RIA 1911 .45 ACP Tactical

[gym]

You need good mags, that's half the problem with 1911's, that don't feed right. I like the McCormick mags also. The metalform and Mec-gar are not reliable, you can get a good one or a terrible one. Get Wilson or McCormick mags and you will eliminate that from the equation. Also you really don't need a 10 round mag for that gun, just carry 1 or 2 spares, "as you should" with any gun.

 

[JTQ]

stinger 327 wrote,
Is this a specific problem with 1911 guns only or is it across the board for all semi-auto pistols? I have neve heard any problems with the Glock mags.

I think it is a common problem.

Ask the Glock guys how easy it is to load 17 in their new G17 mags? Do they load up 15 for awhile before going to 17?

Browning Hi-Power's in 15 round capacity, have typically been less reliable than the original 13 rounders. I'm sure Beretta spent a few years with problems with mags carrying more than 15 rounds before getting a slightly different tube for their higher capacity mags. SIG P220 originally shipped with 7 round mags. They eventually went with a longer tube and gave us an 8 rounder.

As I said earlier, the newer 8 round mags, Wilson ETM's and Tripp mags, have a longer tube. They have less problems than the older design mags that used the same size tube as the 7 rounders.

Remember now, I'm not saying 8 rounders won't work, just that their window for operation is smaller than for a 7 rounder. That is the point Mr. Camp is making in his blog article. He says some of his 8 rounders work 100% in some of his guns. However, his 7 rounders work in all of his guns. He hasn't had that experience with his 8 rounders.

On the other hand, Mr. Yam prefers 8 rounders, and I believe his point is a quality 8 rounder will most likely work better than an average 7 rounder.

The moral of the story, don't buy cheap/low quality magazines. If you are forced to buy cheap/low quality mags, you're better off with a 7 rounder. If you go with quality mags, either a 7 or 8 rounder will probably work fine, but a quality 7 rounder will probably function properly longer than the 8 rounder will.

 

[rondog]

One problem you'll often see with guys with new 8 round mags, is they have a difficult time seating them in the pistol with the slide closed. The top round hits the bottom of the slide.

News flash - the top round is supposed to hit the bottom of the slide. Show me an auto where this doesn't happen. Why do you think mags will pop out when released? How do you think the rounds get into position for the slide to strip them off for loading into the chamber?

 

[stinger 327]

I think it is a common problem.

Ask the Glock guys how easy it is to load 17 in their new G17 mags? Do they load up 15 for awhile before going to 17?

Browning Hi-Power's in 15 round capacity, have typically been less reliable than the original 13 rounders. I'm sure Beretta spent a few years with problems with mags carrying more than 15 rounds before getting a slightly different tube for their higher capacity mags. SIG P220 originally shipped with 7 round mags. They eventually went with a longer tube and gave us an 8 rounder.

As I said earlier, the newer 8 round mags, Wilson ETM's and Tripp mags, have a longer tube. They have less problems than the older design mags that used the same size tube as the 7 rounders.

Remember now, I'm not saying 8 rounders won't work, just that their window for operation is smaller than for a 7 rounder. That is the point Mr. Camp is making in his blog article. He says some of his 8 rounders work 100% in some of his guns. However, his 7 rounders work in all of his guns. He hasn't had that experience with his 8 rounders.

On the other hand, Mr. Yam prefers 8 rounders, and I believe his point is a quality 8 rounder will most likely work better than an average 7 rounder.

The moral of the story, don't buy cheap/low quality magazines. If you are forced to buy cheap/low quality mags, you're better off with a 7 rounder. If you go with quality mags, either a 7 or 8 rounder will probably work fine, but a quality 7 rounder will probably function properly longer than the 8 rounder will.

I understand yet the 1911 still has alot of followers and still popular.

 

[stinger 327]

You need good mags, that's half the problem with 1911's, that don't feed right. I like the McCormick mags also. The metalform and Mec-gar are not reliable, you can get a good one or a terrible one. Get Wilson or McCormick mags and you will eliminate that from the equation. Also you really don't need a 10 round mag for that gun, just carry 1 or 2 spares, "as you should" with any gun.

