Need advice on which 10mm to get!

[sstewart]

That RIA is very basic. If your like most, you upgrade the sights at least. I'm not a 1911 guru, I think milling is needed on a GI model to do that. Maybe an upgraded model would suit you better.
Nothing wrong with Glock 20 or 40 either.

[PCFlorida]

I was thinking that also. I got this one a year or two ago, price has not gone up much at all.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411553499/Rock+Island+Armory+51991+TAC+1911+VZ+8+1+10mm+5%22

[Roguer]

Some other sites got the sights down as fixed.  Do the sights differ on the same model from fixed sight adjustable?

[RJM52]

If going RIA spend the extra money for the upgraded model... Fixed sights other than a within-10-yard defensive handgun can cause major sighting in problems especially if you plan on hunting with it.

I looked over on the RIA site and don't even see that MilSpec model listed there...

Bob

[PCFlorida]

I'm not sure who you were replying to, however the sights on the one I linked above are adjustable (it is the model I have and they are adjustable).

[Roguer]

Thanks PCFlorida, it was that same model.

Between the 6" models, if their's a possibility of installing a small slide mounted red dot sight, then the Glock 40 MOS is the obvious choice.  Don't concern yourself with the factory barrel.  Most of the negative things you here are from people who don't own one.  I handload all my ammo but I would have no concerns with shooting the hotter stuff from Underwood, Double Tap, etc.

If your staying with open sights, It's a tougher choice as my RIA 6" Pro Match is built like a tank and is accurate enough even out to 100 yards for hunting.  (plus I'm a 1911 fan) 

Their are also more holster choices for the Glock 40.  Even if they are a bit on the expensive side, at least they exist.  Holsters for a 6" 1911 are almost always a custom option.

Staying with open sights and throwing a standard 5" 1911 into the mix, That would be my choice hands down.  Out to 50 yards, without sand bags, I'm way more comfortable with my RIA FS Ultra.  I will admit, I'm a little biased as I've been shooting 1911's competitively for over 30 years.
Not to mention the almost unlimited holster choices for a standard 5" 1911 and all the aftermarket support, it's the clear logical choice.  A close second would be a Glock 20.  Either a Gen 3 SF or the newer Gen 4 and speaking as a former gunsmith, Glocks just tend to work out of the box.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

Thanks fltbed, this really helped me make my decision easier and clearer once I took time to think on my needs and wants and compromises to make, like on manual safeties and such.  Market and after market support for things... the WINNER IS...

GLOCK 40! Heh just like your first line in your advice.

One thing I need to know is what Glock Safe holster I can use for general carry and for woodsy carry.

Still a 5" RIA still is calling to me...

[Dave84]

A great choice that meets your needs out of the box. A fobus paddle holster for the Glock 20/21 should fit it.

[inv136]

I'm just going to suggest this. I've been collecting and shooting 1911 pistols for 30 years and I've owned Colts, then Kimbers, and have a semi-custom now. But, I might suggest that you take a look at the Dan Wesson 1911 pistols before you settle for a RIA. They are a great middle of the road 1911 above the quality of a Colt and just below the quality of a Wilson Combat or a Night Hawk Custom. I just bought a Dan Wesson Silverback in 10mm and the quality is head and shoulders above RIA or Colt. I bought one of the Blemished (extremely minor cosmetic imperfection) models which is a brand new pistol (MSRP about $2,000) for $1,500 for a tiny knick about the size of a pinhead on the slide stop. These models come standard with a 5" match barrel, match trigger, target adjustable night sights, and VZ grips (for those that like VZ; I changed mine out for some black smooth linen micarta grips). 

[Roguer]

Thanks people, even after I had my first issues with the first Glock 40 I ended up getting a new one.

Thanks inv136, a local gun seller said the Philippine Steel in the RIA might have issues with the 10mm. I admit its just here say but I put off the RIA for now till I do further further research. Now got newer Glock 40 that seems issue less I probably might not hear it calling me for a while. 

