kilibreaux
member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2014
- Messages
- 115
I found a deal on Bud's for a RIA 1911 GI model priced at $329 so even though I wasn't in the market for another 1911, I had to jump! My LGS was amazed at my acquisition cost which he said was even less than he pays his distributors!
This is of course a California approved version which means...well, it means SOMETHING even though the pistol is an absolute, perfect rendering of a genuine GI .45 Automatic Colt Pistol! It's basically a "series 70" design which means basic 1911 internals which means high functional reliability of easy to find and upgrade parts....except I'm not sure I'll be needing a whole lot of upgrades.
The fit and finish on this pistol rivals my very first Colt Series 70 that I acquired in 1982. Same goes for my expensive (at the time) Randall model C SS back when SS was still "new" and exotic.
The slide to frame fit equals my custom built 1911's with frames I machined and hand-lapped to match the slides with completely smooth, friction-free, zero "play." The trigger is about equal to my custom triggers...but then I intentionally honed my triggers to break HARD...which is to be desired on a gun built for combat and I ain't into prissy 1911's.
But back to the RIA...the matte Parkerized finish is even and perfect. All seams are close. All edges are crisp and clean. Even the little scallop behind the ejection port looks almost TOO clean...we can thank modern CNC machines for all this because they can turn out IDENTICAL parts to precise tolerances...I know my own CNC mill does.
Function...faultless. Smoothness of movement with all controls with the thumb safety being just a bit too stiff to ENGAGE with a simply upward thumb swipe, but delivering a satisfying "snick" when thumbed down. That's another thing...furniture pieces that I've seen on other "HIGH END" guns that are rendered perfectly...the thumb safety is CLEAN...no rounded edges...other than a perfectly rendered "break" of the edges to prevent sharpness. the thumb safety is BETTER than that on original Colts...same basic "pattern" only rendered with a bit more thickness that gives it a better feel. The barrel bushing is tight to the slide and is "thicker" than an original Colt style...pretty much like an Ed Brown "Hardcore" barrel bushing...in fact, that's what all these parts remind me of...
The barrel ramp is fully radiused and while not fully polished will require just a TOUCH with a dremel to bring it to a high polish...same with the frame ramp.
The trigger LOOKS to be Parkerized steel like an original with bold vertical ribs down the front that provide the finder ample "memory" feedback.
RIA was kind enough to provide TWO fired cases to show the gun functions.
I did find one thing a bit out of spec...the ProMag, 8 round magazine with zero-tilt, highly polished follower and two-stage, "telescoping" extra power, extra long spring has a polymer base (like so many these days) that has a little "tab" on the front designed to mate snug to the frame...in this case it's a bit too snug requiring a good slap to seat the magazine. A few minute with a pocket knife and file removed about half a millimeter of material and smoothed it up and the mag sets perfectly with just a hint of resistance at the tab. A stock "GI grade" mag seats faultlessly of course.
I didn't THINK I'd like the slightly thick, smooth wood panels...but now that I'm handling the pistol with them I kinda DO like them!
If I sound impressed I am...I've examined a LOT of guns over the years and this pistol puts most that came before it to shame! It has the same "crispness" of execution as any Kimber...for about $450-$700 (and more) LESS than a Kimber. Unless Colt has upgraded to RIA's level of machine capability this thing make the models I have look like they were "slap-togethers."
The proof is in the shooting of course...but having built a number of 1911's and knowing what reliable looks and feels like I'm pretty confident.
Even at current prices - $419 (Bud's) this pistol is an amazing value....guess that's why I put the .38 Super version on layaway...oh, and the Matte Nickel "Tactical" which was discount priced at the time I pulled on it to just $497! If the next two are like this one...man...like WOW!
This is of course a California approved version which means...well, it means SOMETHING even though the pistol is an absolute, perfect rendering of a genuine GI .45 Automatic Colt Pistol! It's basically a "series 70" design which means basic 1911 internals which means high functional reliability of easy to find and upgrade parts....except I'm not sure I'll be needing a whole lot of upgrades.
The fit and finish on this pistol rivals my very first Colt Series 70 that I acquired in 1982. Same goes for my expensive (at the time) Randall model C SS back when SS was still "new" and exotic.
The slide to frame fit equals my custom built 1911's with frames I machined and hand-lapped to match the slides with completely smooth, friction-free, zero "play." The trigger is about equal to my custom triggers...but then I intentionally honed my triggers to break HARD...which is to be desired on a gun built for combat and I ain't into prissy 1911's.
But back to the RIA...the matte Parkerized finish is even and perfect. All seams are close. All edges are crisp and clean. Even the little scallop behind the ejection port looks almost TOO clean...we can thank modern CNC machines for all this because they can turn out IDENTICAL parts to precise tolerances...I know my own CNC mill does.
Function...faultless. Smoothness of movement with all controls with the thumb safety being just a bit too stiff to ENGAGE with a simply upward thumb swipe, but delivering a satisfying "snick" when thumbed down. That's another thing...furniture pieces that I've seen on other "HIGH END" guns that are rendered perfectly...the thumb safety is CLEAN...no rounded edges...other than a perfectly rendered "break" of the edges to prevent sharpness. the thumb safety is BETTER than that on original Colts...same basic "pattern" only rendered with a bit more thickness that gives it a better feel. The barrel bushing is tight to the slide and is "thicker" than an original Colt style...pretty much like an Ed Brown "Hardcore" barrel bushing...in fact, that's what all these parts remind me of...
The barrel ramp is fully radiused and while not fully polished will require just a TOUCH with a dremel to bring it to a high polish...same with the frame ramp.
The trigger LOOKS to be Parkerized steel like an original with bold vertical ribs down the front that provide the finder ample "memory" feedback.
RIA was kind enough to provide TWO fired cases to show the gun functions.
I did find one thing a bit out of spec...the ProMag, 8 round magazine with zero-tilt, highly polished follower and two-stage, "telescoping" extra power, extra long spring has a polymer base (like so many these days) that has a little "tab" on the front designed to mate snug to the frame...in this case it's a bit too snug requiring a good slap to seat the magazine. A few minute with a pocket knife and file removed about half a millimeter of material and smoothed it up and the mag sets perfectly with just a hint of resistance at the tab. A stock "GI grade" mag seats faultlessly of course.
I didn't THINK I'd like the slightly thick, smooth wood panels...but now that I'm handling the pistol with them I kinda DO like them!
If I sound impressed I am...I've examined a LOT of guns over the years and this pistol puts most that came before it to shame! It has the same "crispness" of execution as any Kimber...for about $450-$700 (and more) LESS than a Kimber. Unless Colt has upgraded to RIA's level of machine capability this thing make the models I have look like they were "slap-togethers."
The proof is in the shooting of course...but having built a number of 1911's and knowing what reliable looks and feels like I'm pretty confident.
Even at current prices - $419 (Bud's) this pistol is an amazing value....guess that's why I put the .38 Super version on layaway...oh, and the Matte Nickel "Tactical" which was discount priced at the time I pulled on it to just $497! If the next two are like this one...man...like WOW!
