to be a bit more than $36 total. I've tried just about every place in the LA area and this place by far is the best.

So those of you familiar with the Pasadena area - this place is on the corner of Colorado and Raymond in Old Town Pasadena.
 
I also thought about getting a Sistema. Does anyone know if it has a problem with hammer bite and maybe needing a "bobbed hammer". Do 22lr conversions work well with it? I was thinking about this as a personal custom project (in an extremely limited way). :cool:
 
Mine had hammer bite bad enough to draw blood after one mag (fortunately I had some shooting gloves). I took about 1/16th off the end of the hammer. No more bite. My friend also has a sistema, but says he gets no bite at all. Go figure.
 
I handled one last weekend at a local gun show. With a high grip or large hand it bites. I plan on putting on an extened grip safety. I suppose a bobbed hammer would do as well.

Cruffler.com had a review of the Sistema and a 22 conversion kit not too long ago. Very favorable. Do a search by Sistema.
 
I see prices like $30 and up to transfer one Argentine 1927, for $30 you can have a C&R license and transfer all of them you want for three years for free!
 
Buoyed by the positive reinforcement from this thread, today I ordered my Sistema from CDNN. Joe Hatcher promised me to pick one in excellent shape.

I will post the result as soon as I get it.

Tony
 
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