Rock Island 1911: an overwhelmingly positive consensus?

[Snowdog]

Well, I took my time to type out a well worded query, but these work computers timed-out and trashed it, so here are my questions concerning the Rock Island 1911 in brief:

1) Are Rock Island 1911s true 1911 clones, or are there parts in their construction unique to their manufacturer?

2) Though I am aware the use of +P ammunition through any handgun should be expected to accelerate wear, is this 1911 just up to snuff as the Kimber/Colt/Springfield assemblage, or is the metal used in construction too soft (as is the case with Llama). This is also a question concerning the pistol's longevity. Though I doubt I'd exceed 1K of FMJ over the course of a single year, I like to know it could be expected to hold up well over the course of 5,000 rounds of standard-pressure FMJ without expecting to encounter parts breakage.

3) For those who have experience with JHPs through their Rock Island 1911s, is this typically found to be a 1911 that shuns the use of JHPs, or does it feed most hollow points as reliably as hard ball?

4) Finally, what kind of groups should I expect capable of this 1911 as far as stock 1911s go? I plan to put the miles on this 1911 in lieu of my beloved Kimber, so it will be with my next purchase that I plan maintain 1911 proficiency. I'm not demanding the tight groups my Kimber typically achieves, but something at least "combat accurate" (roughly 4" @ 25 yards) would be hoped for.

I suppose what I'm asking in general is if this pistol would make a good "beater" that could be called upon to keep one's proficiency keen.

Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[ulflyer]

Can't answer your questions as I've never owned a RIA. Do have several Colts and Norinco 1911's. Was sorely tempted yesterday at Charlotte Gun show to get an RIA. NIB for $299 + tax. But as fate would have it I later came across a Uberti SAA for $280 and that took my money.

From everything I've read they have a good following and warranty service.

 

[mrmeval]

I have a Rock Island AR-15 lower and it is good, very tight fit on all parts. Clean sharp forging, coating is very good. I would really like one of their frames to build my own 1911A1 on.

Well, I took my time to type out a well worded query, but these work computers timed-out and trashed it, so here are my questions concerning the Rock Island 1911 in brief:

1) Are Rock Island 1911s true 1911 clones, or are there parts in their construction unique to their manufacturer?


Dan

 

[dracphelan]

"1) Are Rock Island 1911s true 1911 clones, or are there parts in their construction unique to their manufacturer?"

I have not found any parts that would not work on mine. Though, it is my understanding that there are some parts that need filing to fit. I think this is true of any 1911.

"2) Though I am aware the use of +P ammunition through any handgun should be expected to accelerate wear, is this 1911 just up to snuff as the Kimber/Colt/Springfield assemblage, or is the metal used in construction too soft (as is the case with Llama). This is also a question concerning the pistol's longevity. Though I doubt I'd exceed 1K of FMJ over the course of a single year, I like to know it could be expected to hold up well over the course of 5,000 rounds of standard-pressure FMJ without expecting to encounter parts breakage."

I don't shoot +p ammo, so I can't answer this one.

"3) For those who have experience with JHPs through their Rock Island 1911s, is this typically found to be a 1911 that shuns the use of JHPs, or does it feed most hollow points as reliably as hard ball?"

My RIA feeds JHP ammo with no problems. And, I didn't need to polish the ramp or anything else.

"4) Finally, what kind of groups should I expect capable of this 1911 as far as stock 1911s go? I plan to put the miles on this 1911 in lieu of my beloved Kimber, so it will be with my next purchase that I plan maintain 1911 proficiency. I'm not demanding the tight groups my Kimber typically achieves, but something at least "combat accurate" (roughly 4" @ 25 yards) would be hoped for."

I shoot a 2-3" group with mine at 25 yards, and I'm not the best shot in the world.

 

[Rusty Guns]

I have a Rock Island and am very pleased with it.
I have used it to shoot bowling pins and it does wery well.
She and I hold our own with Compensated Kimbers and Springfields.
King sights, Wilson long trigger, Beaver Tail and new Hammer.
I guess you can't say Stock, But no major changes.
Several thousand rounds Winchester Value-Pak from Wal-mart.
Should hit 2500 this week. No Problems.
For a cheap pistol to play with you can't beat it.
Like I said She holds her oun against those expensive pistols.
And she makes some of them jealous. Ha Ha!!!
No Complaints

Rusty

 

[boofus]

Most people get a good or decent gun from Rock Island. Me and a friend ordered a pair from SOG and his worked great. Mine was a total dog. The slide would fail to go into battery maybe 2-3 times a magazine. I ended up getting rid of it to help finance other guns. At $275 if you get a gun that isn't a lemon it's a hard deal to pass up.

 

[wally]

I have a Rock Island AR-15 lower and it is good, very tight fit on all parts. Clean sharp forging, coating is very good. I would really like one of their frames to build my own 1911A1 on.

I believe you've confused Rock Island with Rock River. RIA is the "GI" line of Armscor guns. Mine appears to be a true clone and I'm very happy with it, especially considering the price. RRA also makes 1911s but their bottom of the line is about 4-5X what you'll pay for an RIA..

--wally.

