Springfield,Rock Island or Taurus?

[Guest JonB]

i've been looking at some 1911's lately trying to decide what would be a good choice for my first 1911. i have shot a springfield and liked it, so thats what i'm leaning toward right now. my main question was the comparison between value and performance of the Rock Island and the Taurus 1911's. price wise there is not much difference so performance would be the main factor. anybody with experience with both of these your input would be appreciated. thanks in advance

[gunsablazin]

I lean towards the Springfields myself. I have owned several of them and my current IDPA pistol is a SS Loaded model. I'm not knocking Taurus or RIA guns, but I have not shot them, but with Springfields reputation for great customer service and the fact that they build a solid pistol makes it a good choice. The folks on the 1911 forums seem to generally rate the RIA guns as a good entry level pistol if you don't find the answers you need here check that forum out.

[Guest bkelm18]

Springfield>RIA>Taurus would be my order of preference. RIA's are great for the money, but the fit and finish of the SA's are a bit better.

[hipower]

I have a SA Operator and find it to be a great little shooter. With the commander size, it's light and comfortable, also very accurate. I find the 185 grain winchester seems to be the best range load for it. I don't have any experience with the RIA 1911 but it has a very good reputation for reliability and accuracy. As for the Taurus 1911, it also appears to be a good first .45. The price and features make it extremely attractive. Of the three, I believe any would be a good choice. If price isn't critical, I'd say Springfield, Taurus, then RIA. If it is, I personally would take the Taurus first. But that's my preference.

[poak]

To further confuse the selection process, I'd say check out the Para Ordnance GI Expert.

[Mykltn]

I have the SA GI 1911a1 and it shoots great. Eats anything I feed it without issues. I have shot both the Taurus and the RI and went with the SA because it fit me the best.

[Jasongar8]

1) Springfield

2) RIA

3) Taurus

[Guest Oaklands]

Springfield>RIA>Taurus would be my order of preference. RIA's are great for the money, but the fit and finish of the SA's are a bit better.

I agree!

[Guest HexHead]

To further confuse the selection process, I'd say check out the Para Ordnance GI Expert.

+1. 1911s should be built in the USA.

[Guest .45]

if you ever need to sell it, the Springfield will retain it's value much better than RIA or Taurus.

.45

[Guest c.a.s.]

What's the purpose?

The Taurus was built as a "value race gun" with a couple features for that. It's priced well. I like how they shoot. You may hate the Heinie Straight-Eights, it's individual. You'll probably want to replace the ambi safety with a single-side-only, and replace the hammer with a standard, non-taurus-safety hammer.

The RIA and Springfield are more about the basics. They take the original idea and don't muck with it too much.

[R1100R]

+1. 1911s should be built in the USA.

Para Ordnance

They were Toronto, Canada until recently. Still buying outsourced parts.

I have a GI Springfield and a Tactical RIA. For the money the RIA Tactical

has a lot going on. ($400.00)

[Guest rebelyell]

Colt would be my choice.

[strickj]

Springfield>RIA>Taurus would be my order of preference. RIA's are great for the money, but the fit and finish of the SA's are a bit better.

Never handled the SA,but have owned both the others.

Out of the RIA,and Taurus,I'd go RIA.

The Taurus is a very nice weapon for the money now,but there's just something about the RIA that Taurus doesn't have.

My recommendation would be buy the RIA,and build her up to mend your just desires

This is what was done to mine by the previous owner:

-Thin combat Alumagrips ( These grips are effin awesome BTW! )

-Pearce finger grooves

-Fusion 3-dot sights

-Fusion adjustable trigger

-Wolff spring

-Ed Brown hardcore slide stop

I would post a better pic of it,but I'm afraid it has a little more 'character' now that I've been carrying it so much

[Guest Ae-35]

To further confuse the selection process, I'd say check out the Para Ordnance GI Expert.

In the last 25 yrs. I owned or shot all most all brands of 1911's the Para GI is the best 1911 you can buy FOR the money. It's made in there new plant in NC. It has everything you need, nothing you don't and the one I shot was "sweet".Really ,it's a better buy than the SA Mil-Spec, and that's saying a lot. JMO

[eapking]

Real good 1911 forum here. I spent about 2 months here learning all I could before making my choice. 1911's are tops!

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[SkunkSlayer]

I own a Taurus PT 1911 SS and it feels/ shoots / looks / priced great.

I have friends that own Springfield and they like them alot.

[Guest Moody]

In the last 25 yrs. I owned or shot all most all brands of 1911's the Para GI is the best 1911 you can buy FOR the money. It's made in there new plant in NC. It has everything you need, nothing you don't and the one I shot was "sweet".Really ,it's a better buy than the SA Mil-Spec, and that's saying a lot. JMO

I will second this: I recently convinced a friend to purchase one (was also looking at the Taurus 1911), and it's a wonderful little shooter. Reliable, decently accurate, and bears several resemblances to my more expensice Limited SSP. It has a tight fit, doesn't "rattle" (unlike the Taurus), and some nice things that make it a fun shooter in general.

[Guest JonB]

thanks for all the comments and suggestions. i have seen the para's but might have to take a closer look.

c.a.s.

it's going to be a general purpose shooter and possibly an occasional carry weapon when i get my permit.

strickj

that is a sweet lookin RIA:up:

[willis68]

Wait for this one

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/handguns/30525-magnum-research-1911-a.html

[Guest c.a.s.]

thanks for all the comments and suggestions. i have seen the para's but might have to take a closer look.

c.a.s.

it's going to be a general purpose shooter and possibly an occasional carry weapon when i get my permit.

strickj

that is a sweet lookin RIA:up:

You should probably go for the RIA then. Or the Springfield.

[Kevo]

I bought a slightly used Springfield Mil-Spec. Other than night sights I will be leaving it as is. I recommend you decide exactly what you want from your 1911. Easier said than done, Good Luck.