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Budget 1911's

4K views 62 replies 23 participants last post by  bac1023 
#1 ·
I searched but wanted up to date information and opinions.
How are the phillipino versions?
I'm talking ATI, Armscor, GSG, etc.
Or are these all pretty much the same company?
 
#2 ·
I think they are all the same. I got an Armscor and the rollmark says, Rock Island Armory. I have their Full Size which is a 5 inch barrel and it is the USGI version. I like mine and I had it now since Christmas 2011.

The original recoil spring was weak. I put a Wolff 16# in and I am 100% in reliability. Mine prefers the Winchester 230 JHP, that is available at Walmart, as a self defense and home defense round.
 
#31 ·
I heard a Rock Island and the other branded Philippino 1911's are contracted from the same factories but to different standards and specifications.

Is it true, who knows

But I found it kind of odd that cheap Rock Island 1911's often run better out of the box than some Kimbers (yeesh!) due to looser tolerances in a good way
 
#4 ·
I bought an ATI a few years back. It has never failed to go bang in regular trips to the range with factory ammunition, ball and HP. Eventually it has earned a place in my carry rotation. I would rather the reliable, inexpensive, ATI 1911 possibly end up in evidence, rather than my more expensive options.
 
#7 ·
This has been my experience, too.

I bought my RIA primarily to use as a means for learning 1911 mechanics. It looks good with double diamond/checkered grips to replace the funky factory ones, and it performs very well with ball ammo. So, I kept it to have a fun gun for the range.
 
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#8 ·
My RIA (9mm) is as reliable as any of my other handguns including my Glocks and other 1911's. It has run well from the start even with the cheap mags it came with and I am about to change the springs for the first time as I approach 5,000 rounds - the originals have been fine for me.

The only area where I believe there might be a reliability problem is that my 1911's prefer to run wet as compared to a Glock. So, if you're the type of person who only takes the gun out every couple of months to inspect/lube it would probably not be a good choice.
 
#10 ·
Have a MAC-Metro Arms Co. Compact(Commander version 45acp). It is a Safe Queen, but appears well built. Also have a Rock Island Gov't 1911A, 5in bbl. Good shooter, will eat most ammo, and is like a Series 70 Colt. Have even changed a few drop in parts from Colt(WW2 Version), and grips(hammer, MSH w/ lanyard). No issues.
Looked at others, these work on my dime.
 
#12 ·
I recently purchased two Rock Islands. One is a new Rock Ultra FS in 9mm. Comes with adjustable sights, f/o front, G10 grips, ambi-safety. So far, at 650 rounds and one IDPA match, it's been totally flawless. Shoots to point of aim out of the box, and LOVES 147gr ammo.

The second one was a one owner used Tac II CS (officer size), again in 9mm. Both are good shooting pistols. Fit is tight, no play that I can find, and not a rattle between them.
 
#13 ·
My RIA 9mm has been a headache. It has been back to the lgs twice due to the hammer dropping and not staying cocked. I took it out again a couple of weeks ago for the August GT challenge, and damned if after the first round it did it again.
Maybe I just got a lemon.
 
#16 ·
Flipper , the guy who is working on my 1911 at the lgs is a long time shooter and gunsmith, shot competition with the 1911 for many years. He got it working at least for a few rounds both other times. Not sure what the issue is, I think I will ask him to send it back to the factory.
 
#19 ·
My Armscorp guns (Citadel 9mm and Rock Island 9mm, .45ACP and 10mm) have been fine. All feature several modern enhancements. The appearance of ATI is much closer to the WWII design. It runs surprisingly well, especially when you consider the price. The sights aren't that great, but neither were the sights on the originals. Since that's what I was looking for, I don't consider it a minus.
 
#50 ·
I wonder if your favorable experience is generally consistent with most 9mm 1911s.

Is the 9mm design completely different from the .45 design, or was it basically a matter of scaling down the innards to accommodate the smaller bullet?
 
#25 ·
There are those among us that have 1911s from just a few hundred, to well over what that Gremlin cost new. We know that not everyone wants to drop $3000 plus, to get their first 1911, but there are some really good choices for well under $1000. Some for even less than a new Glock.
 
#30 ·
I've had a Rock Island for several years and it has been as reliable and accurate as pistols costing twice as much.
Yep. I have a Tac2 in 9mm and it is a great gun especially since I got a Shot Show deal on it for $375. This is the one with VZ Grips, ambi safety, fiber optic sight, etc.
I'm waiting on the new Llama Micro Max to be released and they are made by Metro I believe. I wanted a Browning Black Label 380 but they are insane for asking $650 for one.
 
#32 ·
No, you just need a competent 1911 guy
NO, the gun needs to simply work as designed out of the box.
Yes, one would hope a "competent 1911 guy" could fix this, but should that be necessary? Granted if it's already been "tweaked" by an incompetent guy, well then, you get what you get...
 
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#33 ·
The one thing I have learned is that whenever someone buys a 'cheap' or no frill 1911, they usually end up spending a ton in upgrades or making the gun reliable.
 
#34 ·
They're definitely better made...
Yeah, I definitely prefer the ATIs over the Armscor models.
I think ATI is the best out of the three Filipino 1911 companies.
So. Any opinion on the ATI?

Seriously, of all of those that were mentioned, does anyone besides me notice that the trigger guard (specifically the front bow) is slightly misshapen in comparison to other, traditional brands? Like slightly sloping back towards the grip before the bottom curve? That chaps my ass...
 
#36 ·
Mine is the ATI Firepower Xtreme. Fancy name for a base 1911, I thought. After reading this, I pulled mine out of the safe and compared it to a few other guns, then them to each other. There are slight variations, I suppose, but so close I can't tell without a direct side-by-side. I wanted a simple "mil-spec" gun to go with some others in the collection and that's exactly what I got. I won't be making any upgrades or modifications and it won't be carried. I only shoot 230gr ball ammo through it. I was very pleased with the fit, finish and performance and I don't feel the need to make excuses for it being a $300 gun. I'm happy with mine.
 
#35 ·
The ATI it is. The lgs had to order it. I expect it next weekend.
Good for you, congrats. It's going to be a long week waiting for your new pistol. Let us know how it shoots and throw in a few pics.
 
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