SOUGHT: Honest opinions about Armscor/RIA 1911's

[Buckeye 50]

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

[Ramjet]

accurate ,solid,tight, reliable....

[sstewart]

+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.

[Pinsnscrews]

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.

[gandog56]

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.

[sqlbullet]

Swap out the safety.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1485229341/ed-brown-tactical-extended-thumb-safety-1911

Takes about 10 minutes.

[gandog56]

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.

[P33v3]

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

[sqlbullet]

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

[sstewart]

I think Gandog is right. On the RIA the shafts go completely through both sides and link up in the middle.

[EdMc]

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 

[Mtnfolk75]

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.

[my_old_glock]

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.



.

[10mmfan]

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.

[DeltaSteve]

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