My New Pistol

[survivor99]

Well, it's not a C&R but is definitely a M1911A1. For anyone considering a Rock Island Armory .45, I highly recommend them. I haven't shot it yet because it's raining, but if it breaks soon I'll pop off a few and report back. I still don't know the dealer's name. Sarco sells these too.

survivor99

http://www.muscleguns.com/pistol.jpg

[survivor99]

They messed up and sent me an 8-round magazine rather than the 7-rounder. I guess I can live with that, LOL.

I also received my Russian Mosin Nagant M91/30 today. It is a 1940 Tula arsenal rifle. It cleaned up real well, but is missing the cleaning rod. Afterwhile I will take a pic of it and post it here too.

survivor99

[SalBO]

SWEET !!!!!!!!!

[neilwest]

1. Thats one sweet looking 1911.:D

[zouavexx]

I just see a red x :(

[survivor99]

Just a red "X"??? LOL Now, Zouave, the postal match hasn't started yet..... LOL Hit reload and it should come up.

OK, I shot the pistol after the rain quit. It worked so smoothly that I wish I'd bought several more of these things. It is so smooth and very ACCURATE too. Shooting offhand I tore the middle out of the target. Of course, you guys can't see the powder burns on the paper........ (snicker, snicker!!!) But don't worry, I won't use it if we have a pistol postal match. Looks like it has a stainless steel barrel too. Man, I'm in love.

I've spent a lot more time today with the M91/30 than I have with the pistol. I tell you what, when those guys built a rifle they really meant business. This one's been through a war and could go through another one without any problem. Some idiot painted a red "S" on one side of the stock and a huge green "M" on the other side. Then, there was a red band painted on the forend. I sanded all that garbage off the wood, exposing beautiful wood under it all. The bluing was pretty sparse in places but touched up nicely. The bore is in pretty great condition with good sharp rifling and no pitting. I'll shoot it tomorrow if there isn't any rain.

survivor99

[Dr_Ak-47]

Originally posted by zouave
I just see a red x :(

At least you see a red X, I can't even get that.

[SalBO]

Thanks for the info Survivor99. I have been looking at the RI 45 for a month or so now myself and just cant decide on it or a Springfiled. The price on the RI really makes it tempting to me. How did you get it below Sarco's 315 price if you dont mind telling ? It is a great looking pistol that you should be proud of. If you were comparing the smoothness of the slide when racking it back and forth, say, with Berretta being a ten in smoothness and Ruger being a one, where would you place it. (Disclaimer: This is in no way a negative comment on Ruger) :D
Also, how tight does it seem. I wish I could find a dealer with one in stock so I could look at it but out here in nowhere land I am lucky to find a dealer with a small inventory....

[survivor99]

Salbo,

The FFL guy ordered it from Dealer Warehouse. It was $309 NIB and with overnight shipping was $323. I like that!!!

OK, on a scale of 1 to 10, I have to give it a 9. It is smoother than my Colt was and lots better than my Llama ever dreamed of being. I had a Beretta Cougar .45 and this one is on par with it as far as smoothness goes. I really don't see how it could get much better, personally. I guess you could add all the bells and whistles they make for the fancy target pistols but then you've lost the original identity of the GI issue pistol.

I love this thing. I'm completely satisfied and if I don't get another pistol I will still be doing OK. For the money you just can't beat it. Remember, it's completely interchangeable with a Colt, right down to the last screw.

survivor99

[SalBO]

I agree about all the bells and whistles. They really look like a nice pistol. I dont know how much you have read on it but I have read the only thing that is not Colt compatible is the grip screws. One of the guys on the 1911 forum was talking about them. Not a problem but it does make you wonder why when everything else is compatible. I appreciate the comparison on the smoothness. I am alot closer to ordering one after reading your review. I will end up with about 350 in one when I order. Not bad even if it needs a little tweaking. I have read a lot of good things about these. I dont think I have not read anything negative much at all.

Congratulations on the new addition to the family and I hope you enjoy it for a long time. It is looking like I need to call Sarco and get one on the way real soon. I havent ordered a gun in over a week now and I am going through DT's.......:D

[zouavexx]

I see it now! Really nice, they are very reasonably priced pistols and of excellent quality.

[Dr_Ak-47]

I see it as well, very nice gun.

[survivor99]

Zouave,

Yes they are! I would love to have a closet full of pistols but price being what it is these days, I will choose carefully. I wanted a Sistema but this one will more than fill the bill. Now to order a case or two of ammo...

Salbo,

The smooth grips can be changed at the dealership. They offer composite black combat grips or the smooth Mahogany ones that I got for no extra charge. Same for a 7-round magazine as opposed to the 8-round one. For about $8 you can get checkered wood grips, which look great. I just went with mahogany, lol.

