New to 1911 with questions

[mud390]

I'm interested in getting myself a 1911. I currently have a G17 and a CZ40B. Hey, at least one is all metal, but the Glock is fun! All joking aside, both have been and continue to be great pistols, but I'm looking add another to the collection, if it can be called that. I'm limited by budget. Of course, I'd like to get the most for the least. I have been looking at Rock Island Armory (I can see some of you shudder as you read that), Springfield GI Spec, and Springfield Mil Spec. I like the sights on the Mil Spec better than the other two listed. I guess I should add that I'm looking at, what I guess you would call a standard 5" barrel model. I know the sights can be changed, so is it worth the extra $30 difference from my local shop between GI and Mil Spec? What are you thoughts on my thoughts? Any other options out there in a similar price range? I'm all ears! Thanks!

Kris

[NetNinja]

Just do a search here. This question gets asked about 50 times a month.

[MrMurphy]

Get the one with better sights unless you're really, really looking for a WW2 repro.

Aside from the grip and thumb safety being a bit small, and a Commander type hammer (round not spur) the Mil Spec is an excellent pistol.

[freepatriot]

I like my (not GI) Mil Spec. In fact, it is my carry gun.

[freepatriot]

Hiya Murphy, how's married life treatin' ya? How's military life?

PS - get the Mil Spec ;)

[JesS2K]

Originally posted by NetNinja
Just do a search here. This question gets asked about 50 times a month.


True...


;T

[TheBelly]

I have never had ANY malfunctions from my $350 Rock Island Armory. After ~1k rounds of WWB 230gr FMJ, I trust it enough to be my daily carry piece.

It's a good 'starter' 1911. Cheap, reliable, combat accurate. I have a couple of things, though:

Get GOOD magazines. It came with two Novak's mags. First round nose dives every time. I use #47D by Wilson Combat, no problems whatsoever. It was more than trial and error though. I actually lined the mags up and found out why they Novak's didn't work. It was the magazine.

I use Hogue grips. They feel better in my hands, and the rubber-like texture really sticks in my hands.

my experience in the world of 1911s is very limited, only telling you what I've found.

I recently bought an issue of Guns and Ammo entitled "complete 1911 guide" or something like that. They praised the design of the 1911 after doing a torture test on 2 expensive models, and 2 inexpensive models, one of which being a Rock Island Armory. Something of note was that the trigger was harder to pull on the more expensive models, a Kimber and a Wilson, almost requiring two fingers to yank it back.

The seriously disgusting pictures they showed were of the Rock Island getting it's butt kicked: having an SUV parked on top of it, bathing in mud, silt and water mixture.

Just what I've found. . .

[boholglock]

Greetings The Belly,
Nice piece you have. I would like to ask about the other inexpensive 1911 model tested? I'm looking into the Norinco 1911's. What's your comment?

[TheBelly]

The other inexpensive model tested was a Charles Daly. "Even underwater. . . . The Charles Daly and Rock Island Armory functioned about half the time. The others (Wilson and Kimber) about one third of the time." -from "The Complete Book of the 1911, Primedia Enthusiast Media.

I'd suggest picking up a copy if you would like to read the article.

I'm new to 1911s. The Rock Island is the only version I have. Please use the search function on this thread, or go check out other 1911 forums on the 'net. I know that www.m1911.org has a forum which is broken down into the various producers of this weapon.

Cheers!

[wyliearms]

With my gun locker having a Springer, Kimber, Wilson and a Rock Island - I can honestly say that the Rock Island is the best inexpensive 1911 I have - I bought it to turn it into a comp gun because I was impressed with the finish as well as the slide / frame fit and ended up just leaving it alone. For 350 bucks, the RIA, can't be beat. Will it group 1 inch at 20 yards? No, but it is a shooter no doubt and is plenty accurate for self defense.

[spober]

the 1911 all others are matched against.a nice first rollmark 1991(my favorite)can be had for 500 or less.

[BilltheCat]

Originally posted by spober
the 1911 all others are matched against.a nice first rollmark 1991(my favorite)can be had for 500 or less.

where?

:)

[ArnisAndyz]

I just bought an Armscor, which everybody knows by now, is the manufacturer for RIA, made in the Philippines. its basically a "nicer" GI RIA with a few more features (ambi-safty, beavertail, commander hammer, blued). Paid $300 for it used in excellent shape. Good cheap shooter. Its cheap enough to attempt some amature smithing without fear of screwing it up. A few parts like trigger and grip safety are a little loose fitting compared to my friends Kimber, but hey, an AK47 is loose too and they're known for thier reliability if nothing else.

To top it off, I'm Filipino so the Armscors/RIAs have other significance to me besides being cheap! Gonna have my father in law send me some kamagong (Filipino native hardwood) grips to complete my gun! I think the wood grips that came with it are bahi.

[fourrobert13]

I started with a Colt commander. I got it during a gun shops, we have to pay taxes on these guns so we better get rid of them sale. I have since bought a Springer Mil-Spec and it was perfect right out of the box and it had a good price. I have since done some modifications to the Mil-Spec, but it is still perfect.

Here's pics of them both. ;f