Experience with RIA 1911 10mm?

[WrongHanded]

I have yet to enter the worlds of either the 10mm, or of the 1911. I've shot exactly one round of 10mm (felt like it was a low powered target round), and I've never shot a 1911. Not once.

So I thought $500 on one gun could be a good way to try both out, and see how I like them. I believe the model I looked at was an RIA Rock Ultra FS 10MM, which had some nice features such as the fiber optic front and adjustable rear sights, and ambi safety. I read something about the chamber being fully supported, and understand why that's preferable.

Any thoughts? I suppose I should go shoot a 1911 at the range before I just go buy one. But how are RIA 1911s in general? Does paying $1,000 (on a different brand) rather than $500 get you anything close to twice the gun?

 

[Steve in Allentown]

RIA Rock Ultra FS 10MM

I shot one of these a couple of years ago. It threw brass a country mile even though I installed an EGW flat bottom firing pin stop and a 30lb mainspring (hammer spring). It had no failures of any kind. Being a long time 1911 snob I did not care for the ambi-safety or the rear sight. The ambi-safety contacted my right hand and would occassionally engage because of this contact. I replaced it with a single sided EGW thumb safety.

If I wanted a 10mm for carrying in the woods, I think I'd get a Glock 10mm. It hurts me to write this. Did I mention I am a long time 1911 snob? If I wanted a 10mm as a personal protection piece, I'd be okay with the Rock. It's not exactly pretty and it could be improved on with some judicious pistol smithing but for close encounters of the worst kind I'd be satisfied with it.

 

[Snowdog]

When our area became swamped by black bear last year, I purchased a couple pistols that were suited for such beasts. In reality, there were only a few sightings... I just need an excuse to buy new things.
One was a RIA 10mm with the other being a Springfield XDm 5.25 .45acp converted to .460 Rowland (both can be seen below).

The RIA is a dream to shoot. With 140gr Underwood Xtreme Penetrators, the pistol is reliable, accurate and though peppy, quite controllable.
With the heavier 180gr and 200gr Underwood XTPs (especially the 200gr), on occasion the slide would lock back with ammunition still in the magazine.
This would happen once every other magazine.

I purchased and installed an EGW square bottom firing pin stop after applying a very slight bevel and invested in a couple Tripp Research magazines.
The pistol has been 100% since.

The XDm .460 Rowland beast was perfect from the start. However there is a very noticeable increase in muzzle blast and rearward recoil with the .460 Rowland (Rowland's Johnny's 240gr FMJ HP magnum) but the cost of ammunition is very noticeably more expensive too.

I have yet to purchase any dies for the .460 Rowland, however I am set up to load 10mm. Unfortunately, I don't spend the time to do so (yet).

Both are great handguns.

 

[bluzman]

I have an RIA mid-size in .40S&W (10mm short). Other than issues with the RIA mag (switched to Wilson Combat), it's been a fine firearm.

 

[sparkyv]

I shoot the SR1911 in 10mm and think the 1911 is a great platform for 10mm. If only it had a larger capacity, but I'm just not a Glock guy. I've read many, many very good reviews on the 10mm forum on the RIA. Great price, great gun, great platform, great caliber. Win, win, win, win! Paying $1000 vs. $500 gets you some nice tweaks, but does NOT get you twice the gun.

 

[WrongHanded]

Well, I decided against it and bought a Sig 1911 in .45acp instead. But thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

[sparkyv]

Well, I decided against it and bought a Sig 1911 in .45acp instead. But thanks for the feedback everyone.

Hard to go wrong with a SIG.

 

[the count]

The RIA in 10mm is a great value. I have shot pretty warm handholds through it with no problem...

As In 140 grain at 1550 fps...

Only regret is that I didn't spring for the double stack model.

 

[Tallball]

I have the 40 caliber double-stack version. It's a good shooter and fits my extra-large hands well. I don't think that the finish would hold up to a lot of abuse (you can see the scratch near the muzzle), but it's just an occasional range toy for me, so NBD.

RIA 1911 40 caliber double stack

• Tallball
• Jul 7, 2018

 

[Walkalong]

and I've never shot a 1911

You really need to fix that.

I decided against it and bought a Sig 1911 in .45acp instead.

A wise man.

Every once in a while I think I need a 10MM, but it just hasn't happened. One of these days.

 

[gotboostvr]

Every once in a while I think I need a 10MM, but it just hasn't happened. One of these days.

Same, I was all dead set on getting a 6" Kimber 10mm but went a completly different direction instead for the same goal.

 

[bikerdoc]

These kind of threads warm my heart and make realize why I like THR so much. good job gentlemen and good luck O P .