[PCFlorida]

When you are ready for the RIA just buy it. I have been shooting mine for 2 years and I'm not gentle. I only shoot handloads, though I do have about 6 boxes of Sig 180 JHP.

[Roguer]

OK thanks!

[darkstar]

Roguer, i think that dealer is just talking crap, there has never been any issues with Rock River steel and the barrel is fully supported with a polished feed ramp. Now there were issues originally with the Colt Delta Elite and its unsupported barrel and while i checked one out i quickly came to the conclusion that the Delta Elite is just a basic GI model in stainless steel. Now im not putting down the Colt its just that for 1,200 bucks i would at least want some custom features like a similarly priced Kimber. i also checked out the Glocks but man they are really blocky in 10mm, once again just my 2 cents and a glock is a glock it will run like a timex hope it all works out for you, take care...

[Roguer]

Thanks, I did uber over research to figure out what platform of the 10mm would serve best.  The 6" straight option and well the 15 round mag was a deciding tipper.  I just wanted a 10mm, and this seemed the best cost wise platform. My main concern was the glock's lack of manual safety but glock safe holsters are pretty affordable.

Like in the 68forums, its about the cartridge not the platform. I got the platform that will work best for me (and I'm so glad there are lots of decent affordable platforms out there!)...WANT would be the RIA...I'm still thinking of.

[Hooverfb]

If you were going to carry it more, I'd say ria is a good one. I love mine, but still scrounging enough ammo to break it in :/ haven't gotten around to loading for it. The glock 40 reeeaalllyy tempted me to get a glock finally. I still occasionally eye them...

[kilibreaux]

Roguer:
A 1911 frame style will fit your hand perfectly.
A Glock G-20 will give you maximum benefit from the 10mm cartridge.

A 1911 is going to hold around 9 shots.  the Glock holds 16 shots in a free State and 11 shots in a slave State.

You can buy replacement barrels for your Glock from Lone Wolf Distributors for just over $100.

Also...newer Glocks have LESS exposed case head over the feed ramp, which means automatically buying an aftermarket barrel isn't necessary.

My LWD barrel has exactly the same unsupported area as does the OEM barrel, yet has a tighter chamber which tends to concentrate pressure over the feed ramp.  A larger chamber allows the ENTIRE case to expand before pressure concentrates over the feed ramp.
My Glock 29 has VERY little case head exposed over the feed ramp...no need to re-barrel unless I want a longer one.

GLOCK was there for the 10mm when all others deserted ship...that ought to count for something when deciding which you will choose.  Not only has Glock been faithfully building a 10mm, the gun they've been building has PROVEN to be totally up to the task of handling the full-bore 10mm round.  I'm not talking generic mid-range grap that makes maybe 550 lb-ft of KE, I'm talking the REAL loads that push 650-800+ lb-ft of KE.

The only mod you "need" for a Glock is an aftermarket recoil spring system since the base gun is designed to function with all 10mm loads from mild to wild.  However, top loads demand a heavier recoil spring for optimal performance.

The Glock SF is the "right" answer to a 10mm polymer frame, and the 1911 pattern will always feel smaller in the hand, but also gives up internal shot capacity.

Glock tends to be less expensive, yet you can purchase EVERYTHING for a Glock in the aftermarket including a long slide to fit a 6" barrel, 6.61" barrel for compensator fitting, and all manner of aftermarket stuff....9x25 Dillon caliber swap, .38 Super caliber swap, 9mm caliber swap, even .40 S&W caliber swap (you don't really need since you can shoot .40 S&W just fine from a 10mm barrel).
If you want to expand the calibers you can buy a .45 ACP slide from LWD for $175 and barrel up for .45 ACP, .400 Corbon, .40 Super, .460 Rowland.

The Glock has 33 total parts that you can strip down to the smallest component in just a few minutes.  You can replace and upgrade every part.

Of course you can upgrade MOST parts for any 1911, but not as cheaply as the Glock.