Got enough 1911's? That's an oxymoron!

[ron]

Don't get your hopes up, MLB. TMan has promised me any 4" Pythons in perfect condition that he finds in the safe. Pythons are such a jewel of a handgun, they are kept in the jewelery safe.

Ron

["DoubleAction"]

Back To The Rock Island 1911

[/size]

The day I saw the one for $200, my only concern was about the steel used and whether it was cast or forged. I immediately saw the potiential in a pistol which could be ideal for some aftermarket enhancing; a kind of project pistol. I had alot of spare parts for the 1911, including those I've removed from Colt pistols, and various other parts.
I have an uncontrollable urge to look at the good points of a less costly pistol, than I would for one costing much more. For those more costly pistols, I'm inclined to be much more scrutinized.
The RIA, which I looked at, had a looser slide to frame fit, but we're not talking about a bulleye pistol. I've seen new Colts with the same fit; That is the way the original 1911s were designed. I also felt a hard gritty trigger; That is quite normal and can easily be improved upon. The Commander size RIA I was looking at felt quite comfortable in my hand.
The only thing remaining with this pistol was the quality of it's steel, and whether it would be a factor in how it would become a useful addition to what I already had.
For someone looking into learning about the 1911, without spending alot, I saw alot of potential in this pistol. These pistols might be good candidates for entree level, and maybe CCW if proven reliable with defensive ammunition.
Without shooting the RIA, everything else seemed to click positive into place when cycling the slide, but remember that I'm talking about $200. dollars on this pistol, rather than one with a new price tag attached.
Since most all aftermarket parts are based on that of the Colt, This would prove to be important with the hole locations drilled into the frame for the hammer, sear, grip safety, grips, and mainspring housing.

[ron]

Have you been able to tell yet whether the parts are cast or forged?

Ron

["DoubleAction"]

ron said:

Have you been able to tell yet whether the parts are cast or forged?

Ron

Ron; I haven't looked into much about the RIA but I am inclined to look more into it. I'll search through any books I might have on it, and any reviews.
So far, TMan is providing alot of information he has learned while recently shooting the pistol.
There are things which can provide a cushion to the slide to frame recoil, which would also reduce premature metal fatigue on the pistol.

["DoubleAction"]

Ron; The Armscor pistols, which are also manufactured in the Phillipines, are of investment castings. I would also think that the RIA is also from the same.

www.armscor.com.ph/home.htm

[ron]

Thank you for the information.

I had an AMT 1911 years ago. My guess would be that it was comparable to the Armscor and Rock Island. Actually, I should phrase that as a question rather than a statement.

Ron

["DoubleAction"]

ron said:

Thank you for the information.

I had an AMC 1911 years ago. My guess would be that it was comparable to the Armscor and Rock Island. Actually, I should phrase that as a question rather than a statement.

Ron

Ron; I'm just guessing that your mean't "AMT" 1911 ? If the case is such; The AMT was manufactured in the U.S., I think it was Arcadia Machine & Tool company. I also think these are the same people who brought us the famous AMT Automag.
Much to be said for many companies who tried to enter the handgun markets. Many companies were very innovative in their reasearch and development for new methods of building firearms. AMT burdened themselves with the development of the all stainless 1911, when such issues as gauling was questioned. Another company with visionary ideas was Randall Firearms, who also worked with ideas on producing stainless 1911s.
Looking back at these companies, it would seem that their visions were slightly ahead of their time.

[ron]

Thanks for the correction. AMT it is. I edit my post to correct that error. It was stainless steel, heavy and not particularly accurate. It did feed every type of 45 round I put through it.

I had no idea that they were innovators.

Ron

["DoubleAction"]

Seemed like the gauling issues of stainless kind of vanished once AMT & Randall Arms were out of the way, leaving Colt and S&W to proceed with their own versions. ;D

["DoubleAction"]

Last I heard, the AMT line was purchased by Galena Industries of Sturgis, SD and they were still manufactured only in stainless.

[TMan]

Alright, let me clear up some confusion, which I probably caused. First though, I only have one 4" Python and it is in the gun safe. My other Python is the 8" nickle-plated 38 Special that I've never shot. Now:

1) Armscor is the Philippine's based company.

2) The Twin Pines model, which I own, is built from a Rock Island frame and slide, which is why it says Rock Island on the slide.

3) I don't find the Twin Pines model on the Armscor web-site: www.armscor.com.ph/products.htm

4) I love the following quote from their web-site:

Note: Actual products may not be similar to the pictures presented

The biggest problem that I have with the gun is the narrow tang on the grip safety. After shooting 45 rounds today, the troublesome web between my thumb and index finger was bright red. Next time I shoot, I'll be wearing a glove.

A word about the sights: my buddy has more problems with his eyes than I do. He had no problems at all picking up the front sight, nor did I, which was surprising. This was in stark contrast to the problems we had with the Springfield Armory GI pistol, but in fairness - that was at an indoor range.

[TMan]

Well it wasn't the magazine. I tried the Wilson magazine and it was actually worse so I went back to the Novack's that came with the gun. The last 20 rounds had no problems. I have a totally of 150 through the gun, and as tight as it is, it may need a bit of a break-in period.

The guy shooting next to me was shooting a Bersa 380 that he bought at Academy for $218. He had no problems with it and loved it. Shooting off the bags he had just one jagged hole at 7 yards. Not bad for a little 380.

["DoubleAction"]

tman said:

Well it wasn't the magazine. I tried the Wilson magazine and it was actually worse so I went back to the Novack's that came with the gun. The last 20 rounds had no problems. I have a totally of 150 through the gun, and as tight as it is, it may need a bit of a break-in period.

The guy shooting next to me was shooting a Bersa 380 that he bought at Academy for $218. He had no problems with it and loved it. Shooting off the bags he had just one jagged hole at 7 yards. Not bad for a little 380.

TMan; I think you might be on the wrong thread with this one. Try this thread : handgunforum.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=talking&action=display&n=1&thread=1350

[MLB]

Yes, I think TMan skipped a track. No matter though.

I looked at the Bersa. Probably a better value than the ppk/s. Just not as good looking ;D

["DoubleAction"]

It is disappointing to find out about the Wilson Magazines. However, I'm not surprised, The pistol is manufactured in the Phillipines. How close the dimentions is to that of the American standards of the Colt 1911, might affect functions when interchanging parts.
I once tried to install a set of standard Colt Grip panels to that of a Llama 1911, and the hole patterns did not match.