There is a whole lot of history surrounding the M1911A1 and it draws us guys like a magnet. Let me know how it turns out, Salbo!!!

survivor99

[joe2hewes]

I bought a new RI .45 about 4 months ago. Absolutely identical in performance to my "loaded" Springfield Armory, at half the price!
Chip McCormick sear/hammer and other aftermarket 1911-A1 parts fit like a glove. I've got a feeling that RI will flourish, as deserved, with such bang for the buck. Highly recommended.
Joe

[Faulkner]

Survivor99, here's a picture of my Springfield Fully Loaded. I really like the price on your Rock Island, I've never given them more than a passing view until now . . . I think I'll have to look into one. That's a good looking 1911 in your picture.

I remember when the NORINCO 1911's first came out and everyone was 'pooh-poohing' them because they were reasonalby priced and being Chinese made and all. Turns out, they were fine weapons. When folks finally figured this out the price started going up as well.


http://www.picturefuse.com/images/0202/2430.jpg

[survivor99]

Joe,

The FFL dealer said he was planning on ordering a couple of them for himself. I guess the experience of an owner speaks for itself, if you've had good luck with yours. I really like this one. Something I noticed is the straight mainspring housing, which is like the original WWI design. It feels great in my hands!!

Faulkner,

That's a great-looking piece you have there. I'll bet it's very accurate. You gotta love a .45!!!

survivor99

[joe2hewes]

Yes, I've noticed that a lot of the newer models, including the Springfield, are really half 1911, and half 1911A1. I have wondered why the curved mainspring housings are no longer the norm.
Joe

[SalBO]

you guys are killing me here with these good looking pistols !!!

:jump:

[survivor99]

Now SalBo, you've got several great-looking pistols too!! You're the one who is responsible for me taking the plunge here! LPSpinner and whos2kno both dangled some impressive looking guns out there too, and the ones that Neil and Richard left, are the ones we gotta rush up and buy!!!!! :D :D :D

Seriously, it's in my price range and I like it. I couldn't see paying $900 for a Colt when I could buy 3 of the Rock Islands for that price. I will just have to enjoy it 3 times as much!!! LOL I just can't see where "more expensive" always equals "better."

survivor99

[SalBO]

Survivor, that is a sweet pistol. I asked my local FFL guy to send SARCO his FFL and he emailed me yesterday saying that they now have it. I am really torn right now. I want to order two more Ballester 45's before they are gone but also want the RI 45. I can do both, but just not at the same time. My DAV pention would choke....hehe.....

I know the RI 45's will be around but I am not sure the Ballestes will be much longer. On the other hand, I have 3 Ballesters already....hehe...Like a kid with money in his pocket and cant figure out what to spend it on......Maybe I need to see a shrink........:confused:

One more thing: I LOVE THIS BOARD !!! hehe

[survivor99]

Such choices!!!

SalBo, buy the two Ballesters. Then, send one of em to me!! That way we'll BOTH be tickled pink!!! You're right, the RI's will be here for awhile, the others won't.

survivor99

[SalBO]

yeh, decisions are tough......hehe

I just finished preparing the 3 sets of Ballester grips and stained them. For as ugly as they are new, they are made out of some pretty good mahogany. I stripped them to bare wood with a chemical stripper , sanded them down and burnished them with steel wool prior to staining. I can live with them now. I still have one more pistol to buff out and blue before I run out of projects. Must not run out of projects...:)

[survivor99]

With all those .45's, you must run through a few rounds of ammo too! What do you shoot, commercial stuff or military surplus? A guy here said that the GI issue .45 ammo was loaded hot so it could be used in Thompsons as well as in pistols. I have seen Wolf ammo for like $65 per 500 rounds, and the milsurp .45's from WWII for $89. If it's better ammo then the price difference would be worth it. Of course, the GI stuff is mildly corrosive whereas the Wolf isn't. What do you think?

survivor99

[SalBO]

I shoot Wolf in my AK's and SKS's but not in my AR-15 or pistols. The only reason being is the steel cases. It might not make a difference but I never have . I am looking at the 600 round cans of US GI at Ammoman and WGA . I have shot a lot of GI stuff but not any of the surplus stuff like they have. Mine was always new stuff. I buy PMC and Winchester for my 45's and like it. I have been wondering about the milsurp stuff too because of the lower price. I dont shoot as much as alot of these guys but I get to the pistol range a few times a month.


Anybody have an opinion on the tin case of US GI stuff on sale now ?

Survivor99, where in Tenn are you ?
We might not be far apart, and then again we might...hehe

[survivor99]

Salbo,

If you come on I-40 through Asheville into Tennessee you won't be far from me. Newport, Cosby area. Kinda nestled in the heartbreak acres area of appalachia, LOL. Looks like a few shooters are from NC on these boards. I think I'll order a can of the GI surplus ammo this week and give it a trial run. It's getting bad when you start counting how many rounds of ammo you have so you can maintain a good inventory of it for later!

survivor99

[Playmate50]

I've been using Barnaul steel cased ammo in my AR-15 for quit awhile. No problems with it at all.