Wilson or CMC

 

[JTQ]

JTQ wrote,
One problem you'll often see with guys with new 8 round mags, is they have a difficult time seating them in the pistol with the slide closed. The top round hits the bottom of the slide.

rondog wrote
News flash - the top round is supposed to hit the bottom of the slide. Show me an auto where this doesn't happen. Why do you think mags will pop out when released? How do you think the rounds get into position for the slide to strip them off for loading into the chamber?

Thanks for the new flash. I am aware of that. Did you read the sentence I wrote after the one above?

JTQ wrote,
With a 7 round mag there is more room to compress the spring and allow the mag to seat.

Flush fit 8 rounders are harder to seat because there is less compressibility available within a tube designed for 7. A Wilson 47D is more difficult to seat than their 47 which is a 7 rounder in the same length tube. An extended tube 8 rounder, such as a Wilson ETM, will be easier to to seat than a 47D, because there is more room in the tube for the spring to compress.

 

[peacemaker45]

It's important to remember that when the 1911 was designed over a hundred years ago, it was designed to work with full power 230 grain round nose .45 ACP, and 7 round magazines. It was made by one manufacturer. In that original configuration, it worked very well, and won itself quite a reputation.

Eventually, because of its reputation in serving the military, it started to move into the civilian world. Civilians wanted it to do more than just be a reliable combat sidearm. Some wanted a target pistol, so they tightened up the tolerances. Very accurate, but maybe not so reliable. Some wanted to play other gun games. Others wanted to carry the guns the military did, but wanted something or other "fixed," about the original design. The adding larger sights, or a beaver tail grip safety come to mind. They weren't restricted by the Geneva Convention to FMJ ammo, and wanted to use semi-wadcutters to punch pretty holes in targets, or hollow points shaped like flying ashtrays to punch bigger holes in bad guys.

A whole cottage industry sprang up, whereby a consumer could buy a solid, no frills 1911 from Colt, and then have it modified into a bullseye gun, an IPSC gun, a defensive pistol, or whatever else he wanted. Of course some of these modifications worked well, and some did not. Some of the smiths did quality work, and some did not.

At about this time, Bill Clinton and his bunch passed the Crime Bill, which limited new magazines to ten rounds. This took much of the wind out of the sails of the then-new wonder nines, and caused people to take another look at the old warhorse, the 1911. After all, why go to the trouble of carrying around a bulky double stack pistol, if it only gains you a few rounds over the old singles?

With this shot in the arm, the 1911's market share began to expand dramatically. Soon, more and more manufacturers were offering 1911s of their own. And in a competitive marketplace, they had to find new ways of making their product stand out. Better sights than GI! More accurate than GI! Prettier than GI! Ramped and throated to feed hollow points! Extended controls! Higher capacity! Then too, the original was designed when labor was cheap and machines were expensive. Today the situation is reversed. Attempts to reduce or remove hand fitting, and use modern manufacturing techniques haven't always been crowned with glory.

With so many cooks in the kitchen, though, things were bound to slip. Some made quality, some did not. Some made to their own set of specs. Others just made junk.

Then too, a lot of shooters aren't really shooters at all, but gun buyers. They buy a gun, put a box of (gasp! Expensive!) ammo through it, and put it away. These people are quite likely to buy a $350 1911, if it looks like a thousand dollar Colt or $1500 custom. Will they have gotten a good deal?

Anyway, that's how we got to the present confused state of the market.

 

[stinger 327]

It's important to remember that when the 1911 was designed over a hundred years ago, it was designed to work with full power 230 grain round nose .45 ACP, and 7 round magazines. It was made by one manufacturer. In that original configuration, it worked very well, and won itself quite a reputation.

