Rock Island\Springfield 1911

**slowz1k** · 03-16-2009, 01:29 PM

I'm looking for an "affordable" 45 on a 1911 platform. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the mil-spec Rock Island, and the Springfield ($100 more). There are a ton of reviews out there on both, but I thought I would see if anyone here has any trigger time with either of these models. I know that neither will be a tack driver, but I'm not planning on entering matches with it either. I just want a no frills, reliable 45.

Advice and comments welcome

**Long_Hunter** · 03-16-2009, 02:40 PM

I have a Springfield 1911; it is very much a clone of the Colt that I carried years ago. It is a no frills, meat & potato gun and very solid. I have not added anything to this one, leaving it unmoddified; mine has checkered walnut grips that are very sentimental.
It is a solid, dependable firearm that upholds its namesakes legacy.

I do not own the RI version nor have I fired one, so no comment there.

Good luck,
LH

**Bayou Blaster** · 03-16-2009, 04:40 PM

Nothing like John Browning's 1911. I own a Kimber Stainless Target II myself.

Of the two firearms specified, I would personally lean towards the Springfield mil spec; customer service and fit being the overiding factors. As with most 1911's they require a break-in period (especially tighter tolerance 45s) and run best when well lubricated. Another cost saving 1911 is the Taurus; it comes with about $600 dollars worth of custom features at no extra cost and a lifetime warranty. The RIA is not really a bad gun for the money after some minor tweeks which may depending on how your gun runs, put it in the price range of a springfield mil spec or beyond. Even the higher priced 1911s are not immune to needing some minor fitting/polishing/better mags or an extended break-in period. I have had shot both firerarms: a well broken-in springfield and a New RIA. The RIA had some hicups with JHP ammo; not uncommon with 1911s. A polished feed ramp and throat would have solved this problem I believe.

Here are some links to reviews of the RIA 45
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/RIA.htm
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/ria_reliability.htm

Good Luck with your decision.

**TLman** · 03-17-2009, 11:56 AM

I'm picking up a springfield mil spec at the end of the week. Got it for $600 out the door, so it's not to steep a price. I've also been looking at an ria commander model, thinking that might be my next purchase

**Bayou Blaster** · 03-17-2009, 12:40 PM

I was also considering getting the Springfield Mil-Spec or their GI model to go with my WWII firearms. Got the opportunity to buy the Kimber Stainless Target II at cost; I could not pass up a deal like that. Good Luck with your mil-spec.

**slowz1k** · 03-17-2009, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I'm leaning towards the Springfield, but my wallet might prefer the RIA. I'm still a few weeks out from purchasing, so we'll see. The Taurus is tempting, but it seems that most of the reviews that I've read, have owners replacing internals due to failures. I had a PT-92 a few years back, and had no complaints. I know your gonna hear more bad than good on most reviews. It's just human nature to gripe about what's wrong, rather than praise what's right. the Taurus just seems to be getting beatup a little more than the others.

**Bayou Blaster** · 03-17-2009, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by slowz1k

Thanks for the replies.

I'm leaning towards the Springfield, but my wallet might prefer the RIA. I'm still a few weeks out from purchasing, so we'll see. The Taurus is tempting, but it seems that most of the reviews that I've read, have owners replacing internals due to failures. I had a PT-92 a few years back, and had no complaints. I know your gonna hear more bad than good on most reviews. It's just human nature to gripe about what's wrong, rather than praise what's right. the Taurus just seems to be getting beatup a little more than the others.

When I was managing a gun store, we could not keep enough of the Taurus PT 1911s in stock. We got excellent feedback from our customers. Truthfully we only got one customer that was not happy with his Taurus 1911. He complained of jams while using JHP ammo. He really DID NOT experiment with different brands to find out what the firearm functioned best with. 1911s are notorious for loving round ball ammo. He really did not shoot enough rounds through it, to break it in.

Corbon's Pow`Rball Ammunition is very reliable and I recommend for problematic/finicky 1911s that jam with JHP ammo. Basically it is a JHP round with a plastic ball to facilitate feeding.

BTW I own the Taurus PT99 AF which is just an adjustable sight version of the PT-92 and love it. No problems with it at all and very accurate. It loves 115gr Winchester Silvertips. Again Good Luck with your decision. Let us know what you finally get and your opinion of it.

**Granddad** · 03-17-2009, 10:59 PM

You seem to be in the same boat as I'm in; I can't decide which
1911 to get.

My youngest son has a Kimber Stainless II, and it is very nice, so
I'm leaning towards them, probably a Custom.

I've heard VERY good reviews about the RIA "Tactical."

I've met some very satisfied Taurus 1911 owners.

I've even looked at a Charles Daly .45, which I understand is made
by the same folks who make RIA .45's.

I DO know that I want a 'slightly' enhanced 1911 that I will shoot
the hell out of, I just don't know which one to get.

Decisions, decisions.

**Bayou Blaster** · 03-17-2009, 11:38 PM

Granddad

I'm not a fan of Charles Daly Firearms. They have had a less than stellar history/reputation. They have recently though been importing firearms from some better/reputable manufacturers. The RIA 1911 45 is manufactured in the Phillipines by the way. The only difference between my Kimber Stainless Target II and a Stainless II from what I can tell is the Bowmar Style sights on the Target II. Down here in the south I've got a thing for stainless firearms, plus barrel life is increased due to the high chrome content in stainless. I have seen nothing but excellent customer service and turn-around times from Kimber. They don't ask about a round count and test the firearm throughly before returning it. Stay away from any Kimber 1911 with an external extractor (just don't run right long term). Taurus turn-around time is about the same as Springfield if not a little better. From experience Springfield's usually won't look at a finicky 1911 unless it has a round count of 500 plus. If you intend to shoot the hell out of your 1911, I would recommend buying a quality firearm from a quality/well established manufacturer. Additionally, full size 1911s tend to run better long term than the chopped/smaller style 1911s. Good Luck with your decision and ultimate choice.

Heres another review of the RIA:
http://ezine.m1911.org/RIATactical.htm

**beebopcop** · 03-18-2009, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by slowz1k

I'm looking for an "affordable" 45 on a 1911 platform. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the mil-spec Rock Island, and the Springfield ($100 more). There are a ton of reviews out there on both, but I thought I would see if anyone here has any trigger time with either of these models. I know that neither will be a tack driver, but I'm not planning on entering matches with it either. I just want a no frills, reliable 45.

Advice and comments welcome

I have owned the RIA. My only complaint that I had with it was that the safety came off to easy, other than that it was a good shooter. I own a Spingfield Micro compact and it is an excellent gun and as someone else said it stands up to the reputation of it's name. I resently bought a Taurus PT 1911 and I have struck pay dirt. This thing is a shooter right from the factory. Crisp trigger pull and with upgrades that you would pay a great deal extra for in other guns I have no complaints. The barrell and feed ramp are polished and throated so that it eats any ammo you feed it. I'm hanging on to this one.
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