 

[wally]

Most people get a good or decent gun from Rock Island. Me and a friend ordered a pair from SOG and his worked great. Mine was a total dog. The slide would fail to go into battery maybe 2-3 times a magazine. I ended up getting rid of it to help finance other guns. At $275 if you get a gun that isn't a lemon it's a hard deal to pass up.

You should have given Armscor a chance to make it right. I've recieved very good service from them on a few minor problems, although all problems are major when the gun don't work reliably, the fact is some QA/QC and tolerence stackup issues just don't show up until the gun is actually used.

--wally.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I bought a RIA for an additional range gun or car gun.

I wouldn't buy another.
The rifling is the worse I've ever seen. Tool marks, dings, etc.
The recoil spring was poorly made and weak.
The main spring was poorly made and broke.
I had to drift the rear sight as far left as possible.
I've got a couple dozen 1911 magazines but only 4 will go the last couple inches into the too tight magazine well.

Other than that it doesn't shoot too bad.

I don't leave it in the car because I wouldn't trust it in a defense situation.

I should have added a few dollars and bought something like an inexpensive Springfield to use as a "throw around" 1911.

 

[hksw]

Bought one for my dad (we're from the Philippines). Has worked like a Timex. I had started to mod it a little bit so I'll probably buy another to replace it for my dad. Does give me a hammer bite now and then with the stock hammer and grip safety, though.

 

[carolinaman]

Hi there,

I recently shot a neighbor's RIA 1911 at the range. It was his first 1911. Except for the finish, I was impressed with fit and functioning of his RIA. My only complaint was that the recoil plug was really, really tight when I went to help him clean it.

All in all, decent 1911 for the money.

Chris

 

[osteodoc08]

I've been pretty happy with my RIA Compact. I've had a few FTE, but hopefully have tuned the extractor per conventional 1911 wisdom. I have also had the slide lock in the back position with ammo still in the mag. Hopefully some new mags will clear it up. For the price, I don't think I did wrong by buying it, however, I still secretly wish for a Springfield Loaded model.

 

[wally]

I've been pretty happy with my RIA Compact. I've had a few FTE, but hopefully have tuned the extractor per conventional 1911 wisdom. I have also had the slide lock in the back position with ammo still in the mag. Hopefully some new mags will clear it up. For the price, I don't think I did wrong by buying it, however, I still secretly wish for a Springfield Loaded model.

What brand ammo were you shooting to cause the lock back with rounds remaining? Usually its not a mag issue unless its always with only one round remaing because the follower lock catch notch sits too high. I've found that some lots of Wolf 230gr FMJ cause this because the bullet is fatter further out than most other ammo so it will sometimes hit the slide lock lever during feeding causing it to lock back. Usually you can see "brass marks" on the inside part of the slide lock lever when this is happening.

Two common solutions are to dimple the slide lock lever where the plunger sits using a center punch (too much and you'll prevent the slide from locking back) or you can file down the inside of the slide lock lever so it clears (again too much will prevent normal lock back). Former is the prefered solution if you don't see evidence of the rounds hitting the inside -- sometimes inertia will cause this, I think its because the new "super lubes" are too slick. Snappy recoiil of the compact guns enhances the effect. Remove the slide, re-insert the slide lock lever in the frame and insert a loaded mag, as you thumb the rounds out as if the slide was moving forward you can see if the rounds can hit the lever -- in which case the latter is the only real solution other than switching to a different brand of ammo.

You can call Armscor and they'll send you a new slide lock that might cure the problem.

--wally.

 

[Spot77]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=164639

 

[engineer151515]

Like mine....

 

[wally]

Like mine....

Yours appears to be the Armcor Enhanced 45 in stainless. These seem to have dissapeared form the market around here, I've one in blue, the older model with the internal extractor. Great gun for the money and IMHO a much better buy than the RIA -- I got my RIA because I wanted to put a "J-Point" (Optima) red dot optic on it and wasn't sure if the Armscor "Novack" rear sight was really a NovacK for the Optima mount to fit the dovetail, I knew the RIA was a GI spec rear dovetail.

Recent Armscors I've seen have an external extractor and all have been in blue. I wonder if all the satinless and internal extractor guns are to be sold as Charles Daly, RIA for GI spec guns, and Armscor label with the external extractor. I hope not but this is what I've been seeing at gun shows the past eight months or so.

--wally.

 

[osteodoc08]

thanks for the tips. I am using WWB ammo. I bought a new Chip McCormick slide release and it seems to have made it better.

 

[gfen]

I used to be giving serious thought to one when I started lookign for a handgun. Most people's feelings on them were overwhelmingly positive.

The bad stuff was usually said about their smallest model, not their 5".

That said, in the end I didn't buy one. There was a used Colt ORM 1991 for not much more. He came home instead.

 

[W Turner]

I owned one for about 8 months almost two years ago and was very pleased with it. Almost everything in the gun is cast including the slide and frame, but they seem to be good castings, which can be just as good as forgings if done right.

Accuracy was acceptable (4" at 25 yds.), reliable with all FMJ and JHP ammo that I tried. I did polish the feed ramp, but it was more ofa tinkering job than it was actually needed.

Overall for the price point ~$300, they are the best deal going. Well made, GI parts will interchange and the fit and finish is better than the price tag would suggest.

I only sold mine to fund the purchase of a SA Loaded model.

W