RIA Compacts

Attachment 55339Don't know how many people have stumbled on to the Rock Island Compacts, but by the guns I have been building the most of lately....quite a few. I can't say that they are perfect right out of the box, but it doesn't take a lot of changes to make them outstanding. If you're a bucks down person, I highly recommend them. I have been gunsmithing for 45 years and it's not very often you come across a really nice weapon to start with at reasonable prices.
Star PD, Star BM and Firestar, The new Arcus copy of the Browning Hi-Power, and the RIA Compact. This business of paying 1200 bucks for a handgun is killing us. And by the way, the Taurus brand has a lot going for it as does Kel Tec. ROCK ON LOW BUCK!!!:image035:

I honestly did not know they made a compact model.

I bought a commander size just for the lower to put my Kimber .22 top end on. This may be something to look into.

Sarco Inc has some of the best deals I've seen on the RIA 1911's,you need to click on the link to their gunsamerica ads

Welcome to the forum :wave:. I think RIAs are good firearms for the price.

Welcome to the forum.

Yea I have one. I like it pretty well. Shoots like a dream but is as heavy as a brick. I wife like to shoot it too. Yours looks a lot nicer than mine.

Good looking guns,,,, thanks,,,, I had forgot about these.

Rock Island Armory - Home

Welcome to the DC Forum from Delaware!

Welcome to the forum. I don't purchase firearms solely because of price, be it high end or low end of the spectrum. I purchase after doing extensive research and acquiring first hand knowledge of the firearm I am interested in. I have many guns that would be considered low end price wise and high end price wise in my collection. I generally agree with you on your list of lower priced quality handguns with the exception of Kel Tec's and Taurus products. I personally think they are less expensive for good reasons like lack of QC and spotty fit and finish. All gun makers are in business to make money and some keep prices low by cutting QC corners and using substandard parts, others can just be inherently good bargains for the price point they sell, often because they are manufactured in a country where labor costs are lower.

Other guns I would add to the list are firearms like the CZ82, which is likely the best bargain in a quality firearm going today and its a C&R gun to boot. Bersa products are also a great bargain in a well made lower priced handgun. As far as the most gun for the money you can buy today, the used police trade-in S&W Gen. 3 semi-autos are hard to beat.

A lot of people over pay for their guns because they impulse buy or purchase guns without doing their due diligence and research. If you have some patience and spend some time looking around you can find bargains if you know where to look.

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I actually stumbled across one at a gun show and took it on trade and am rally glad I did, it is a nice shootewr and for what I have in it, I am amazed !!!!