The parts are manufactured in the same facility, but the pistols are finished and assembled in different places. RIA has their own shop, and their final product is generally considered to be of a decidedly better quality than Charles Daly 1911s.
The 1911 pattern gets points not just because some folks want 1911s, but because ANY well-made 1911 is one of the best combat handguns ever devised.
I can't agree that there are better options for the price point. Unless you specifically DON'T want a 1911 for some reason.
As for Taurus, the PT1911 has a forged frame (instead of cast), but it also has a fugly painted billboard on the side, and I remain unconvinced that it is worth the extra cash considering the quality of modern castings.
Also, while both guns are well-received as an excellent bargain, my impression from browsing many a forum is to a slightly higher level of satisfaction with the RIAs.
Finally, there is nothing wrong with stuff manufactured in the Philippines. I would suggest that the Daly you handled isn't going to reveal much about the quality of a newer RIA Tactical. They just keep getting better and better, and they've been considered equal to or better than Dalys since they first hit the market.
Don't get me wrong, I know exactly what you're getting at. I just don't think it's accurate to characterize an RIA as "inaccurate" simply because it has a "low-end" price point.
It won't be as accurate as a fine custom 1911, but then neither will a Springfield GI. The question is, is the RIA as accurate as the Springfield GI, for significantly less money? And the answer is yes.
No matter what you have, there is always something "better". The question should be, is what I have sufficient to the task for which it is intended?
And the answer is that, for both defensive and target shooting, a RIA 1911 is going to just as sufficient to both of those ends as any other similarly-priced pistol, and many which cost a good deal more.
I really don't know what I would do with more accuracy, or why I would need it.
