Low Cost 1911

[m11higgins11]

Hey all, I'm in the market for a new 1911. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or actually owned either the Taurus 1911 or the Rock Island officers model. Im looking into RIA for an entry gun that I can upgrade over time and a friend recently purchased a Taurus 1911 with tac rail and swears by it due to price and function. Any insight into these or other similarly priced, decent 1911's is greatly appropriated. Thanks.

 

[Cotillion]

The Taurus is really nice, especially for the price. It's not SO nice however that you wouldn't get rugged with it

 

[Austin]

I have been looking at the RIA and have heard good things about if from several sources.

The para gi expert is also a good option. It is a little more expensive than the RIA but has a lot of the upgrades already done. It has great reviews as well.

 

[jibbster]

I have an RIA 1911 tactical and have been very happy with it...my gunsmith also said it's one of the more reliable 1911's in the under $500 range

 

[drewoufan]

Love my RIA! Its as good of a shooter as I could ask for!

 

[wrs25936]

I just purchased. Para GI EXPERT like the feel of it I also have Springfield. XD Tactical 45. Like it also. The para will be for conceal carry while the cd will be an at home for the wife.

 

[THE DUKE OF ESSEX]

You can't go wrong with a Rock Island Armory. One of the best kept secrets in the 1911 world. I own Kimber, Sig Sauer, Taurus, and R.I.A. They are all great shooters, but if service is ever needed Rock Island Armory wins hands down. I bought a basic G.I. model to carry, had it Dura-Coated and now it is my favorite of all that I own. I can't say enough good things about the Rock!

 

[rogerw]

Taurus 1911 Taurus also has a life time warenty

 

[jwalker3181]

I love my GI Expert ESP all I've done is add a Wilson Combat Shock Buff, full length guide rod, and polish some of the contact surfaces

 

[billt]

If your choice is between a Rock Island Armory, and a Taurus, by all means go with the Rock Island Armory weapon. Taurus quality is spotty at best, poor in fact. Yes, they have a lifetime warranty, and chances are you'll need it. Stories abound about these weapons, along with the frequent flyer miles they pile up traveling back and forth to the factory.

Rock Island, (i.e. Armscor), guns are far better in overall performance and quality. Talk to any gun shop that carries both and ask them which model has more satisfied customers, and is less of a headache for them. 3 local dealers near me have stopped carrying Taurus because of all the problems they've had to deal with.

An even better choice in a 1911 for just a little more money would be either a Remington R-1, or else one of the Springfield Mil-Spec models. The latter come in both blue, (Parkerized), finish, as well as Stainless Steel. Springfield Armory builds some of the best 1911 pistols currently obtainable.

 

[citadel45acp]

I edc a Citadel officer. Made in the same factory as RIA and High Standard. All made by armscor. I love mine! Great shooting, accurate, reliable. My brother in law has a
"suped" up Kimber. He is an army ranger. And I was shooting just as good as him if not a little better. I just brought mine home the same day he and I were shooting. I have tried many Taurus weapons and for one reason or another I didn't like them, except their revolvers. IMHO go with the RIA.

 

[jehutch201]

I carry a High Standard Compact Commander .45 that i really like. I added hogue grips that make it even better. Its small and easy carry.

 

[Iam2Taz]

Go with the RIA Tactical Model... As noted above it is one of the best kept secrets. After 3,k rounds, mine is smooth as butter. I have a Colt as well, but still love my ROCK.
See pic below...

 

[bigdrumdaddy]

I'm a firm believer in the ROCK ISLAND ARMORY "officer's model" - actually called the compact in their catalog. I have both the standard and tactical versions and couldn't be more pleased. I've been carrying a pair of Colt Gov't models for about 25 and 6 years respectively - both series 80 models, and the RIA guns are every bit as accurate and well-built as my original Colts. In fact, I bought the RIAs because Colt no longer makes a true "officer's model" - and I liked nothing about their Defender or New Agent series (especially the price). And as I age, and deal with some disabilities, it was getting harder & harder to carry that large, heavy Gov't Model around - and the used "Officer's Models" I came across were either museum pieces or flat used up. And the price for neither model was attractive.
I'm now looking at buying an RIA Commander model, and the only thing I'm interested in from Colt is their new Colt Pocketlit Mustang .380 - and that's mostly as a collector's piece.

 

[Supernois]

I was just looking at their web page and it looks like Rock Island has no dealers anywhere near me...

 

[bigdrumdaddy]

You don't need a Rock Island dealer near you. Go to Discount Guns for Sale - Buds Gun Shop. They have a wide selection of RIA products, great prices, and most of them ship free. Simply purchase your chosen gun on their website, use their zip code-directed map of FFL holders to find the closest dealer to you - and they will ship it to them within, generally, 72 hrs if paid by credit card. Pickup your gun from your local dealer, he'll run whatever bachground check your state requires (and you'll pay whatever the fee for same is there) - and once you've cleared the background check, the gun is yours. If you can't find the gun you want at Bud's, you can also try Centerfire Systems, Inc. - Your Home For Ammo, Firearms, Magazines, and Gun Accessories. They also carry a large selection of RIA products. But I've never bought anything more than accessories from centerfire systems, whereas I have bought several guns from Bud's - and their customer service is top notch!

Good luck!

 

[Gordon Shumway]

30 yrs experience here. 1911 custom gunsmith course. Former competition shooter.

1) Must have firing pin safety. Either trigger type or Swartz palm safety type.
This might be an issue in a self defense case. I have also seen a dropped 1911 go off.

2) Chip McCormick Shooting Star magazines are impeccible.

Beyond this, I have seen every brand of every model vary in quality: fit and finish, cycling ability, etc. The biggest issue is barrel ramps, barrel links, and grungy triggers.

IMO all the fancy bells and whistles are just bling to be sold. Few make any discernable difference at all.

I've seen crummy new Colts, medocre Paras, and supurb Metro Arms American Classics: as nice as any custom assembled gun. Almost every "factory" gun might need some minor tuning or adjusting that might make it better.

How the function feels is most important. You don't want to spend $100+ more to have one tuned up. Buy the best assembled quality you can afford. Most new guns come from CNC machines, so today's cheaper guns are better than the $$ Colts.

Personally I have always been impressed with the Para LDA system as a carry gun. Never owned one.

As to how any gun might last after 20,000 rounds? Does it really matter?

 

[crowsnake]

Taurus wont give you an e-mail, you call & they act like your stupid. You have to pay shipping & ship 2 them, even on a gun less than a week old. Still didn't fix my problem only sent me 2 new magazines that still have Failure to load. Not a 1911. But an MP PT145. last Taurus I'll ever own.

 

[bigdrumdaddy]

You don't need a local RIA dealer

You don't need a local Rock Island Armory dealer. Go to Centerfire Systems, Inc. - Your Home For Ammo, Firearms, Magazines, and Gun Accessories or you could try Discount Guns for Sale - Buds Gun Shop - both of whom carry RIA guns - and buy from them. They will send your chosen weapon to the local dealer of your choice. The local dealer will conduct the proper background check for your city/state - and once you're cleared, you take your gun home.

 

[MuleSkinner]

1911 a1cs

I bought a RIA 1911 A1CS, the commander size with upgrades, Novac sights etc. This gun feels great and shoots awesome, for the price I dont think it can be beat. I carry it with a crossbreed supertuck delux IWB holster and love it.