Springfield Vs Rock Island

Who has better quality?

  • Rock Island

    Votes: 12 23.1%

  • Springfield

    Votes: 32 61.5%

  • About the same

    Votes: 8 15.4%
  • Total voters
    52
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How do the two compare quality wise? I can get a Springfield Mil Spec(Not GI) for $429 and RI for $300. This will be a range gun but I would like to think it could serve home defense if need be.
 
My Loaded Operater has a problem with the slide stop pin. It's had it since I bought it new, and I cannot insert the slide stop unless I push the pin back with the supplied Allen Wrench while seating the slide stop. Now, the Sear Pin is walking out on the right side of the frame, and preventing the ambidextrous safety from fully engaging, and I have to keep pushing it back. I'm going to send it back to Springfield to be fixed. Price: $848.00

My RIA, which has a *lot* more rounds through it hasn't hiccoughed once. Well, that's not quite true. I did have one instance of the slide not staying open after the last round, but that's because I have 2 crappy mags for it. I'll be getting some good ones at the gun show in 2 weeks. Price: $299.00

Both shoot where I point them.

There's lots of MIM in both the SA and the RIA. (See 1911Tuner's "Springfield Rant" pts 1&2.) The only *real* difference is that the RIA slide and frame are cast and the SA are forged. I personally believe that the 2 are on par, (with the exception of the sights) hence I voted "About the same."

You make the call.

..Joe
 
joe, good points. The sights on the SA are nice, 3-dot and they stand out. The RI uses the small all black GI style sights, basically nothing there. Don't like the fact the RI is cast either.
 
The 2 most expensive POJ I ever bought NIB were Springfields. I will not buy or suggest them to anyone. Colts and Rock Islands are pretty good packages. I had better luck with Llama than I did Springfield. SA customer service is fair but, their warranty is bogus. They returned one pistol TWICE with no parts replaced. I marked them.
 
Check out the Armscor 1911's. They are made in the same factory as the RIA's, are still in your price range($425 give or take a little), and have a lot of extras already included...beavertail grip saftey, ambi safety, Novac-styled sights, forward and rear slide serations, and they come with 2 mags instead of just 1.

Only downside (IMO) is that they don't make a commander with all the bells and whistles yet.:( RIA makes a non-tricked out commander in the same plant. One would think that they would make the connection and make a tricked out one under the Armscor name.:rolleyes:


Oh well, I can always hope and wait:rolleyes: and wait:rolleyes: and wait:rolleyes: .

Seriously, check out an Armscor. My friend got one because they didn't have as many RIA's as he wanted to order for his shop; now I think he is going to start ordering a lot more of them.
 
I've owned several Springfields, both new and used, and have had very few problems with any of them. I mean, I am a tweaker and I know how to fit and replace most parts (not talking artwork here, just making it work) and I know how to adjust an extractor. I generally replace the extractor, the slide stop and sometimes the trigger. And I always used magazines of known reliability. Many 1911s come with junk mags... just throw them aside and use some good ones.

Having said that, all else being equal, I would ALWAYS take a Springfield over an RIA. I know guys commenting on how great their RIAs are and how poor Springfields are, but that has not been my experience. I'm in no way blinded to Springfields shortcomings, but in my experience and estimation, they are generally very easily remedied.
 
I own 2 RIA's, a Commander and a full size. Neither on could get through a mag full without atleast three malfunctions. I replaced the recoil springs with Wolf 22 lb springs in both guns. The next range session i put 250 through the 1911 and 500 through the Commander (seperate sessions). Both guns functioned perfectly.

The sights suck and the trigger could use some work, but for the price they're not bad guns. I wouldn't hesitate to trust one for self defense.
 
.. I ;)

So, have you decided which one yet?

Personally... I've been pretty happy with my $300 RIA. I can't say the same for the SA Loaded model I bought.
 
Plan on the SA, then add beavertail safety, trigger and commander hammer.
 
Have not owned aRI 1911 yet, but I have had great luck with my Springfield.
 
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