The SR1911 will be easy to save for , because it will be several more months before they are caught up ...And the new Colt's are better than ever.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

If you are looking for a good, reliable 1911 with the best customer support you will probably never need, at a good price, there's no reason not to get the Rock Island. Any part for a 'real' 1911 will work in a Rock Island. It will probably require no more fitting than in the 'real' 1911. All that being said, a used Rock Island will probably never be worth more than $450. I don't like them because of the spray-on finish or parkerizing instead of a real blue finish. Of course, that's why I've never bought the few used Wilson Combat guns I've had a chance to buy(the times when I could have afforded it). I guess I'm a Colt snob at heart, and that's probably why I've never kept any of the Rock Islands I've owned. I've never had one fail, though, while I owned one. Long-winded reply, but that's my style, I guess. Just don't put a set of wrap-around rubber Hogues on it - that goes for any 1911, as far as I'm concerned, though. One strong argument in their favor - for me, anyway - is that they don't have a Series 80-type firing pin safety like a lot of other 'good' 1911 pattern pistols have. Post pictures of whatever your end up with.

The 1911 design is a very popular pistol and folks will generally think what they own is the best. The truth is there are many good 1911s out there. I have owned over 20 during the span of the last 50 years. Today I only own three.

1. Colt GM (2005 vintage) a very good pistol.
2. 2 Norinco 1911A1s and they are very good pistols

I owned a Springfield GI and was not happy with it, but many folks seem to like them quit well.

For bottom end 1911s, the Taurus and Ruger get consistent good reviews and I have fired both and like them well. This is where I would look, if I were looking for a low end 1911.

On the high end the Kimber, Colt and Smith and Wesson all are popular for for just reason. They are very good pistols.

If I were going to buy a new high end 1911 it would be a Colt, just because it is a Colt.

There is no way, I would part with the money for one of these super premium custom or semi-custom 1911s. Even if I had the money, I would not pay that much for a 1911.

The RIA is made in the Philippines and I know nothing more about it. I have handled and disassembled one of the new Remingtons and it seems to be a well made pistol.