short history

aig1014

New Fanatic
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Messages
3
Been an avid gun owner since 1973, bought and sold legally lots of different guns over the years to find the right ones for me. Currently own a Rock Island Armory 1911 custom.
 

John Galt

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Dec 11, 2018
Messages
1,091
Location
Idaho, kalifornistan
Welcome aboard.......and I hate to start a fight right off the bat but......

I have also been an aggressive collector since 1970 and in that time I have bought many HUNDREDS OF GUNS and still have most of them.

In the early 2000's I started shooting everybodies 1911's to see who built guns that were reliable enough to carry. I shot about 35 manufacturerers and models to come to what I really liked, what really worked and what was ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE.

Through all that no model of RIA every came up to the minimal qualification so I end up asking how after 46 years of buying "lots of different guns" how do you end up at this stage of your life with an RIA?

I like Glocks too but they aren't CZ's. And I like Colts but they aren't Wilsons.....and I really like Wilson and Baer but they are not Lauck or Chambers pistols. 46 years of collecting to get to an RIA......I just don't get it.

Again, respectfully, it sounds like a car collector saying after years of driving Farraris, Lanborginis, GTO's and Chevelles you finally settled on a Pinto.

What's the deal??????
 

Whit

Well-Known Fanatic
Fanatic Family
Joined
Mar 5, 2019
Messages
517
Welcome from northern Indiana enjoy the conversation
 

aig1014

New Fanatic
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Messages
3
Welcome aboard.......and I hate to start a fight right off the bat but......

I have also been an aggressive collector since 1970 and in that time I have bought many HUNDREDS OF GUNS and still have most of them.

In the early 2000's I started shooting everybodies 1911's to see who built guns that were reliable enough to carry. I shot about 35 manufacturerers and models to come to what I really liked, what really worked and what was ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE.

Through all that no model of RIA every came up to the minimal qualification so I end up asking how after 46 years of buying "lots of different guns" how do you end up at this stage of your life with an RIA?

I like Glocks too but they aren't CZ's. And I like Colts but they aren't Wilsons.....and I really like Wilson and Baer but they are not Lauck or Chambers pistols. 46 years of collecting to get to an RIA......I just don't get it.

Again, respectfully, it sounds like a car collector saying after years of driving Farraris, Lanborginis, GTO's and Chevelles you finally settled on a Pinto.

What's the deal??????
Hi John,
To be honest with you I have owned many different guns over the years, Colts, S&W, Charter Arms, Dan Weston, Bushmaster, Ruger. and of course RIA. All were great, I still have, my Ria has been customed and is among the best, sorry you had bad luck with yours.

Al
 

John Galt

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Dec 11, 2018
Messages
1,091
Location
Idaho, kalifornistan
Specifically NEVER SAID mine did not work or that I had bad luck with them....I did say that the RIA NEVER made it to the qualification
for a daily carry, bet my life pistol.........I questioned how, after "many years of buying and selling MANY GUNS" someone arrives on the RIA as their best go to.......I just have to wonder

I see it more as a 1911 to start with, not one to end with.

BB559165-632A-4586-B615-FC14D8697DCA.jpeg
 

aig1014

New Fanatic
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Messages
3
Hi John,
The up grades I did on My Ria are the same I would have done on a more expensive 1911, I felt no need to spend $8 or $900.00 on the basic gun when I can get the same results with a $385.00 gun all the moving parts are the best, and that is what makes the gun.
Al
 

41 Charlie

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Nov 6, 2018
Messages
819
Location
East Missouri
Hi John,
The up grades I did on My Ria are the same I would have done on a more expensive 1911, I felt no need to spend $8 or $900.00 on the basic gun when I can get the same results with a $385.00 gun all the moving parts are the best, and that is what makes the gun.
Al

Hey Al,
If you're pleased with it, that's all that matters. In fact, I'd love to see some pictures of the old girl! Welcome to a great forum, Sir!
 

John Galt

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Dec 11, 2018
Messages
1,091
Location
Idaho, kalifornistan
I think absolute reliability is the most important thing in a carry gun. It has to be absolutely reliable to get to the threshold of being able to please me. If it is absolutely reliable it is on the road to pleasing me.

I could make a Pinto absolutely reliable but driving it, being seen in it would not please me.

I could certainly make an argument for it.......reliablility, rarity, uniqueness, cost but it wouldn't please me like driving a GTO or an Aston Martin
 

RStone

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jan 28, 2019
Messages
77
Location
Arizona
Welcome aboard.......and I hate to start a fight right off the bat but......

I have also been an aggressive collector since 1970 and in that time I have bought many HUNDREDS OF GUNS and still have most of them.

In the early 2000's I started shooting everybodies 1911's to see who built guns that were reliable enough to carry. I shot about 35 manufacturerers and models to come to what I really liked, what really worked and what was ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE.

Through all that no model of RIA every came up to the minimal qualification so I end up asking how after 46 years of buying "lots of different guns" how do you end up at this stage of your life with an RIA?

