Dana the Dane
Bearcat
I agree with Yosemite. Rock Island Armory makes good quality 1911 for the money. I was in the market for a new 1911 to go with my Kimber Custom II about a year ago. Looked at the Springfields, Kimbers, and Colts and figured I had to save up a bit more to get one. I found out about the Para GI Expert from the same "American Rifleman" article mentioned above. A local gun shop had one in stock and I went to go take a look at it. I was not impressed. But sitting in the gun case right next to it was a plain-jane Rock Island Armory GI full sized. It was so ugly it was beautiful (no chromed beavertail GS, Chamfered titanium barrel bushing, or Nitrous Oxide injected magazine well, or Doppler radar heat-seeking Tritium night sights). I bought it for $400 with tax.
I took that little ugly orphan and gave her a good home. She is the best shooter I have ever owned.
(I've bought two more since then: Tactical 5", and the Match Grade") Rock Islands are the best bang for the $$, bar none!! (and the GI is a great "tinkerer"s gun...I've learned a lot about the 1911 platform by trial and error)
Just my .02
I took that little ugly orphan and gave her a good home. She is the best shooter I have ever owned.
(I've bought two more since then: Tactical 5", and the Match Grade") Rock Islands are the best bang for the $$, bar none!! (and the GI is a great "tinkerer"s gun...I've learned a lot about the 1911 platform by trial and error)
Just my .02