1911s: RIA v/s JMB

I can't help you on the notch thing, but yes, I'd trust my life to my 5" Govt. parkerized .45 RIA. It's bone stock and goes bang every time now. When brand new it did have a bobble or 3 in the 1st 100 rounds or so, ( there's a good chance that one or more could have been my fault, mag related or my reloads which have been slightly tweaked since) but has worked perfectly for the last several hundred. Mine has only seen my 230 gr. hardball reloads @ 800 FPS so I can't say if it would or wouldn't feed hollowpoints reliably, but it works great with what it gets fed and while this combo wouldn't be my 1st choice given the option, I wouldn't feel undergunned with them in a tight spot. Good luck in what ever you decide.

My wife says our Tactical model full size is the "best" gun I own. Dunno about that but I like it a lot.

It is box stock and 100% reliable with ball, maybe 99+% with SWC and has an occasional hiccup with JHP.

I would trust it. If I was going to carry it everyday I might send it out for a polish & tweak.

Mine has been 100%. Bone stock GI model.

I owned an RIA Tactical, but sold it to buy a Colt--more for fit n' finish and pride of ownership than performance. I don't remember feeling any difference in half cock notch design. Nor have I ever heard anything mentioned about it--so I really think it is a non-issue.

The downside for RIA is that it is nowhere near the fit n' finish of higher priced pistols--or even of equally priced competition such as ATI or Metro Arms. But what RIA pistols do well, is shoot. Mine was reliable, and RIA is backed by some of the best customer service in the industry. I like the looks of their satin nickel finish, not so much the polished one, but for the right deal I could get over it. Note that their plating process uses a copper base, so NEVER use Hoppe's or a gun powder solvent on it or the nickel finish will be ruined (i.e., remove the barrel before cleaning it with solvent).

So if you got a good deal, you will get a pistol that is every bit as fine of a shooter as anything within a thousand dollars of its price. Above that, and you are getting into another league of performance, but I think you know that.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out!

You don't want no RIA. This is the best I could do with mine the other day



Just kidding, of course! I have four of them, some guys have upwards of forty of them. Great guns for the price.

I bought one for $299 when they first came out,never had one problem out of the box. RIAs are good guns buy with confidence

rondog, maybe I should think again. I noticed your flyer in the upper left...

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What can I say, it was windy that day.....

I'm not a huge fan of the 101 but I'd still say your proposed trade is a reasonably even one. I've shot the Citadel, (same manufacturer) found it to be a worthwhile, accurate pistol. That particular specimen belonged to a friend and I fired a variety of LSWC, LRNFP, XTP and Nosler hollow points. Used factory ACT magazines, Wilson 47Ds and CM Power Mags with zero issues through ~400 rounds.

L to R SW1911, SA TRP, Citadel.

Armscor makes good stuff and supports it superbly, and they operate quite transparently (check out the Armscor facebook page)

Buy with confidence, test rigorously to reveal any potential issues and give yourself peace of mind, and put one in service.

I own several hi-end customs(Yost, Swenson, Baer) and others. Please understand I'm not bragging, just want you to know where my opinion is coming from. The Rock Island Tactical is an Outstanding weapon. It sticks in my throat to say this sub $500 gun will do everything my several 1000 dollar guns will do so I won't.lol I would have no trouble at all having a RI as a carry piece.

This is my RIA Tactical. No FTF or FTE from what I have put through it. Very smooth and fun to shoot. No comment on the half cock, sorry.

RE: half-cock notch differences, if we keep this thread bumped long enough, 1911tuner will wander through and educate us all, most likely.

The picture shows the differences in the half cock notch / shelf. The original design captured the sear. The only way the sear can be released is by thumbing the hammer back a slight bit. The other sear, the hammer can drop by pulling the trigger.

As long as you do not rely on the half cock as a safety as some do you will be fine. Most people do not.

Yes i trust all my rocks. A used gi my first, 5k rds no problems,
2 fs tacs about 800 in each, just got a citadel, bad recoil spng called armscorp new one in route,
All but the citadel in edc rotation. I want a colt in ss
And a brown baer wc etc but money dictates.
But for the money rocks get my vote

RIA's may not be the prettiest 1911's out there, and may not have the best fit and finish. But they shoot well, and are reliable. Would absolutely trust one for carry or self defense. In fact, other than look pretty, it's a little hard to see what the more expensive 1911's do that a RIA can't.

Greg528iT said:

The picture shows the differences in the half cock notch / shelf. The original design captured the sear. The only way the sear can be released is by thumbing the hammer back a slight bit. The other sear, the hammer can drop by pulling the trigger.

As long as you do not rely on the half cock as a safety as some do you will be fine. Most people do not.

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On the left is a series 70 or before, on the right is a series 80 or after if I am not mistaken. I may have misunderstood in the armorers course I just finished.

The Filipino imports are the best 1911 value going right now IMO. at $425-$475 it's a great 1911 for the price you pay... for now. ATI is my vote as fit and finish is superior.

1894, I think we need to invite some other guys with scientific minds as well, and have them bring all their guns so we can shoot and evaluate them. All in the name of Science of course.LOL

My RIA 1911 tactical has been reliable with store bought ammo. I've had it about 5 years and it's the test bed for my hand loads which don't chamber or eject from time to time. That's probably more my fault and well used cases. I switched to Chip Mac Cormack magazines, and I put a nice Pachmyer grip on it, it's stock otherwise. I remember being surprised at how nice the trigger was when I first got it. It's accurate. And all this makes it hard for me to justify the $1000 Gold Cup I covet.