Rock Island 1911s...

Rock Island makes guns that work. They aren’t the prettiest but they are dependable. Unless they’ve changed things Springfield 1911s aren’t made in the US by the way. They have made in Brazil stamped on them.

they are good guns. I've owned three RIA guns and one was a basic 5" 1911. well worth the money.

I have a few RIA 1911's. They are good shooters. For me it's worth a little extra to pay for the larger sights. The little GI sights are hard for me to shoot with.

I got this one... less than a year ago, I think. I won it on GunBroker for a bid of under $350 (don't recall the exact number).

Have several, fun shooting 1911’s. Mine have have been reliable (minus frog lube incident), and one sent back for repair. Customer service was great. No questions asked and quick turnaround. For your purpose I would definitely recommend.

Caution: They are a gateway drug for higher end 1911’s.

American_Fusilier said:

So I am looking to get into the 1911 world. This wouldn't be a carry gun or a home defense gun, but a bit of Americana. I just want a cheap 1911 to have a 1911. It wouldn't be my main hand gun ... does anybody have any experience with RIA 1911s? If so, yay or nay? Does it run good? Good accuracy? If not, what other entry level 1911s would you recommend.

Rock Island Armory GI M1911 replica, and it seemed pretty nice, I especially liked that $399 price tag

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If you can swing a little extra money, I highly recommend the $459 Tactical Standard as it already has all the upgrades you would likely want to make at much lower price over the GI model.

I got to shoot several RIA 1911 Tacticals out of the box when the range received them as rental guns and compare them to my railed Sig 1911. I was shocked that they all shot well reliably out of the box with good accuracy on par with my Sig 1911 out to 15 yards.

A coworker friend wanted a 1911 and I recommended the RIA Tactical based on my experience with the range rental Tacticals. He got one and asked me to change the front sight to optical sight so I got to spend some time examining it in detail and range testing it. Due to flared and generous chamber mouth, it will reliably feed even friend's sloppy SWC reloads and will continue feeding after my tighter tolerance Sig 1911 slows down around 300 rounds due to fouling build up. I now call RIA "Glock of 1911s". BTW, my Sig has over 10,000 rounds shot through and friend's RIA has over 8,000 rounds shot through without any breakage of parts. Both fed SWC lead reloads reliably from factory, Chip McCormick Power Mags and Wilson Combat 47D magazines.

While RIA internals are rough in finish, you won't see these areas anyways and parts that matter have good fit and finish (Friend's RIA frame to slide rail fit was actually slightly tighter than my Sig 1911). On side-by-side range test, RIA Tactical produced comparable groups to 15 yards and opened up slightly at 25 yards from Sig 1911's 2 inch groups. If you want a more accurate 1911, Armscor also makes Citadel 1911 which is a match grade version of RIA Tactical with tighter tolerances (And since it's more finicky with sloppy reloads) can often find one for less money than RIA Tactical, especially used.



These are Sig 1911 200 gr LSWC groups but imagine comparable groups for RIA Tactical with slightly larger group at 25 yards



Armscor Citadel 1911 - https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/56897

BearBrimstone said:

Rock Island makes guns that work. They aren’t the prettiest but they are dependable. Unless they’ve changed things

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They sure have changed.

Here's RIA Tactical Standard with fixed rear sight - https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/...d_fs_tac_45_acp_5_8+1_black_rubber_grip_black


Here's Tactical Two Tone with fixed sights - https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/...s_2tone_single_45_acp_5_8+1_black_rubber_grip



Here's Tactical II with G10 grips, optical front and adjustable rear sights - https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/...5_acp_5_g10_grips_fiber_optic_adj_sgts_45_acp

And in 9mm (Since cost of gun is small compared to ammo over time, you get to shoot more for same cost ) - https://www.budsgunshop.com/mobile/...a_fs_single_9mm_5_9+1_gray_g10_grip_black_par

I have the RIA 1911 with the 5 inch barrel. It shoots excellent. Like you I didn't want to spend more money on a 1911. It hasn't given me any problems whatsoever. I initially tried to change sites to night sights, but the Noval cut was a millimeter deeper than the sight. Ultimately I put the stock sights back on and have enjoyed the gun stock. The only upgrade that I did perform was to purchase wood grips. Mine came with two sets of grips (wood and rubber), but I like the classic mahogany look. Other than that I haven't done anything to it. I eventually purchased an ATI commander 45 acp. The finish on the ATI is nicer, but, while that firearm has never jammed, it has shot ammo straight back at me. I sent it back and they claimed to have fixed it. It doesn't hit me anymore, but the cases still exit towards the rear. I am going to give it time and run some more ammo through it to see if it smooths out. I also purchased an ATI titan 45acp. Love that gun. It has adjustable 3 dot sights, is all metal, and is as reliable as my RIA. The only recommendation I would make for your first 1911 is to get one in 45 ACP. The 9mm can be a bit finichy with ammo. I changed out to a lighter spring, and it shoots much better, but my 1911's in 45 ACP have not been fussy about ammo.

