Im not that good, but there are people at the range who are. By "everytime", I mean clean/dirty, first round, 200th round. Obviously misses happen, but the gun itself was capable of one inch at the 25 yard backstop, magtech, remington, handloaded ammo with precision delta bullets and bullseye. That RIA was the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. It had an exceptional trigger that had nearly zero creep, and a very light pull. I consider this a credible claim, because i am far from bragging about the gun, but have to give credit where its due. If the thing could have made it through two mags without a jam I would have kept it, but it didn't. 2" at 25 is actually far better than me, and very impressive. i have had a few people tell me 1 at 25 was beyond the limitations of 45ACP, but i have known a few bullseye shooters that could prove it wrong. One thing about it, when I sold it off, I kept the barrel bushing, and used it on my springfield GI. The Springfield's groups improved enormously (still not as good as the RIA, but from around 1foot to 4-5 inches at 25 yards) and sold the RIA with the sprngfield bushing, now also shooting 4-5 inches.
Is RIA the default for bang for the buck 1911s?
- Thread starter brewer12345
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On the 1911 platform the 9x19mm was already borderline when it comes to it's window of functionality...this has improved over the years with the introduction of better engineered magazines...and that is with the GM sized guns. Going to more compact models just narrows the window further. The Springfield EMP works because it is sized to the 9x19mm round
Chambering in the even shorter 9x17mm might be asking too much of the platform
My RIA Tac II in 10mm has been flawless. I have not had the problem with the magazines that others have had. I’m about 800 rounds in. Not a lot. But I have nothing but praise for mine. The finish is somewhat weak. More like a paint than anything and it’s wearing off at the contact points from being unholstered many times. But it’s my back up gun when going after pigs. It’s my primary when going after them in thick brush. Don’t really care if it wears off. I care that it functions and is accurate when the time comes. And it’s never let me down. If I need to redo the finish, it won’t be a problem. It gets one load. Nosler 180gr HP’s over 11gr of BlueDot.
For a ~$500 gun to have all the features it does, it’s one heck of a value. I can guarantee, when I finish school, I will own more RIA’s.
For a ~$500 gun to have all the features it does, it’s one heck of a value. I can guarantee, when I finish school, I will own more RIA’s.
Same here, use a finger instead of a thumb. Thumb is too fat.
il.bill
Member
In theory, 'the Baby Rock is a thing", but I am not sure about in reality.
I have looked for a long, long time a minimum of twice a week with the distributors to which I have access and have NEVER seen one in stock and available to order. They must be made out of 'unobtanium'.
If they really did make them and had them for sale, I have a half-dozen buyers waiting right now. RIA could sell a bunch if they existed in the real world.
Well maybe that is why the Browning 1911-380 has so many problems.
I know 'the Baby Rock is a thing", but the GI Standard has a 4¼" barrel, the Baby Rock has a 3¾" barrel. The GI Standard has a longer heavier slide and is a heavier gun in general. Most importantly, the Baby Rock is a direct blow-back pistol- not a locked-breach short recoil action. If there were no interest in such a gun, no one would have ever purchased the Browning 1911-380 Black Label "Full Size" pistols - everyone would have just purchased Baby Rocks.
WestKentucky
Member
The one I handled was very much like the llama minimax my dad called in a favor on and asked me to trade it to him in place of a gun he bought from me when I was in college and needed "book" money. I will get it back one day...hopefully a long time from now, but I will get it back. It's my most regretted sale. If the BBR can come close to that llama like it feels it should then it's an easy sale. I just haven't heard much real world feedback on them.
JR24
Member
Long heavy slide and non blowback is asking a lot out of the 380. I assume the Browning needs hot ammo to cycle properly?
I guess I wonder why not just go with a 9mm and call it a day?
I saw one at Handgun Haven in West Valley UT. Frankly, I wasn't impressed. it is a copy of the Llama .380, which was not considered to be a good gun either. If you are completely sold on the 1911 form then I would recommend a closer look at the browning, or the Llama. At least with the Llama you are not getting a copy of a not so good gun.
If you are just sold on a medium frame blow-back .380 then I would suggest looking at the used Berettas' on the market for the same price as the Baby Rock. If you are not fixated on blow-back designs and just want a low recoil .380, I would recommend the Walther PK380.
