Rock Island Armory

[Student12]

Went to Herndon Sat. The new gun shop is great and the guys were patient and took time to answer questions. Since my next gun will be a 1911, the guy showed me the Rock Island Armory .45. I was way impressed with the price (right at 500.00 if that). I also really liked the way it felt in my hand.

Anyone had any experience with this? I also looked at a Springfield which I must say didn't feel as good to hold ad the RI.

The ammo there wasn't too badly priced either.

[OakRidgeStars]

Be careful with a RIA 1911. They suffer from questionable off-shore parts and poor quality assurance. There are better 1911's out there in that price range, such as those from Colt, Taurus and Smith & Wesson.

[gunderwood]

I wouldn't buy a RIA. However, while I don't own one, I have heard great things about the Taurus PT1911. They cost about the same and just work.

Edit: Here is a higher end PT1911. Two tone and upgraded sights, although it costs slightly more. http://www.snipercountrypx.com/showprod ... uctid=5113

I saw a RIA the other weekend that was really tight. Much more so than usual and felt a lot more like a Kimber IMHO. Does that make it the same? No. Even with spotty quality control you can sometimes crank out a great gun. Kinda like how everyone knows someone who owns a stock Remington 700 which out shoots $4k custom jobs. It is possible to get a sub 1/2 MOA stock rifle, but the odds are way not in your favor. Most shoot 1-1.5MOA out of the box. Everyone of those custom jobs shoots at least 1/2 MOA. See the difference? Quality was built into that custom rifle, while the factory stuff was a random event and it likely won't shoot like that for the life of the rifle.

Until you jump to the Springfield, SIG, Colt, Kimber price range of $1k give or take, the Taurus PT1911 is the best bet IMO.

[skywalker30]

i have a ria gi model, i have only put 50 rounds in it, but it is jaming on last round, maybe i will try different ammo and a different mag, or maybe i just need to put more rounds though it. i was never going to carry it ,just range duty, so i can play with it to get it right , i paid less that 450new. for carry i would go with taurus or kimber or colt.

[Everett113]

I have owned RIA's and they are good entry level 1911's. I would buy another if I come across a "can't pass this up" deal. I also own a Taurus PT1911DT.
I shoot it in IDPA comp. Have nothing but praise for my Taurus. I paid $400 3yrs agofor my RIA 4.5" Paid $600 for my Taurus duo tone 4mos ago. I also have a Kimber ultra carry. The kimber can be finiky at times, but when its right it's awsome. I would recomend you find the best deal you can for the money you have, and you will love it

[Diomed]

Five hundred for a RIA is rather high. Centerfire Systems lists most of their line for less.

I have several, they're good guns but I've had them all upgraded with new barrels (originals looked like sewer pipe), standard guide rods and beavertail safeties if they lacked them. Changed the grip panels too.

If you leave them stock they're probably fine. I just pimped them a bit.

[Student12]

Thanks for all the answers. I have been educated by you guys and ladies, if any. Between the advice I got here and the extra research it inspired I'll most likely get a starter and then another later as many of you have.

[zephyp]

i have a ria gi model, i have only put 50 rounds in it, but it is jaming on last round, maybe i will try different ammo and a different mag, or maybe i just need to put more rounds though it. i was never going to carry it ,just range duty, so i can play with it to get it right , i paid less that 450new. for carry i would go with taurus or kimber or colt.

Try loading one less cartridge in the mags until they are broken in a little then go to full cap...

[gunderwood]

Thanks for all the answers. I have been educated by you guys and ladies, if any. Between the advice I got here and the extra research it inspired I'll most likely get a starter and then another later as many of you have.

Looking through the responders...who is the lady(ies)?





Not it!

[ss313]

I have had a RIA Tactical since the beginning of this year. I have run a couple of boxes of WWB through it with 0 problems. I will tell you that this is my first 1911 and the very first thing that I did was take it apart to see how it worked. I cleaned and lubed everything when I put it back together (and it needed to be cleaned and lubed). I don't know if I will carry it but at this point I have no reason not to.