Either way you go, you won't be disappointed.

I have had one and it was also nice.

If you have a good used market in your area, a Ruger 1911 could probably be gotten for 5-600. That is what I would choose to buy among all available 1911s for your purposes.

I don’t consider that overpriced at all and they are nice too.

However, the RIA will be a good shooter too. I also recommend getting an upgraded one with better sights.

Keep in mind, after several years of shooting, cost of pistol will become less and less of a factor as compared to ammunition cost. After 10-20 years of shooting, cost of firearm becomes negligible compared to cost of ammunition. So I would suggest buying the pistol you "desire" and "want".

How much is several boxes of 45ACP ammo? That's right, that could be the price difference of a "compromise" 1911 and higher model 1911 you really "desire" and should enjoy.

And if you plan to reload, ask around and see which 1911s reliably feed SWC reloads. I can tell you that RIA Tactical WILL reliably feed and chamber SWC reloads (even sloppy reloads) all day long. And I would not consider any 1911s that will not reliably feed SWC reloads because that's what I shoot mostly due to greater accuracy (BTW, THR is full of threads where new 1911s, even higher priced models, won't reliably feed SWC reloads).

And if you want to shoot more for same cost, there's the 9mm option.

If you want to shoot even more, there's the GSG 1911 option for $250 (Same as Sig 1911 22LR) - https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/62297



Mind will shoot 2" groups at 25 yards

I do agree that you should be very satisfied with any Rock Island. Paying a little more for one with Novak style sight is worth it to me and my 64 year old eyes. If you just want a GI model, take a look at the Tisas 1911's from Turkey. Very well made and review well. I have three Tisas handguns and am pleased with all three !

I have a couple of Rocks and they haven't let me down yet. I have a full size tactical model bought in 2007 and a compact model. I also have a GSG conversion slide for when I want to shoot 22lr. I went shooting with a friend that had a decked out Kimber. He gave me a rash of trouble about my cheap Rock until we started to actually shoot. He couldn't hardly get through a magazine with out a feed issue while my Rock kept going. And the Rock was as accurate if not better. I shot both myself to compare.

As you have read, lots of people like them.

Last month I guy I see at the range showed up with a new one and I got to shoot a half dozen shots through it. The trigger was kind of heavy compared to other guns I have shot but I think the guy wants it for nothing more than ten yards and also home protection so I think he is good to go!

I would say that if a person can do it it would make sense to think about going up a few hundred and getting something that comes with a better trigger and adjustable sights. But that may be just me.

I also think Rock makes a slightly more expensive one with adjustable sights but I do not know enough about their products to say this for sure. Good luck.

You want a "bit of Americana" and your turning to the Philippines?

tarosean said:

You want a "bit of Americana" and your turning to the Philippines?

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Man, that bring back memories.

Years ago, on a 1911 forum, one member commented when he was looking for a "plain manila" 1911, he ended up choosing an RIA 1911. I was pretty sure it was a typo, but commented on how clever it was to look for a "plain manila" 1911 and choose one from the Philippines. For whatever reason that humor went over like a lead balloon, and I think the guy was so offended he left the forum.

I spent two or three posts and a lengthy PM explaining the clever humor of typing "plain manila" - even if it was a typo, a 1911 from the Philippines, the capitol of the Philippines being Manila, to this guy, and to this day, I still don't think he understands what I was saying.

I was in your spot a few years ago. I didn't really get into handguns until after I retired but I always wanted an "Army .45" since I was a kid in the back yard. When I looked into the 1911 market I got a case of "sticker shock" at the cost as I am on a fixed income and many 1911s carried a hefty price tag. After a lot of research and reviews I narrowed down to a RIA or a Ruger as an entry point 1911 that I could afford, and could "test the water" but not loose my shirt if I didn't like it and decided to resell. I looked in a store that had a couple RIAs in the case. I looked first at the "GI" model and learned real quick that the military sights were meant for 19 year old eyes not my 60+ year old eyes. I bought the "tactical" one with better sights and haven't regretted it yet. Mine is not my carry gun, it sees action on the range ,but is loaded for duty on my desk at home. I love the way it shoots and its accuracy on the range is limited so far to the guy pointing it at the target. I found out it is more accurate than I am when a guy out shot me with my own pistol one day. LOL I took a shooting class in which the instructor had the RIA 1911 in 9mm, now THAT was a sweet shooting gun, good weight, but less recoil, but I opted for the .45 for traditions sake. Good accuracy and solid reliability have been my experience with it. In 4 years and a couple thousand rounds with it I don't recall any malfunctions with it and it digests anything I've run through it. My vote GO FOR IT!!!

