I have mentioned I have or am getting the 45 acp virus (need to own) again. I just hate spending all the money for Dan Wesson's, LB and the others that are $1,200 +. So my questions:
1) Does anyone make a reasonably priced, quality 1911 for under $800? I mean, one you would spend hard-earned money for and not be upset with what you get for it?
2) Has anyone owned any Armscor/RIA products for any period of time and can honestly attest to their "weathering" over time? I mean, everything looks good when new in the box, right??? But how about after 900 rdns?
3) Or is this a matter of the only quality 45 acp's in this price range are polymer? If so, I can live with that. I have 2 Glocks (20 and 29) and just don't want another - I really like what I have though. I like some variety.
I have shot an FNX 45 really well but they seem plagued with magazine release problems. According to their forum the problem has existed for many years with no apparent resolution by FN in their design or production.
Sorry if I am asking an old problem, just trying to get some insight.
Thanks,
Pat
accurate ,solid,tight, reliable....
+1 on RIA Tac II. Now called ultra. I have 45 and 10 mm versions. Never had an issue on the 45. The 10 mm seems to wear out magazine springs pretty quick. Otherwise both are great.
Just short of 1k rounds through my TacII 10mm. Only problems with it is the guy holding it. I did get a solvent on the front sight, but have bought a 5 pack of replacement .060 rods from Amazon.
I have 3 factory mags that have not failed me yet. A TripleK 10rnd mag did cause a misfeed that bent the ejector. Triple K reimbursed me for the cost of the new ejector since I repaired it myself.
I have one. The Armscore Tac II in 10mm. The bushingless barrel took me a long time to figure out. Other than it did not like one 3rd party 10mm Magazine. I have had no problems. Accuracy is acceptable, and I do love the fully adjustable fiber optic pipe sights on it. About the only thing I do not like about it is the Ambi safety. First of all, I don't need or want one. Second, I like to put Crimson Trace laser grips on my 1911's and can't because the safety on the right side of the gun gets in the way of the laser module.
Swap out the safety.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1485229341/ed-brown-tactical-extended-thumb-safety-1911
Takes about 10 minutes.
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 20 2015 10:55:04 AM MDT
Swap out the safety.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1485229341/ed-brown-tactical-extended-thumb-safety-1911
Takes about 10 minutes.
And leaves me a hole in the side of the gun.
Frankly one of the best 1911's I ever owned was a Taurus (no rail) 1911. I added a Wilson Magwell to it and Wilson 47D Magazines and it was a reliable Tac driver. The gun alone was 459.00
Quote from: gandog56 on March 20 2015 10:59:01 AM MDT
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 20 2015 10:55:04 AM MDT
Swap out the safety.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1485229341/ed-brown-tactical-extended-thumb-safety-1911
Takes about 10 minutes.
And leaves me a hole in the side of the gun.
uhhhh, what hole? Adding an ambi safety to a 1911 requires no modification to the frame. It may leave a small gap between the frame and grip right at the top depending on the ambi safety. Some do some don't.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVgbpQN1kn0
I think Gandog is right. On the RIA the shafts go completely through both sides and link up in the middle.
Springfield is usually highly regarded, here's one listed on GB by a local dealer. No, I have no personal, nor financial interest in the business..... I have dealt with them many times, just showing as an example of pricing.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=473869959
I'm using a Para Expert as a platform for a 460 Rowland conversion. It's worked out well, and wasn't much higher priced than an RIA.
For the most part I prefer Colt as they hold their value very well if you need to sell. YMMV :)
As a 55th Birthday present to myself I bought a RIA Compact 1911 in late 2008. I also purchased 1k rounds of Remington 230 grain FMJ and 500 rounds of Remington HP's that IIRC were also 230 grain. Over the next 6 months I shot a full case of the FMJ and about 1/2 the JHP plus about 500 rounds of mixed Military Ball and reloads (200 grain SWC/ H&G68 mould). The gun ran flawless with the exception of not fully returning to battery after about 300 round of the factory FMJ, I could nudge the rear of the slide slightly and it would go into battery. I call RIA and talked with one of their smiths in Nevada, he sent me a Wolff extra power recoil spring at No Charge. The pistol ran flawlessly for the remaining rounds. After about 1,250 rounds down the pipe I decided that it just didn't scratch the itch, so I sold it along with the remaining 750 rounds of ammo. It wasn't my first foray into 1911's and the 45 ACP, I had carried a 1911 as a duty weapon for about 4 years during my LEO career. I had hoped I could rekindle the relationship with 1911's but it just wasn't meant to be. The RIA had nothing to do with decision to sell, it was just the whole 1911 thing. I would purchase another RIA without reservation if I ever decide to venture into the 1911 game again.
Quote from: Buckeye 50 on March 19 2015 12:22:17 PM MDT
1) Does anyone make a reasonably priced, quality 1911 for under $800? I mean, one you would spend hard-earned money for and not be upset with what you get for it?
Sorry if I am asking an old problem, just trying to get some insight.
Thanks,
Pat
Springfield makes a good 1911.
They have a Mil-Spec 1911 that you should be able to get for under $600 (if your State allows it).
Something like this: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=474101220
I have a Springfield 1911-A1 Mil-Spec. It shoots good enough for me. I can't think of anything I dislike about the gun except that it came with plastic grips which I replace with cocobolo grips.
.
