I took one in trade a while back; it seemed fairly reliable for a $300.00 1911. I ran about a thousand rounds through it without any problems and it was a little more accurate than my rock throwing but a long way from being a keeper. I put a set of pachmayer wrap-arounds and main-spring housing on it. I put a chip McCormick trigger and sear in it; that really improved the over-all performance. I just fit a stainless match barrel and bushing today. I fit a commander hammer and an extended grip safety, a decent set of sights, and off to the range again. My $300.00 pistol now costs around $700.00, but is shoots real good; I think I'll keep it.
Isnt that kind of like takeing the radiator cap off a chevey and pulling a Corvet under the radiator cap to fix up the car? Sounds cool.
not really, the frame and slide are pretty decent steel and have a better than average fit. Turns out it is a pretty good gun to build on. I did the same with a Norinco except I also added an ambidexterous safety and an extended mag release and match take-down pin and I love it. I've won many matches with that baby. I have 9 1911s colts, Remington Rand, Thompson Auto Ordinance, Mitchel Arms, and Kimber but none of them will out shoot the Rock Island or Norinco.
I have heard of lots of match shooters buying Rock Island, and Norincos to name a few, then basically stripping them down and just using the frame and slide. Glad to hear that Seacowboys is a big 1911 guy. But one thing is lacking Sea.....
Yeah, the RIs got a good rep when they first started importing them. Heard "rumors" of some problems, but never saw anybody that had a problem. The 'rincos are a good .45, wish they would import some more.