Eventually, because of its reputation in serving the military, it started to move into the civilian world. Civilians wanted it to do more than just be a reliable combat sidearm. Some wanted a target pistol, so they tightened up the tolerances. Very accurate, but maybe not so reliable. Some wanted to play other gun games. Others wanted to carry the guns the military did, but wanted something or other "fixed," about the original design. The adding larger sights, or a beaver tail grip safety come to mind. They weren't restricted by the Geneva Convention to FMJ ammo, and wanted to use semi-wadcutters to punch pretty holes in targets, or hollow points shaped like flying ashtrays to punch bigger holes in bad guys.

A whole cottage industry sprang up, whereby a consumer could buy a solid, no frills 1911 from Colt, and then have it modified into a bullseye gun, an IPSC gun, a defensive pistol, or whatever else he wanted. Of course some of these modifications worked well, and some did not. Some of the smiths did quality work, and some did not.

At about this time, Bill Clinton and his bunch passed the Crime Bill, which limited new magazines to ten rounds. This took much of the wind out of the sails of the then-new wonder nines, and caused people to take another look at the old warhorse, the 1911. After all, why go to the trouble of carrying around a bulky double stack pistol, if it only gains you a few rounds over the old singles?

With this shot in the arm, the 1911's market share began to expand dramatically. Soon, more and more manufacturers were offering 1911s of their own. And in a competitive marketplace, they had to find new ways of making their product stand out. Better sights than GI! More accurate than GI! Prettier than GI! Ramped and throated to feed hollow points! Extended controls! Higher capacity! Then too, the original was designed when labor was cheap and machines were expensive. Today the situation is reversed. Attempts to reduce or remove hand fitting, and use modern manufacturing techniques haven't always been crowned with glory.

With so many cooks in the kitchen, though, things were bound to slip. Some made quality, some did not. Some made to their own set of specs. Others just made junk.

Then too, a lot of shooters aren't really shooters at all, but gun buyers. They buy a gun, put a box of (gasp! Expensive!) ammo through it, and put it away. These people are quite likely to buy a $350 1911, if it looks like a thousand dollar Colt or $1500 custom. Will they have gotten a good deal?

Anyway, that's how we got to the present confused state of the market.

With all of the aftermarket parts and things you could put on a 1911 it is like the 10/22 of the pistols. A highly modified/customized gun

 

[palmetto99]

I've come to use Chip McCormicks with both of my RIA's. Never a problem the ACT mags that came with them either.

 

[stinger 327]

I've come to use Chip McCormicks with both of my RIA's. Never a problem the ACT mags that came with them either.

Are those magazines from armsor by ACT? Or did you buy yours used and that's what it came with.

 

[palmetto99]

The ACT's are what was supplied with the pistols from the factory. I bought a Match model RIA from a friend about three years ago. It was new in the box. It had a single ACT mag. The Tactical model RIA I bought last year from a local shop also had a single ACT mag. My friend that I purchased the Match model from had been using the Chip McCormick magazines for most of his 1911's so I picked up two to try. I now have eight. They seem to work well and I would reccomend getting them with the bump pad. Even if you never install them, cheaper to have them and not use them then order seperate.

Anyway, the RIA's are pretty good pistols for the bucks. My Match model has been flawless. I used it for a year of IDPA. I changed the grips out to a set of VZ's and added skateboard tape to the front strap.

My Tactical is off getting Cerakoted. Was also having the ambi safety levers cut down and rounded a bit. Hope to have it back in a couple of weeks.

Enjoy your RIA.

 

[stinger 327]

The ACT's are what was supplied with the pistols from the factory. I bought a Match model RIA from a friend about three years ago. It was new in the box. It had a single ACT mag. The Tactical model RIA I bought last year from a local shop also had a single ACT mag. My friend that I purchased the Match model from had been using the Chip McCormick magazines for most of his 1911's so I picked up two to try. I now have eight. They seem to work well and I would reccomend getting them with the bump pad. Even if you never install them, cheaper to have them and not use them then order seperate.

Anyway, the RIA's are pretty good pistols for the bucks. My Match model has been flawless. I used it for a year of IDPA. I changed the grips out to a set of VZ's and added skateboard tape to the front strap.

My Tactical is off getting Cerakoted. Was also having the ambi safety levers cut down and rounded a bit. Hope to have it back in a couple of weeks.

