1911 .45 ACP pistols from Armscor

[stinger 327]

Rock Island Armory, Citidel, and High Standard are all made by the same company. I had heard this is the same 1911 .45 ACP pistol just with different names and cosmetic differences. Is this true and in any case is one brand preferred over the other brand. I did notice at a gun shop that the Citidel came with 2 mags for $599 vs. the RIA 1911 Tactical for $599 with one mag and the High Standard for $579 that only came with one mag.
With all of the above guns does Armscor supply the 1911 wrench for barrel removal & breakdown for cleaning?

 

[ldsgeek]

I have the RIA Tactical and it doesn't come with, nor need, a bushing wrench. The FLGR is short enough that you can depress the recoil spring plug with a cartridge case and rotate it out of the way.

 

[GyMac]

I have "heard" that, although made by the same company, High Standard is not serviced by RIA.

 

[stinger 327]

I have the RIA Tactical and it doesn't come with, nor need, a bushing wrench. The FLGR is short enough that you can depress the recoil spring plug with a cartridge case and rotate it out of the way.

Thanks I thought they forgot to include that wrench.

 

[f100owner]

Wonder if all High Standards are made there. I thought they're .22 line was US made.
I have had a RIA 1911 Government model for over 10 years. Clunky and crude by high-end 1911 standards, but it goes bang when I pull the trigger and eats just about anything you feed it.

 

[GyMac]

Pretty much, the only thing High Standard .22's and .45's share is the name.

 

[rondog]

Armscor is a large manufacturer that makes guns with many different brand names, and various little differences for each brand per ordered specs. Basically a contract manufacturer. I have four RIA 1911's and love 'em all, they tend to have a lot of loyal fans.

FWIW - As I understand it, the wonderful RIA warranty is provided by the importer, Advanced Tactical in Pahrump, NV, not by Armscor. So other guns made by Armscor may not be warrantied as well. AT will take care of you and your RIA.

 

[stinger 327]

Wonder if all High Standards are made there. I thought they're .22 line was US made.
I have had a RIA 1911 Government model for over 10 years. Clunky and crude by high-end 1911 standards, but it goes bang when I pull the trigger and eats just about anything you feed it.

Eats just about anyting and goes bang...sounds like a Glock.
I wish that 1911 that shoots .22 TCM centerfire bullets was available here.

 

[bigfatdave]

The TCM is pretty impressive. BIG boom, rings of fire, lots of nice neat little .22" holes in the target. I still prefer a singlestack frame, but the TCM is worth dealing with the doublestack width and oddball grips.

RIA/Citadel guns are good stuff, go for it and don't worry. Don't get hung up about the magazine count, either, those are perfectly good range mags, but only worth ~$15 or so. In the long run, you'll have a lot more magazines than the one or two the gun comes with.

Armscor packs in cheap mags and cheap grips because they know that most users will supply their own favorite aftermarket product.

 

[rfwobbly]

STI also uses Armscore parts on their lower-end models.

 

[bigfatdave]

You particularly don't need a bushing wrench with the excellent bushingless bull barrel design Armscor's compact models use, by the way. I have three of those and they're great guns.

 

[stinger 327]

You particularly don't need a bushing wrench with the excellent bushingless bull barrel design Armscor's compact models use, by the way. I have three of those and they're great guns.

You mean you can take RIA 1911 apart without that tool using just your hands?

 

[smalls]

STI also uses Armscore parts on their lower-end models.

Armscor manufactures the STI Spartan, but uses STI fire control parts. Which is then sent directly to STI for QC. This is the only model they do this with.

 

[hardluk1]

Stinger watch the prices, a ria gi sells for 409, May tact fs is 468. Don't pay retail.

 

[stinger 327]

Stinger watch the prices, a ria gi sells for 409, May tact fs is 468. Don't pay retail.
View attachment 677241

But this is in California.

 

[hardluk1]

Yes well that does changes thangs a bit.

 

[Henryfan1]

I actually want the .22 TCM because it comes with a 9mm barrel and recoil spring and that would be a cheaper double stack 9mm with the capability of an odd caliber.

 

[stinger 327]

I actually want the .22 TCM because it comes with a 9mm barrel and recoil spring and that would be a cheaper double stack 9mm with the capability of an odd caliber.

Now this gun that shoots both 9mm and .22 TCM with different barrels, it is also a 1911? I wonder how expensive and difficult is the .22 TCM ammo to get.

 

[rondog]

I know my FS RIA's can be dismantled with no tools, but my Compact RIA - a straightened-out paperclip with about 1/4" of one end bent 90* is needed.

 

[smalls]

Now this gun that shoots both 9mm and .22 TCM with different barrels, it is also a 1911? I wonder how expensive and difficult is the .22 TCM ammo to get.

A doublestack 1911. Can't speak about the ammo for it, I've never seen it in person.

 

[2wheels]

Do any 1911 makers include bushing wrenches with their 1911s that use standard guide rods? My Colt didn't come with one, and I've never needed one.

I can see maybe needing one if you've got a real strong recoil spring or tightly fitted bushing... But otherwise my thumb works just fine.

 

[2wheels]

Now this gun that shoots both 9mm and .22 TCM with different barrels, it is also a 1911? I wonder how expensive and difficult is the .22 TCM ammo to get.

It's a double stack 1911 that comes with everything you need to convert it back and forth between 9mm and .22TCM.

How hard is .22TCM to find? I don't know, I've never seen it in a store. It might be something that you'd have to order online for a while. But then again, that's why you have the 9mm barrel!

 

[bigfatdave]

You mean you can take RIA 1911 apart without that tool using just your hands?

yes and no - it is easier to take down and reassemble the bushingless bull barrel models with a bent-wire tool, but it can be done without any tools at all.
Watch the YouTube videos Armscor/RIA has put up for illustration.

In reality, most bushing models can be taken down tool-free as well, you're not suppossed to need a bushing wrench for a normal 1911.

 

[bigfatdave]

Now this gun that shoots both 9mm and .22 TCM with different barrels, it is also a 1911? I wonder how expensive and difficult is the .22 TCM ammo to get.

As Armscor isn't selling any TCM conversions and it is apparently unsafe in singlestack designs, don't worry about it as a CA subject for a few years.

Can't speak about the ammo for it, I've never seen it in person.

Around .45acp prices, only available from Armscor so far, made in batches so sometimes there isn't any to find, currently only one projectile choice (SJHP - pretty close to an all-purpose bullet)

22TCM is a really cool round, but it is a good thing the gun comes with a 9x19 conversion kit. It is a very nice doublestack 9mm 1911, I use it for bowling pin matches.

 

[stinger 327]

Do any 1911 makers include bushing wrenches with their 1911s that use standard guide rods? My Colt didn't come with one, and I've never needed one.

I can see maybe needing one if you've got a real strong recoil spring or tightly fitted bushing... But otherwise my thumb works just fine.

My RIA 1911 Tactical didn't come with one either.