There are no risks of breaking down or damaging the gun anytime soon. I've owned 2 and both of them ran flawlessly. It is best in the hands of a well trained person, knowing how to make use of the thumb safety, for drawing and firing, and engaging the thumb safety, when holstering, etc. Original M1911A1 pistols used by the military had the parkerized finish as well. 10 yards in a quarter all eight rounds. While this finish is admittedly rather dull and crude looking, it actually, One issue that many people have with the RIA 1911 is the lack of a bushing to contain the recoil rod and the barrel. Whenever you get into the debate of SDS 1911 vs. Rock Island 1911, most of the time, Rock Island emerges as the winner. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. Its not the best, but its good. At $780, its priced competitively in this field, especially when factoring the quality of materials and construction. You will be impressed. View Deal . Total poppy cock. It is simply training to a point, that it become second nature. To be fair about this, it wouldnt be right to simply declare a company bad without explaining it. Field & Stream is dedicated to covering safe and responsible gun ownership for hunting, recreation, and personal protection. View Deal . I able to force the slide forward enough to drop the magazine, which then allowed enough slide movement to eject the round & resolve the issue.I figured it either a faulty round or maybe the spring in that magazine was getting weak, so I retired the mag & picked up some fresh, top shelf ammo for my next range session. This article has zero credibility. We participate in affiliate advertising programs only with trusted online retailers in the firearms space. Ultimately, the 1911 developed an underserved, if-its-not-custom-it-wont-work, reputation. Not one problem. For the money, if somebody wants a 1911 to learn the platform I'd buy the Tisas. Weight: 2 lbs., 7 oz. never even heard of the other guys. The checkbook says any 1911A1 has to be a budget model. Kimber Rapide purchased in November, 2021 and has 600 rounds of various makes of FMJ and HP ammo. The 1911 pistol, if carried as a every day carry, takes more dedication to training with it. If you have one made in the interwar period thats labeled US Government and Rock Island, you likely have an excellent pistol. Frame and Slide - The frame of the Springfield 1911 Range Officer Champion 9mm is Forged Lightweight Alloy (thus the use of the barrel-integrated feed ramp) with a forged steel slide. Last I saw they weren't a true 1911 mechanically, just a look alike. Whats worse is that Kimbers often have a hard time reliably loading a lot of different kinds of ammunition. Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin finish, presentation-grade wood grips, a brass rod front sight and an exceptional hand-tuned trigger. model (such as a beavertail grip safety, ambidextrous extended thumb safety, skeleton hammer, an improved trigger and barrel, and so on). The frame cuts and grip safety design are close enough to the original A1, but the iron sights and thumb safety mimic Colt 1911A1s produced in the 1970s and after. kygunco.com . or Best Offer. Caliber.45 ACP. CPLAY2air Vs. CarLinkit Wireless Carplay Adapters (2023). The original gun had a 5" long barrel and the seven-round capacity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I got a 92FS INOX; as Ive gotten more into shooting, Im an old-school weapons kind of gal (10/22, Mini-14 .223/5.56, M1A 6.5 Creedmoor). Critical Differences Between Rock Island And SDS 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistols Build Quality SDS 1911 Semi-automatic Pistol An essential factor you have to think about before getting 1911 is the build quality. 1911 the best 1911 on the market? People carry it because they want a connection to that history. Just like the cheapest cordless drill or lawnmower, inexpensive handguns are inexpensive for a reason. My first two handguns were Glocks and I got rid of them both after I fired a Springfield 1911 and a SIG P320 (just as reliable but nicer to shoot) for the first time. Internal parts are well built and properly hardened. Handguns; Rifles; Shotguns; Parts; Ammo; Optics & Sights; . Learn More. I fiddled with it and it seems g2g now. Their website has a lot of history, making the company seem like its an all-American enterprise thats always made great products. One of the most prominent examples of a budget 1911 is the Rock Island Armory (RIA) 1911. If you purchase a firearm using the links in this story, we may earn commission. It takes more training to be good with the 1911 but thats OK. As far as the problems with out-of the box 1911s not feeding, it is usually due to trying to load hollow point ammo. American soldiers fighting close-quarters battles have often reached for an M1911 and the .45 has proved to be a reliable performance benchmark. This itself is nice, since many major manufacturers (such as Ruger) ship their handguns in disposable cardboard boxes. Yes, Rock Island armory 1911 is an excellent value-for-money option 1911. Compare the dimensions and specs of Glock G43X MOS and Sig Sauer 1911 TACOPS. In conclusion, is the RIA G.I. In terms of dimensions and capacity, the Springfield pistol stays true to the real M1911A1; it has a 5-inch barrel, measures 8.6-inches long and comes with two, flush-fit, 7-round magazines. Well, not at all. As recoil is more muffled on 1911s in general anyway due to the extra weight, provides better protection against rust and moisture. Smith & Wesson SW1911SC E-Series. