Rock Island 1911

[possom813]

I've been looking at 1911's for a while now. I know I wanted one, but didn't want to spend a fortune just in case I didn't like it.

Well yesterday went to site in the now broken 740 and my buddy brought his Rock River 1911 which I fired a few rounds through, and at 75 feet put in about an 8 inch group free standing 9 shots.

So yesterday I decided that after I replaced the 740 I would get a 1911.

Well after moping around most of the afternoon yesterday the wife tells me I can go to Gander Mountain and "look" for a new rifle. So me and the old man went out there and looked around for a while and he was looking at pistols. I found a 770 that I like a lot and will probably buy at a later time. But in the display case staring back at me just screaming "look at me, look at me" was a Rock Island Armory 1911 .45 for 299.99. I'm guessing this wasn't too bad of a price, so on layaway it went until next month.

Anything I should know about these? I don't know anything about 1911's, other than I wanted one.

-John

 

[Arsyx]

If you buy a Rock Island chances are you will have to replace the magazines they come with, that or polish them. Most parts that have metal to metal contact also need to be polished to operate smoothly. I also hear that people buy new recoil springs, if you have the cash. After that, a Rock Island should be fine.

 

[viking499]

Be careful, they are addicting, because they are wonderful shooters.

 

[highorder]

the Novak mag that came with my RIA feeds flawlessly; better that my Wilson 47D's.

 

[inherentical]

If you buy a Rock Island, get the "tactical" model. Not too much more money, and comes with upgrades you'll end up doing anyway. I've never had to polish mine to get it to work, and I'm pretty happy with it as a 1911 that cost under $400. I did get some different magazines for it, but that's because I prefer 7 round magazines to 8 rounders.

 

[MJZZZ]

That is a great price, I paid $306 new from Sarco. I have 5 factory mags and have never had any mag related problems. I have changed the grips and the recoil spring with a Wolff 18.5lb to help break in the gun. After 500 rounds, I'll put the stock spring back in. I own 11 guns and the RIA is one of the 4 that has never malfunctioned, the others being a CZ 75, a Colt revolver and a Colt Govt .380. Good luck and good shooting. Mike

 

[crankshop1000]

Only accept RIA advice from an owner. They are the best deal for the money on a quality 1911. The tactical is the better 1911, but the 1911A1 is a truer to design 1911.Quality materials, CNC machining and a great factory service backup.

 

[Adam5]

I have an Armscor (the company that makes RIA) branded 1911 that I love!!! I did get the oddball though. Mine is the 1911A2 9mm. I'm at around 800 flawless rounds through it.

 

[possom813]

I guess I'll have to ask more questions when I actually get it to the house. It was kind of an impulse put on layaway. I don't actually know right off if it's the tactical model or not. All it says on the receipt is "ROC 45 AUTO 1911 5FS"

I don't know if it could be told from the serial # which it is, but I'm not complaining. I still think it'll go bang.

 

[Arsyx]

If my comment rubbed off as the gun was inoperable if you didn't polish the parts that's not what I meant. I've just heard from alot of people that polishing rub points will give the parts a longer life, just a thought but I may be wrong since I don't own one as the other guy said.

 

[Calhoun]

The Tactical model comes with ambi safety and Novak like sights. It also has a FLGR.

I've had a Tactical model for about a year now and really likt it. You'll have fun with it.

 

[Arsyx]

Calhoun, how much does that model cost usually?

 

[inherentical]

Here's my Rock Island Tactical:

 

[possom813]

The Tactical model comes with ambi safety and Novak like sights. It also has a FLGR.

I guess I still qualify as a noob, what are Novak sights and an FLGR...But I don't think this is the tactical model because it doesn't have the ambi safety.

EDIT:While I'm thinking about it, what's the dovetail/boattail safety I read about in another post?

 

[possom813]

If my comment rubbed off as the gun was inoperable if you didn't polish the parts that's not what I meant. I've just heard from alot of people that polishing rub points will give the parts a longer life, just a thought but I may be wrong since I don't own one as the other guy said.

No offense taken. I've read a lot of stuff to improve on them too, that's what I'm kinda asking about. Things I should know about 1911's...

-John

 

[Spot77]

I've had mine for about two years and love it. At first I thought I was going to have trouble with the factory mag, but after a few mags full of ammo it worked fine. I also use a Wilson Combat mag with it and that works perfectly too.

You got a good gun for a great price.

 

[Joey_the_Wolf]

I own a bare bones RIA GI 1911A1 and I have nothing but praise and nice things to say about it. The 8 round Novak mag that comes with it runs flawlessly, and after the first 200 rounds or so has run flawlessly. EXTREMELY accurate (sure surprised me), surprisingly tight, and reliable. I switched out the wood grips that came with it for some GI type plastic grips, and plan on upgrading the sights at some point, but other than that, there's nothing that I'd really do to this gun. Again, very reliable, very accurate, and very cheap. Even though I feel I got ripped off by paying $500 for it when others have bought it in the $350 range (I didn't know better at the time) it was $500 well spent, and the more rounds I put through it, the happier I am with it.

 

[drmsparks]

Check out the M1911 forum sight (m1911.org)

There's a whole forum devoted to each manufacturer.

You can even speak directly to the RIA factory representatives (ask for Ivan).

Their customer service is great.

As to polishing and tuning....read the FAQ's and check out the gunsmithing and tuning sections.

Welcome to the club.....

and to share a popular graphic from the RIA forum...

 

[drmsparks]

GI vs Tactical

I guess I still qualify as a noob, what are Novak sights and an FLGR

Novak style sights are the larger dovetailed rear sights you see in the picture above.

A FLGR is a full length guide rod. Beneath the barrel - the rod that guides the slide on its travels. The standard model is short, the "advanced" model is a full length version. Some people love them, some hate them.

The Tactical has a "beavertail safety": see the protrusion below the hammer in the picture above. It keeps your hand below the moving hammer and slide so you don't get bit.

The tactical also has a fancy trigger and hammer (hollowed vs solid) and the ejection port is "lowered", i.e. cut deeper down on the slide (bigger) than on the GI version.

None of these feature were found on the GI version that was carried throughout the 20th century. They are upgrades and convenience features.

You have a solid weapon. Enjoy it!

 

[Calhoun]

FLGR = Full Lengenth Guide Rod. This is the rod that runs through the recoil spring.

Novak is a sight maker. See the pictures above. Check out the rear site. That's a Novak. I don't think that RIA uses actual Novaks (but I could be wrong)

 

[Fumbler]

They aren't actual Novak's, they're knockoff, but they work just as nicely.

I love my RIA 1911 Tactical.

BTW, if it jams with the first couple mags of ammo then it's no big deal, every manufacturer or 1911s has jams.
My gun had two failures to return to battery in the first 3 mags. One was because my friend rode the slide when chambering the first round and the second one was with him limp wristing it (new shooter). Light pressure was enough to return to battery. It hasnt had a problem since and works well with ball ammo and Remington UMC 230gr JHP. I haven't tried anythign else.

I agree though, try to get the Tactical model if that's the one you didn't get.
It will cost you more just to get better sights. The regular model has little sights.