Rem R1, RIA or ATI ?

[geo57]

If you were to buy a new one of only these three 1911's today, based on overall quality, odds of it working perfectly, small parts metal integrity, customer service, and it generally being trouble free would you get the Remington R1 5" standard model .45, the standard Rock Island 5" Govt. .45 or the ATI 5" .45 ?

Thanks

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My boss has 3xR1s and loves them. We've shot them a bit- quite accurate and no malfunctions. The "blued" finish is quite thin and unattractive, it seems to rub off rather easily as well. IMO, the stainless R1 is worth the extra money.

Buuuuuuuuttttttt.........for that price, you could also step up to the Ruger SR1911 which is a higher quality gun in every way, with better factory support as well.

 

[geo57]

NIGHTLORD,

I probably should have added that right now I can get into a new Rem for about $475, the RIA for about $375 and the ATI for about $400.

 

[mcb]

Of those three I would go with the Reminton R1. Made right here in Alabama. From everything I have seen and read they have a better reputation then the RIA and ATI. I have shot a few R1 models and own an R1 Limited (40S&W double stack) and so far they have all been solid guns.

 

[imashooter]

I've had several RIAs and still have a couple. Had one R1 (stainless) and it too was good to go. I find the RIAs to be at least as good as the Remingtons. Perhaps the R1 might have a nicer finish but that's debatable on a one to one basis. Haven't used RIA in 3-4 years but they were excellent. I'd go with the lesser priced all things considered.

 

[Fiv3r]

I've always had good luck with the RIA 1911s. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about picking up a full size GI as a travel gun this week.

 

[geo57]

I have the chance to buy a NIB RIA Standard 5" Govt. that was made in 2016 for $350. Previously I owned 2 of the same model that were made 10 years ago or so and both were dependable and well made.

I hear / read mixed reviews on the new ones & customer service which used to be top notch. What are your opinions on this and among you Rock Island owners that have bought within the last couple years how have yours been ?

Many thanks.

 

[stchman]

No for Remington, no for RIA, and don't know squat about ATI, so probably no on them as well. Just too many good 1911s out there to buy one of these models.

 

[someguy2800]

I would buy the R1 for that price. I've handled a few and shot one and I thought it was well made. I don't personally care for foreign made 1911's so I would not spend money I had worked to earn on a RIA or ATI.

 

[geo57]

No for Remington, no for RIA, and don't know squat about ATI, so probably no on them as well. Just too many good 1911s out there to buy one of these models.

Strictly among GI style 1911 pistols ( No beavertails, no skeleton parts, no front serrations, etc. ) please name some of these numerous makes that are out there for my consideration in the sub $500 ( $350 for the RIA I mention above ) range.

 

[stchman]

Strictly among GI style 1911 pistols ( No beavertails, no skeleton parts, no front serrations, etc. ) please name some of these numerous makes that are out there for my consideration in the sub $500 ( $350 for the RIA I mention above ) range.

Tisas makes a really nice GI 1911, much nicer than the RIA.

 

[JR24]

I've had good experience with multiple R1s, the one I had would shoot 1.5" at 20 yards from a bag. Never a problem with reliability. Still have a R1 Enhanced widebody that is as good as anything in the sub $1500 range.

I would suggest the R1. Though I've also had good luck with RIA, though they are significantly rougher in the finish and tooling area.

 

[imashooter]

Tisas makes a really nice GI 1911, much nicer than the RIA.

I really like my Tisas but don't see any difference between it and a RIA other than its epoxy-like finish. I thought the Zig was no longer imported. Believe NOS ones can be found on gunbroker, etc. I'd value them at 450.00 shipped.

 

[Jimster]

Here’s one of my “rough finished” Rock Island pistols. You can all see how poor the finish is. As far as customer service goes. They suck. I had some problems after only a thousand rounds. The barrel link pin was walking out and causing failures. It took them an entire week to receive it and return it to me completely fixed. They paid shipping both ways. I don’t think I’ll be buying another Rock Island pistol. My compact sized Rock Island hadn’t malfunctioned after several hundred rounds but I’m sure it’ll fall to pieces just the same.

 

[Jimster]

Poor attempt at sarcasm. My bad.