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. For those looking for an excellent mid-sized carry 1911, check out the 4.25-inch commander S&W 1911SC E-Series. In contrast, you have SDS 1911, which you can find readily available all over the internet. A forum community dedicated to survivalists and enthusiasts. SDS Imports 1911-A1 Tanker (left) and a Wilson Combat Experior Compact Double Stack (right). 10+1. Competitors at the World Shoot, and even those in small town combat pistol matches, were willing to drop lots of dollars for even the smallest competitive edge. But if a 1911 is priced that low, it cant be any good right? Though the company is related only by name today, it is located just miles from the original factory. | Accuracy has to be one of the critical points when you think about guns. As part of the 1st Marine Division in 1944, the legendary Col. Walter Walsh did just that following the invasion of Okinawa, Japan. SDS 1911. Fit is impeccable and the pistol is optimized for accuracy and reliability. Even so, the basic design of how the pistol works has not changed. Any of you have any experience with them? It works. I paid $650 during the crazy times 2 years ago. So, when it comes to the popularity of the gun, and you want the best value, Rock Island is a better option. In order to gain acceptance by the stodgily revolver-oriented Army bureaucrats, the gun had to pass a 6,000-round . Though modern M1911s may possess DNA from John Brownings masterpiece, historic collectors prefer the original mil-spec configurations or something very close to it. "Government exists to protect us from each other. What this means is that you will have to, The sights on the RIA GI 1911 are also minimalistic, which is to be expected on any G.I style of 1911. Why Is PartsGeek So Cheap And Is It Really Worth It? They are much cheaper than the Rock Island 1911. Its just worth your money. Sights are appropriately dovetailed at the rear and pinned at the front with the wider notch style of the M1911A1. Rock Island Armory, on the other hand, is a subsidiary of the Armscor corporation, which manufactures cheap 1911s in the Philippines. On top are three, white-dot blade sights that are easier to see than the originals. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Whether its the accuracy or the value, you will never question Rock Island. Yes, SDS and Tisas are the same company for guns. If you need any work , the Rock Island facility in Nevada is supposed offer excellent service . I have owned three Kimbers (2 45s and 1 9mm) and they all worked flawlessly. As the sights are very minimalistic on the gun, it can be difficult to hit the bullseye beyond the ten to twelve yard line. I know of no one who has ever taken a 1911 out of the box and made it through a 100 rds without a malfunction. How well the gun is built will significantly impact your buying decision. The real reason for the love of 1911s it the inability of many shooters to shoot double action. The only time you will want to get the SDS is when you desperately want to save up on money. I will gladly buy and recommend RIA firearms in the future. Nighthawks Turnbull VIP 1911 retails for $7999. grabagun.com . The Tisas gets high marks for being all forged while the Rock Island is cast . Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. This makes Kimbers a bad value from the start, in our view. No truly the original would be Browning, as in John Moses Browning, or Springfield 1911 the Armory you know the one John F Kennedy shut. Not surprisingly, the A2 was built to Dan Wessons top-shelf standards, which means that all the components are hand fit to close tolerances. Will it last a lifetime? Rock Island is the name of an old, US government arsenal that made, among other things, great 1911 pistols. To some extent that belief still exists but its not necessarily the case. While this gun stands to represent the would-be evolution from the 1911A1, the lack of frontstrap checkering and modern controls make it the most affordable way to gain entry into Dan Wessons high-end family of guns. Lets start with a few facts. Barrel: 5 in. $64.95. The outwears are 86% cotton, 13% nylon, and 1% elastic. The grips will be constructed out of wood to enhance its traditional look. Similarly, if you want a 1911 with a bright turquoise slide, a white frame, and a set of safeties and grips dyed to match said slide, then Kimber is your go-to. Rock Island 1911 is very popular, but the availability is a concern. While Colt, Ithaca, Remington Rand and others were manufacturing M1911A1 pistols for World War II, Inland Manufacturing in Dayton, Ohio, was busy making another tool for the war: the M1 Carbine. The garment contains durable fabric and unparalleled water resistance. Shoot 500-600 round out of it and decide if you like the platform. I bought my Rock years ago back when they were under 300. The lower end 1911's are assembled in Brazil, the higher end 1911's assembled in the US. Prices range from less than $500 to beyond $5000, and that's before gold inlays, engraving, or genuine ivory grips. It is more finicky with defense hollow point ammunition, so youll want to test different loads with yours until you find one it likes. You cant find them quickly and about anywhere. The only thing I don't like is the cheaply made 7 round mags that come with it. On the left side of the frame is stamped INLAND MFG DAYTON, OH. Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Front Sight - Stainless Steel. The targets below were the last 8- shot group I fired at 10 yards from each gun-SDS on the left and the RIA on the right. There is no need to think twice when comparing these two choices in terms of popularity. Thus, were going to go into some detail as to why each of these companies are the ones we avoid. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Find an authorized Rock Island Armory dealer near you. The arched mainspring housing with lanyard ring is close, as are the rear slide serrations and the sight layout. Both are good guns . That is a considerable savings. JavaScript is disabled. On many documented occasions, a single shot from an .45 provided enough power to decisively stop an enemy. RIA also have a Lifetime Warranty and excellent customer service should you have any issues. model. Richard Mann One of the greatest issues with any of them are the mags. Around $400. Short-profile A1 iron sights? Sep 8, 2022 the_keeper said: I would but neither, but that's me. The 19x failing the GI pistol tryout after the 1911 was our pistol for over 70 years? The grip safety is slightly extended in comparison to the original M1911A1 that saw service with the military. To be fair, a lot of 1911s are finicky with blunt-nosed or hollow-point bullets, as the edges can catch feed ramps. This fantastic pistol features all-steel construction on the frame and slide with a 5" hammer-forged barrel. The SDS (Tisas) Duty has ~ 150 rounds fired and the RIA Tactical II has exactly 50 rounds fired (this was my first time firing it). If your wallet is thin, the SDS imported 1911-A1 Tanker is reliable and accurate enough for self-defense. You can save a decent amount of money when opting for the SDS. When I first got it the sear spring wasnt properly tuned and the grip safety just flopped around. She mentioned with their guarantee, I could take . The pistol features a parkerized finish, properly designed checkered plastic grips, an arched mainspring housing, and the original spur hammer. I did my research, read all about the break-in procedure, immediately took it down & meticulously cleaned/lubed the heck out of it, only fed it 124gr for the inaugural 500 or so rounds, and made certain to clean & slather it in lube after each trip to the range. I love my Colts but they bought the design. Thankfully, there are many online instructions and YouTube videos on how to do it, and you can always refer to the RIA 1911 manual too of course. Between that and the cost, Kimber is not a manufacturer that we can recommend. Have a couple RIAs and they are nice for the price. At the rear is a no-snag ramped rear sight with two white dots, and its serrated on the side for added grip when grabbing a handful of gun to rack the slide. Heres the thing, when the competition is between the SDS 1911 and the Rock Island 1911, the clear winner and better pick will always be the Rock Island 1911. Gun KnowledgeGun LawsNewsReviewsStatistics, AccessoriesHandgunsRiflesScopes & OpticsShotguns. The first 1911 to roll off the production line 104 years ago had a five-inch barrel and a standard magazine capacity of seven cartridges. . Read Next: Seven Serious Concealed Carry Handguns. The pistol is an import from the Philippinesa fact most prominently reflected in the price. Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. By this time its obvious that I rely on Glocks. But there is also one major negative to Colt pistols: theyre extremely pricey. Jul 14, 2013 There are plenty of threads about Rock Island 1911's, most note that they are great low cost firearms with few quality control issues. This is true with most guns, but youll still want to take steps to keep the RIA 1911 clean. By the time WWII began, the 1911A1 was far more common among Allied forces in the US and Europe. American special operations units, like Delta Force, use it. I would but neither, but that's me. Its all about whats going on under the hood. Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. It is an excellent weapon. The double-diamond grips honor the original M1911 checkered walnut stocks, but feature Springfield Armorys cross-cannon logo that harkens back to the federal armory located in Springfield, Massachusetts, which closed in 1968. Had a few miss feeds in the first 100 or so. Having a suggested retail of $530 makes the GI Standard FS one of the most affordable M1911A1-style pistols on the market, and a superb option at that. I dropped bout $1,200 after opting to add 2 extra Wilson Combat magazines. 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