Which 1911 ?

Got my choice down to Bersa 45 ACP American Classic or RIA GI Milspec 45 ACP. Any suggestions pro or con on these pistiols? They both seem fairly close to each other. Any comments/ experience with one or the other would be great. Thanks for your input in advance.

The American Classic II seems to have a couple of added features. Sights, Trigger and hammer. The RIA is pretty much bare bones.

I have heard good things about both.

Paul

Eagle Imports that import Bersa to the U.S. also imports American Classic Arm too. The Bersa 1911 used to be imported under the Firestorm name and was made in Spain, but quality sucked so they changed manufacturer to Metro Arms in the Philippines and changed the name to American Classic. Never seen one or shot one.

The Rock Island is also made in the Philippines by Armscor. It's a great gun for the price. It's not a custom 1911 but most everybody that has one loves them. They have great customer service. Ivan that heads the customer service dept is a regular on 1911forum.com and will do whatever it takes if you have problem.
I have owned a couple of Rocks, wish I still had them and I'mprobably going to buy a 1911 9mm Rock in the near furture.

I would go with the Rock Island. Check out centerfiresystems.com for great prices on Rock Islands.

Can't vouch for the Bersa, never shot one. I have 2 RIAs, but they are both the Tactical models, not the Milspec. They run as reliable as any of my other 1911s and have been used as carry guns. Gotta give the nod to RIA on this one.

Heresy to buy a 1911 not made in America...JMB just turned over in his grave

For a el cheapo 1911 I like the Springfield Mil-spec

RIA. For sure. I have a High Standard, which is made in the same factory as the RIA and is a great gun! It will probably be the last to go if I ever have to start selling guns!

Neck, if you want American made why buy a springer? Might as well buy a Taurus.

Y ?

SA and Taurus same thing these days ?... Guess I aint "informed"...

I don't buy Taurus semi's anyway

If you really wanna live a little...buy ya an old Colt...get ready to pay up

as far as RI is concerned...Only RI's I have dealt with have been AR's and they seemed pretty solid to me...I would not have a problem throwing down for a rock

Popular models from starting from low (<400) to high (>2000)
ATI
Rock Island
Taurus
Remington
Ruger
Springfield
Colt
Kimber
Wilson
Ed Brown

There are probably 20 more brands out there but these seem to be the most popular brands of late. The ATIs and RIs can be had for less than 400 and both seem to pretty well thought of as far as basic operation and functioning. With 1911s the little improvements in fit, finish and features add up quickly. All depends on what you want and what your pocket book can handle.

I have the RIA 1911A1 CS with which I am very pleased. I guess I could safely say it's on of my favorirtes.

I'd like to add Les Baer as one I have on my bucket list....

+1 on low end 1911's...figure you are gonna spend as much more eventually on "smithing"...depends on how anal you are

The tactical model already has the combat hammer, trigger, and beavertail safety...what most folks add. If ur gonna go farther than that, get a springer or higher end.
Good as they are, if you add a bunch of stuff to a $400 RIA, you ain't gonna get much more than that for it. With van repairs eating cash up, plans to send my springer to Gemini Customs will prolly never happen...just can't do 3K on my bucket gun...but I still drool over it. LOL

MSRedneck, I think Jake was referring to the fact that the springer 1911's are made by a company in brazil, just like the taurus. It is not the same company though. I think the Springfields are made by IMBREL, I have heard they are better quality than the taurus.

BuckNasty wrote:MSRedneck, I think Jake was referring to the fact that the springer 1911's are made by a company in brazil, just like the taurus. It is not the same company though. I think the Springfields are made by IMBREL, I have heard they are better quality than the taurus.

Thank you for clearing that up; i was not aware.

BuckNasty wrote:MSRedneck, I think Jake was referring to the fact that the springer 1911's are made by a company in brazil, just like the taurus. It is not the same company though. I think the Springfields are made by IMBREL, I have heard they are better quality than the taurus.

I was. Thank you. Not doubting that the springer is the better gun, and I've gotta agree with neck that I'm not too hot on Taurus' semis either, but I've had a good bit of experience with their 1911s, and I've gotta say, in my experience with them, for the money($550-650 range, I wouldn't go over $650 with tax, and yes you can find them for that) they're hard to beat. They are incredibly well made considering the company's less than stellar reputation.

I'd still prefer a Kimber, or Dan Wesson though

I dont have anything against any 1911 in particular. I own a Colt and i have to say thats my favorite but i wouldn't be opposed to another kind.

I love ALL guns lol!

Smith & wesson 1911's are still made in the US. Not $400 though. About double that.

This conversation is pointless. Get that new Glock 1911 that they posted online the other day. If it's a Glock it's gonna be great. Glocks are the best guns made period!!!!

bsdubois00 wrote:This conversation is pointless. Get that new Glock 1911 that they posted online the other day. If it's a Glock it's gonna be great. Glocks are the best guns made period!!!!

Joking right? If it's the one I'm thinking it's a photoshopped picture that's been around for a couple years.

msredneck wrote:Heresy to buy a 1911 not made in America...JMB just turned over in his grave

For a el cheapo 1911 I like the Springfield Mil-spec

I doubt he spins over that. He left the USA to find a manufacturer in Belgium to build his guns.

jakeg823 wrote:

bsdubois00 wrote:This conversation is pointless. Get that new Glock 1911 that they posted online the other day. If it's a Glock it's gonna be great. Glocks are the best guns made period!!!!

Joking right? If it's the one I'm thinking it's a photoshopped picture that's been around for a couple years.

No joke? Well that sucks. Glocks are the best around!