My first 1911 came in

[xplag]

So after scrimping for a while, I finally saved up a decent amount of money and got myself a 1911.

Its the Rock Island 1911 in Nickel finish (I like shiny things...).

Don't have much time to go to the range until a couple weeks, but I'll let you guys know how it goes.

One question though, when I got it out of the box, it was DRENCHED in grease/oil/cosmolineish stuff and the entire thing took a couple of hours of scrubbing (which unfortunately put a few scratches on the mirror finish), and I eventually had to take apart the entire frame to clean it out properly. Anyone else experienced this with other low end 1911s? Doesn't seem like a Kimber would come in such condition, but my RIA is not a Kimber.

 

[jackpinesavages]

You scrubbed it enough to scratch the finish? 1911s are meant to run "wet". Re-grease and oil the internals before shooting.

 

[1911Tuner]

Quote:

>1911s are meant to run "wet".<



Huh?

Anyway...

After a kinda rough start and learning curve, RIA has produced a pretty decent 1911 clone for the money, and they have an excellent customer service...or at least, they have to date. All reports from a few dissatisfied buyers have been positive. There isn't any of the "Shoot it another 500 times to break it in" foolishness. Their response has been:

"Send it back. It'll be repaired to your satisfaction or we'll replace it."

 

[WC145]

Congrats on your new gun. I like the shiny ones, too!

On the packing in grease, you have to remember that gun was made in the hot and very humid Phillipines. I imagine they pack it that way to protect it from moisture. Gun Scrubber and some other newer cleaning products can help clean that up without too much effort.

Anyway, it sounds like you over did it on your cleaning effort if you scratched the finish. Go to the Flitz website and order the gun polish kit, it should have everything you need to clean up any fine scratches and maintain your finish. I use their stuff on my nickel guns and my high polished stainless 1911 and it's terrific. http://www.flitz.com/p-48-gunknife-care-kit.aspx

Looking forward to your pics and range report!

 

[ErikO]

Remember one other thing, ammonia-based cleaners will wreck a nickle-plated finish. be VERY careful what you use. Hoppes #9 has ammonia in it. As stated above Flitz is awesome stuff.

 

[Tomcat47]

Flitz! I Agree.....It works great....but use caution and dont over Flitz!

It can damage as well if you over do it. But it should take those little scratches out.

Congrats on new 1911!

 

[Olympus]

I'd say save the Flitz for the self-induced scratches and wear after you've had the gun a while. If it came out of the box brand new looking like it had been scuffed up, I'd turn around and send it right back.

 

[xplag]

I'm not too worried about the scratches as of yet. They're VERY minor and barely visible. I ended up just using some alcohol I had (not the drinking kind) and it got it well enough.

Thanks for the suggestions on Flitz though, I'll probably end up getting some sooner or later. I'll have to see how it wears down first though.

 

[towboat_er]

Let us know how it shoots.

 

[Snowdog]

I'm a sucker for shiny things too. Unfortunately, I have yet to purchase a chrome or (shiny) nickel plated anything. Someday I plan to purchase a solid Colt 1903 that's seen some neglect and have it nickel plated. Then I plan to post the photos on various forums to bask in the outrage (of having desecrated the sacred tradition of the blued Colts of yesteryear).

I think you'll enjoy your RIA. I was a bit wary when I purchased mine as it very much seemed a "too good to be true" price for a new 1911. It feeds 185gr and 200gr SWC wonderfully. My Kimber will occasionally choke on the Magnus 200gr SWC I have on hand, something my RIA feeds perfectly. Neither 1911 have seen any work besides an electroless nickel "French Gray" finish from EABCO (the sample 1911 photo in the link is actually mine, I guess they thought it turned out well, though it wears Herrett cocobolo scales now).

Of course, now you're obligated to follow up with a range report at your earliest convenience. As for the finish blemish, I'll agree with Olympus and wait until you've put some miles on the 1911 before dedicated time in working out the scratch/es, unless you spend a lot of time admiring your pistols... which I admit to doing on occasion (ok, often actually).

 

[Walkalong]

It is always, IMHO, a good idea to clean up a new gun. Then oil/grease it as you see fit.

Congrats. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[walker944]

Welcome to the world of the 1911 (on it's 100 yr anniversary)!! Better start scrimping again. You'll need the extra cash for ammo, range expense, another 1911 (they like to have friends, ya know)...who knows what!

 

[xplag]

Welcome to the world of the 1911 (on it's 100 yr anniversary)!! Better start scrimping again. You'll need the extra cash for ammo, range expense, another 1911 (they like to have friends, ya know)...who knows what!

Haha I was thinking if I liked the RIA enough, I'd get another one just like it to have another to admire. A "brace" of some sort

I think I need to go home and buff the back of the safety though. Did a full strip of it (one of many) and noticed the nickel on the frame under the safety is looking pretty roughed up.

The parts on the gun seem a bit rough, but they all appear functional.

As for misc. costs, I'm not too worried. A local range charges 5 bucks for every half hour, and I can usually find .45 for a decent price at the local wallyworld.

 

[Greg528iT]

I noticed the abundance of "packing grease" in the RIA's I have looked at in various shops. Considering that they are shipped via the ocean (salt air), an abundance of grease is a good thing. Sorry to hear a few light scratches were produced while cleaning. As others have said "those should buff out".
Now that it's all clean, keep a good clean and oiling ritual up and you will be very happy.

Post some pictures soon.. and let us know how she operates.

Congrats