Rock Island 1911 45ACP

Got this e-mail from centerfire systems. Don't know if they still have any in stock.

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/AC-RI1911TAC.aspx?utm_source=streamsend&utm_medium=email&utm_content=9615511&utm_campaign=1911%2045ACP%20Pistols%20and%20.223%20HP%20Ammo%20with%20Free%20Shipping

Not a bad price for the Tactical if they have it in stock. Got 2 last year and they were about $400-$430 shipped...they run as good as my other 1911s that cost a lot more. Both have served as main carrys.

Heard a lot of good things about them. At that price, you couldn't go wrong.

I'm about ready to pop for a Rock Island, want a 1911 NOW. Too impatient to wait awhile for a Springer Mil-Spec. As much demand as there is for these, I figure I can turn it down the road should I wish to.

Question...the "Tactical" sights are a step-up from the base model, what are other plusses, and are they worth the extra bucks? Or should I just upgrade stuff myself. I know that will cost more in the long run, but will be fun & educational.

Whatcha think?

Shoe

Upgrading things yourself is not about saving money; it's about making the pistol YOURS. It is a learning experience. It helps spread the cost over a greater length of time. It is a matter of pride to be able to say, "Yeah I built this."

The tactical model already has a lot of goodies on it. The wuestion is are they they goodies YOU want. Buy the base model and shoot it. After a thousand rounds start with the sights and and grips. After that you can start on the comfort parts like a beavertail grip safety and extended slide safety. By now you know if this is a keeper or not. If it is a keeper find a smith and formulate a game plan for the internals. Trigger components, slide to frame fit and barrel/bushing fit are the keys to accuracy.

You will have your blood, your sweat and your money in it. Hopefully you will have manymany hours of time in shooting and carrying it. After all of that it will be yours just like your hand is yours...an extension of you.

Tactical model comes with beavertail grip safety, commander hammer, extended thumb safety, and skeletal trigger, and better sights. Like shooter said, if those are features you want, go for it.

A few of my 1911s I built myself, and to me that's half the fun, IF you know how to do it! "Drop in" parts do not just drop in, they have to be fitted...and you need the right tools for the job. If you have to get a smith to do the work, be prepared to fork over some bucks, and make sure you're going to keep it! You will never get your money back if you spend $200 on a $400 pistol...it's still a $400 gun. I bought the 2 I have because they were already like i wanted them...I changed nothing on those but the grips.

All depends on what YOU want to wind up with, and whether you want to do the work, or pay someone else to do it I suppose.

Re: RIA 1911A1 CS

This is a repeat from an early post to a different thread. But as we’re back on the RIA 1911’s thought I might throw it out there again.

5-shot group – 4 are in about 1 ½ inches with a 5th flyer low and to the left (can just hear Carly Simon in the background, “Anticipation”).

Consider that this is from a 3 ½” bushing-less bull barrel, from the bench, at 50 feet, with a temperature in the high 30’s, chilling north wind – cross range (yuck!).

An Aside: “Fifty feet?” you exclaim, adding, “Whatsa matta with ya? Why not the routine 25 yards?” To which I reply, “At 73, I figure I’m entitled to a little handicapping.”

Ed Hunter wrote:Re: RIA 1911A1 CS

This is a repeat from an early post to a different thread. But as we’re back on the RIA 1911’s thought I might throw it out there again.

5-shot group – 4 are in about 1 ½ inches with a 5th flyer low and to the left (can just hear Carly Simon in the background, “Anticipation”).

Consider that this is from a 3 ½” bushing-less bull barrel, from the bench, at 50 feet, with a temperature in the high 30’s, chilling north wind – cross range (yuck!).

An Aside: “Fifty feet?” you exclaim, adding, “Whatsa matta with ya? Why not the routine 25 yards?” To which I reply, “At 73, I figure I’m entitled to a little handicapping.”

That's not bad at all!

shoeshooter wrote:I'm about ready to pop for a Rock Island, want a 1911 NOW. Too impatient to wait awhile for a Springer Mil-Spec. As much demand as there is for these, I figure I can turn it down the road should I wish to.

Question...the "Tactical" sights are a step-up from the base model, what are other plusses, and are they worth the extra bucks? Or should I just upgrade stuff myself. I know that will cost more in the long run, but will be fun & educational.

Whatcha think?

Shoe

Im not knocking RIA at all but if you want a springer...get a springer dont settle for something just because it resembles what you really want. I waited a year and some change for my SA loaded when I could have gotten a RIA or a SA G.I. or something cheaper...Its looking like I'm going to be waiting a while for my next springfield anyway( the guys on the forum and my wife ganged up on me and wouldnt let me finance a M1A ) ... back to topic: If its what you really want, wait for it and springfields are worth the wait you wont ever look back or regret it

BTW SA mil-specs are a spectacular base gun for customs, alot of the big name smiths use them, and they shoot well in the stock configuration too.

Yeah, crossed, I was following your thread on the rifle. I was ready to add my voice to the choir, but as the responses were so unanimous, didn't want to "pile on". Spent several decades making dumb moves...but it's easy to tell folks to "do as I SAY, not as I DID.

As to the 1911, someday I'll have a Springer (or something else, dream big). I think for now I'll get a RIA. I really want to dig into one and learn how it works. I'm not afraid to tackle some internal work. When (not if) I screw something up replacement parts are pretty cheap and readily available. I am not a machinist, however, so will have to live with the ejection port and probably the sights as is. So I am really looking at it as both educational and entertaining. I have certainly spent a lot more and had less to show for it.

I would prefer to get one locally (Jackson area) both haven't seen any. Any dealers carry them? I would also buy used, but no one seems to let theirs go (a good sign).

Thanks, all, for helping me solidify my thinking on this.

shoe