TexasCHLforum.com

rm9792 wrote:

marksiwel wrote:So basically, you can get parts from a Full Sized Kimber 1911 and throw them in a Rock Island, I mean like the Barrell, Trigger, Slide? Can they take the same magazines? If I go on the Brownells website can I order parts and put them in my Rock Island?

AFAIK you can. As long as the barrel is the same design (ie Ramped or NonRamped) it will work. All this except the trigger might require some fitting but even replacement parts of the same brand might need fitting. Of course you can just put the parts together without fitting usually but accuracy/reliability might suffer, albeit not enough to matter in a CCW. I have mixed and matched parts a few times building mutts and had few issues. I have swapped slides around to get a model thats not available even, my ccw has Kimber Pro CDP slide on a Kimber BP Ten Hicap frame. Only parts i would stress having fitted properly for safety is the fire control parts, dont want a runaway.

This also assumes you have the same frame size and barrel length. Some parts for a compact model may not fit on a full sized frame, and some will; it really depends on which part. There are also bull barrels that don't use a bushing, and other differences. Thats just one of the beauties of the 1911; there's wide array of options and choices. Again, as others have stated though, if you are unfamiliar with how it all goes together, find a competent gunsmith to help. I can do a gret field strip on mine, but have not yet had the nerve to strip it down completely. I'm afraid I'd never get it back together!

With all the Springfield, Kimber, Taurus, and others being mentioned, I would have to ask a couple of questions:
What is this gun for? is it just to have a 1911 that you can pass on? Or do you want a good solid EDC that is accurate, dependable and reliable?
Someone suggested a Rock Island as a "starter" gun, but I would go one step farther; The Rock Island Tactical models are fine weapons that will give you good looks, reliability, accuracy and everything else you would want in a carry piece that won't break the bank.
You can get a variety of barrell lengths from 3.5 to 5, or even 6". I have a compact model with nearly 1000 rounds through it and ZERO problems:


and a full sized, 2tone model with about 400 rounds and no problems:


If you're looking for a show piece, go with a Colt, Wilson, or other high dollar 1911, but if you are looking for a carry piece that you can trust your life to, without going into hock, chect out the Rock Island Armory (BTW, RIA also makes the STI model)