45 or 357? RIA 1911 ordered .

[drifter2be]

More specifically RIA 1911 or Rossi revolver?

I'm wanting to pick up something "inexpensive" but with a bit more punch than my 92FS. I'm trying to keep the price near or under $500 out the door. I have shot a few 1911s in the past and I have heard that the RIA is a great gun for the value, I also recently shot my friend's Rossi 461 revolver 357 snub nose and it was a fun gun to shoot at the range. I'm not concerned with the cost factor as all I really need for either is a set of dies and I can reload my own ammunition, and the cost to reload either is close enough.

The plus sides I see to the revolver are the coolness factor or a revolver, 357/38 special gives me more options of what to shoot out of it, and its small enough to use as a CCW weapon should I ever get around to getting my LTC.

With the 1911 there is the coolness factor of having a 1911, it is slim enough with the single stack magazines to make using it as a CCW weapon not completely impossible, although a little on the bulky side, but definitely easier than trying to CCW my 92FS.

Cost I am not too worried about, but I can get a Rossi 461 at Turner's right now for about $350 out the door whereas it will be close to $490 out the door for the RIA 1911. Obviously with the lower cost I could buy a few speedloaders the same day for the rossi..

These are the points that I have considered so far. Anything else I should consider while making this decision?

As a favor to helping me out can we keep the actual 45vs357 argument to a minimum? Thanks.

[stix213]

both

[FuzzyBrows]

hard decision to make. i had to buy both (bi-tone ria .45 5" and a s&w 686-5 plus 6"). both are excellent man stoppers but when it comes your application (CCW), i have to give a slight edge to the revolver. being able to plink and train with .38 and switch off to a full .357 mag will give u so much more option and cost effective and since u reload ur own rounds, u can pick up brass a whole lot easier AND make ur rounds pretty hot (assumings its a beefy frame). but eventually along the line u should pick up the ria .45 as well.

[Lumpia is sarap!®]

.357SIG!!!!


Get the Rock Island.

[drifter2be]

hard decision to make. i had to buy both (bi-tone ria .45 5" and a s&w 686-5 plus 6"). both are excellent man stoppers but when it comes your application (CCW), i have to give a slight edge to the revolver. being able to plink and train with .38 and switch off to a full .357 mag will give u so much more option and cost effective and since u reload ur own rounds, u can pick up brass a whole lot easier AND make ur rounds pretty hot (assumings its a beefy frame). but eventually along the line u should pick up the ria .45 as well.

I have thought about the ease of just collecting the brass. Last range trip spent a good few minutes collecting all the 9mm brass we had shot, yet everything we shot out of his revolver was already nice and neatly collected since you can just eject the spent cases into a box before you reload. I am really leaning toward the .357. Luckily I have until Thursday to decide since that is when the sale ends at Turner's. I am still kind of reluctant to pickup a snub nose as well. The only thing I really didn't like about the Rossi was the sights, considering it was a blued revolver the rear groove and front blade kind of blend together and make it really hard to get a good sight picture and even harder to get back on after pulling the trigger, although I am sure a little hi viz paint on the front sight would help with that.

[drifter2be]

.357SIG!!!!


Get the Rock Island.

357 sig is a bad-@$$ round but I like to stick to more common calibers even though I reload its one of those things that if SHTF I want to be able to easily come across ammunition for my guns. 357 sig isn't something that is very commonly used and therefore not very well stocked in stores.

I have definitely gotta hit the phone tomorrow and call around, I want to see if I can find somewhere that has the RIA for $420 or less before tax and DROS. I really wish I had jumped on it last year, there was a store in Ontario that was selling the GI for $399.99 before tax and dros...could have had a 1911 for $460 and some change out the door.

[ckprax]

I am a huge revolver fan so I am leaning in that direction.

If this is your first revolver than I would suggest a used medium or large frame revolver from Ruger or S&W, they are larger and may be harder to conceal but will be much more fun at the range.

If you are set on the Rossi or the RIA then I would probably get the 1911 simply because it will be much easier to become proficient with. Good luck with your choice.

[ap3572001]

I have several very nice CCW style revolvers in 38/357 . If my agency would let me use magnums I would carry them a lot more.

[Low-Pressure]

RIA gets my vote!

[Nynvolt]

The snub nose is so much fun at the range. Picked up a sp101 2.25" in .357 last month and it's been great fun. Ruger will cost a bit more but it's beefy! I let my female friend try it out and she loved it. Even shot some hot magnums out of it and she is tiny with little hands. It's been great. Feels more interesting to shoot than my six inch s&w or semi autos. More novelty but very serious at the same time. Plus ammo options and reloading make it hard to beat.

The RIA 1911 has been on my short list for some time. I'm not a 1911 fan but kinda want one just because and my friend had one, he loves it. Can't beat the price for a serious firearm.

I'd go with the revolver, especially of you don't already have one but I'd spend a little more for a new Ruger or used s&w. You'll probably enjoy it a little more in the long run.

[Budd]

I think you need to look at the Ruger SP101. Good for CCW and just plain fun to shoot. They are built like tanks and will handle mangum loads with ease.

[PEZHEAD265]

Centerfire Systems has the RIA compact [3.5 inch barrel]for 389 that would be a little easier to CC then a full size.They have the 5 inch Mil spec [379.00] and they say it can't be shipped to CA,I would call them and tell them that it is also on the roster.They are pretty easy to deal with.

[t0kie]

Both are great, get the one you like more.

[BomarFab]

I was in the same boat, want a 1911 and a revolver.

I just did the paperwork yesterday on an older Ruger .357 and can't wait to get it. Picked up some ammo, and was given a good amount with the gun.

I want a 1911 too, but I figure I want to be picky and get the exact one I want. Then one of my wife's favorite revolvers showed up locally, and that sealed the deal.

[cindynles]

OP, of the 2 that you listed I would pick the RIA 1911. Rossi revolvers are not the highest quality handguns out there (I have personally seen 2 Rossi revolvers break - badly), while RIA 1911s seem to be pretty solid and enjoy a good reputation.

I noticed that you are in Hemet, you might want to stop by Faith Armory in Temecula. They have a pretty good selection of used revolvers in stock right now. I just picked up a used S&W 586 for $550 from them last week and I saw several other revolvers in your price range.