RIA vs ATI .45 1911 GI

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So my wife is wanting to get me a 1911 for fathers day. I'm pretty much limited to under $500 and have been looking at a RIA. However, one of the local gun shops had a bunch of ATI 1911's for a little bit less (just over $400). The RIA were $450ish. These were all GI models or commander models.

How do these two compare in quality, durability, accuracy, etc?
I also want to do some upgrades in the future.




On a side note they had a hi-power for $499 (used). Only thing I could see wrong with it was rusty screws holding the grips on. Magazine disconnect was still in place. Almost walked out with it, but I'm leaning more towards a .45 and the wife said it looked funny.. :scrutiny:

Thanks for all the help.
 
Both are rock solid in terms of reliability.
On paper performance is lacking compared to more expensive guns, but they'll hit a man center mass at 25 yards.

You might also look at the Regent R100. It should be within your budget.
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Agree, the RIA Tactical from Centerfire systems. The Tactical model comes with upgrades, and mine came with a great trigger, out of the box.

The only thing I added to mine was a nice Pachmyer grip.
 
Brother has the 1911 RIA Tactical 45 ACP.
Heck of a gun. Recoil is very manageable. Sights are O.K but it is pretty accurate.
I don't know anything about ATI, So I guess my opinion is biased in a way. But if you have to choose between the two, Give the RIA Tactical a very good look and some youtube reviews. Good and reliable firearm.
 
I've heard good things about both.
I've shot a RIA many times, owned one for a while, liked it well enough.
The fit and finish of the ATI's blows the RIA away, in the few ATI's I've seen.
 
The RIA tactical is my first pick so far. Just no stores around here have them in stock. I think I can get a local store to order one for around $450. So after shipping and transfer fees that'd be about the same as the online price you guys listed.

I also picked up a desert eagle 1911 at the store. It looked really nice, but the grip safety just flopped around like there wasn't a spring attached to it.
 
I don't have any experience with the RIA but they have a very good reputation. I do own an ATI GI and and it is well made and it has been nothing but reliable. It is very tight and well made and I have had zero issues with through several thousand rounds. It inspired me to purchase the offficer sized ATI Titan. That was more trouble to get it reliable but since I went to the Colt Defender springs it has been very reliable too.

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The importer for ATI is pretty good too... I made a stupid mistake putting my gun back together and bent a part. I called them, owned my mistake... they were happy to send me a replacement part no charge. Had no issues with the gun since then. It is the GI model... has worked well through three IDPA seasons as well as general range and truck usage.
 
They are both good guns. The ATI does have the best fit and finish I have seen on an entry level 1911, it is nicer than the Remington R1 or the Springfields costing quite a bit more.
 
My RIA Tactical is currently back at the factory getting reworked because it couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside. Armscor, who makes RIA, does have a great warranty service, though. They're installing a match-grade barrel and bushing free of charge, so when it comes back it will be equivalent to the more-expensive Match model.
 
my ria rivals my ruger 1911 in everything except appearance. damn good deal.
 
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Tactical/Options/Opt-1911.htm

Cimarron makes a no-frill 1911 now, too... 497. and change... reviewedin the current edition of Guns of the Old West (i think that's the name- magazine rack at Wally's). Jeff quinn says it fed everything including LSWC. it's a TX-based company, and maybe worth a look.

ADDED: the Cimarron is TX-OWNED, but actually made by Armscor - so basically a Rock Island without the hideous roll markings, and better grips. also, see the Gunblast review: http://www.gunblast.com/Cimarron-1911.htm

(i am not a shill for the company- i don't own a Cimarron- but if they wanted to give me one, I'd shill!)
 
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Have an ATI Military. After a couple of thousand rounds, it has been flawless and very accurate. It is still very tight and feeds anything I have fed it.
 
US forces introduced the 1911 .45 to the filipino population around 1913... the hard way. Apparently, they developed a real respect for it. A generation later, a steely-eyed filipino with a 1911 was the last thing a lot of japanese soldiers ever saw. it's really interesting to me that SAM and Armscor are giving American companies a real run for ther money with high-quality military-grade rock throwers. good for them! somebody has to keep american makers on their toes and hold the prices down with some honest capitalism.
 
The Regent R100 is now imported by Umarex. There have supposedly been a few improvements made and the pistol gets glowing reviews online. Black looking pistol with Hogue grips.

CDNN has them for $349 + Shipping and ffl. They are manufactured in Turkey. The Turks are making some very good firearms these days.

Gunner
 
I've never actually seen the Regent R100. I'm a little wary of it compared to the RIA.

I did see a Dan Wesson 1911 that about made me want to sell my AR for it...but then I'd have all this useless gear...darn crazy whims.
 
I recently was able to directly compare and fire an RIA Tactical that I owned, and an ATI Commander that my father owned. The ATI was easily a notch or TWO above the RIA in terms of apparent quality, fit n' finish, tight tolerances, details etc. It really wasn't even close, once I took the time to examine each pistol and compare it to the other.

I had a similar experience with Metro Arm's version of the RIA Tactical. This pistol was blued and yet another notch up from ATI (i.e., in a completely different league from the RIA). It was pretty indistinguishable from my Colt, which is high praise for a pistol at least 40% less money. Metro is the 3rd reputable 1911 manufacturer from the Philippines. They have a GI model, and it is definitely worth considering.

I was an RIA fan, and kind of still am. You get a lot for your money. It is the fit n' finish and fine details that are surpassed by more expensive brands. Except that ATI and Metro are now giving you more of that fit n' finish and fine detail for the same price.

RIA does have one of the absolute best reputations in the industry for customer service--whereas the other 2 only have a limited track record. The piece of mind that comes from that might make up the difference for you. YMMV.

The good news is that you really can't go wrong with any of those 3. Good luck!
 
Well, I "bit the bullet" and bought a STI Spartan on GB for 600. Little more than I wanted to spend, but oh well.

Can't wait to get it =)
 
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