RIA GI 45acp new ones?

This last year(two years, really) will be complicated as virtually all available arms were bought up. These were typically sequestered and not much used from the concurrent ammo shortages.

So, the best data is probably going to be a couple of years old.

Armscorp/RIA use very reliable steel, the parts dimensions/data package for the 1911 are well known.

If you are on the hunt for inexpensive 1911, include Tisas and AutoOrdnance (which is Kahr).

In forty years' owning/using 1911, I've only had two "sketchy" copies. One was an AMT Hardballer (and there's huge volumes on the woes of Arcadia Machine Tool); the other was a beater Remington-Rand Navy Arms apparently found in a barn after having been maintained by itinerant farmers for several decades. Both of those reliably launched JHP ammo, they just had poor sights, or bad ergonomics (or were ugly).

My 2¢, spend it as you will.

Also, Welcome to THR.

My preference would be Springfield. US made and unparalleled customer service.

Otto said:

My preference would be Springfield. US made and unparalleled customer service.

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Springfield's 1911's are largely made in Brazil (some are completely made there - some have the major parts made there with some final fitting done here).

Note that doesn't mean they're bad, just that if your goal is "US made" Springfield probably isn't the best choice.

I would rather have a Rock than a Colt. Bang it up or scratch it, no big deal. Plus they run like a scalded dog. Save a ton of coins as well.

I have three Rocks. One of each: 9mm, 40, 45acp. They all run fine.

I bought a new RIA GI 45 earlier this year. I have only put 1 box of FMJs through it and since that first box it has only seen LRN hand loads. Functions perfectly so far. Currently is my favorite auto, and second favorite overall.
I can highly recommend the RIA.
I did have 1 problem with a mag that I bought, and oddly enough it was a Wilson.
Wouldn't lock back on the last round. It was a mag problem though, not the gun.

45and10 said:

Rock Island or Springfield GI in 45ACP? My only concern is reliability. Everything I own must function with defensive rounds or they aren't worth keeping.

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Since it sounds like this is a gun for defensive purposes, sights will make a difference. Make sure you can see the sights on RIA, they will be very small. The Springfield sights will be larger and more visible.

As far as reliability goes, both should be fine, you're more likely to find an odd example from each than that one brand is more reliable than the other.

Right. Lots of people buy the bottom of the line Imitation Army Surplus and find several things they want to upgrade. If they had analyzed their wants and needs and bought the next model up, factory "features" are less expensive and time consuming than gunsmith work.

Jim Watson said:

Right. Lots of people buy the bottom of the line Imitation Army Surplus and find several things they want to upgrade. If they had analyzed their wants and needs and bought the next model up, factory "features" are less expensive and time consuming than gunsmith work.

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100% correct. For RIA pistols, it pays for it self to upgrade to the Tactical model if you are wanting better than GI sights and a beaver tail grip safety. You can NOT upgrade them yourself for what RIA wants for the Tactical models.

I currently own 3 RIA 1911's, a full size Tactical Model in 45, 3 1/2" Compact Model in 45 and a full size GI in 9mm. I have since added a 38 Super barrel to the 9mm pistol.

Worked on one for a friend of mine and I came away very impressed by the overall quality of the gun as well as the higher level of the fit and finish.

My RIA 1911 GI Standard .45ACP has been a great gun for the money spent. For me it's a no-frills workhorse. No complaints here.

I bought a full-size Ultra in 9mm. Made in March, 2021. Bought some extra Chip McCormick mags, ran 115gn FMJ and 115gn JHP with no failures in 200rnds.

This is an interesting video about the subject:

I owned a RIA commander length model for about a year. It ate everything I fed it and never hiccuped. The only problem was it liked to throw brass at my right eye. Nothing can induce a flinch like a .45acp case bouncing off your eyewear. I took it to a smith who fixed most of it, and it went back to RI two or three times, and it got a lot better, but would still surprise me every now and then by bouncing one off my right lens (doink!). This made it useless for carry so I sold it.

I haven't heard of anyone else having this problem so I'll say it's an outlier. I later bought a Springfield Defender series and it's a keeper.

mgmorden said:

Springfield's 1911's are largely made in Brazil (some are completely made there - some have the major parts made there with some final fitting done here).

Note that doesn't mean they're bad, just that if your goal is "US made" Springfield probably isn't the best choice.

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This guy claims to have spoken with Springfield and their gunsmiths and they said Springfields 1911s are 100% US parts.

mgmorden said:

Springfield's 1911's are largely made in Brazil (some are completely made there - some have the major parts made there with some final fitting done here).

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Yeah, that information is incorrect.

Springfield ceased sourcing 1911's from Imbel quite a few years ago.

MrShooter said:

This guy claims to have spoken with Springfield and their gunsmiths and they said Springfields 1911s are 100% US parts. View attachment 1023619

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English must be his second language. I have Nigerian emails with better.

Mainsail said:

English must be his second language. I have Nigerian emails with better.

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Not to mention the referenced conversation took place roughly 6 years ago. Don't know where the SA 1911's are made but I wouldn't bet my money on 6 year old, second hand information.

That said, my dad really enjoys his RIA Govt 1911. I shot 2 mags through it. It was ok. I'm trying to convince him to spend the $60 and get the trigger done on it.

I have a TISAS A2 that runs rock-solidly and is pretty handsome to boot. The Parkerized finish actually grew on me pretty quickly, but the plastic panels didn't and got chucked for some checkered woods. The days of getting them for the $350 I paid are probably over, though.