Here's my advise when it comes to buying a 1911.

1. Get one with the sights you want. Changing sights on a 1911 can often involve machining the slide.
2. Get one with the style of grip safety you want. Changing the grip safety can often involve machining the frame.
3. If you want a shooter, get one with a flared and lowered ejection port.

RIA has several 1911s that are a decent buy for the money. Worked on one for a friend of mine (he wanted several modifications to a standard G.I. model), and I was favorably impressed with the overall fit and finish both inside and out.
I would definitely follow the advice of those who recommend getting higher visibility sights on whatever version you go with as well as any other features you might want (beavertail grip safety, extended thumb safety/slide release, etc.). You might also want to look into getting a 22LR conversion assembly somewhere down the road.

Standard sights on a Springfield M1911A1:

Higher visibility sights on a Colt Government:

Novak type sights on a Colt Lightweight Government:

TacSol 2211 .22LR conversion on an Essex frame:

bannockburn said:

You might also want to look into getting a 22LR conversion assembly somewhere down the road

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GSG 1911 22LR (Same as Sig 1911 22LR) costs less (just above $200) than most slide conversion kits.

And don't have reliability issues like some conversion kits.

Did I mention GSG 1911s are made in Germany and so are their metal magazines? https://gunmagwarehouse.com/ati-german-sport-guns-gsg-m-1911-22-lr-10-round-magazine.html

And quality mag kits to 16 rounds - https://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/gsg-1911-22lr-s/132.htm

Not sure of the differences but both Rock Island and ATI are made in the Philippines. Pretty sure they are both series 70 design

I had the RIA 9MM tactical. Excellent firearm period! Accurate & reliable. Thousands of rds fired with nary a problem of any kind. Mags that were supplied with it worked flawlessly as well. It's extremely well made and I doubt you could ever wear one out. The trigger is as good as any other stock 1911. The gun put a smile on my face every time I shot it, I'm pretty sure it'll do the same for you. Spend the money you save on ammo and have a blast with it.

I picked up an RIA G.I. 1911-a1 some years ago.
I don't regret it.

Armscor, the actual manufacturer of Rock Island Armory and Citadel 1911s, uses old Colt machines to produce Series 70 pistols.

As far as 22 conversion kits, I haven't had any problems with the GSG conversion kit on my full size Rock Island frame. I bought it a few years ago on sale for $125

I rented a tactical last time I was in Omaha. Shot real nice.

The OP may find this helpful


I’ve had good luck with my two RIAs and the GI is one of my favorite pistols to shoot. I put a Dawson front fiber optic sight on the Tactical model and filed/sanded down the sharp, square edged ambi thumb safeties. It’s a shooter also and I use it as a match backup to my Dan Wesson.

There are only two things I don’t like about RIA 1911s, which IMO represent great value for the price:
1. The contour/shaping above and behind the trigger is wrong, and RIA/Armscor is the only place that still hasn’t got this right (my weird pet peeve and most don’t notice); and
2. They used to have gigantic brand billboards on the slides, though they are transitioning to a tasteful logo behind the slide serrations as you can see in the video.

American_Fusilier said:

So I am looking to get into the 1911 world. This wouldn't be a carry gun or a home defense gun, but a bit of Americana. I just want a cheap 1911 to have a 1911. It wouldn't be my main hand gun.

I saw the Rock Island Armory GI M1911 replica, and it seemed pretty nice, I especially liked that $399 price tag. Plus I hear they run like a top.

I mean no offense, but please don't tell me to "just spend the money" on an expensive gun... I'm not going to buy a Colt, Remington, or Kimber, or any of the custom shop 1911 with the ridiculous price tags.

There were a couple other entry level 1911s, including a Springfield, that were nice (plus that one was actually made in America).

But my main question is, does anybody have any experience with RIA 1911s? If so, yay or nay? Does it run good? Good accuracy? If not, what other entry level 1911s would you recommend.

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I haven't owned one myself, but I've shot a friend's RIA 1911 and I loved it. He seems to as well.