pony_express1973 183 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 (edited) looking to add a 1911 to my Arsenal and was wondering if anyone had a Rock Island. I know they have been around forever but has anyone owned or fired one if so whats your input ? Edited May 10, 2012 by pony_express1973 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JC GoF 70 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 I DO NOT own one nor have I shot one, but this is one that I have been thinking about picking up my self. The VZ Grip model is the ultimate Tactical 2011. It includes 2-dot adjustable rear LPA sights, tru-glo high visibility front sights, front and back wide-angled slide serrations, tactical rail and the new VZ Grip. For around 600$ how can you go wrong ? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 I had a tactical version (Citadel) at everything never malfunctioned and never cleaned. But they are cast and mim parts so in theory they arnt as durable as forged and machined Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kresk 10,063 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Made in the Philippines. Metal not the best. I would not own one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Snoofer 138 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 (edited) I've shot a couple and they're fine. Shoots like any other 1911 for 1/2 the price. I recently bought a High Standard which is produced by the same company (Armscor) Put 200 rds through it the 1st day with no problems. Edited May 11, 2012 by Snoofer Inc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
XD45 7,124 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 I don't have one but I would not hesitate to buy a Rock. I have been a 1911 guy for 30 years. 40 years if you count wanting one as a child. The worry about the frame being cast is not based on actual failures. Just on the theory that if might fail. A theory which evidence doesn't support. I have read many reviews on many forums and these are good quality pistols. Especially the more recent ones. RIA has a lifetime warranty. And they back it up. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclejake 428 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 I have owned one for several years, and would not be without it!!! I have the GI model ($349 at the time) and it has yet to fail me. AT least 7-800 rounds through it. The parts will interchange with a Colt 1911. It's a hell of a pistol!! Hope to have a tactical one day, but may just pick up another GI and spend the extra money on mags. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Whats kind of $$ are you looking at? They've been going up in price and getting to the point where they are no longer an economical 1911. For a few $100 more you can get something much better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pony_express1973 183 Posted May 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 (edited) Whats kind of $$ are you looking at? They've been going up in price and getting to the point where they are no longer an economical 1911. For a few $100 more you can get something much better. They are anywhere from 450 to 600 I have seen a lot of 1911's for sale but not at that price Edited May 11, 2012 by pony_express1973 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
XD45 7,124 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Whats kind of $$ are you looking at? They've been going up in price and getting to the point where they are no longer an economical 1911. For a few $100 more you can get something much better. For a few hundred more you can get one that looks a little nicer and possibly is a little nicer. But for that same few hundred dollars you can get a holster, extra mags, and a bunch of ammo. It really depends on your priorities. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Its not just looks. A 1911 is a type of gun not a company. Many companies make one not all are equal. Id much rather have one that is not poor quality cast metal. But like i said i had one never had problems but i also didnt run it hard with thousands of rounds 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
magsite20 1,664 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 That's in the price range of the Springfield GI, might be a better choice in the long run IMHO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joebanda1213 59 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 This is what I usually tell people "I have heard more people having problems with their springfields and kimbers and have never really heard of any problems or complaints with the RIA or alternative phillipine 1911" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pony_express1973 183 Posted May 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 I've seen a few reviews on you tube and they seem to be getting good reviews i know i will not spend the money on a colt the question is do I want to spend a couple of hundred on a "better " gun or on other stuff like ammo and mags Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Caged_Bird 474 Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 I own a Colt, but my father recently purchased a Rock Island. It's had some minor work done, the guy that owned it had the feed ramp and throat polished. I checked it out, the frame is dead-on with my Colt frame. When and IF any of the parts wear out, we will simply replace them with Colt parts. I've fired it a few times, no problems, and I wouldn't mind owning one myself. I've done quite a bit of work with 1911s and I can't find anything wrong with Rock Islands with the exception of parts quality, shoot it until it wears out and replace the parts with higher quality parts, as long as the frame is good there is nothing wrong with a Rock Island as a good working gun that you can carry without worrying about damaging the finish on a nicer weapon like a Colt or Springfield... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JonnyDingDongs 158 Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 Still loving my G.I. that I picked up. My only complaints are that the firing pin channel had rust in it, despite being drenched in rust inhibitor (the humidity of the Philippines most likely to blame) and the stock grip safety is a little short. There's a gap at the bottom large enough that you can see the hammer strut and sear spring. Not a big deal IMO, but could potentially allow a lot of dirt to get tracked through the mainspring housing. -shrugs- I like mine! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SonCoSaiga 2 Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 I own a GI model 1911a1. I've put 300+ rounds through it with no problems. The parkerizing is a bit thin it seems but other than that I'm very satisfied. It even came from the factory with a polished feed ramp. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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