My First 1911, a Rock 2 tone Tac!

[Gorgeous Gun Nut]

I just got my first 1911 on Saturday and went out and shot it yesterday!
I got the RIA 2 tone tactical! It shoots like a dream, first 3 shots with it got me an 1 1/2" group! I didn't plan on it but my first time shooting it ended up being in an IPSC match! So now I know what owning a 1911 feels like! I've got pictures and a bit more on it on my blog. My question is, Now what? Outside of going to the range with it 2 or 3 times a week, what do I now?
GGN

 

[yeti]

Since you have your first match behind you may as well keep competing. Competition and practice will make you a gunny force to be reckoned with... and you'll have a lot of fun besides.

 

[Gorgeous Gun Nut]

Thanks, yea I sure did have fun!

 

[Hangingrock]

What next it’s not as exciting as master blaster competition Bullseye teaches one trigger control (press), sight picture, and consistency. Those are core values that translate into other shooting venues. Why people don’t like the discipline of the 25yd and 50yd lines the feed back is a reality check of ones ability or lack there of. Not as exciting as the clang-clang of striking reactive targets or humanoid targets. If you can stand up shooting holding the 10ring at 50yds consistently you’ll accomplish more than most shooters can do on a regular basis.

 

[ckone]

Fine choice. Maybe install sights or grips that you prefer, anything on a 1911 can be swapped to suit it's pilot, otherwise just shoot it! You can spend lots more but you won't get much more... Ammo is always a good way to liberate funds from your wallet.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Grips maybe But shoot it several 100 rounds Before you think about any changes. To many pistols ruined I believe be cause wanted the latest gotta have add on.

 

[Gorgeous Gun Nut]

Thanks, Yea I have a pair of Delta Elite wraparound grips, nice rubber that I like, but they aren't for ambi safety, so I would need to cut them. I have pics on my blog of them with and without the Delta Elites.

 

[rellascout]

Go out and shoot the gun. My advice would be to put at least 2500 rounds down range before you change anything. You are brand new to the 1911. Learn what you like and don't like about your gun before you start swapping parts.

That said if it were my RIA the first thing I would do is swap out the thumb safety. They are MIM and have been known to snap off.

Keep an eye on the extractor, hammer and sear. These would be next inline for replacement again if it were my gun. Lots of RIAs run their entire lives without issues with these parts. Others not so much.

 

[Gorgeous Gun Nut]

Ok, that sounds good I've only got about 75 in it now, but the way I shoot it should only take a little while. Just wondering if the same is true for the tactical model? It has a commander hammer and beavertrail grip safety, I really don't know anything thing about them, so are they subject to the same replacement need?

 

[HM2PAC]

Glad to see more RIA's out there.....Congrat's!!!

 

[rellascout]

Ok, that sounds good I've only got about 75 in it now, but the way I shoot it should only take a little while. Just wondering if the same is true for the tactical model? It has a commander hammer and beavertrail grip safety, I really don't know anything thing about them, so are they subject to the same replacement need?

The RIA tactical also uses MIM parts for the thumb safety. That IMHO is the only part I would swap out right away. The others I would shoot until they fail and then replace them.

That is assuming this is a range gun not a defensive weapon. If it is a defensive weapon I would keep an eye on them and as soon as I felt they were out of spec in anyway I would replace them.

The grip safety should be fine. The hammer just keep an eye on it and how it is engaging the sear. Sometimes these wear faster than they should.

 

[Gorgeous Gun Nut]

Thank you! One more question, it has ambi safeties, and I don't need it to be, in fact it interferes with the possibility of changing to those new grips later on. Can I remove the one and just replace the other?