Enjoy your RIA.

I don't recall but what is stamped on the magazine that comes with the RIA tactical from factory? Is ACT or Armscor written somewhere on clip?

 

[hardluk1]

I have RIA tactical fs 5" 45 . Payed 468 new at our general store/gun store. Stock ACT-MAG that comes with the RIA works fine and I picked up some old stock cmc powermags for extra's. had to dimple the right side at the follower when empty to trip the open open but no big deal. Its a 1911 and mags don't always work in each make and brand.

Yea if you look, it will say ACT-mag if it a recent pistols. Trigger smooths up with time and spring changes help . Accurate and 100% reliable thru my normal 500 rounds before cleaning again, now with 850 rounds fired. Ya it was well lubed . Good enough for 2" 25 yard groups with 200gr zero brand ammo swc from a ransom rest.

 

[stinger 327]

I have RIA tactical fs 5" 45 . Payed 468 new at our general store/gun store. Stock ACT-MAG that comes with the RIA works fine and I picked up some old stock cmc powermags for extra's. had to dimple the right side at the follower when empty to trip the open open but no big deal. Its a 1911 and mags don't always work in each make and brand.

Yea if you look, it will say ACT-mag if it a recent pistols. Trigger smooths up with time and spring changes help . Accurate and 100% reliable thru my normal 500 rounds before cleaning again, now with 850 rounds fired. Ya it was well lubed . Good enough for 2" 25 yard groups with 200gr zero brand ammo swc from a ransom rest.

You paid $468? How long was that ago? Sounds like a great shooter. Have you tried to feed any hollowpoints?

 

[bdb benzino]

Sounds like a great shooter. Have you tried to feed any hollowpoints?

I have owned 3 Armscor made 1911's, a 5 inch full size, a 4 inch mid size, and a 3.5 inch officer sized one. All 3 were totally reliable with FMJ and hollow point ammo, and I still own the mid size, it's a great gun.
I think the idea of 1911's not feeding HP's well is from the older days and not too much of an issue any more. Trying them is the only way to find out and it will be fun doing it at the same time.
Good luck with your RIA, I am sure you will enjoy it!

 

[stinger 327]

I have owned 3 Armscor made 1911's, a 5 inch full size, a 4 inch mid size, and a 3.5 inch officer sized one. All 3 were totally reliable with FMJ and hollow point ammo, and I still own the mid size, it's a great gun.
I think the idea of 1911's not feeding HP's well is from the older days and not too much of an issue any more. Trying them is the only way to find out and it will be fun doing it at the same time.
Good luck with your RIA, I am sure you will enjoy it!

thanks..figure that the 1911's they make today must be better than what was made 100 years ago. All I need now is to get some CMC clips and Wilson Clips.

 

[gym]

Mags

 

[Lj1941]

Just my own opinion,"If you want more than 7 or 8" get a double stack pistol not an extension ladder magazine. RIA makes a double stack 1911 but it is IMHO just TOO FAT.

 

[hardluk1]

stinger 327 I bought it about 2 1/2 months ago but the same dealer has some for sale at that same price yesterday. The GI version is $409. They do tend to buy in bulk and all firearms sell for 10% over his cost. They keep about 450 firearms on display and its a small town general store in the county.
http://www.pricescreekstore.com/

HP ammo/ Yea had to start with HP as that's all there was locally right off. I have shot around 5 or 6 different brands or weights +P too. Remington green and white box, 230gr hp, georgia arms 185 and 230gr +P speer unicor bonded GD from there gun show guy , fiocchi 200gr xtp, federal hydro shok 230gr, underwood 185gr +p, zero ammo 200gr swc from a buddy and several brands of fmj. Anyhow 300 rounds of different HP ammo and 550 from different companies of fmj. I did save the +P ammo for the spring change. Everything has run fine with it too.

Just ordered 700 rounds from georgia arms as they finally have some 45 in stock , both fmj and hp.

