[cherzog]

I'm thinking about picking one of these up in 45. What kind of experiences have ya'll had with them?

[WNTFW]

I put on a ".45 night" at the range. It was just for fun among friends. 1 guy brought a RIA he paid $400 new at the time. I felt for the money it was the best bang for the buck. It was years back & I can't remember every gun there. The RIA was a bare bones down to the sights. Functioned 100%, but so did the 1911s.

Of course you can spend more and get something 'better'

[viking499]

Great experience with my RIA. Mine is the 2 tone version. If you get one, it is worth the extra money to get the tactical model. For very little extra money, you get better sights and trigger.

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Love my RIA Tactical! Only issues I have had were HP/magazine related.

[Lawdawg45]

It's a very popular choice for "Wild Bunch" shooters in SASS, a reliable stamp of approval in my book!:cool:

LD45

[cherzog]

You guys talking about this one?http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411539799

[SaxonPig]

This made the FAQs.

----------------------------

Rock Island Armory 1911?

70. These are made in the Philippines and the base model approximates a military finish 1911 circa World War II. Most owners feel the guns are acceptable in quality and offer good value for the money. Maybe one owner in ten complains that he is unhappy with his gun. For the low cost of this gun it seems worth the risk to take a chance on one if you want a basic 1911 pistol.

-------------------------------

I have an RIA in 38 Super and I like it.


http://www.fototime.com/9EAD86FD62023BE/standard.jpg

[Furncliff]

I've had my RIA 1911 tactical for three years. It works just fine and I was surprised at the real nice trigger out of the box. I'm using it as a test bed for hand loads. It's much more accurate than it has a right to be for what it cost. I've had a broken slide release early on. I replaced it with a steel part from Wilson. I prefer the Chip McCormick magazines for it. I've been on the look out for a nice Colt Gold Cup, but the RIA fills my need for a range toy/test bed, just fine.

Centerfiresytems.com has the RIA pistols listed pretty cheap ($420)

http://cdn1.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/lgprod/GRIP-423.jpg

I found the original grips slippery. these Pachmyer grips work well for me.

[thedrewcifur]

i have a full size tactical model and i love it. buy one. you wont regret it...

[RX-178]

The RIA 1911 is what I recommended as a sub-$400 autoloader on the first episode of my webshow (check my sigline).

I chose it over the Stoeger Cougar, Sig P2022, Bersa Thunder and Ruger SR-9.

[centurion94]

A friend of mine talked these up a couple of years ago and we had a chance to shoot his during a break at our dept. in-service. From the 5 yard line, slow fire, I put all 7 rounds through the same hole in the paper. I got one for Christmas the next year - just a plain-jane, GI version government model. Equipped with Korean War surplus grips and riding in a repro M3 tanker shoulder holster (that's for another thread) it looks like something out of a movie. My brother, a veteran, fell in love with it and badgered me all through a visit at his place until I agreed to swap him straight across for a mint, older Browning Hi-Power. Did I mention that I'm the smarter brother? Within a few months I replaced the .45 and M3. My only complaint with this weapon is the flat mainspring cover. Although it doesn't detract from the looks, I'll eventually replace it with a correct arched cover with lanyard ring. Although I've had no problems, I've read over and over about the legendary RIA customer service - too bad all companies aren't in their league. Buck for buck, this is the best value I've ever gotten in a weapon.

[Cranky CJ]

mine is accurate, has a better trigger than most my other pistols and functions well with all manufactured ammo. If you limp wrist it when racking it, the first round may not chamber correctly. With mine, you have to pull the slide back and let it fly home hard to chamber the first round. Other than that, I've had no issues. Once I learned that trick, it has been 100% for a long time now.

They are not flashy looking but shoot well and have a good trigger. I felt, and still do, that it was a good buy at $379 new. I would recommend one if you are looking for a budget priced 1911 and don't care what the 1911 snobs say.

