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Question to The RIA Lovers
MVP
Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
If you were at a gunshow and happened on a table that had a basic Colt 1911 and a RIA 1911 both priced the same, and you had the money and were wanting a new 1911, which one would you buy?
Comments
But there are other reasons. Colts are machined out steel stock whereas RIA's are cast forged.
I don't think any RIA fan is deluded enough to say that the RIA 1911's are of equal quality to the Colt. But that their appeal is that they are of decent enough quality at a much more inexpensive price.
I looked for several years trying to find a deal on a used RIA. The ONLY one I saw personally was overpriced ($500. vs less than $400. for a NEW one), or at auction at a comparable enough price to a new one that buying used didn't produce enough savings to make it worth while over new.
But if you can get an equal condition Colt (Kimber etc) at a comparable price to an RIA, IMO by all means BUY IT.
JM
www.rockriverarms.com
Are we supposed to guess what an RIA is? Tell us please so we don't think you are dick-head.
JM
I don't really care what you think I am Big John.
Calling someone a dick head for your own lack of understanding is indicative of your need to grow up.
Obviously if you don't understand the question you are not a RIA lover.
quote:Originally posted by bgjohn
Are we supposed to guess what an RIA is? Tell us please so we don't think you are dick-head.
JM
I don't really care what you think iI am Big John.
I know. Dick-heads don't care. That is why they are DICK-HEADS!
JM[:X]
quote:Originally posted by MVP
quote:Originally posted by bgjohn
Are we supposed to guess what an RIA is? Tell us please so we don't think you are dick-head.
JM
I don't really care what you think iI am Big John.
I know. Dick-heads don't care. That is why they are DICK-HEADS!
JM[:X]
And ignorant shmucks will never understand.
The only kind of Rock I buy is Rock River.
www.rockriverarms.com
To each his own. I've always been a believer in buying the best quality you can afford. I drive a Ford and have a RIA. Both of which have given me good service. If you can do better, more power to ya!
IMO the ultimate would be a WW-2 vintage U.S. marked Colt. But can't afford one. So the RIA works as a representive piece for my purposes.
Back in the 1970's when I was teenager, I found a U.S. Colt 1911 in an Army Surplus store for $200.
(remember when they still sold milsurps?)
Had the money but couldn't legally buy. When asked to help, parents said NO WAY!
I'm not sure I've forgiven them.
JM[?]
with close to 2k posts, you've been here for a while. theres a new ria thread at least weekly. thats really something anybody who frequents the gd board should know.
There you go again. What is a shmuck? Do you mean SCHMUCK? Perhaps you just need to learn how to spell?
JM[?]
clueless
JM[:0]
JM
Next time you get in a pissing contest make sure you have a dick!
JM
Your perceived "contest" was lost the minute you typed in this thread.
JM
As a former bar tender, I've witnessed some senseless arguments amounst drunk people. But it seems a little early in the day to be that drunk.[:D]
I really wish it could have been a sensible thread by sensible participants but ... Sigh
Thanks for your post though Fatstrat[:)]
You desereve the resposes you get for asking such stupid dick-head questions with dick-head abbreviations.
JM
Is this the new spelling?
Is that clear or what![:D]
I would buy the Colt under the particulars of your question!
Is that clear or what![:D]
Marc
Don't go straightening this thread out with sensible answers like that[:o)]
I would buy the Colt, of course. Just like if I were car shopping and saw a Cadillac at a Kia price, I'd buy the Cadillac.
It's all about value for your money and what you can afford. Raving RIA lovers- and I'd put myself in this boat- recognize that if you want a 1911 for fun shooting, not for competition, that the VALUE can't be beat. It's a milspec 1911, utterly reliable, and well made for what it is.
Is it a Kimber? No.
Is it a Colt? No.
I might say it is on par with a Springfield in terms of quality of steel worksmanship, but the Springfield seems to have a bit better finish and better grips. But I'd put them in the same ballpark.
Now... if I saw a Colt for $700 or a RIA for $375 which would I buy? The RIA. EVEN if I had the $700. Why? Because FOR MY USES- shooting at tin cans, paper for fun, etc.- it meets my needs. Similarly- do I buy a Kia for $12k or a Cadillac for $40k- I'd buy the Kia (well actually I drive a Ford myself) because I believe in this principle: Buy the cheapest that will do what you need and want it to do. Ergo- I don't own a new computer. I don't own a Cadillac. I don't own a Dillon reloading press. I DO own a RIA 1911A1. Because for my needs- my P4 1.5 Ghz computer, my Ford, and my Lee and RCBS presses do what I need- as does my RIA.
If you think you need a Colt, a Cadillac, or a Dillon for YOUR needs, more power to you! Buy it! And enjoy, with no grudges from me. But don't begrudge ME my choice.
quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
I would buy the Colt under the particulars of your question!
