[Dave Waits]

At the risk of making my friend Mike mad, Wilson Combat parts pretty much run the Gamut from sevicable, lesser quality to good but, overpriced. Their top line, the Bullet-Proof parts are good, quality parts but, WC is very proud of them. You can get the same quality at a lesser price from Cylinder&Slide, EGW, Ed Brown, etc.

As far as a gunsmith is concerned, talk to others who run 1911s in your area. Usually, they have already visited any Smiths around you and should have an idea who's good and who's middle name is Bubba. When you do find one, ask to see some of his work or get some references. No such thing yet as a Certified RIA Armorer. Only RIA Gunsmiths I know are in Nevada.

Any parts that will fit a Colt or a Ruger, Springfield, etc, series 70 and before, will fit in a RIA. AAMOF, I have parts from five different manufacturers in my RIA.