Comparison

[farfromhome63]

soo.. tell me why a RIA would be a better idea to buy instead of a Sig 1911.
My thought was buy the RIA do some stuff to it?? Light, grips, trigger, cerakote.. etc

The sig, buy a light.. thats it..

[Marquand]

If you want a project, go for the RIA and get customizin'.

If you don't, going out of your way to make a RIA into a pistol just like the SIG that already has all the features you want seems a bit odd to me.

[Cool Custard]

Sig 1911 are really nice. By the time you do everything to the RIA you'll be around the same price as just getting the sig to begin with! Buy once, cry once. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either honestly, just depends on how much $ and gun smithing you want to do.

[Lead Waster]

If you want a project, go for the RIA and get customizin'.

If you don't, going out of your way to make a RIA into a pistol just like the SIG that already has all the features you want seems a bit odd to me.

Not really true, IMHO.

For instance ... what features does the SIG 1911 (which model of Sig 1911) have that the RIA is missing?

Wait, back up ... what is your list of desirable 1911 features? Do you have a list? Why not? .... that's the problem.... who the heck knows what features you like/dislike without shooting a bunch of 1911s first? Why not get a simple one like the RIA, figure out your list, then go nuts and buy a gun that you can check off all the features for.


On paper, I'd look and say "Heck, get the Sig", but I've shot both and I absolutely cannot stand the memory hump on the Sig grip safety. So for me, it was a good thing I didn't get one.

Yep, I have an RIA. I'm not saying it's the best gun ever, but it has enough features and is reasonably priced enough that I can shoot it for another 5000 rounds and then I'll have that list of goodies I want in a more expensive 1911.

Seriously, unless you already know what features you like/hate about 1911s, you should either rent them or get a cheaper ones that RIA and SA sell.

As an example, I know I hate the stock RIA sights, there goes $80 for new sights. Grips? Everyone changes their grips anyway, don't pay for nice stock ones if you're just going to change them...but the RIA stock ones do suck. I also think I like a magwell, so I put a clip on one on my RIA and find now that my 10 round Chip McCormicks need a bit of filing to fit with the magwell in there ... and I also discovered I don't like 10 rounds CmC magazines. I do like the beavertail grip, and I do like the subdued "memory hump" on the beavertail safety.

... with the 1911 "platform" there are so many little variances and features that it's hard to tell what you like until you've tried out a bunch and in fact have your own to grow with (It's hard to get a consistent feel for a gun if you are always renting or borrowing different ones).

I would suggest getting a base model that is reasonable, and do in fact spend some cash and customize it, just to see if you like those customizations. When you have the gun as you like it, or as far as it will go ... save up your money and maybe buy a semi or full custom with all the doodads you've customized into your base gun. OR maybe you'll like the base gun as it is!

However, I wouldn't go as far as getting a smith to checker the front strap of my RIA versus using some grip tape. Save that smithing money for the semi/full custom. But maybe try the Wilson clip on magwell and if you like it, make sure your semi/full custom has a nice integrated magwell. Etc, etc, etc.

Money you spend customizing your (for example) RIA is NOT wasted, because it is helping you figure out what you like and what works/doesn't work for you in a 1911.

My 3 cents.

[farfromhome63]

^ love your rebuttal, I actually have a RIA tactical, its my wifes, shes got the ping houge grips. I really like to shoot it. The sights suck and the trigger could be better..

I was thinking the sig because I have not had any experience with gunsmithing.. I am a gearhead so I have great knowledge with cars and bikes so a gun couldnt be that bad right??? I figured price wise I could get the sig its has all the mods I want and Itll last the lifetime.. I know I can leave it to my kid.. I dont know if I would feel that way about a RIA.. something of a stigma with a cheap gun regardless of the quality..

[mat19er8]

+1 for what Lead Waster said, just start with a SA.

[Marquand]

Well, the OP stated that he either was going to purchase a RIA and then customize it or buy a SIG and slap a light on it. Sounds to me like he already has a pretty good idea of what firearms he wants to choose from and what features he does or doesn't want on his pistol.

So again, I recommend going with the RIA if the OP wants to build off of a base firearm and personalize it to taste. If the OP doesn't desire to build a pistol but rather acquire one that has the traits he has clearly decided are desirable straight from the factory, then I recommend going with the SIG and adding his light of choice.

Lead Waster, I offered a supporting viewpoint to both options...what did I suggest that constitutes a falsehood? I am neither praising SIG as being superior nor am I suggesting that money would be wasted by customizing a RIA to taste.

[farfromhome63]

Agreed..


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk