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Black Blade
4th June 2010, 12:01 AM
Fourty-Five Fever

Today I took out a few of my new 1911 handguns and went down the hill to the gun club. The three I took out included two Argentine Sistema Colts Model 1927 and a Rock Island Armory 1911A1. The Sistema Colts were Argentine Army firearms and are C&R eligible.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/af21681edbc8dcb0d7dbb046ea166a35eeba5522_r.jpg

Arsenal refinished blued Sistema Colt (Ejercito Argentina - Argentine Army). The slide has the blued finish and the frame has the black matte finish as most of these were refurbished. The action is tight - maybe a little too tight. Manufactured in Argentina from 1927 to around 1960 with Colt-supplied tools, it had parts interchangeable with any other standard government model, unlike the Ballester-Molina which also comes from Argentina. When the Argentine military changed pistols in the late 90s, their Sistemas were arsenal-refinished for sale in the U.S. at $300 or less. Along the left side of the slide was a row of letters: “D.G.F.M. (F.M.A.P.).” These stood for Direccion General de Fabricaciones Militares (Fabric Militar de Armas Portatiles). On the right side was “SIST. COLT 11.25 mm MOD. 1927. It had been manufactured in the Mine turned out to be a decent shooter but finicky with after market magazines. I may add new sights, re-contour the feeding ramp, and lighten the trigger a little on this one.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/d9d369761fd0d6bec0a5ddd6b419d9b4cf9f0366_r.jpg

Argentine DGFM-FMAP (Sistema) 1927 Colt .45 (Aeronautica Argentina - Argentine Air Force) Built in 1955 . Modified w/ high visibility rear sight, dovetail front sight, bead blasted & Armaloyed, action worked, stainless guide rod, stainless steel hex grip screws & mag catch, Brown 20LPI checkered / flat / SS main spring housing, barrel & ramp polished, Custom Rosewood grips. Barrel not pitted, good rifling. Original lanyard loop MS housing and hammer included.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/cee264e1b0d93c63d85b3cd222f842ac27155e64_r.jpg

The Rock Island Armory .45 is standard 1911A1 manufactured in the Philippines. There is no firing pin or drop safety. The gun features the same low small GI sights seen on the original GI Colt 1911 handguns so this one is a good training gun for the "point shooting" method. The gun rattles slightly when shook but feels quite solid and surprisingly comfortable with the wraparound rubber grips. As long as the locking lugs and the barrel bushing are fitted properly, the gun will shoot well. The RIA gun is finished in a kind of phosphate finish. It does tend to discolor slightly when fired and the barrel heats up. That is normal and cleans up nicely with a good gun oil (I use Hoppes and Rem Oil). The gun felt very good in the hand and everything functioned well. When working the slide, the link felt right and the locking lugs seemed to roll into place. The magazine holds eight rounds. The price is a manageable $350 OTD and a screaming bargain in my opinion.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a2c3618b12ebd690c571d15ab728da7d508da66a_r.jpg

I finally got to the gun club in the late afternoon. It was overcast, 76F and calm to very slight breeze. A perfect day for shooting.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/c751671fd5c5dbb2d47fa00fbc70dfff7a1d327f_r.jpg

I set up three targets - three targets three guns - imagine that. I was generally testing for function and accuracy so I set up at about 30' from the targets.
I used 230 grain Federal and Magtech FMJ ammo.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/df516216d8c4dabcdcd18611a06482fe7605f2ce_r.jpg

The Sistema Colt (Argentine Ejercito) shot fairly well but was not as accurate as I had hoped being an unissued weapon that sat around for over 50 years. It did tend to drift left so I obviously need to work the sights. It also tended to be finicky with the aftermarket magazines lending to a few misfeeds. One thing I know is that to make these guns excellent requires a little gunsmithing.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/cb826c71d9d7ac34d73bf9d4f4c2cb37856b8f6c_r.jpg

The Sistema Colt (Aeronautica Argentina) is a comfortable shooter and due to the modifications it is fairly accurate with a clean breaking trigger. The only down side would be the dark sites against a dark target - I may add "nite-siters" to address that issue. Other than that it is a great firearm. Even so, it was not the most accurate of the three.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/8f226931d8d9bc31daab52dec6b7347ca8c3e314_r.jpg

The Rock Island Armory 1911A1 is an amazingly fine accurate weapon right out of the box. I have shot many 1911 handguns including some very expensive brands and custom jobs. I would actually put this RIA 1911 up against any of them right out of the box. I got this from a gunsmith friend for a mere $350 out the door. If I wanted an inexpensive functionally perfect 1911, then this would be the one to get. While I was shooting I was thinking that I should perhaps get one or two more.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/6c816b18dcc8dcb4d58130b4c9cec42110e7bce6_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/3da260811adcfc5fd75b84d80c3a730374aae275_r.jpg

I usually don't CCW my 1911 guns because I favor the Tokarev (7.62x25) with Wolf Gold HP or Glock 19 (9mm Lugar) with a German Makarov or P-64 BUG. That said, I do occasionally CCW my Sistema Colt (Aeronautica Argentina) in a Milt Sparks V2 holster with two extra magazines in a mag carrier.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/9772690171db1cf3de7bb0d5dcfe6cc596cb6993_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0be16715d4c8dbb7d458cca6ccc87d05123e674d_r.jpg

(Left to right: Sistema Colt Aeronautica Argentina, Sistema Colt Ejercito Argentina, and Rock Island Armory)

In conclusion, if you want a good reasonably accurate 1911 for a decent price, then it would have to be the Rock Island Armory 1911. It was a spur of the moment purchase and I am glad I bought it. No need for paying through the nose for an expensive 1911 when they can likely be bested by the "cheap" RIA version. We have all heard the old lame "you get what you pay for" line before. This time "you get a helluva lot for what you pay for" with the RIA. Though the older C&R eligible Sistema Colts are very nice historical guns and I am glad I bought them, I also must concede that the RIA may well outlast them and for about half the price (at today's prices). If you want a 45 ACP 1911, then get the RIA while you can.

- Black Blade

crazychicken
4th June 2010, 01:02 AM
I personally appreciate your extensive reviews.

Thank you for the efforts.

CC

k-os
4th June 2010, 05:17 AM
Absolutely, me too!

Thanks Black Blade. Your threads are always well written and contain pertinent photos.

Nice shooting! I am inspired to check out an RIA the next time I go to the gun shop.

Also . . . it looks really beautiful where you are, from the looks of the scenic photo, and oh how I can't wait to feel what 76 degrees feels like again.

BabushkaLady
16th July 2010, 08:09 PM
I got a chance to shoot the RIA 1911 at the range today and I absolutely loved it. I was amazed at how accurate and smooth it was. May need to get one of these. :)

Thanks Black Blade, great reviews!

illumin19
18th July 2010, 07:07 PM
Just broke in my new Colt 1991 Government for the weekend.

Finished taking the p.c. 832 course (similar police firearms training) shooting nothing but new Winchester 230 FMJ. All in all, about 330 rounds fired and no malfunctions of any sort.

I'm definitely going to pick up another 1911 and was looking at the RIA TActical, and the review by the OP/TS just made it look that much better :sun:

Argentium
19th July 2010, 04:58 PM
I'm very happy with my RIA 1911. One of the few guns that I felt that I got an exceptional deal on. It's my only 1911, so I don't have anything to compare it against. I got it mainly to have a large caliber handgun.

I really enjoy your posts, Black Blade!

Black Blade
25th July 2010, 08:31 AM
UPDATE: I just added a Springfield 1911 to the mix. I went to the range yesterday and it doesn't seem to be as accurate for some reason. I was all over the target at the beginning. I adjusted the rear sight slightly and was a touch low and to the left. I adjusted agains and was better sighted in on center but still now as accurate as the RIA or modiifed Colt Sistema (above).

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/1911Springfield1a.jpg

FreeMyLand
27th July 2010, 09:24 AM
In an attempt to consolidate calibers, I also ended up with .45 fever! I have a few of those Rock Islands and feel that they are as good as any of my other .45s. I think I got the RIAs for $319 ea, from Sarco a while back. Although some may look down on them for the price, I always recommend them to anyone looking for a cheap reliable .45. I always have an RIA with me in the truck. Thanks for the shooting report - the range looks real nice!

LuckyStrike
28th July 2010, 06:07 PM
1911's are one of my favorite pistols surely the best looking of all time. I plan on getting an RIA but does anyone have any experience with the hi cap 1911's? I will prob just get the regular 7 rounder since the feel in your hand is so natural unlike the hi cap 1911's or my glock 21.



"Of course the 1911 is an outdated design. It came from an era when weapons were designed to win fights, not to avoid product liability lawsuits. It came from an era where it was the norm to learn how your weapon operated and to practice that operation until it became second nature, not to design the piece to the lowest common denominator. It came from an era in which our country tried to supply its fighting men with the best tools possible, unlike today, when our fighting men and women are issued hardware that was adopted because of international deal-making or the fact that the factory is in some well-connected congressman's district. Yes, beyond any shadow of a doubt, the 1911 IS an outdated design....and that's exactly what I love about it."

Rosco S. Beson

platinumdude
29th July 2010, 08:34 PM
I like the XDm 45. It hold 13 rounds, it's not as large on the hand as the glock 45, and it's easy to disassemble and clean.

Awoke
3rd October 2010, 02:13 PM
Another Great thread. Good job, Black Blade.
If you ever get a chance to shoot a Tuarus 1911, post your thoughts on it for me.




I like the XDm 45. It hold 13 rounds, it's not as large on the hand as the glock 45, and it's easy to disassemble and clean.


I would like to get an XD(m) myself. Beautiful weapon!

Black Blade
4th November 2010, 06:41 PM
Ballester-Molina

I was able to procure a nice Argentine Ballster-Molina in near excellent condition. Production of the Ballester-Molina began in 1938 and ceased in 1953 making this pistol C&R eligible.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/40d362e71518d6dec729d1ceb114df77062d6707_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/3e126ed158de4ccedd8b16dc6e9890d4c629aa58_r.jpg

As the Ballester-Molina was designed to serve alongside the M1927 that was currently in Argentine service, it bears a striking resemblance to the Colt M1911A1. The Ballester-Molina and the M1911 share an identical 7-round magazine, barrel, recoil spring, and barrel bushing. Although many other parts appear identical at first glance, they are not. Many parts are adaptable, however. The Ballester is also known as the "Hafdasa" after the initials of the company that made it. The Ballester Molina is a pistol that while is actually more a copy of a Spanish Star pistol rather than a 1911 Colt, was manufactured in .45 Caliber and has a few parts, mainly barrel, magazine, recoil spring, that are interchangeable with Colt 1911 parts. The Ballester Molina is a very well made and very accurate pistol. And can successfully compete with any .45 manufactured in those times. The Ballester Molinas were manufactured in Buenos Aires Argentina by HAFDASA (Hispano Argentina Fbrica de Automotores Sociedad Anonima)

- Black Blade

Awoke
4th November 2010, 08:33 PM
I got to shoot a beautiful 1911 style .45 the other day. I think it was made by a company called STI.
(?)

Anyways, this thing had the cleanest trigger break I have experienced, and a perfect reset with minimal travel/slack. The loads were packed light, so it kicked less than a hot .40 round, but it was a pleasure to shoot. I can;t get more detailed than that, as I only got to put 15 rounds through it.

Black Blade
18th November 2010, 05:11 AM
I picked up a couple Ballester-Molinas recently as they do show up once in a while and these were in pretty good condition.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/BM3a.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/BM1a.jpg

Ballester-Molina #1 (polished blue)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/BM1a-2.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/BM2a-2.jpg

Ballester-Molina #2 (flat blue)

They are a bit heavy (all steel) but feel good in the hand. Good thing that some parts (barrel, magazines, etc.) interchange with the 1911 Colt guns. They make nice C&R additions.

roryglenn8
9th March 2016, 03:27 AM
I love a vintage colt. My country's law (https://www.quora.com/How-can-common-citizens-of-India-buy-guns-in-India) does not allow me to buy one without a license.. just too sad!

Neuro
9th March 2016, 03:34 AM
I love a vintage colt. My country's law (https://www.quora.com/How-can-common-citizens-of-India-buy-guns-in-India) does not allow me to buy one without a license.. just too sad!
You live in an interesting country Roryglenn, I have spent about 9 months in India during my travels, mostly in the 90's! Welcome to the forum!