Rock Island 1911 38 super

[L_10_shooter]

I have been looking at one of these for an IPSC singel stack gun. The price is much less than the name brand 1911's. So my question is what are your experiences with this gun? Reliability is the main thing, it has to run, always.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I've had 3 Super .38 RIA's. One park'd and two nickel. The park'd developed some barrel/slide engagement issues and RIA replaced it for no charge. One nickel one I sold unfired. The other I've had for about 3-4 years and shoot it often but don't keep up with round count.

It will NOT function with Winchester Silver Tips. It functions flawlessly with handloaded cast lead round nose and XTP's. It also functions flawlessly with factory ammo from Armscor, PMC, Fiocchi and Remington...both solid and JHP's.

 

[schmeky]

I bought a RIA .38 Super and converted it to 9mm. Great pistol for the money. RIA's are a win-win, you get a great pistol, and from all accounts, excellent customer service.

To bad the RIA customer service guys can't take over the Witness/Tanfoglio line from EAA

 

[jerkface11]

I've got a High Standard which is the exact same gun. It seemed lightly sprung so I got a Wolff spring kit for it. Best shooting handgun I've ever owned.

 

[L_10_shooter]

Well this is good to hear I was afraid that you get what you pay for.
Cocked&Locked
I am glad to hear about the cast round nose bullets as that is what I am going to be loading. Does it shoot 9mm .356 or .357 bullets, I have never loaded for a 38super.
I will be looking into one of these further. How is the trigger pull and I was also wondering if a 10 round mag/base pad is available?

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I am glad to hear about the cast round nose bullets as that is what I am going to be loading. Does it shoot 9mm .356 or .357 bullets...

.356 9mm ones. The ones I use are Carroll 125 grain bevel base roundnose.

The trigger pull feels no different than my Springfield Armory Mil Spec .38 Super (also factory nickel ) or my Colt 1911 .45's.

The base plate on the magazines are the same size as 1911 .45 base plates. So adding pads wouldn't be a problem.

I'm not sure if anyone makes a 10 shot magazine or not (probably do.) My mags are Metal Form and Mec Gar. I tried some Chip McCormick .38 Super mags but was not satisfied with them.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Just curious, do the RIA .38s have ramped or standard barrels?

Sweet looking .38 you got there Cocked & Locked.

My Super from Iowa is overdue, but I bet it's been busy since november.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Just curious, do the RIA .38s have ramped or standard barrels?

That's a good question. The 1st nickel one I bought (and still have) has a ramped barrel. The second one (parkerized) did as well. The 3rd and newest one did NOT have a ramped barrel.

I sold the 3rd one still new so I don't know how it functioned. My Springfield Armory .38 Super also has a ramped barrel.

My Springfield Armory Mil Spec .38 Super factory nickel finish.

 

[L_10_shooter]

I am a glock guy and have never looked into the innards of a 1911. What it the difference between the ramped and standard barrel?

 

[PO2Hammer]

Are those 'Tru Ivory' grips?

Another honey C&L.

I am a glock guy and have never looked into the innards of a 1911. What it the difference between the ramped and standard barrel?

A ramped 1911 barrel has the entire feed ramp attached to the barrel, similar to a Glock. The frame has to be machined out to take the ramp.

An unramped barrel has just a tiny ramp at the end of the chamber, and the rest of the ramp is built into the frame. When the barrel unlocks and swings down, the two ramps become one. This is the standard 1911 design.

A ramped barrel should provide better case head support and helps feed oddball bullet shapes (at least in the .38).

 

[outerlimit]

C&L, those grips are a perfect match to the gun. Great picture, thanks for posting it.

 

[L_10_shooter]

thanks po2hammer for educating me. I would prefer the ramped, sounds like it would feed better. I think i need to get me one of these, in two tone if I can find it.

 

[L_10_shooter]

thanks po2hammer for educating me. I would prefer the ramped, sounds like it would feed better. I think i need to get me one of these, in two tone if I can find it.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

What kind of ramp-cut did the ramped ones have?