Love shooting my carry pistol but.

Got a Rock Island 3.5" 45 almost a decade ago. It also is one of my favorite and comfortable carry pieces, second only to my USPc. Have changed springs 4x, it now looks "well traveled".
The short 1911's will let you know when they're not happy and start misbehaving.

I use her as a tester for all sorts of .45 shenanigans. Like wadcutters, backwards projectiles, different lead alloys, wax projos, blackpowder and substitute ammo.

Just keep her greased and oiled and she'll do fine.
I also have a colt mk IV in .45 that I also test with.

cw308 said:

The guide rod assembly is much stronger , the 21 lb. Spring is what EGW recommended for my pistol , all I can say is the action is much smoother and is working flawlessly . Would recommend the assembly for Colt Defender or Kimber 3" 1911's.

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I'll take George's (EGW) word, knowledge, and experience over any manufacturer's all day long.

792mauser said:

Got a Rock Island 3.5" 45 almost a decade ago. It also is one of my favorite and comfortable carry pieces, second only to my USPc. Have changed springs 4x, it now looks "well traveled".
The short 1911's will let you know when they're not happy and start misbehaving.

I use her as a tester for all sorts of .45 shenanigans. Like wadcutters, backwards projectiles, different lead alloys, wax projos, blackpowder and substitute ammo.

Just keep her greased and oiled and she'll do fine.
I also have a colt mk IV in .45 that I also test with.

Click to expand...

My Rock CS is actually my primary carry. Made a couple of changes to it for my own liking. Very reliable and super accurate.

I have 15K through an aluminum framed 45acp Kimber and 2.7K through an aluminum framed 9mm CZ PCR. Enjoy the aluminum frames and quit worrying about them.

Edit: 2.7k through the CZ PCR. Forgot a period.

Unfortunately I only have maybe 2k of rounds through the Colt. Versus probably 8k+ through the Rock Island.

It's amazing how many rounds you can blow through when your messing around with wax, foam ear plugs, and plastic.

And several hundred blackpowder rounds

I heartily endorse the one to carry, one for practice. Usually I carry a .40 and practice with the 9mm version of it. This way the practice gun pays for itself in practice ammo cost savings.

I have one of those and love it! I did have it modified by my smith. Had him install a TINY brass bead (meant to be the mid barrel bead on a shotgun) in the trough sight at the front. It is NOT a "sight", but just an " eyecatcher" for quick acquisition. I really like the looks of it and it helps pick up the front much quicker. It does not stick up above the level of the slide so no snagging or anything.