I have had some cycling problems with some of MY hand loads when I first started loading 45acp. Since I bumped up the powder charge and decreased the case length, I've had no cycling problems. I set the OAL to a tad less than what the book calls for and about what some of the manuf OAL is. The charge is now about half grain to a full grain over starting recommendations. I like how it is now shooting with my hand loads.

[Lonerider357]

I LOVE my Rock!!

[Eric F]

never had a 45 RIA but I bought a 38 super in 03 or so, to do my own "gunsmithing project" after about 5k rounds no failures or issues with fmj ammo, never tried defensive amo though.(low roud count as it was stolen then returned after almost 2 years)

[FLAvalanche]

My RIA .45 Tactical is hands down my favorite pistol. Accurate, tough, reliable and under $500.

What's not to like?

[Old Shooter]

I've got the RIA GI 45 model and it just keeps rocking along, no problems. I alternate target sessions with my Colt Commander and as far as my accuracy and their functioning reliability they are equals. Neither one has had a problem at all for several years now unless you consider an insatiable appetite for ammunition to be a problem. :)

[Adam123]

I love my RIA. I have the Hi-Cap model and it was custom built by RIA. My only complaint is that the mag springs are super weak. If you are thinking about getting a Hi-Cap model, buy some Para P14 mags. The Para springs are much, much stronger. I bought extra Wolfe springs for my RIA mags and they are still not as good as the Para springs.

[1911Tuner]

Based on my fairly limited contact with them...aside from the occasional minor dimensional/spec issue...the RIAs seem to be pretty decent pistols for the money, especially since they crawfished away from their early use of cast slides and went with machined barstock.

The frames are still cast, but that's really neither here nor there. The slide is where it all happens. The frame is essentially no more than a gun mount.

From all reports, their warranty/customer service station is excellent, and...other than for minor adjustments...they generally replace instead of repairing, and that can include the whole gun.

Don't expect perfection, though. These are midrange entry level pistols..not high end semi-customs.

[Adam123]

1911Tuner, I agree.

I would just add that mine is nice and tight (a lot less play than 1911s that carry a price tag double+ that of my RIA), with very little wiggle between the frame and slide. The accuracy only seems to be limited to my skill. The finish is also very nice, having no defects. Although, I can not speak on the durability of that finish.

[RX-178]

As to the durability of the finish, there's scratches and wear near the end of the slide on mine, where it rubbed against a rivet in my jeans when I carried it on a roughly 2 mile walk.

[Sniper X]

Mine just keeps getting better and better,

http://sniperx.smugmug.com/Sniperx/Sniper-X/i-BqLJk4c/0/M/DSCF4046-M.jpg

http://sniperx.smugmug.com/Sniperx/Sniper-X/i-CnnSJVt/0/M/DSCF4062-M.jpg

I have done the ignition components with all high end wilson parts, and done the obvious, a Briley fitted barrel bushing, man the bushing made it a total tack driver!!

The trigger is right at 4lbs and CRISP.

When people shoot it before they know it is a RIA, they think it is a high end semi custom 1911, then I burst their bubble, and they still want me to build them one exactly like it.

[centurion94]

The "1911 Forum" has one whole department devoted to Rock pistols - lots of good, detailed information there. If still in doubt, make it easy on yourself - buy one!

[Buckshot Bill]

I picked one up a few years ago and have been very pleased with it. I did have the standard GI sights changed out with a set of Novak's [3 white dots with the wide notch rear] that I really like. You can probably guess why on the wide notch rear sight-[old scudder syndrome], but they work very well for me.
I feel the "Rocks" are a great value for your money and would highly recommend one. You won't be disappointed.;)
Buckshot Bill

[CoRoMo]

I shot a relative's one a couple years ago. It was the least expensive parked one, just like this one. (http://gunskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RIA_L_1_5003.jpg) We were shooting Winchester Ranger ammo. It shot that ammo.

[TMann]

I have two of them: a GI model in 9mm and the Tactical model in .45. Both are good, solid reliable guns. If you're looking for an inexpensive 1911, they're a good choice.

