High Standard Crusader

[RKirby]

I handled one of these at the gun show this weekend and I think I may I've found my next summer carry piece and first 1911. The picture below is the Armscor version. I'm considering the High Standard Crusader model. It's the same as the picture except for the roll marks and grip panels.



It's an officer size 1911 made by Armscor (think Rock Island Armory) and appears to be well made and nicely appointed considering it's sub-$500 price. It's pretty much an officer's size Rock Island Tactical.

It comes with an ambi safety, dovetailed Novak sites, combat style hammer, skeleton trigger, decent checkered grip panels, a beavertail grip safety and a Novak 6 round mag.

After searching the web I haven't found much info on this gun, it must be fairly new. Of what I have found very little is negative in nature.

Does anyone here have any hands on experience with an officers size 1911, or anything good or bad to say about these guns (Rock Island, High Standard, or Armscor) in general?

[Reysc]

You should have grabbed that one because they are hard to come by.I am a big fan of the Rock Island Armory 1911s though I might get shot here for admitting that

Below is a pic of my RIA COMPACT TACTICAL



This is how it shoots at 12 yard ( 50 break-in rounds ) FLAWLESS AND FUN TO SHOOT.



I really enjoy my RIA's. I have a G.I. model, Tactical Model, STI-Spartan ( STI/Armscor joint project) and the RIA compact tactical shown above.IMHO, they have the best customer service support in the industry.

[RKirby]

Yep, that's it with the exception of the trigger.

I went to the gun show intent on buying a Springfield GI or Mil-Spec Champion but none were to be found. Only a few full size GI's and they were all well over $500.00 Two dealers told me that Springfield has most 1911's back ordered right now. Sounds like they are using that as justification for the high prices

Anyway, I saw a few Rock Island Compacts for $380 -$400 and was impressed with their value and then I found the High Standard Crusader. After I fondled it for a while I knew I was hooked! Unfortunately the dealer wouldn't come off the $500 price so I passed on it.

Kinda wish I had grabbed it now.

[Reysc]

Yup, I am not particularly fond of the trigger but I can live with it. I haven't seen a RIA Compact Tactical in gunshows yet but then again I only go to Big Town. I have noticed that the RIA compact tactical ( maybe I am just imagining it) shoots softer than my colt compact ( officer"s model) but maybe it is because of the FLGR that the RIA has. I am not a big fun of the FLGR myself but maybe just maybe it made a difference in the 3 1/2 inch barell ??
Here is my colt...



I have shot both side by side when I noticed the softer recoil of the RIA Compact Tactical.

Good Luck on your RIA shopping and you wont regret it.

[The Annoyed Man]

Does anyone here have any hands on experience with an officers size 1911, or anything good or bad to say about these guns (Rock Island, High Standard, or Armscor) in general?

The 3" Kimbers are "Officers" sized 1911s. I love my Stainless Ultra Carry II. I've never owned or fired a RIA pistol, but I haven't ever heard anybody say anything bad about them.

The "officers" sized Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II:


I can't speak to the Crusader's reliability, but the Kimber UCII is extremely reliable, and, surprisingly accurate and easy to shoot. I would expect the same from the Crusader, or any other 1911, for that matter. If you pistol doesn't work right, it doesn't matter who made it. I have nothing to support this, but given that you usually get what you pay for, I would expect that the higher end manufacturers probably have a better degree of fit and finish, better coatings, things like that. OTH, if it works, it works, and all the fluff just costs extra dollars.

I would say, go ahead and buy the Crusader. If you don't like it, sell it and get something else - just don't give up on 1911s if you have a bad experience with this one. They are great pistols, and there are lots of manufactures to sample from.

[nemesis]

Does anyone here have any hands on experience with an officers size 1911, or anything good or bad to say about these guns (Rock Island, High Standard, or Armscor) in general?

The 3" Kimbers are "Officers" sized 1911s. I love my Stainless Ultra Carry II.

There may be some confusion as to what constitutes an "Officers Model" 1911. To clarify, the "Officers Model" genre from the many different manufacturers are 3 1/2" guns.

The 3" guns are modeled after Colts "Defender" pistols.

[Reysc]

Does anyone here have any hands on experience with an officers size 1911, or anything good or bad to say about these guns (Rock Island, High Standard, or Armscor) in general?

The 3" Kimbers are "Officers" sized 1911s. I love my Stainless Ultra Carry II.

