Considering another 1911

[Vector16]

I have been thinking about buying another gun. I was interesting in the M&P 45 and then I was thinking I might want a "real gun" this time, not a plasic gun. I have started looking at the 1911's again. I have looked at Kimber, Sig, springfield, s&w, Colt and Rock Island keeps coming up. I have done a little research today on the Rock Island. I generally like to buy American made guns, They are not. They use the same basic design and old Colt Machinery to make their guns. They also have a lifetime warranty and great customer service I have read. I have only recently heard of these. I put ALOT of rounds down range with the guns I own, thousands. Has anyone heard bad things about them? If I purchase one, will I have it for the next 20 years as i would one of the more expensive guns? I do mot want to buy another **** gun. I made that huge mistake with my LLama 1911. I have seen these Rock Island 1911 taken apart and the big difference with them vs. the others is Guide rod configuration. Would I be better off just sticking with a $1100 gun or see how the $400 gun stacks up. I had good luck with the Sigma. I really would like a 1911 that will be with me for a while and work just as good as the day I bought it if not better in 15-20 years.
Also, I am not sure if I should go with the internal extractor or the external.

Any thought on the above. All of it.

[Rapidray]

I have shot a lot of different 1911's. Nice to have friends with different guns. I have owned Kimber, Springfield's, and Colts. I will not buy another Kimber. Enough said on that. I would buy another Springfield...they have a lot of good models to pick from. The RO is there newest one out and from handling it I like it...have not shot one yet thou. Now on Colt...I have a GI from 1917 and has been thru a lot. Still shoots. I have a 52 Commander LW. A Rail Gun...and I am very happy with all 3 Colts!

[pops]

Victor, You might take a look at Rugers new SR 1911. 70 series, so no firing pin block, but has a titanium firing pin, light weight, and heavy duty firing pin spring. I haven't shot one yet, but did get to handle one. I like it, a lot. Made in America, at a very reasonable price. I believe just under $700.00. I'm leaning that a way. Have heard some good thing about the Rock for the price, but most purest's will tell you if you want the original, go with Colt. Ultimately it's your decision. Let me know which way you go.

[georgepittenger]

Vector ,

I've got a S&W , my first and thus far only 1911 .

I've shot it a lot . It's a tack driver . Reliable .

If someone was breaking down my front door , it's the gun that I want in my hand ..........


Regards ,
George

[Charlie686]

I have a friend who just bought a Rock Island. He has put over 1000 rounds thru ir and narry a hiccup...Having said that I would still go for the Real Deal if I had that kind of money to spend. I would go to a local range and rent what I was looking to buy and spend some time comparing several 1911style guns.
...Just a thought
The Springfield Range Officer has been getting great reviews.

Charlie

[Waidmann]

Looked at a Remington in the LGS this afternoon. First impression-positive.

[USMC Snakedriver]

Try as you will, this won't be a logical decision. Buy what you like. If you will truly put thousands of rounds through it, and keep it for years, make the investment. And be prepared to buy many more chasing future "needs".

[DocZeus]

One of my shootin' buddies has these two RIA 1911's:

1911 .45 ACP Rock Island Compact CS with Matte Black Finish #AC-RI1911-CS

1911 .45 ACP Mil-Spec Rock Island with Matte Black Finish #AC-RI1911

He's put about 1K+ through the full-size, and better than 500 through the compact.....No issues, I've fired them both, pretty accurate, too. Fit and finish is NOT a Colt, but the price was right for him.

Here's one to consider, if you don't wanna drop $1K+ on a Colt, and it's American-Made, from an "American Original":

Auto-Ordnance 1911PKZMA - Style # 1911PKZMA, Tommy Gun Shop / Firearms

A lot of the "Armchair Rambos" on the forums run the Auto-Ord 1911's down, and they did have a few QC issues years ago (mostly fit and finish), but now that Kahr (I believe) owns them, they appear to be top-notch for the money.

I bought this one quite a few years ago, when they first started the "WW II, G.I. Issue", parkerized frames:





I bought this one for woods-walking/range/plinking/emergencies, so I wouldn't cry if I dropped or scratched a pristine Colt while out and about. The ONLY thing I changed, were the plastic grip panels, with some double-diamond Rosewood Eagle's. I have to say, it's one of my most ACCURATE and reliable 1911's, but I never shoot any SD/hollowpoint ammo in her, just 230-grain Hardball. This one's had in excess of 4K rounds through it, NO issues, no FTF's or FTE's.....Fit, finish and function is as good as near ANY of my Colt 1911's. I do use Wilson Combat magazines in it, for ultra-reliable feeding, though; the factory mags were okay, but I just trust the Wilson 47D's with my life.

That's an OLD (late 70's) Galco belt rig and an OLD Ted Blocker 1911 double-mag pouch shown with it.

DocZeus
AKA
David

[dennis40xnc]

The three polymer frame non real guns that come to mind Glock, S&W, and Springfield may have a service life that exceeds the real guns. I for one would not be dismissive of the striker fired pistols.
Of the current 1911 manufactures the three that I have experiences with are Colt (Long Term), S&W (Several Years), and Springfield (Long Term). I have fired the SR1911 at a show and tell conducted by a range facility. That said I’d opt for a Colt or Springfield.
Other manufactures of mention so far by other respondent’s I simply have no experience with and refrain from rendering an opinion.

[azmick]

I put 10s of thousands of rounds through a Springfield. Wore out and replaced a barrel bushing, a link and pin and a slide stop pin in the thing, accuracy was on par with a new Brazilian made 1911 when the Springfield had the worn out parts in it. I have a Colt now, it's the last one I'll need ('want' is another matter)
In my opinion, the external extractor was a fix to a nonexistant problem. The '80 series' has a bunch of crap John Moses Browning never intended to be in the thing, the Commander length is a marvel and a joy to shoot, a huge rear sight is pretty much against everything the 1911 was ment for, as is a big honkin' flash light on the 'working' end of it (I'm a big boy, bring on the flames )