 

[mjsdwash]

having owned an RIA and R1, I would say the R1 was easily twice the quality, though not quite perfect. The extractor, though a very high quality was hand fit by someone who did not know how to do it, and it would not eject live rounds. The front sites need locktite,or nailpolish. The sights shoot very low. Other than that, I really like it. Good fit, excellent finish, tight, accurate, the billboard looks nice. The RIA had a number of issues I can list if interested, but I now consider them to be junk, though mine was extremely accurate, it would not make it through a magazine. Their customer service was not helpful. The RIA billboard is hard to like, but the consensus it that they are a much better quality than they were. Most of the negative you will hear about the R1 is more critical of Remington as a whole, not the model, so expect that. They both come with wadcutter mags, so whatever you get, I would order some CMI GI mags to get the reliability they are famous for. https://www.topgunsupply.com/check-mate-.45acp-7rd-ss-gi-full-size-1911-magazine.html or direct from checkmate if you dont wanna wait for back in stock

 

[mjsdwash]

Many thanks.[/QUOTE]

View attachment 791394 Here’s one of my “rough finished” Rock Island pistols. You can all see how poor the finish is. As far as customer service goes. They suck. I had some problems after only a thousand rounds. The barrel link pin was walking out and causing failures. It took them an entire week to receive it and return it to me completely fixed. They paid shipping both ways. I don’t think I’ll be buying another Rock Island pistol. My compact sized Rock Island hadn’t malfunctioned after several hundred rounds but I’m sure it’ll fall to pieces just the same.

that looks a lot like the Cimmarron models that cost and extra $250, or did you manage to get that for 500? If so, WOW!

 

[JR24]

View attachment 791394 Here’s one of my “rough finished” Rock Island pistols. You can all see how poor the finish is. As far as customer service goes. They suck. I had some problems after only a thousand rounds. The barrel link pin was walking out and causing failures. It took them an entire week to receive it and return it to me completely fixed. They paid shipping both ways. I don’t think I’ll be buying another Rock Island pistol. My compact sized Rock Island hadn’t malfunctioned after several hundred rounds but I’m sure it’ll fall to pieces just the same.

Well my RIA Tac 10mm is certainly rough finish, sharp edges and tool marks on the internals.

It is also reliable and very accurate. It is also hardly the $357 GI model.

 

[bannockburn]

geo57

Was looking for a new 1911 some years back and checked out the Remington R1. It was alright in most respects but I found a new Colt Government that I thought was better built, had tighter tolerances, and had a superior overall fit and finish compared to the R1. At the time it cost a little more than the R1 but I felt it was worth it.

I also worked on a friend's RIA 1911. It was nickel plated and the plating was very evenly applied on both the frame and slide. He wanted some different parts on it (new hammer, trigger, beavertail grip safety, and extended thumb safety), that were all high quality stainless steel parts and he polished them up to look more like the nickel plating. Internally the gun was well made with no tool or machine marks anywhere inside the gun. The parts I added all pretty much dropped in with little or no extensive hand fitting required. The gun was totally reliable and accuracy was noticably improved with the addition of Meprolight night sights.

Between the three you have listed I would probably go with an RIA first with the Remington and ATI tied for second place.

 

[Jimster]

Yup. This isn’t the cheapest version of a Rock. I was just feeling froggy. Shoulda kept my forum mouth shut. Please disregard.

 

[Dudedog]

Don't know how much it will effect customer service but Remington filed Chapter 11 recently.

Have a Citadel (RIA) couple 1000 rounds thru it with no problems.
I got it used so I have no idea how many before that. I don't know how RIA cusotmer service is as I have not needed to use them.
Not saying the RIA is better or worse just that I am happy with mine.

 

[JR24]

Yup. This isn’t the cheapest version of a Rock. I was just feeling froggy. Shoulda kept my forum mouth shut. Please disregard.

Looks like a beaut to me! Thanks for sharing the pic.

 

[Striker]

I'm a RIA fan. I have three and all are totally reliable.

 

[imashooter]

Yup. This isn’t the cheapest version of a Rock. I was just feeling froggy. Shoulda kept my forum mouth shut. Please disregard.

I also had a polished blue Cimarron. It too was good to go. I see they're available once again. When I sold mine a couple of years ago they were very difficult to find.

 

[shenck]

This is my Citadel,(RIA) I've carried this nearly every day for 2+ years, it was reliable when I first bought it. I've polished the feed ramp and throat, just to be sure that it feeds reliably. I carry Hornady Critical Defense ammo, and it almost jumps into the chamber. I trust my life with it.