Oh noooo , never say clips when talking about mags. hehehe

 

[surjimmy]

I really like the Rock Island Tactical and, it will make you a fine weapon. With that said, the factory mags are crap. Mine jammed on me on the 3rd round. I put in a Wilson 47D, and it ate everything I fed it. I could not get it to malfunction again.

 

[Zach S]

I use seven round magazines. Went from Wilson 47s to round follower Metalforms. I have a slew of other name brands that work well. The last few I bought were the Wilson Service Magazines. They look like checkmate magazines to me.

You need good mags, that's half the problem with 1911's, that don't feed right.

The other half would be a poorly fitted and adjusted extractor.

stinger 327 I bought it about 2 1/2 months ago but the same dealer has some for sale at that same price yesterday. The GI version is $409. They do tend to buy in bulk and all firearms sell for 10% over his cost. They keep about 450 firearms on display and its a small town general store in the county.
http://www.pricescreekstore.com/

Anytime I was in there prices seemed pretty close to MSRP. But I escaped when I was 19, I'm 32 now. Sounds like its changed a little bit, I remember the gun section being one wall of rifle racks behind a display counter for handguns.

 

[mattm0691]

as far as I know, the Wilson "Legendary" 47D mags are considered to be some of the best. They are pricey, but in my experience will feed just about anything, including some hollowpoints that would not chamber with other mags (speer 200gr "ash tray" )..

 

[stinger 327]

stinger 327 I bought it about 2 1/2 months ago but the same dealer has some for sale at that same price yesterday. The GI version is $409. They do tend to buy in bulk and all firearms sell for 10% over his cost. They keep about 450 firearms on display and its a small town general store in the county.
http://www.pricescreekstore.com/

HP ammo/ Yea had to start with HP as that's all there was locally right off. I have shot around 5 or 6 different brands or weights +P too. Remington green and white box, 230gr hp, georgia arms 185 and 230gr +P speer unicor bonded GD from there gun show guy , fiocchi 200gr xtp, federal hydro shok 230gr, underwood 185gr +p, zero ammo 200gr swc from a buddy and several brands of fmj. Anyhow 300 rounds of different HP ammo and 550 from different companies of fmj. I did save the +P ammo for the spring change. Everything has run fine with it too.

Just ordered 700 rounds from georgia arms as they finally have some 45 in stock , both fmj and hp.

Oh noooo , never say clips when talking about mags. hehehe

Thanks for that info.
Do you know what they were selling the RIA 1911 Tactical .45 for?
Perhaps I could purchase from them in the future.
The only problem with that is in most cases being here in California and after seeing guns on the internet at lower prices it is very tempting to purchase via internet but after paying FFL fees for the transfer it usually ends up close to the price we have to pay here for guns already here in California. Plus I got to pick the gun I wanted new in box instead of having to buy a display gun or a gun I have not seen prior to purchase.

 

[stinger 327]

I use seven round magazines. Went from Wilson 47s to round follower Metalforms. I have a slew of other name brands that work well. The last few I bought were the Wilson Service Magazines. They look like checkmate magazines to me.


The other half would be a poorly fitted and adjusted extractor.


Anytime I was in there prices seemed pretty close to MSRP. But I escaped when I was 19, I'm 32 now. Sounds like its changed a little bit, I remember the gun section being one wall of rifle racks behind a display counter for handguns.

I see the prices of gasoline there is alot less than it is here. We pay $3.85 to $4.00 a gallon for super unleaded gas here.

 

[LiveLife]

All I need now is to get some CMC/Wilson.

You can get both to see which works better for you.

You may also want to get some replacement recoil springs. With more generous tapered chamber/mouth RIA Tactical has, it will suffer less "return to full battery" issues but quality recoil springs will soften the recoil and muzzle flip.

Most factory 16 lb springs will quickly become 15 lb springs (some even after several hundred rounds) and add to slide failing to fully return to battery issues and increase the muzzle flip/felt recoil.

I use Wolff variable power and Wilson Combat recoil springs (around $7). 16/16.5/17 lbs for lighter target loads and 17/18/18.5 for factory/defensive rounds. They reduce the muzzle flip/felt recoil and makes shooting more comfortable/enjoyable.