What it comes down to is that I too was interested in the Baby Rock as a replacement for my daily carry Colt .380 Government model. I went and looked at the Baby Rock and it was immediately off my list. There are simply better choices available. However, they are in stock at the dealer I linked to above.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I bought a RIA frame back in 2007 that I used to build a lower for my Kimber 22lr conversion kit. It has been Rocking and Rolling ever since I put it together.
I was going to get the RIA GI model but didn't like the fact that the ejection port was beveled and lowered. I ended up getting the ATI GI Model. The finish is darker then the RIA but had the Ejection port cut closer to the a GI 1911A1. The sights are a little better on the ATI.
Here is the post I did on it.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/ati-gi-1911.831914/
Aim Surplus has the ATI with the extended beaver tail safety for $349.
https://www.aimsurplus.com/product....wer+Xtreme+GI+1911+.45ACP+Pistol&groupid=7963
I was going to get the RIA GI model but didn't like the fact that the ejection port was beveled and lowered. I ended up getting the ATI GI Model. The finish is darker then the RIA but had the Ejection port cut closer to the a GI 1911A1. The sights are a little better on the ATI.
Here is the post I did on it.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/ati-gi-1911.831914/
Aim Surplus has the ATI with the extended beaver tail safety for $349.
https://www.aimsurplus.com/product....wer+Xtreme+GI+1911+.45ACP+Pistol&groupid=7963
I thought you were talking about Browning's mini 1911, sorry. Didn't realize they made a full size 1911 in .380. That would be kind of cool.
bannockburn
Member
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A buddy of mine had a nickel plated RIA 1911 that I did some modifications to (beavertail grip safety, extended thumb safety, and extended slide release). Once I had it apart I was very impressed with how well the gun was made and the parts were fitted. Very nice quality at a decent price.
AJumbo
Member
OP- If you decide to go with an RIA, spend he few extra bucks and get a Tactical model. Better sights, beavertail safety, and soon enough you'll wish your GI had those features. I started with a GI model and added those features myself. I loved the learning experience, but I would have chosen the Tactical if I'd had any choice in the matter (the pistol was a gift.)
1KPerDay
Member
Disagree. I have both and prefer the GI. The ambi safeties on the tactical are sharp and square at the rear and required some work with a file to make them useable for one thing. I prefer the GI of the two, but YMMV.
Here's a video I did when I bought them. if interested. Both have been very reliable with multiple types of mags.
Well, it isn't really "full-sized." Browning has what they call the Black-Label Compact and the Black Label "Full Size". The Full Size is supposed to be 85% the size of an M1911A1.
The M1911A1 is 8.25" long, the Browning 1911-380 Black Label "Full Size" is 7.5" long, which is a little more than 85% - unless I'm missing something. The barrel in the Browning 1911-380 Black Label "Full Size" is 4.25" long while the M1911A1 barrel is 5.03" long and so the Browning barrel turns out to be 85% of the size of the M1911A1 barrel. I didn't look at other dimensions. But anyway even the Browning isn't the size of a regular 1911
fjblair
Member
Why sell such a freaky accurate gun? Did you try to remedy misfeeds with different magazines or polishing the ramp? How many rounds did you run through before you decided enough was enough? Why did you keep the the one foot gun vs. the one inch gun? Did you try the bushing in other 1911's?
CapnMac
Member
As noted above, RIA is not the only game in town. But, they are a good player in the game. Not sure anybody can touch the number of options RIA can offer.
Ranald
Member
I am convinced that stainless is the way to go these days in a carry piece. If color is an issue stainless can be darkened by one process or another. Stainless just runs circles around regular steel for carry in harsh environments or for concealed carry. Yes they do need to be cleaned and lubed but the galling issues encountered in early stainless pistols has long since been left behind, and they simply do not rust in harsh environments the way that blued steel can.
Ranald
Member
a good "Bang for the buck" 1911 is the Springfield Armory line.. forged and made in Brasil, I believe. I and a friend have gotten good use out of a "sight enhanced" Springer 1911. IF I was going to invest in a non-Colt/non USA made 1911 I would go for a Springfield, personally.
I remember when Springfield Armory was the Value buy and how they shook up the whole 1911 market (Colt) when introduced. RIA has taken that slot in the market and basically done a "Springfield" on it
JR24
Member
Had one of those Brazilian Springers. Shot fine enoughI guess but man was it rough inside.
Ill take an RIA any day over it.
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