All You 1911 Aficionados

**jahwarrior72** · December 11th, 2008, 09:11 PM

i'm already planning on what to get with my tax return monies. i know in my heart, i need another 1911. yes, i need one.

i'm looking for something affordable, but with a solid reputation. the ones i'm looking at are: the STI Spartan, the Taurus PT1911, and the RIA GI Model. the STI and RIA are both put together by Armscor. the Taurus is going for around $700, though i know where to get one for under $600. the STI goes for about $600, and the RIA can be had for less than $500.

if anyone has any experience with these, let me know. are they shooters? are they crap? i've shot the Taurus, and i loved it, but that was one gun. are they largely reliable, or are they hit and miss?

i'm counting out Kimbers, Paras, Colts, and Springfields purposefully; i'm trying to keep costs down. i know they're all great brands, but i can't bring myself to spend more than $800 on a 1911 at this point in time.

**Lucas** · December 11th, 2008, 09:42 PM

Out of those 3 choices, I'd go with the STI. I'm very pleased with my RIA, but there is just something about damn near any STI ever made.

**JoeWilliams** · December 11th, 2008, 09:48 PM

My friend is VERY pleased with his RIA Tactical model. It's a real tack driver.

The Tactical Model only costs a few bucks more than the GI model. I think the improved sights and safety are well worth the $$$. Rick paid $425 new for his.

**Dredly** · December 11th, 2008, 09:49 PM

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

(put on tin foil hat)

But keep in mind that single stack 1911's more then likely won't get hit by a renew of the AWB as they are low capacity pistols. I think the limit was 10 rounds last time so there would be no issues with buying a 1911 in the future

May want to add a high cap toy that will get slapped with legistlation instead of a 1911... just saying

**Dredly** · December 11th, 2008, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by JoeWilliams

My friend is VERY pleased with his RIA Tactical model. It's a real tack driver.

The Tactical Model only costs a few bucks more than the GI model. I think the improved sights and safety are well worth the $$$. Rick paid $425 new for his.

yeah I would definately go with the "tactical" model.

Its got the improved sights which are the only thing I don't like about me (gi sights are hard to pick up)

**Shawn.L** · December 11th, 2008, 09:55 PM

you could still get a Springer on your budget.

I would upgrade the sights first thing though any of the "mil-spec" have those crappo teeny sights.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/32589

$573 including shipping

**Lycanthrope** · December 11th, 2008, 10:58 PM

All decent choices......BUT I would never recommend a gun with the lousy GI sights or without a nice beavertail. Nothing sucks like a gun that makes you bleed when you shoot it........

Lycan1911thrope

**synergy** · December 11th, 2008, 11:04 PM

I'd put the Taurus firmly at the end of the list.

STI gets high marks....RIA guns are great values. My GI ran without a single issue, and shot 5 round .5" hole groups out to 10 yards. I never ran it hard, but it didn't fail in the general range use and defensive holster work I did with it.

I'd look hard at the RIA Tactical, or the STI if it's in your budget.
Buying a good gun once, is a lot cheaper than buying a cheap gun twice, and shipping it back, and probably taking a loss on it trading it in.

**jahwarrior72** · December 11th, 2008, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by synergy

I'd put the Taurus firmly at the end of the list.

STI gets high marks....RIA guns are great values. My GI ran without a single issue, and shot 5 round .5" hole groups out to 10 yards. I never ran it hard, but it didn't fail in the general range use and defensive holster work I did with it.

I'd look hard at the RIA Tactical, or the STI if it's in your budget.
Buying a good gun once, is a lot cheaper than buying a cheap gun twice, and shipping it back, and probably taking a loss on it trading it in.

i know that, from dreadful personal experience.

**00leland00** · December 11th, 2008, 11:30 PM

I love my Taurus, and have had no problems with mine. However, the one I bought for my FIL had safety trouble right out of the box. Instead of shipping it back to Brazil, I took it to the local smith who fixed it in about ten minutes for $20. I didn't pay more than $560 for either one of them. I don't care for GI models, but have heard nothing but good things about RIA's. The STI Spartan is dead sexy, though, and can be had for not much more money.

Personally, I would buy another Taurus, but I also want a Spartan, so I would choose between those two. I also wouldn't rule out shopping for a good used Kimber or Springfield.

My .02