Armscor Rock Island 1911 3" 45ACP - Thoughts?

[dust_101]

Ok, I may have the chance to get my hands on the above listed 1911. It doesn't have a lightweight frame, but it looks like the standard officers model 1911 tagged from RIA on the slide, and brought in by KBI most likely one of the Armscor imports.

Overall it doesn't look like a hardcore collectible firearm, more of a "oh well it got scratched while on the floor of my truck" daily carry gun. Might need some tuning, replaced springs, new barrel, etc.... but regardless of that, what sort of reputation do these have? Worth considering at all, or just "run away!"

Heck I may be able to just get a stripped out receiver and slide for dirt cheap...

 

[sholling]

I cannot tell you anything about about the Armscor, but I can give you some generalities if you like. I own a 3" Kimber and know from experience that 3" 1911s can be finicky beasts due to timing issues. My Kimber has always functioned reliably as long as I used quality magazines. But I expect that from a Kimber. You'll also lose about 120fps of muzzle velocity versus a 5" pistol and that can have a severe effect on the effectiveness of JUP ammunition, so choosing well becomes an issue.

Basically my take is that if you need a highly concealable pistol then probably the best choice is a commander length (4.0-4.25") pistol with the shortened officers grip. Or if you must buy 3" then buy the best quality 3" that you can possibly afford and spend time and ammo to assure it's completely reliable.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Whirlwind06]

I had the RIA Officers Model which had the 3 1/2 barrel. Minor fluff and buff and it ran fine. It was all steel so it really doesn't weigh that much less then a full size.

 

[nelson133]

I own one and it is a solid and reliable firearm.

 

[soutex50]

Check out m1911.org in the forum under Rock Island...they have pretty good info there

 

[wally]

I have the Armscor made Charles Daly CS. Its been 100% out of the box. Replaced the recoil spring about 900 rounds, same as I had to do on my Kimber Ultra Carry.

I practice with the CS and carry the Kimber when our short not summer season permits.

--wally.

 

[MICHAEL T]

It might need a new spring or 2 but I bet will shoot fine. I use 185gr in my compacts . Corbon 185+P DPX is a good carry load.

 

[kingpin008]

Like Wally, I also have an Armscor made Charles Daly. I had some issues at the start, but they were mostly due to user error (it's my first 1911, gimme a break) and have since smoothed out. It'll eat hardball and hollowpoint eagerly, although I feed it hardball because that's what it was designed for, and because my wallet screams anytime I mention picking up some more HP.

Long story short, I think you could do a HELL of a lot worse. RIA's and Charles Daly's are excellent guns, and they have some of the best and most complete customer service out there.