IF a $500 budget is the only reason buy the RIA. IF you can afford more then definitely buy more gun. Springfields are more gun for a little less $. I'm impressed with the Sigs in quality for the $ too.
Being your first 1911 I'd recommend a better gun than the RIA. Don't get me wrong as they're a decent gun with good customer support. I've owned 3 now and still have one of them. I had to spend a lot more $ on it to bring it up to an acceptable level. I'm picky though. You will get what you pay for. Look around first AND THEN make up your mind
That's a good place to start. I have 3 RIA guns and have not had any problems . You are buying a entry level firearm and if you like the 1911 platform then you MAY want to move up to a more sophisticated 1911 later .Although more money does not = a better gun .Don't expect to get a big payback if you do loads of custom work to your RIA shoot it and enjoy.
The Main reason I looked at this particular firearm is the combination of value and the mag capacity. The A2 carries a 14 rd mag, something that I have not seen a lot of in a 1911 style and something that I am quite fond of from the XDM45 that I play with on occasion.
RIA's MIL-SPEC 1911-A2 is the double stack variety, correct? That makes a big difference if you ever intend to carry it over a single stack, but it really just comes down to preference.
My second 1911 was an RIA and I still have that gun. I have no complaints at all with the RIA. It has been as much fun to shoot, as reliable and as accurate as my Kimbers, Springfield and SIG 1911s. Mine is a compact though, not a full size double stack 1911. I've been very happy with it and have no regrets over buying the RIA.
One of the hardest pistols I've ever had to put back on the shelf was a RIA tactical with teh rail & night sights. In SW Ft Wayne I held it at Rangers Supply and it just fit me to a "T". Unfortunately the timing and $$ never came together before I got into other things, but from all the reading I did on those pistols they'll shoot with just about any other factory 1911 out there.
My very first pistol was a colt 1911 45acp and I don't think there's anything wrong with a 1911 as a first pistol. I've also had a para ord P-14 and as much as I really really really like have a lot of ammo in a gun it's just not the same to me. A 1911 is meant to be a single stack, and if you want a double stack 45acp there's a lot out there to pick from. I think you'll find as I found with my P-14 is that the aftermarket options are slim to none in the double stack 1911 world. I was lucky to get a pair of hogue grips for my P-14.
I have a LSI and a RIA. They are a nice low price pistol. I use the LSI for daily carry. I have 7k plus rounds threw it. I bought the RIA a few months ago to give my LSI a break lol. I like the sights more on the LSI.
I have an RIA mil spec 1911 A2 that I bought used but in nice condition. Shot over 300 rounds thru it with out one single malfunction. I am more than satisfied with it.