Para ord. Make good guns and the Ruger Sr1911 is good. I change the grips on a 1911 almost as soon as I get it so plastic ones wouldn't bother me. Currently I am waiting for my new grips for the commander.
I own 20 1911's although I've gone thru my Rock, by choice not necessity. I find them 100% reliable and a Great Value ;D
(http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr359/seroberts1/f99fd215-64f5-4f8c-abdb-44c99ea4a66c_zps80a309e9.jpg) (http://s499.photobucket.com/user/seroberts1/media/f99fd215-64f5-4f8c-abdb-44c99ea4a66c_zps80a309e9.jpg.html)
Quote from: sstewart on March 20 2015 03:31:19 PM MDT
I think Gandog is right. On the RIA the shafts go completely through both sides and link up in the middle.
That is how all 1911 ambi safeties work. And, a 1911 standard thumb safety extends all the way through as well. See the pick right above.
The video I linked is RIA getting swapped from ambi to standard. I have swapped a ambi back to just a left hand. The gun will have all the same holes a standard 1911 or 1911A1 does.
Ok thanks. I got it now
my RIA GI model 45acp is super!! shoots any ammo i run through it, accurrate as i can shoot and is very well made. I am thrilled with it. Just replaced the horrid grips to a set of nice slim checkered wood. excellant gun. Put my RIA agains any GI model on the market, and some of the higher levels as well.
But but......my RIA is a 10mm!
Quote from: gandog56 on March 24 2015 12:50:37 PM MDT
But but......my RIA is a 10mm!
That was why I never got attached to the Ruger, it wasn't a 10mm.
Buckeye,
I own four RIA's. Three GI models and one Tactical. One of the GI models is in the MOST EXCELLENT .38 Super!
I have yet to have a malfunction with the three .45 ACP chambered pistols....probably have 500+ rounds downrange from each. The .38 Super is actually the SUPERIOR pistol when it comes to chambering due to the round sitting higher relative to the bore axis, but it did recently experience a problem while shooting Underwood's somewhat "hotter" than normal loads...the extended ejector got "tweaked" enough to cause "drag" when the slide cycled. I reshaped the ejector and the gun works fine but I'm not sure this is a problem with RIA specifically and here is why: MOST modern .38 Super ammo is loaded BELOW 9mm spec...so it's pretty anemic. Thus, MOST modern .38 Supers come with 14# springs and extended ejectors to insure reliability. With Armscor .38 Super FMJ the RIA GI never bobbled, but when it had to handle a round delivering some 200 lb-ft of KE more I'm not terribly surprised the extended ejector got tweaked. I really should have bumped up to an 18# spring when I started shooting a load substantially more powerful than the "generic" loadings.
As for my .45 ACP models...they've shot it all...everything from mild to wild handloads, to "hot" +P ammo and to this very day have not ONCE demonstrated a malfunction! Maybe I got lucky 4 times but I tend to think RIA is putting in the extra effort to impress its market. BTW the .45's don't make use of extended ejectors.....and they feel as if they have up-rated springs....like 18# versus 16.
I think RIA is making VERY good guns that will hold up quite well, but I have also seen their prices starting to climb as more people realize this.
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 20 2015 10:55:04 AM MDT
Swap out the safety.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1485229341/ed-brown-tactical-extended-thumb-safety-1911
Takes about 10 minutes.
i have just fit this safety on my rock... need a new sear pin(old one sticks out to hold the right side of the ambi) and hammer pin(factorys a little short so it doesnt rub the ambi)
oh and if you have used the pistol at all plan on refinishing or finding some way to touch up where the ambi rubbed the parkering off
Quote from: Hermit on March 29 2015 07:42:59 AM MDT
oh and if you have used the pistol at all plan on refinishing or finding some way to touch up where the ambi rubbed the parkering off
That would be assuming I ever used the safety in the first place. I don't use this for a carry gun, so I rarely use it anyways.
Quote from: gandog56 on March 30 2015 08:07:35 AM MDT
That would be assuming I ever used the safety in the first place. I don't use this for a carry gun, so I rarely use it anyways.
To each there own. I rigorously engage the safety on any gun that is not on target and ready to fire.
x2 on the finish. I like my RIA, but the finish is terrible IMO, anything at all seems to mar it.
Thus why I plan to send it in to be Nickel Boron coated when I have deemed that it has loosened up enough. 8)
If you want a .45 then Ruger is the best buy right now IMHO. I stil see deals on them for $625, although high $600s are more the norm down here. SAs are nice and they would be at the high end. Got a 5 inch RO in 45 last fall for $740 and just bought a 9mm RO 5 inch for $719 a couple weeks ago. You see "milspec" or basic 1911s from Remmington and others in that price range also. Of course RIA, Taurus, and the Turkish guns are down in the $400-500 area. All these are prices I have seen in gun stores recently down here. You can look at online prices.
If you are into 10mm then I think RIA is about it. I saw one for $499 in a gunstore a couple weeks ago.
I have had several RIAs over the years. Right now I am down to one I bought back in 2007. It is a small 3.5 inch in .45 and is not bad. It has over 3K rounds through it now and is the pistol I let friends try when they want to shoot a small 1911.
One thing I would say about buying pistols in this price range is look before you buy. It is sort of like buying a used pistol except maybe you look at after purchase support. Buying a used one opens up lots of other options of course.
Don't buy regent I had one and I'd always have a black face and arms after.
Springfield range officer would be my choice!