which is a better first 1911/pistol ?

[rza52]

i was trying to decide between the springfield mil-spec $509 pistol and the $359 rock island.....or mabey any full sized glock for $499...which one would you guys suggest for my first pistol? i am not looking to 24/7 ccw but mabey sometiems so size isnt really a factor plus im pretty big myself...

[N6CRV]

Hello rza52, if it was me I would go with the Rock. Then use the money you saved for more ammo. The Springfield is a nice gun but won't do anything that the Rock can't do. Also from some of the reports the Rock works better right out of the box. Good luck with what ever one you get.
Don

[Baldy]

The way I buy is I got to hold the guns I am interested in my hand. While doing this there will be one that stands out. That's the one I buy. If it cost more than I got I put it in lay away, and save a little to get it. If I am at a gun show where you can't put it in lay away I throw the plastic down. I only do that in extreme cases as this has caused a week or more of cold cuts for supper.

[Frank]

rza52,

Will this be your first handgun? If so than either the Springfield or RIA would be a good choice. As Baldy says, choose the one you like best. Then learn to shoot it.

I do recommend getting some basic instruction to start. Most ranges will be able to refer you to one or more instructors. Getting some proper training is money well spent.

DVC

[pa_guns]

Hi

The Glock is a *very* different pistol. Everybody has there preferences and at least for me the Glock is not the way to go. Others will violently disagree with that statement (though probably not on this board).

I have both the RIA and the Springfield Mil Spec. They both are fine pistols.

The biggest obvious difference is the sights. The Mil Spec I have has "three dot" sights (two white dots on the back sight, one white dot on the front sight). The RIA has smaller "GI Style" sights. My son has no trouble at all with either one. I find the smaller ones a bit hard on the eyes from time to time.

Both pistols are made outside the US. Springfield makes them in Brazil, the RIA's come from the Philippines. As far as I'm concerned that's just fine. From time to time people seem to get on a "made in the USA" kick. If you do, plan to spend twice as much.

Springfield has been selling pistols in this country for quite a while, RIA not for as long in the US. Outside the US both factories have been in business for a long time.

The parts inside both pistols are good quality and both pistols are well put together. You should not have a problem with either one straight out of the box. That said I think the RIA has slightly better parts and is a bit better put together. That may just be me, or it may just be the ones I own.

There is an ongoing debate about how slides and frames are manufactured. It gets into the differences between casting metal and machining it out of a forging. On this on the nod goes to Springfield. Unless you plan to go really nuts with the pistol it should not matter to you. If you plan to do a whole lot of shooting (thousands of rounds a month) or major work on slide and frame then get the Springfield.

Both pistols come with a lifetime warranty. In both cases the lawyers have made them insert the magic word "limited" (limited lifetime warranty). From reports here neither company hides behind the limited word and both stand behind their product. Springfield is easy to get on the phone. Ivan is right here on the board for support.

It's easy to work on both pistols. They both use common parts that are available from multiple sources. Gunsmiths can be funny at times, but you should be able to get both pistols worked on if you do not want to do the work yourself. Changing stuff like grips is trivial. Changing sights is not hard if you also spend $30 on tools.

Cosmetics are a bit different on the two pistols. Right now the Mil Spec comes as a "package" with some basic black plastic grips and some "to nice to use" fancy logo wood grips. The RIA comes with nice looking, but simple wood grips.

Bottom line - take a look at each. Check out the sights. Both are very good pistols. Decide for yourself if one is $150 better than the other one.

Bob

[Joni Lynn]

Glock's are good guns, as are Sig's and HK's........enough are in duty to show that they must work ok for most. I myself don't go much for the 'black tupperware' and would say on this issue to "Rock" on!!

[Frank]

+1 Joni, there are good guns out there that work and serve a purpose. And then there are 1911s (and some other guns like the Python, or the BHP) that just offer something a little extra IMHO.

DVC

[pa_guns]

Hi

The 1911 pattern pistol is a classic. It's got staying power. Nothing else I have here on the shelf has half the heritage behind it as the 1911.

Of course if Hunter shows up he just might add the phrase "Colt 1911 pattern ...". :D

Bob

[claudius753]

1911's are beautiful guns. Its got classic style as Bob said.

I will however have to go against the grain here, and say seriously consider the Glock. I really like 1911's and I wanted one as my first gun, but I wanted something that I knew was going to be rock solid out of the box so I got a Glock G22. It's not the best looking gun by any means, but mine and my friends has been rock solid since we got them, mine at the 1200 rd mark, even going 1000 rds between cleaning. I have tried my best to get the G22 to malfunction, rapid firing through 2 15 rd mags, limp wristing, and waiting 1000 rds before cleaning, and it will not stop.

Now, before I get flamed here for recommending looking into the Glock, I am not saying you can't get a rock solid 1911. I'm sure many people do, but it is not often in my experience. The 1911's I have been around have all had malfunctions at one time or another: Charles Daly, Springfield Loaded, Colt 1991, Colt Gold Cup, S&W 1911, Llama, and now my newly purchased Para 1911 SSP. Maybe I am just around unlucky people!

Now, I love my Para, it looks great and handles like a dream, it just has some issues at the moment. The Glock is a boring gun, it just works. I wanted a gun that I could actually do work on, changing parts, tweaking things, to get a gun that is more personalized. The 1911 fulfills this for me.

If the need should arise for me to use a gun, I'm going to be going for the Glock. I just can't trust my 1911 yet.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Well if we are going *way* off the chart there's always the CZ-75's at $300 to $400.

Lota bang for the buck, not very easy to work on, big mags full of 9 mm.

About as much the "anti-1911" as a Glock I suppose.

Except I like CZ's better :D

I'd still vote for the RIA as a *first* pistol. You will learn as much from tearing it apart and putting it back together as you will from shooting it. That's tough with a non-1911.

Bob

[MLee]

I would like to echo all the sentiments of the previous posters. I would also like to ad that there is no better way to find the right pistol than to hold it and see how if fits in your hand; does it point naturally, or do you have to adjust your grip to line up the sights? Does it balance well, i.e., equal distribution of weight fore and aft, when loaded? I would also suggest that you make the trip to a shooting range that allows you to rent different types and sizes of pistols and revolvers, and shoot the ones that "feel" right to you. The trip may be a long one, but consider the investment you will be making. Here's hoping your experience with your first pistol is a great one.

Mike