I like Glocks too but they aren't CZ's. And I like Colts but they aren't Wilsons.....and I really like Wilson and Baer but they are not Lauck or Chambers pistols. 46 years of collecting to get to an RIA......I just don't get it.

Again, respectfully, it sounds like a car collector saying after years of driving Farraris, Lanborginis, GTO's and Chevelles you finally settled on a Pinto.

What's the deal??????
Well this went downhill fast. He was just saying hello to the forum.
 

John Galt

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Dec 11, 2018
Messages
1,091
Location
Idaho, kalifornistan
No insult was meant and I can not even relate.

Inquiring minds wonder. It seems to me a legitimate question.

One of the problems our society is descending into is the inability to question or have a conversation without any persons counter point being derided as mean, racist or hostile.

No insult was meant by the question and in fact if such a question were directed at me it would never occure to me that it was not asked honestly.

In fact, When I posed the question I thought (I was led to believe) that I was asking a question of a peer who claimed to have been collecting in the neighborhood of the same time frame, "LOTS OF GUNS", (and I would assume a similar development curve) as me which is another reason I find the question particularly interesting.

Two collectors, collecting roughly 40 years who come to distinct opposite opinions of what is worth carrying.

AGAIN, I have many guns I would NEVER carry AND after forty + years I know what works........for me and generally. I just do not see the indescretion in the querry.

I do not see the hostility in the question, I am not a snowflake. Societies and (more distressing) gun owners move toward being offended by everything is an annoying, distressing waste of (my) time.

Are we not men?

Are we not AMERICANS?

Respectfully,

John Galt
 

terdog

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
174
Just no need to cast question on the mans choice. This section of the forum is for introductions, not doubting anothers choices.

Welcome Al.
Shoot straight & shoot often.
 

mm1911

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Messages
391
I think absolute reliability is the most important thing in a carry gun. It has to be absolutely reliable to get to the threshold of being able to please me. If it is absolutely reliable it is on the road to pleasing me.

I could make a Pinto absolutely reliable but driving it, being seen in it would not please me.

I could certainly make an argument for it.......reliablility, rarity, uniqueness, cost but it wouldn't please me like driving a GTO or an Aston Martin
Nice welcome
 

Snowman45

Fanatic
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
24
Welcome to the forum, aig1014. I have been shooting and carrying 1911 format pistols for 45 years. In that time, I have had the opportunity to shoot and own a large number and different variety of 1911 pistols. I have seen some of most highly regarded manufacturers produce guns that brought them shame and disrepute. I have also seen others with lesser reputations, build real winners. I have built my own 1911s using Caspian, Colt, and Springfield receivers.

The point in this little diatribe is that, given good quality components and properly forged or cast receivers, slides and other milled or fitted components, most anything can be made to be reliable and accurate with the proper parts and fitment thereof. In this age of CNC machining, MIM parts and little hand-fitting, most guns from reputable makers come ready to shoot. The question is how much time, money and effort are you willing to expend to reach the best balance between accuracy and reliability? I have to say, i know a number of law enforcement officers who have taken basic RIA guns and performed the modifications that made them confident in the pistol. For many of us, possibly losing a $3000 - $4000 Wilson Combat or Nighthawk to the evidence locker after a shooting is not a good thing.
 

terdog

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Messages
174
[For many of us, possibly losing a $3000 - $4000 Wilson Combat or Nighthawk to the evidence locker after a shooting is not a good thing./QUOTE]

VERY true.
My "California " gun is a $200 otd Taurus g2c

She works every time and I practice with it often.
 

Mike Moser

Active Fanatic
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Messages
43
Welcome to the forum, aig1014. I have been shooting and carrying 1911 format pistols for 45 years. In that time, I have had the opportunity to shoot and own a large number and different variety of 1911 pistols. I have seen some of most highly regarded manufacturers produce guns that brought them shame and disrepute. I have also seen others with lesser reputations, build real winners. I have built my own 1911s using Caspian, Colt, and Springfield receivers.

The point in this little diatribe is that, given good quality components and properly forged or cast receivers, slides and other milled or fitted components, most anything can be made to be reliable and accurate with the proper parts and fitment thereof. In this age of CNC machining, MIM parts and little hand-fitting, most guns from reputable makers come ready to shoot. The question is how much time, money and effort are you willing to expend to reach the best balance between accuracy and reliability? I have to say, i know a number of law enforcement officers who have taken basic RIA guns and performed the modifications that made them confident in the pistol. For many of us, possibly losing a $3000 - $4000 Wilson Combat or Nighthawk to the evidence locker after a shooting is not a good thing.
Snowman I have to agree.Ive always been told if you can get a relatively budget priced carry gun that is reliable then carry it.Cause if you have to deploy it.It will be taken by Police and placed without loving care into the evidence locker.I know Ive seen it done as I am a retired LEO.
 

Snowman45

Fanatic
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
24
Snowman I have to agree.Ive always been told if you can get a relatively budget priced carry gun that is reliable then carry it.Cause if you have to deploy it.It will be taken by Police and placed without loving care into the evidence locker.I know Ive seen it done as I am a retired LEO.

Retired LEO also. Thanks.
 

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