Is that clear or what![:D]
Marc
Don't go straightening this thread out with sensible answers like that[:o)]
I actually know that RIA is Rock Island Armory, and RRA is Rock River Arms,.......guess I should know that one![:0][:D]
Great answer and that is about how I see it.
I just wondered if RIA guys are brand specific or if it is the Value that is being bought.
I am even worse and sometimes do things backwards for my collection.
I just bought a 1970s cast 1911 that was what I believe the first attempt at a cast 1911 for 475.00 just because they are rare. Its actual value would be around 250.00
I have had some quality issues with a couple of colts lately, so it would depend on the two particular guns on the table.
Mike
quote:Originally posted by MVP
jonk
Great answer and that is about how I see it.
I just wondered if RIA guys are brand specific or if it is the Value that is being bought.
I am even worse and sometimes do things backwards for my collection.
I just bought a 1970s cast 1911 that was what I believe the first attempt at a cast 1911 for 475.00 just because they are rare. Its actual value would be around 250.00
jonk
Great answer and that is about how I see it.
I have to agree with MVP, Jonks post was a "great answer" to the original question.
For a good number of us (especially with somewhat limited disposable income) we make due with what we consider to be the most bang for our hard earned buck. I personally am fairly new to collecting guns. I only have one 1911. It is a RIA and I have been completely satisfied with it. Would I love to own a upper end 1911.....Duh of course and maybe someday I will. In the mean time I am glad RIA offers a reliable product at a much reduced cost, so that I have the oppurtunity to own one now.
Colt hands down..Loko..[:D]
If you were at a gunshow and happened on a table that had a basic Colt 1911 and a RIA 1911 both priced the same, and you had the money and were wanting a new 1911, which one would you buy?
Depends on what the price was. If it was the price of a new RIA, I'd buy the Colt.
If it was the price of a new Colt, I'd buy a Ruger Security Six and use the difference to buy ammo.
A BUTTload of ammo.
quote:Originally posted by MVP
jonk
Great answer and that is about how I see it.
I have to agree with MVP, Jonks post was a "great answer" to the original question.
For a good number of us (especially with somewhat limited disposable income) we make due with what we consider to be the most bang for our hard earned buck. I personally am fairly new to collecting guns. I only have one 1911. It is a RIA and I have been completely satisfied with it. Would I love to own a upper end 1911.....Duh of course and maybe someday I will. In the mean time I am glad RIA offers a reliable product at a much reduced cost, so that I have the oppurtunity to own one now.
Yeah, Great Answer! Kinda gives me Deja-Vu feeling. Like I was reading a re-hash of the 3rd post on this thread. Still good answer.[:D]
quote:Originally posted by 38chevyrodder
quote:Originally posted by MVP
jonk
Great answer and that is about how I see it.
I have to agree with MVP, Jonks post was a "great answer" to the original question.
For a good number of us (especially with somewhat limited disposable income) we make due with what we consider to be the most bang for our hard earned buck. I personally am fairly new to collecting guns. I only have one 1911. It is a RIA and I have been completely satisfied with it. Would I love to own a upper end 1911.....Duh of course and maybe someday I will. In the mean time I am glad RIA offers a reliable product at a much reduced cost, so that I have the oppurtunity to own one now.
Yeah, Great Answer! Kinda gives me Deja-Vu feeling. Like I was reading a re-hash of the 3rd post on this thread. Still good answer.[:D]
Fatstrat
Yeah that was a good answer too.[:D][8D]
Sorry, I didn't mean to skip your answer But I got distracted by a petty little cheap shot right after I read it.
Clearly the fit and finish is not up to the Colt so if priced the same go with the Colt. If half the price then the RIA is likely a better value (and half is about the norm). If you want a basic 1911 and money is a prime concern the RIA is a good option.
I have a Series '70 Super that is likely worth around $700 right now. I also have an RIA in 38 Super that cost me $325 brand new a couple years ago. The Colt is nicer. The RIA shoots just as well.
How much do you want to spend?
Too old to live...too young to die...
If I happened along both sitting on a table for $400 and both were of equal condition I would buy the Colt only because I know it would be the better value (out of the blue book).
As for the dependability I personaly would prefer the RIA because I have been at the range when plenty of Colts have had feed or misfire problems and my 7 RIA's have never had a single one (not to say they could not have a problem, I just know that none of mine have).
I guess that is all I really need to say on this as I am sure you all know were I am going with this.[;)]
Thanks * r done for your answers as one who owns several RIA pistols. I got out of your answer that you prefer to own RIA over Colt except for the blue book value of the Colt would have you to grudgingly buy the Colt if offered alongside an RIA on the same table for the same price?
I have to wonder about these "plenty of Colts" you are seeing that are malfunctioning.
At the same price I want the Colt. At 75% of the Colt price I want the Colt. At half I take the RIA (unless I didn't already have at least one Colt in which case I take the Colt). Sounds right.
Too old to live...too young to die...