I picked up my first Rock Island Armory pistol yesterday, the Ultra FS HC (best I can tell, that stands for "full size, high capacity") in 10mm, model #52009.
It's a new gun and I want to post a quick review here in case you guys are interested. It's a standard size 1911, but a double-stack, and holds 16 rounds in the magazine. Unfortunately it only comes with one; I think we can all agree that every semi-auto should come with two as the very minimum.
It was packed in oil when I got it, in a very handy plastic case with the usual manual and two fired shells (which of course I will reload) and I walked out the door for $730 including shipping.
Red fiber-opitc front sight is nice, just enough air around it to be precise. Rear sight is adjustable for elevation and windage, seems to shoot point of aim with proper ammo. Finish is parkerized and it's not the most durable in the world but it works. I'll probably Cerecoat it eventually. Fit and finish are actually pretty good, no machine marks that I can see and the slide only wiggles the slightest amount when you check the slide/frame fit.
Comes with a 5 inch BULL BARREL. Currently on their website they have a picture of this pistol chambered in .45 with the barrel bushing as the stock picture for the 52009, there's not really a spec sheet so this is misleading.
The barrel is plenty accurate but I was planning on putting a bushing-type compensater on it, so now I think I'll buy a new barrel. Anyone want to buy the old one?
Apparently RIA doesn't even make a standard 10mm barrel; only bull barrels. This from the friendly chat service guy on their website, which, unlike the lack of spec sheets, is very useful.
The grip is incredibly ergonomic. Seriously! I imagined holding a 2x4, but this has got to be my favorite pistol grip ever. My brother also loves it. Easy to reach the trigger, wide body spreads the recoil impulse, just the right amount of room for my support hand, great beavertail with memory notch, the works. I have large hands and do a fair amount of manual labor so I'm sure other folks will have different fits.
I don't like the safety. It is extended...but a little too much, and it is much easier to put on than to take off. I know that's the way it should be, but this is to the point that it is difficult to disengage. It has gotten a bit better with use. It does have some pretty sharp edges and I've decided I'm going to take it off (that's probably harder to do than I think it is...) and sand/file it down.
The mag release is so-so... a bit gritty but it's extended a bit and easy enough to reach. The grips are perfect, and the mainspring housing is stippled with a few small cuts made on the front strap to help you grip. I don't think it could be improved really.
The mag funnel is great.
I ran about a hundred rounds through it today, a box of Hawk (a local brand... not impressed) and about 50 hand loads with my cast bullets. It ate everything fine, had one hand-load nose-dive on me because it was too long. The Hawk ammo was so underpowered it was like shooting 9mm. I can't believe the RIA was reliable with it. My hand-loads are pretty powerful, but the recoil was very easy to manage. I'd compare it to shooting .45 out of my G21.
Anyway I'm quite smitten with the gun and want to put a compensator on it and get some more mags.... also thinking about a light rail from surefire. Would love any advice you guys have! They have more mags on the website and also the Para mags, think I'll just get more of the same. Bit pricey at $40 but oh well.
It's a new gun and I want to post a quick review here in case you guys are interested. It's a standard size 1911, but a double-stack, and holds 16 rounds in the magazine. Unfortunately it only comes with one; I think we can all agree that every semi-auto should come with two as the very minimum.
It was packed in oil when I got it, in a very handy plastic case with the usual manual and two fired shells (which of course I will reload) and I walked out the door for $730 including shipping.
Red fiber-opitc front sight is nice, just enough air around it to be precise. Rear sight is adjustable for elevation and windage, seems to shoot point of aim with proper ammo. Finish is parkerized and it's not the most durable in the world but it works. I'll probably Cerecoat it eventually. Fit and finish are actually pretty good, no machine marks that I can see and the slide only wiggles the slightest amount when you check the slide/frame fit.
Comes with a 5 inch BULL BARREL. Currently on their website they have a picture of this pistol chambered in .45 with the barrel bushing as the stock picture for the 52009, there's not really a spec sheet so this is misleading.
The barrel is plenty accurate but I was planning on putting a bushing-type compensater on it, so now I think I'll buy a new barrel. Anyone want to buy the old one? Apparently RIA doesn't even make a standard 10mm barrel; only bull barrels. This from the friendly chat service guy on their website, which, unlike the lack of spec sheets, is very useful.
The grip is incredibly ergonomic. Seriously! I imagined holding a 2x4, but this has got to be my favorite pistol grip ever. My brother also loves it. Easy to reach the trigger, wide body spreads the recoil impulse, just the right amount of room for my support hand, great beavertail with memory notch, the works. I have large hands and do a fair amount of manual labor so I'm sure other folks will have different fits.
I don't like the safety. It is extended...but a little too much, and it is much easier to put on than to take off. I know that's the way it should be, but this is to the point that it is difficult to disengage. It has gotten a bit better with use. It does have some pretty sharp edges and I've decided I'm going to take it off (that's probably harder to do than I think it is...) and sand/file it down.
The mag release is so-so... a bit gritty but it's extended a bit and easy enough to reach. The grips are perfect, and the mainspring housing is stippled with a few small cuts made on the front strap to help you grip. I don't think it could be improved really.
The mag funnel is great.
I ran about a hundred rounds through it today, a box of Hawk (a local brand... not impressed) and about 50 hand loads with my cast bullets. It ate everything fine, had one hand-load nose-dive on me because it was too long. The Hawk ammo was so underpowered it was like shooting 9mm. I can't believe the RIA was reliable with it. My hand-loads are pretty powerful, but the recoil was very easy to manage. I'd compare it to shooting .45 out of my G21.
Anyway I'm quite smitten with the gun and want to put a compensator on it and get some more mags.... also thinking about a light rail from surefire. Would love any advice you guys have! They have more mags on the website and also the Para mags, think I'll just get more of the same. Bit pricey at $40 but oh well.
