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Thread: Auto Ordnance GI compared to RIA

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  1. #1
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    Auto Ordnance GI compared to RIA

    I'm looking to buy a basic GI 1911 to add to my selection of Ed Brown and Kimber 1911's. Auto Ordnance, through the Kahr discount program for NRA instructors, would save me at least $100 compared to what I can buy the RIA for. Does anybody have experience with these guns? Which yould you buy, and why?
    NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
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  2. #2
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    I've read that Rock Island uses old Colt tooling left in the Philippines.

    Whether this is still correct, or whether they have replaced this tooling, or if it was ever correct, I'm not 100% sure. I've read conflicting things over the years.

    I do know that I have found the GI Rock Island to be very sharp at the grip safety. It chewed my hand pretty good until I lobbed off the tang and fitted my first beavertail safety.

    I like the Rock Island's itty-bitty sights for fine target work. However, now that I've entered my 40s, I'm not sure that would hold true now. I replaced the GI sights a while back with larger ones for carry.

    Regards,

    Josh

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joshua M. Smith View Post
    I've read that Rock Island uses old Colt tooling left in the Philippines.

    Whether this is still correct, or whether they have replaced this tooling, or if it was ever correct, I'm not 100% sure. I've read conflicting things over the years.

    I do know that I have found the GI Rock Island to be very sharp at the grip safety. It chewed my hand pretty good until I lobbed off the tang and fitted my first beavertail safety.

    I like the Rock Island's itty-bitty sights for fine target work. However, now that I've entered my 40s, I'm not sure that would hold true now. I replaced the GI sights a while back with larger ones for carry.

    Regards,

    Josh
    No they do not use Colt tooling. There's no argument about it. It was an internet myth the first time it was ever posted and continues to be a myth.
    "Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you." --Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by 11 Bravo View Post
    No they do not use Colt tooling. There's no argument about it. It was an internet myth the first time it was ever posted and continues to be a myth.
    Thank you. This is why I qualified it.��

    Regards.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joshua M. Smith View Post
    I've read that Rock Island uses old Colt tooling left in the Philippines.
    Wherever did you hear that? Colt never had any tooling in the Philippines, so how could they have "left" it there? And Rock Island Armory guns, just like Shooters Arms Manufacturuing and Metro Arms, are CNC machined. Colt certainly never left any CNC machining centers and programs in the Philippines.

    Sorry -- fake news.
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside
    Likes (2) :
    Ric4509 (16th April 2018), Rick McC. (11th February 2019)

    Last edited by Hawkmoon; 9th April 2018 at 06:07. Reason: typo


  6. #6
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    Back to the original question: Both are good guns. Which to get depends on what you're looking for. Of all the low-end 1911 clones available today, IMHO the Auto-Ordnance GI is the one that looks the most like a genuine USGI M1911A1. Mechanically, the Auto-Ordnance has a series 80 style firing pin safety, and the Rock Island does not. Both guns shoot well, so the decision should be based on what your highest priorities are. IMHO you can't go wrong with either one.
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside
    Likes (1) :
    Ric4509 (16th April 2018)


  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hawkmoon View Post
    Wherever did you hear that? Colt never had any tooling in the Philippines, so how could they have "left" it there? And Rock Island Armoryguns, just like Shooters Arms Manufacturuing and Metro Arms, are CNC machined. Colt certainly never left any CNC machining centers and programs in the Philippines.

    Sorry -- fake news.
    One old thread: https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/is...pment.1353375/

  8. #8
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    This story must be as old as the other one, about Armscor's DA revolvers being made on old Colt revolver tooling. That too has been thoroughly debunked (their internals are different, for one thing) but you'll still see it mentioned as 'fact'.
    Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.
    M. Setter

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joshua M. Smith View Post
    Why would you turn to a Glock forum for information about 1911s? And even that misguided bit of disinformation doesn't say it was Colt tooling that was "left" in the Philippines, it says Armscor "acquired" it. Actually, due to the similarity of Armscors revolvers to the Colt Police Positive and Detective Special, this rumor got started when Armscor began selling their revolvers and Colt stopped making revolvers. Colt did clear out all the machines and everything that had been devoted to making their double action revolvers -- I saw the big empty space on the factory floor where those machines had been. Yet even that rumor was false -- Armscor never bought any old Colt tooling, even for the revolvers (which are very similar, but which have subtle differences from the Colts).
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside
    Last edited by Hawkmoon; 9th April 2018 at 15:18. Reason: typo


  10. #10
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    Because, Hawkmoon, it's the first example Bing pulled up ��

    I posted it here as something I was unsure of for two reasons: First, it was an internet rumor that the OP was sure to hear sooner or later with his interest in a Rock Island; Secondly, I figured you all might confirm or deny the rumor.

    I almost started a new thread, but the discussion might serve to inform his decision, so I put it here. I didn't mean for the thread to drift away from its original intent.

    Regards,

    Josh

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