Current base model Rock Island 1911 compare to service 1911s?

[rondog]

They're good pistols, I have three of them, carry a RIA Compact 1911 every day for CCW. As far as I know, their GI model is pretty faithful to the pre-Series 70 Colts. They're not absolutely perfect, but you can't expect that for the price, now can you? If you change out the grips and put a flat-bottom magazine in it, they look pretty good.

Here's one of mine with my Colt WWII Repro. This one has WWII Colt grips from Simpson's ($15), an arched mainspring housing with lanyard loop from Smith and Alexander, and a WWII Colt trigger. I've since added a WWII Colt thumb safety, which dropped in, and I have a Colt hammer and grip safety too, but they need to be fitted.

This Rock Island cost me $379.99 new at a local farm and ranch store.



This is another RIA GI model, actually my first one. But I did some extensive customizing to it and had it blued.