There may be some confusion as to what constitutes an "Officers Model" 1911. To clarify, the "Officers Model" genre from the many different manufacturers are 3 1/2" guns.

The 3" guns are modeled after Colts "Defender" pistols.

Please educate me... My Colt is a Colt Compact 3 1/2 I I thought this is the Officer's Model ( OACP) ???My Compact Tactical RIA is a clone of my Colt.. I never handled a Defender Model but what I thought was it had the Officer's frame w/ the commander slide??????

Thanks a lot for your inputs and info..


Edited...

Ok I found some answer to my questions.. The Defender got a mid size frame w/ an 3 inch barrel ( if I read right..LOL)

Here's a link http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/colt_defender.htm

i believe my Colt Compact and RIA Compact Tactical are Officer's Model ???

[The Annoyed Man]

I stand corrected. I always thought that "Officers" meant 3" to 3-1/2" barrels, just as there are some small variations in barrel length from manufacturer to manufacturer in what constitutes a "Commander" sized pistol. I'm never too old to learn something new.

[Reysc]

I stand corrected. I always thought that "Officers" meant 3" to 3-1/2" barrels, just as there are some small variations in barrel length from manufacturer to manufacturer in what constitutes a "Commander" sized pistol. I'm never too old to learn something new.

You are right and it's get confusing.. Gosh! Officer's Model, Compact Model, combat Model, Commander size, mid size,lTC full size, 5" .. I guess theonly way tp really remember is have one of all those models from different makers.

[longhorn_92]

I stand corrected. I always thought that "Officers" meant 3" to 3-1/2" barrels, just as there are some small variations in barrel length from manufacturer to manufacturer in what constitutes a "Commander" sized pistol. I'm never too old to learn something new.

Don't make us take your Man Card away - again!

[The Annoyed Man]

I stand corrected. I always thought that "Officers" meant 3" to 3-1/2" barrels, just as there are some small variations in barrel length from manufacturer to manufacturer in what constitutes a "Commander" sized pistol. I'm never too old to learn something new.

Don't make us take your Man Card away - again!

Oh Lordy, please no! I probably can't afford whatever it will cost me to get it back!

[RKirby]

You are right and it's get confusing.. Gosh! Officer's Model, Compact Model, combat Model, Commander size, mid size,lTC full size, 5" .. I guess theonly way tp really remember is have one of all those models from different makers.

I'll settle for just one right now...whatever label you want to hang on it.

[Liberty]

I don't know where they came up with the "Officers Model" All the officers I ever knew carried the same thing as the enlisted MPs, 5 inch Colt 1911. BTW it was 30 years ago and most thought they were crap back then. Oneday when I wasn't looking the old 1911 became sexy to everyone.

[RKirby]

Well, Reysc..it's all your fault. Thanks to the glowing praise of your Rock Islands, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a High Standard Crusader tonight.

I ordered it from Eric Goldberg at EMG Outdoors.com for $440 delivered ($425 +$15 shipping). This will be my second purchase from Eric and I would highly recommend him if you are planning a firearm purchase. He has the lowest prices I could find anywhere and great customer service to back it up. Add the $10.00 FFL transfer fee for a total of $450.00 compared to the $500 asking price at the gun show this weekend. The second best online price I found was $470.00 delivered.

Does this now mean that I'm an official member of the John Moses Browning's 1911 Mutual Admiration and Bragging Fellowship?
When do I get my official membership card and secret handshake instructions?

[Reysc]

Well, Reysc..it's all your fault. Thanks to the glowing praise of your Rock Islands, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a High Standard Crusader tonight.

I ordered it from Eric Goldberg at EMG Outdoors.com for $440 delivered ($425 +$15 shipping). This will be my second purchase from Eric and I would highly recommend him if you are planning a firearm purchase. He has the lowest prices I could find anywhere and great customer service to back it up. Add the $10.00 FFL transfer fee for a total of $450.00 compared to the $500 asking price at the gun show this weekend. The second best online price I found was $470.00 delivered.

Does this now mean that I'm an official member of the John Moses Browning's 1911 Mutual Admiration and Bragging Fellowship?
When do I get my official membership card and secret handshake instructions?

Yes, I will take the blame!! post a pic when you get it and let us know how it shoots. Now, I don't know about the Mutual Admiration and Bragging Fellowship part... We have to talk to the big 1911 boys on that one..

Here's a little review of your High Standard...http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_WorkingGun.htm