Would most find RIA 1911 9mm more accurate than most polymer

W

wild cat mccane

New member
Silly question on 1911's accuracy. Would most shooters be more accurate at the range with the (cheap) RIA 1911 tactical 9mm than most of the 9mm polymer guns out there, all things being equal?

This may require a great deal of experience with both the RIA and lots of polymer guns. I have never had a 1911, so I can't speak to it.
 
Last edited:
In my experience, most people would shoot better with a 1911 than other guns thanks to the trigger and the ergonomics. However, I don't know that I'd put one of the least expensive 1911s on the market up against "most of the 9mm polymer guns out there" because it is not going to be representative of most of the 1911s out there. Not that it matters that much, the majority of the shooters out there are unable to take advantage of most guns inherent accuracy anyway, they are the weak link, not the gun.

So, the answer to your question is - maybe.
 
Just because its a 1911 doesn't mean its automatically accurate.
That said, I've always considered a 9mm 1911 to be one of the best center-fire target/plinking options available if it:
- is machined correctly/tightly and care is used when fitting it together.
- has a good trigger, smooth, crisp and predictable, combined with preferred length, weight and face type.
- has good target sights, NOT the wide-gap combat variety.

Assuming the shooter has some skill with all pistols and good eyesight, the 1911 described above will probably generate tighter, more consistent groupings at a longer distances than than the same shooter would with a run of the mill poly with combat sights.

Whether or not a RIA 9mm with good sights installed would deliver is anyone's guess.
I personally wouldnt expect it to better a Glock 34 or XDm 5.25 or whatever, but it might, I suspect its just a matter of luck and getting a "true" and tight one put together by someone who cares...
 
Last edited:
A high end target grade 1911, or one that has been worked over by someone has the potential to out shoot most plastic guns. Most 1911's come with 5-6 lb triggers just like Glocks. But there is no real difference between out of the box mid to low priced 1911's and any of the Glocks I've shot.

Can't say about other plastic guns, but my Glocks are shooters.

 
I have an STI Spartan 1911 in 9mm made by Armscor (which makes RIA) for STI using STI's fire control system and to STI specs. It is an extremely accurate pistol, as accurate in my hands as 1911s costing three or four times as much money. The bushing is fit so tight I have to use a dowel rod and rubber hammer to tap it out of the slide. I can't say if the RIA Tactical is as accurate, but Armscor certainly knows how to build an accurate pistol.

I have both SA/DA and striker fired non-1911 9mms and shoot my 1911s better.
 
Inherent accuracy is different than practical accuracy.

The 1911's trigger is easier to learn to shoot well quickly than just about any other ..... save maybe single action revolvers .......

It is far easier to keep the gun on target while pulling straight back on a trigger that consistently breaks at around 3 to 4 pounds and 1/8" of travell .... than a trigger that is pulled through an arc with 2-3 times that force and 2-8 times that distance .... and with DA/SA guns, is not the same for the the first and succeeding shots.

As fine as they are, a DA Colt or S&W revolver trigger is harder to master than a cheap filipino slag gun 1911 ...... though the very fine revolvers might be more inherently accurate than the El Cheapo 1911, a new shooter will generally get consistant hits sooner with the 1911 ...... that has been my experience.
 
What does polymer have to do with it? Couldn't you just say a SAO 9mm versus a non-SAO 9mm? There's nothing about a polymer frame that makes a gun inaccurate and in fact some find them softer shooting.
 
I read it as... His focus is specifically 1911 9mm's (not generic sao or non-sao) and whether or not they will out-shoot similarly or higher priced poly guns.
 
I dragged my youngest son to the gun range since he was four. He grew up shooting and learnt the basics at an early age.

He was thrilled about his CZ SP-01 until he got his 1911 RIA Tactical in 9mm. He shoots it better than the CZ and even better than any of my SIG P210s.

YMMV, mine does:).
 
I read it as... His focus is specifically 1911 9mm's (not generic sao or non-sao) and whether or not they will out-shoot similarly or higher priced poly guns.
Click to expand...

But that's my point. We're combing the comparison of different trigger systems as well as different frame materials. To me he could just have easily said a 9mm 1911 versus a 9mm non-1911. I just don't understand what polymer has to do with it.
 
In general, a person will shoot better groups with a 1911 than a polymer pistol with Glock-like trigger of equal quality because:
1. the 1911 SA trigger is easier to master than Glock type triggers.
2. the weight of a 5" steel 1911 may help with keeping a consistent hold.
============
I do not think the OP is asking if one type of pistol is more accurate than another. He is asking if one type (1911 9mm) is easier to shoot well than another (polymer 9mm) .
 
A gun's frame -- be it polymer or metal -- plays a relatively small role in a given gun's innate accuracy.

At one time, slide-to-frame fit was considered one of the most important factors in developing an accurate gun -- but over the years folks have come to realize that other factors, like barrel to slide fit, are more important.

(With some high-dollar 1911s, good slide-to-frame fit is a sign of care taken in building the gun. But a lot of 1911s with sloppy slide to frame fits can be shot with great accuracy if the shooter is competent and he or she uses the sights.)

In a Ransom Rest test, you'll see a difference, but only because the polymer frames don't always return to the exact same position. But with AIMED FIRE (which isn't the case with a RR test), the frame is just the handle -- the gun's accuracy (or, more correctly, its precision) is determined by other things.
 
In general, a person will shoot better groups with a 1911 than a polymer pistol with Glock-like trigger of equal quality
Click to expand...

Ah, but who says a polymer pistol has to have a Glock-like Safe-Action trigger? There are plenty of poylmer pistols with different trigger styles. In fact it can have the same trigger type as a 1911.

http://www.stiguns.com/the-sti-edge/

Or the DA/SA Walther P99, a striker-fired pistol no less!

http://www.waltherarms.com/products/handguns/p99/

A gun's frame -- be it polymer or metal -- plays a relatively small role in a given gun's innate accuracy.
Click to expand...

Bingo.
 
To me he could just have easily said a 9mm 1911 versus a 9mm non-1911. I just don't understand what polymer has to do with it.
Click to expand...

Just a guess, but the impression he leaves on me is the price point makes poly's his generic benchmark. Perception I suppose.
 
I think that we are still missing the question in the original post.
It is not how accurate a pistols is.
OP was asking how most people would likely fair with a given pistol (a 1911 9mm vs most polymer 9mm out there).

Just a guess - most polymers out there are Glocks, XD/XDm, and M&Ps.
 
I'm shooting a polymer (and metal)-framed 9mm now, one of the new Sphinx SDP compacts, that I'd put up against most (non-Custom) 9mm 1911s. I think it's just as accurate, every bit as ergonomic, with a very good trigger, and it holds 15 rounds, too (plus one in the chamber.)

1911s are great guns, but some of the other guns are great, too.

At the same price points, I suspect you wouldn't see that much difference in performance between a 9mm 1911 and most 9mm polymer guns. Triggers are important, but they're not the only key consideration.
 
when I first started shooting, I had only shot striker and DAO. i'll never forget the first time i was handed a 1911 10mm. the best I had ever shot until previously, since then I have never bought another pistol with SA option.
 
zzzzzzzz

I happen to have a tactical Citadel fs 1911 9mm and a G17, G41 with regard to accuracy the RIA has more going for it simply because it is a 1911 - ergonomics ,more slender grips ,balance etc. Also the factory front sights on the two Glocks are just plain wide compared to the Citadels tactical sights imo not to mention the more felt recoil on any polymer piece. Of course there are no garanties. I would say this 1911 model and any other nicer offering would make it easier to shoot more accurate compared to any polymer pistol. JMO
 
Triggers are important, but they're not the only key consideration.
Click to expand...

The Good Colonel would disagree.

THE Key Considereration, having more bearing than any other on practical accuracy, is the trigger.

I'd rather have a hunting rifle that shoots 4MOA out of a machine rest with a good trigger than one that shoots 1MOA out of a rest with a long, heavy, gritty one ..... of what use is precision when you can't press and get results NOW, while the sights are aligned?

Sure, humans are very adaptable, and with enough time and money and ammo, we can adapt to crappy triggers ..... but being human, our time (if not our money and ammo stashes) are limited: Life is too short to waste any of it learning to deal with crappy triggers ....... but if that's your thing, that's cool too: some people juggle geese .....
 
My HK polymer 9 is reliable, very accurate and has been right out of the box. Most any 1911 I've owned has had to have some work done to it before being a truly accurate and reliable pistol. JMHO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top