As most people have mentioned, the tactical models (beavertail, commander-style hammer, novak-type sights, ambi-safeties) are only marginally more expensive than the GI models (standard grip safety, minimalist sights.) Thus the tactical models are, IMO, a much better value than the GI models.

TMann

[bdb benzino]

I have a Armscor made 4" Charles Daly, that I recently picked up and I love. Shoots great with a sweet trigger. Mine has a tight frame to slide fit and feeds all ammo. A great bargain and a great shooter as well. This is my third Armscor made 1911 and all have been perfect in function!

[Pict]

I have an RIA Compact on which the firing pin wanted to stick forward. Replaced it with a Springfield titanium firing pin and all is well in that department.

The extractor was really jammed in tightly and I had to re-fit it in order to do the typical new-gun tension adjustment.

Sights were off quite a bit, but a punch on the back and a file on the front took care of that. Dependably accurate now.

Even with having to fiddle around with it some, it still seems like a bargain to me. Spiffy carry pistol, especially with the McCormick extra round mag. I think I paid a little over $400 for it.

[n00bhandgunner]

i saw a video of a fellow disassembling an RIA compact gi 1911--since it has no bushing, he used a paperclip to actuate the slide stop forward??? is there a better method than that???

[bdb benzino]

No, that is the method.

[wally]

No, that is the method.

The SA, Kimber, and Colt "officers" sized guns use the same, although there is a little half-moon tool you can buy if the practicality of a bent paper clip to hold the spring back for take down offends you :)

[rondog]

I have three, they're all good for me. This one shined up nice.....

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/my%20handguns/DSCN1387.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/my%20handguns/DSCN1384.jpg

Ol' Sarge here wears its Colt parts well.....

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/my%20handguns/DSCN3627-1-1.jpg

[Bush Pilot]

I purchased a used RIA a few years ago and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. This is a nice entry level gun for people wanting to get their feet wet in the .45 market.

[n00bhandgunner]

@benzino, @wally--thanks folks! lol im never one to turn down practicality, just wasnt sure about it.:)

[tinygnat219]

Mine's the 9MM Tactical. It's a fun range gun, but it doesn't feed JHP very well so I tend to just put Wolf Ball in it and burn through 100 rounds at a time with it as I thin out my supply of Wolf.

It's a fun, low-recoil, accurate gun. I'm probably going to try and get it throated out to accept JHP ammo and possibly use it as a carry gun once it runs reliably.

[Sniper X]

Since I have owned, shot and worked on my 1911's since about 1976, I will add that the only thing I can say about an RIA that has quality parts installed that is different than a $1000.00 1911 is there is a SLIGHT possibility it MIGHT not last as many thousands of rounds as a +1K pistol. I sure can't find any difference in the way mine shoot or function. Prestige of ownership maybe?

[wolfen89]

I bought a standard RIA G.I. model about 6 months back. I just wanted something plain and simple for my first 1911. And i got it. So far it has fed everything i have put through it and have experienced no issues of any kind. Sights suck but that what you get with a G.I. I'm thinking about buying another in the tactical version...why not?

[Nushif]

i saw a video of a fellow disassembling an RIA compact gi 1911--since it has no bushing, he used a paperclip to actuate the slide stop forward??? is there a better method than that???


Yes there is.

I take mine down by pulling the slide back slightly, taking out the slidelock and then simply pulling the slide off. No tools needed and since that is the way I learned 1911 takedown much faster than the ones with the bushings.

[Sniper X]

Nush, I do that too, always have. Way easier than using the pin method. Even works on full siz that has a full length guide rod.

[franco45]

I really like my two tone tactical in 45 acp. I want the 9mm tactical also.

[SADshooter]

Does anyone know if the Tactical is offered in .38 Super?

[HisSoldier]

I paid $350 for mine, and there is just something special about a 1911 that works so well yet cost so little. I have some that cost 3 times as much, I like them too.