How durable are the entry level 1911s?

[Babarsac]

I took a RIA 1911 for a test drive at a local range and you could tell it had seen some use. The slide and other parts just felt a little loose to me compared to the NIB one they had for sale. Could this be due to a cheaper manufacturing process, maybe. Or perhaps they never clean their range guns

 

[9mmepiphany]

Could this be due to a cheaper manufacturing process, maybe. Or perhaps they never clean their range guns

Loose guns will always wear faster, the extra play between parts puts extra wear on them. A tighter gun, properly fitted, will wear more evenly and at a slower rate

 

[Babarsac]

I'm considering a RIA in 9mm myself. For the price you can't go wrong and replacement 1911 parts are everywhere.

 

[Furncliff]

Just my .02 to the OP. My RIA tactical is 3 years old. I have replaced the slide stop which broke within the first 200 rounds. Since then about 1500 rounds a year. I've had problems with FTF that I believe is the fault of the ammo I've been using (WWB, I have had recurring problems with this ammo where the rounds would not, could not chamber).. I'll start reloading for it soon. It's not fancy, but it has good sights and a trigger that I think is unbelievable for an out of the box gun. It's fun to shoot, and proved to me that I would like the 1911 type. I almost bought a Gold Cup recently, and I probably will at some point, but I don't see the RIA leaving.


This a range/fun gun I don't carry it or depend on it for HD. If I did I would ask a gunsmith for a reliability job. But I would do that with any personal defense weapon.

 

[rocinante]

I have a newer Auto Ordinance made by Kahr. I probably haven't shot it enough (200 rounds) to testify to its durability but I did have a 1911 fanatic smooth it out and he gave it a grudging OK for quality, fit and finish. I like it.

 

[briang2ad]

I've seen LOADS of GI 1911s over the years. Spent plenty of time in the arms room, and literally owned GI 45s (having lead platoons and a company). Yes, some slop means wear - but not enough to be meaningful. Were these guns accurate - yes. I could always dump a mag in the black at 25 yards. I don't recall my armorer's replacing many parts - Durable, were BEAT around, a bit sloppy and plenty combat accurate.

Years ago, many folks WONDERED about NORINCOs - yes, they questioned how they would last, etc, etc. Then... when they stopped importing them, you heard NOTHING but how they are the BEST 1911s you could buy.

I wonder about RIA. Yes, I've heard of a few bad ones, but EVERY one I pick up has a VERY good trigger. And... I have not found a lose one yet either. Someone is paying attention at LEAST to the trigger, and that is worth $100+. A/e they durable? - I am thinking they ARE, from what I read on the web.

People get antsy about cast frames. Why did Browning go to cast in their HI PRESSURE .40 cal Hi Powers?

IS the workmanship like a custom Caspian? Not. But, I'm not so sure how "entry level" these Filipino guns are...

 

[0to60]

I have an RIA CS Tactical that I've put 150 rds through and I love it. I'm tossing around whether or not to trade it, but it's never done me wrong though my advice is to take it to a smith and have the extractor and ejector replaced immediately as the stock ejector gets battered out of shape too easily, and the extractors are known to ship out of spec. I had these parts replaced after the first 5 rounds and since then, no problems at all.

I'm confused. You've only put 150 rounds through this gun, but it seems like you've had a lot of work done to it. If the extractor is known to ship out of spec, that's bad QC. In your case, your very first outing, part way through your very first magazine, you had a buncha stuff replaced. This is hardly a good review! Yet, you're saying you love it and its "never done you wrong".

I wouldn't be considering trading it, I'd prolly return it for a refund.

 

[Kingofthehill]

I took a RIA 1911 for a test drive at a local range and you could tell it had seen some use. The slide and other parts just felt a little loose to me compared to the NIB one they had for sale. Could this be due to a cheaper manufacturing process, maybe. Or perhaps they never clean their range guns

Having worked at a range with a lot of rentals (75+) These guns see tons of use. Some more than others. Ruger .22's in the 300,000 range! One of our kimbers was at 40,000 in what felt to be no time at all. We cleaned them every other day and in those 2 days the average rental would see at least 500rds

 

[CZ223]

Short Answer

I have two Taurus PT1911's with over 3000 round through each. Neither has had any problems with factory ammo. I had three FTF with reloads, my fault. Conclusion, they are great guns.

I also own two Rock Islands. My 3.5 Tactical dose not like my handloads but has never failed with factory ammo including HPs. It had a broken slide stop when I got it. My 5" 9mm Tactical has been decent with with ball ammo but Hps are a completely different story. Conclusion, if you don't mind a 5" gun buy the Tactical in 45. Ihave heard nothing but good. If you can afford the Taurus, buy it.

 

[Gorgeous Gun Nut]

I got the chance to shoot a Regent 1911 yesterday. I've heard a LOT of bad things about them, but this one was owned by a man who had gotten a Rock and didn't like it at all (He didn't say why) and sold it and got the Regent, and was perfectly happy with it. It shoot good as far as I could tell, took reload ball ammo just fine mostly (pics on my blog of how it shot) I'll get to shoot a Rock, a Springfield, and another tomorrow and see what the owner says about durable each is.

 

[wally]

15000+ rounds through my oldest RIA .45ACP About 10000 Wolf FMJ (got it when Wolf .45 was ~$110/1000 rounds!) the rest my relaods -- 200gr hard cast 6.0 grains Unique.

The cost of the gun has been negligible compared to the cost of the ammo I've run through it.

 

[rellascout]

15000+ rounds through my oldest RIA .45ACP About 10000 Wolf FMJ (got it when Wolf .45 was ~$110/1000 rounds!) the rest my relaods -- 200gr hard cast 6.0 grains Unique.

The cost of the gun has been negligible compared to the cost of the ammo I've run through it.

Have you had to replace anything? Is the accuracy the same?

 

[wally]

Have you had to replace anything? Is the accuracy the same?

Link broke at about 3000 rounds, replaced it ($5), swapped in a Wolf recoil spring at the same time. Replaced the recoil and firing pin springs at about 10000 rounds when I did a good cleaning of the extractor tunnel. Thats it.

It'd have a lot more rounds through it but I've got a new RIA Tactical 9mm (~3000 rounds so far) and an RIA Long Slide Match that steal shooting time from it these days.

As to accuracy, it wears a red dot sight and I shoot steel plates but I've not touched the dot adjustment since the initial zero so I've no evidence anything has changed.

Use the search, there is a "good day at the gun show thread" from when I first got it with some targets and the details of the broken link and its replacement in other threads.

Since I had Lasik about three years ago I can use iron sights again, so that is where I've been putting the bulk of my practice since, but its quite rare I don't take an RIA pistol with me to the range. I've a couple of others that are also over 10000 rounds so I'd say they hold up very well and my experience is not likely to be a fluke.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Most people that buy these pistols . Will never shoot them enough to wear anything out. The people on these boards are not your average owner . My brother own guns But I doubt, he shoots 50 rounds a year. This one reason I am always in the used gun cases looking. Great buys on almost new pistols. Americans own guns .American's shooting them a lot . Different story. The high price cost of ammo has made this even worst.
I have one of first in America , American Classic , I shoot it, and I feel along the line I will need to replace some MIM parts. I will when they wear out or break . Is It a Dan Wesson No But cost around a 1/3 of what a new DW cost today.
Am I afraid to carry it for SD No I am sure If I ever need it. The odds of it breaking are slimmer than, Day I will need it . If both were to happen at once . I guess I would truly be having a bad day.