[SalBO]

I know the feeling on counting ammo. I think I will order a can of it too. Never can have too much....hehe

It looks like we are about 3-4 hours apart. I am in NW NC.....

[SalBO]

Originally posted by Playmate50
I've been using Barnaul steel cased ammo in my AR-15 for quit awhile. No problems with it at all.

yeh, I have never heard of any real problems with it. I do wonder if it is any rougher on extractors and the breech, but probably not. Just a quirk of mine with no real reason for it. I love Wolf in my AK's and my wallet loves the price.......hehe

[survivor99]

I've seen a lot of steel cased .45 surplus ammo, too. My father brought some home from WWII and I have several of them in my collection. I guess you have to ask the dealers if they're brass or steel cased, LOL. We had a .380ACP and shot nothing but steel cased ammo in it. Never had a problem. Of course you don't reload steel, but you can do it to brass. So there's a definite advantage either way you go, I think.

survivor99

[SalBO]

you are right on the steel cased surplus ammo. I had really forgotten about it until now. Below is from AIM's website....

US .45acp Military Surplus
WWII Dated, US Surplus .45acp, mfd in Evansville, Indiana. FMJ, Steel case. Packaged 50rds/box, 600rds/sealed military tin. Super Neat!

[joe2hewes]

Hey Salbo, speaking of DAV pensions:
My daughter is 21, and not currently in school. My 18 year old son, just graduated, and is going in to the Air Force. My July VA check for July dropped from around $1200 to $796!!! PLUS I now live alone, and pay rent for a 3 bedroom place.
Must I now adopt 2 kids to get enough $$ from the VA to buy more guns:D Or should I pray for a "miracle cure," and go back to working:confused: Damn, I wish my kids stayed young, at least until the .45 Colt turned C&R!!! This SUCKS!!!
Joe

[SalBO]

yeh, that sucks when they get older. I have two girls , 13 and 16. I told them they are staying home and going to college until they are 21, whether they want to or not..and the only way they can get out of College is to find their own replacement that is at least 15 years younger.......LOL

It isnt like they pay us that much anyway. I am 100 % Service Connected and could make 3 or 4 times what they are paying me if I were able to work.....It is a help but when Congress gives themselves
a 50 k raise every couple years you would think they would at least throw us a bone...........

[joe2hewes]

VA has been decent about my 100% medical coverage, but I HAVE to drive to Augusta, Georgia about 5 times a month. AND I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE COUNTY HOSPITAL!!!
I hear that VA will start "farming out" to hospitals soon. I CAN'T WAIT!!! With all the WWII and Korean vets dying off, it will be cheaper (AND MORE CONVENIENT) to close the big
VAMC's, and just pay the private hospitals.
I have to be at VA Augusta tomorrow at 7am for chemo, so I'll be getting up at 3am to drive 3+ hours. THEN have to drive home all fu**ed up from the chemo, another 3+ hours, AND in this miserable heat.
I COULD get up at 6:45am, and WALK across the street to the brand new chemo/radiation unit at the hospital. But VA will not cover it. Makes no sense.
How idiotic??!! VA vs. County hospital. Same pair of pants, just different pockets. Hopefully I'll live long enough until they wise-up.
I really don't want to have to move to Atlanta, Augusta, Columbia, or Asheville. It took too long to get some regular "side work" around here, to supplement the ridiculous VA pension. I just don't have the energy to start over again, and my folks retired down here from NYC. As luck would have it, I could'nt be much further from the 4 closest VAMC's, if I had planned it!!!
The 2 dozen illegal alien Mexicans next door? Well, they get to go across the street for treatment. But I'm not bitter. I'M ENRAGED!!!:mad:
Joe

[SalBO]

yep, been there and done that. I used to go to Salsbury VA which is about 65 miles for only dental and eye glasses. After awhile it was jusr eye glasses. I have always gone to a civilian Dr.. I can't imagine having to travel as far as you do and so often. I would have gone nuts by now.........

[joe2hewes]

Fortunately, I was nuts BEFORE all this bullshit!:D I guess that's what keeps me coping!
Take care,
Joe

[Faulkner]

Originally posted by survivor99
. . . . Of course, the GI stuff is mildly corrosive whereas the Wolf isn't. What do you think?

survivor99

"Mildly corrosive" ammo is kind of like being "sorta pregnant". Either it is or it isn't corrosive. It shoots just fine, just be advised as to the care difference to your firearm after shooting it. Personally, I avoid all corrosive ammo these days, the perceived cost savings just isn't worth the hassle.

[survivor99]

Faulkner,

That's good advice. I have shot some corrosive ammo in my Mosins but cleaned it very thoroughly. I will totally avoid it in my pistol!!

survivor99

[joe2hewes]

Are mercuric primers the only criteria of corrosive ammo, or are there also some corrosive powders?
Joe

[Faulkner]

I'm no expert on corrosive ammo, but it's my understanding that it's the primer that's at issue, not the powder.

[SalBO]

sorry to get off subject guys........but when you get two old broken vets together, well you know......at least I am broken...

on the surplus .45 I agree Survivor. I am not getting it now either, so where do we go ? I am in the mood for some ammo and dont know where to get it from.
500 to 1000 rounds would be plenty for me . :)

[survivor99]

SalBo,

I agree, every guy needs at least 500 or 1000 rounds per gun!! LOL

I guess it's back to the original question of steel cased ammo vs. brass. If you plan to reload, BRASS is the only route. But steel is cheaper. Wolf ammo is good, non-corrosive stuff. I've seen it for $64.50 for 500 rounds in several places, so that's a great price. I have also seen Aguila for real cheap, too, but I don't know anything about it. Maybe I'll order out a bunch of Wolf and see how it goes.

And don't worry about the DAV posts, it's great to communicate with like minds on interesting matters. It's a shame the government does you guys that way! Hang in there, maybe they'll change their policies soon.

survivor99

[SalBO]

I agree on the WOlf. It is a shame the GI stuff is corrosive, I really would liked to have one of those sealed cans. The Aguila, I dont know about either. I quit reloading a few years back, after 30 years of it, I got tired....hehe......so it is looking more and more like WOlf. I am going o check with my local guy and see what he can do for me before ordering though. If I can give him the biz, I will.

[Jericho]

I have also seen Aguila for real cheap, too, but I don't know anything about it. Maybe I'll order out a bunch of Wolf and see how it goes.

I have only used Aguila in 22... It is some fast stuff... It was so much faster that at 100 yards it shot 4" higher... The 22 stuff burned clean and was very reliable, they seem to have a good product, sometimes hard to find... Let me know how the large caliber stuff works :bye:

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by zouave
I see it now! Really nice, they are very reasonably priced pistols and of excellent quality.

I don't get it Zouave, you don't see stuff and I always see it. His Rocky has smooth walnut grips, no checkering. I can see it on my work PC running NT and on my home PC running XP Home addition.:confused:

[survivor99]

I think Aguila advertises as having the world's fastest 22 rimfire ammo. I've often wondered when somebody would turn the old 22LR into a fire-breather. I know, the 22 magnum rimfires already were. Matter of fact I've also shot some 22 Aguila and it worked great. I don't know about the .45 stuff, though. If it shoots 4 inches higher it would be a lot better at varmint shooting for longer ranges. I like that.

Maybe I'll try the Wolf first. I've also thought about just buying a box or two of ammo everytime I go in Walmart. The .45 ammo is not too steep, so a couple of 50-round boxes each trip might add up after awhile. Of course it's not like getting 500 or 1000 rounds at once! The more the merrier!

survivor99

[SalBO]

hehehe.....I thought I was the only one that does that Survivor. On my S & W .40 , 357 and stuff that I dont shoot large quantities of, I buy a couple boxes each trip or two to Wal Mart. It does add up quite fast especially since we are in Wal Mart a couple time a week.....hehe

[Jericho]

I think Aguila advertises as having the world's fastest 22 rimfire ammo. I've often wondered when somebody would turn the old 22LR into a fire-breather. I know, the 22 magnum rimfires already were. Matter of fact I've also shot some 22 Aguila and it worked great. I don't know about the .45 stuff, though. If it shoots 4 inches higher it would be a lot better at varmint shooting for longer ranges. I like that.


I would say it shoots about as fast as a 22 mag... And it was varmint shooting that I first tried it... You should have seen the lookes on their faces when the bullets were wizzing over thier heads :eek: But then there were those unlucky ones :D
http://publish.hometown.aol.com/norico2/images/image013.jpg
http://publish.hometown.aol.com/norico2/images/image014.jpg

[survivor99]

Jericho,

I'm impressed!! I think I'll try some of that hot 22 stuff out. It would ruin a squirrel but for varmint shooting it would be great!

survivor99

[Jericho]

Originally posted by survivor99
Jericho,

I'm impressed!! I think I'll try some of that hot 22 stuff out. It would ruin a squirrel but for varmint shooting it would be great!

survivor99

As you see it did ruin the squirrel :eek: Just remember to shoot the ammo at a range first to site in your rifle, the difference will vary depending on how fast your present ammo is... It was quite amazing the difference :p and that was out of my 10/22 :bye: