RIA or Springfield GI?

[em9sredbeam]

What Does everyone here like better SA GI, or RIA? What is better if you plan on going through the gun, trigger job, polishing, etc? How about reliability out of the box?

Also what is the difference between the RIA's such as a tactical model and the others?

[jloffermann]

The SA GI model was discontinued sorry. so far people are saying go with the springfield milspec, or if yoou have little extra $ go for the loaded. has few more bells and whistles.

I have been going back and fourth on SA LOADED parkerized full size 1911 45acp. and
Taurus pt1911...

so far the Loaded is best bang for your buck for SA. Taurus is a new thing to me no xp. and RIA I have heard plenty of good and bad.

for the SA LOADED: heres some of the bells and whistles- beveled mag well, lowered and flared ejection port, polished feed ramp and throated barrel and I think an adjustable trigger. the only thing I've heard is the recoil spring might needs to be replaced with a heavier one. seemed the slide was working fine but a heaver spring would make it awesome.

[JackRydden224]

For the money you are going to spend on a Springfield GI you can get a RIA Tactical which is a whole lot more bang for your money. I think it's a better comparison if money is your concern.

[himurax13]

If you actually plan on shooting it alot, I would avoid any GI or Milspec models. The cost of getting a beavertail properly fitted to your frame and refinishing it totally negates any cost savings from getting a Loaded SA or a RIA Tactical from the get go. They GI, milspec models also do not have the modern Novak Style dovetails and they have the crappy thumb safeties as well. If this is your first 1911 I would get the Rock Island Tactical. Rock Islands have a better slide to frame fit and work just fine. The Springfield 1911's I have seen have a terrible slide to frame fit but the stainless steel finish is much nicer than the Rock Island. They both come with lifetime warranties so either one is a decent choice.

[LovingTheYear1911]

RIA Tactical.

[chris_m90731]

SA...check out galleryofguns.com. They may have some still in stock.

[wilit]

A Springfield GI was my first handgun. I sold it to buy an RIA Tactical.

An SA GI is not a good choice if you want to modify it. Just way too much to do to bring it up to "tactical" specs. If you want all that, get the RIA because it already comes with most of the stuff people want (minus decent sights).

[Ventura_Yak'r]

Either the RIA Tactical or save your pennies for a SA Loaded...

[BoJackUSMC]

Either the RIA Tactical or save your pennies for a SA Loaded...

This....If I do not have enough money to purchase SA loaded model then I would buy RIA Tactical.

[The War Wagon]

...save your pennies for a SA Loaded...

Seconded. Springer's customer service is second to NONE!

[fanof1911forlife]

What Does everyone here like better SA GI, or RIA? What is better if you plan on going through the gun, trigger job, polishing, etc? How about reliability out of the box?

Also what is the difference between the RIA's such as a tactical model and the others?

You can't go wrong with either brands for the GI model but if you need better sights, RIA is the better deal in terms of pricing. Both SA and RIA are made from carbon steel so they can be cost effectively resurface/repolish/re-park'ed. Again, the internals on both brands are MIM parts so there is no difference there. The tolerances on both are comparable and do not require extensive breaking-in. Reliability? How does the 1911's record of 100-plus years of service sound?

[hornswaggled]

Sights on the GI are practically unusable. I have a Mil Spec. For the money, go for the RIA.

[em9sredbeam]

I was more of playing with the idea of buying a base model something and working on it just for fun, Already have a pt1911 thats a fun shooter, but not sure if Im in love with it because of the style (railed and two tone), so was thinking of buying something stock, maybe working on for fun and then moving up to a Loaded at a later date.

[shooperman]

Springfield.