My .02.
Scott

[RocKor]

From what I've been able to gather, RIA are good entry-level 1911 models made in the Philippines by Armscor. While a good value line, $500 is a bit much for one. You could probably get a Springfield GI.45 or Mil-Spec or a Taurus PT1911 for only a little more which are both nicer. Colts, Kimbers, S&Ws are probably more expensive (trending toward $800-$1000) so unless you're looking to spend more, the RIA or a Taurus or lower-end Springfield would get you where you need to go.

[RocKor]

Oh another entry-level option would be the STI Spartan (also made by Armscor [who makes RIA]) but I hear good things. The GI Expert from Para Ordnance is also another option but I haven't heard much about them myself. (But I trust Para)

[dbuckbee61]

I own a RIA 45 Tactical, matte satin finish, upgraded grips. Absolutely fine weapon with zero disappointments so far.

[TheEqualizer]

I own an RIA 1911. Good entry 1911. Paid $470.00 for it. You can find it cheaper. Very true to the design of the original 1911 which is why some people like it. Didn't like the mags it came with so changed to Chip Mccormick mags. As Bob Mayne says from The Handgun World podcast, you really need to give it that 1000 round trigger job. At first I was having some misfeeds or extractor issues but after shooting 1000 rounds and field stripping it several times it is running like clockwork. It is a basic, solid 1911. No more, no less. Will probably trade up at some point.

[secondhandloser]

Rock Island's 1911's are a great buy for the the money. I've got a tactical nickel model, and it's the best shooting gun I've owned. You can check out the forum devoted to them on the m1911.org forums. There are a ton of satisfied owners that really enjoy them.

I've never had a jam or issue with mine, except when using cheap magazines-- ie, not the gun's fault. Shoot both hollowpoints and FMJ ammunition without a problem.

They also have the best customer service of any gun manufacturer out there. If you have any sort of issue with the gun, they will take care of you. I had a small scratch on the side of my gun when I received it, and Ivan promptly offered to replace it. I would up saving the hassle as the scratch was small, and I would rather have the gun around, but if you had an actual issue, I'm sure they would be just as quick to take care of you.

I would recommend signing up on m1911, as it is a great resource for 1911 owners, and asking any further questions you have there. The gun gets rave reviews from those that have owned or shot it, and getting actual owners experience is much better than hearsay.

I personally sold my SA stainless mil-spec for my RIA, and think the RIA is a MUCH better gun...that's just my opinion though.

[Student12]

Thanks for all the answers. I have been educated by you guys and ladies, if any. Between the advice I got here and the extra research it inspired I'll most likely get a starter and then another later as many of you have.

Looking through the responders...who is the lady(ies)?





Not it!

I just didn't want to take any chances

[Jakeiscrazy]

I was looking around, for the money you may want to go with a Remington 1911. Nothing but good things said so far as I know and MADE IN THE USA! They look straight out of WW1 with a few modern features. BTW They are about $600.

[greener]

I've fired one rIA. It seemed to be a competent pistol. Nothing great. A majority of the reports I've seen have been positive. I was considering getting one (~$400) but found something I liked better. They still look like a pistol well-suited for shooting or tinkering.

PS. For a tad more, I think the Taurus PT1911B is a better buy.

[wbtrunx]

I used to own a RIA Tactical. I had a few hundred rounds through it without a problem.
I liked it. I only sold it to fund a small, more concealable (I'm not a big guy) handgun.
If I had a spare $450, I'd pick up another.

[jrswanson1]

I would like another 1911 in a Commander size. My go to guy for firearms related stuff has RIAs in full size and compact, but hasn't gotten any Commanders in yet. Since he's on my way back from my monthly shooting match, if he ever gets them in, I'll be swinging by to snag one.

BTW, I have yet to buy a crappy gun if I've gotten to handle it before purchase. If he gets one in, I'll be field stripping it first before plunking my money down. This would be my fifth 1911 style firearm, so I kind of know what to look for.

Jim