ATI or Rock Island?

[Ramjo]

I have a friend who is in love with the 1911 platform, but he doesn't have a ton of money to spend. He hasn't even ever owned a gun, shot but not owned.

I want to point him in an affordable direction to a 1911 plinker he can learn with. ATI or RI? Is one better than the other? WHY?

[gregintenn]

It is my understanding that they are one in the same. You'll need to verify that, however. I have a Rock Island, and I love it. If you aren't set on a 45, I'd suggest a GSG 1911 in 22 Long Rifle as a fun, inexpensive learning handgun.

[Ramjo]

Greg,

The reason I ask is I have watched Hickok45s video on the ATI and it shot low for him, and he said the trigger was a little stiff. $400 gun though.

[R1100R]

I own both. I feel the fit and finish on the ATI was much better. The ATI shot better also. But I feel for the money they are both great pistols. One this to note. The customer service at Rock Island is better than ATI. They CS at RI was a bit more professional on the phone.

[Ramjo]

Would be nice if you could shoot the dang thing before you buy it ha.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I would recommend a Metro before a RIA. I have held and shot both and my Metro shoots better than the Colt I had. I carry mine every day and have wel over 1,000 trouble free rounds through it.

Dolomite

[TNWNGR]

Both are out of the Philippines, the RIA is polished and fitted to a cosmetically higher level, both use a lot of aftermarket parts in assembly. IMMO I’d go with the ATI, shoot it enough to get it broken in and then determine what I wanted to change. Almost anything you might consider swapping out or fitting on this pistol can be done at home, just view the U-tube. Any entry level 1911 pistol is one you shoot often enough to become skilled with while also determining what parts work best.

[Parrothead]

Go see Tom at tri-cities gun depot--he has a few metro's in stock and they appear to be a great entry level 1911

[Ramjo]

Thanks parrothead! I was taking him shopping tomorrow anyway. We will go have a look at Byrd's (cause they have a 44 magnum I am thinking about) and then head on up to TCGD.

[Backon4]

I say metro arms American Classic 2. It is a very nice 1911 and shoot like a dream. I even know more than 1 that likes his more than his kimber.

[EastHipster]

I got to compare Metro, RIA, ATI and Para at the same time.

Metro Arms was the nicest so I bought it.

I had first round failed to feed issues and had to send it in for a setup.

Now it is 100% and an excellent pistol.

My local Gunsmith (1911 specialist) said that he has to do ramp and extractor work on lots o of high end Pistols and he didn't consider that to be Warranty work...was impressed that they did it.

[A.J. Holst]

The Metro Arms (AC Commader) was my first (and only) 1911, so there is my vote.

[sschrick]

All the brands listed here are good affordable entry level 1911's.

[samson7x]

Might I also recommend the STI Spartan. It is only a bit more expensive and comes with adj sights with FO front.

[Guest Aces&8s]

Another vote for the Metro Arms ACII. I have the hard chrome version, and got it from TCGD. Out of the box, I did have an issue with it not wanting to feed the first round in a full mag, but by changing mags (Springfield and Kimber work really well), and installing an EGW higher mag catch fixed all that. Just put another 100 rounds through it today, WWB FMJ, without a hitch.

You probably can't go wrong with a RIA, though, either.

[gregintenn]

I can vouch for ATI's customer service. I had a part break on my GSG 1911-22, so I emailed them looking to buy a replacement. I received a quick response stating that if they could get my address and the serial number on the gun, they's send the part free of charge.