The Rock Island Armory 1911 models seem to be the cheapest 1911 models I can find (under $400). Are the cheap for a reason or are they actually a solid handgun? Anyone own or shot one of the Rock Island Armory 1911's before? If so, what was your impression of them?
Rock Island Armory 1911's
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james_bond
Member
They are made in the Philippines, and are plain jane, no fancy hammer or trigger no checkered front strap, but they seam to operate well with everbody I have talked to.
I take some of that back you can get it a little dressed up it appears http://www.sarcoinc.com/rockislands-new.html
I take some of that back you can get it a little dressed up it appears http://www.sarcoinc.com/rockislands-new.html
highorder
Member
search, and you will find dozens of threads where people like me say that we love ours; the same threads are full of people that say they wouldn't trust anything less than their Wilson/Baer/etc.
I love mine.
I love mine.
wally
Member
Over at 1911forum.org there is an ARMSCOR/RIA forum where you can see mostly positive comments and satisfaction with the customer service and support on the problem guns (eveyone makes some!)
IMHO the RIA "Tactical" is one of the best values in the handgun market right now -- Springfield "loaded" features as a bit under "GI" prices.
I'm very happy with my Armscor/RIA guns, the oldest has over 13,000 rounds thru it, which means I've spent way more on the ammo its shot than I did for the gun!
With the weak dollar, the next round of guns imported from Brazil, Croatia, Philippines, etc. will all cost more
--wally.
IMHO the RIA "Tactical" is one of the best values in the handgun market right now -- Springfield "loaded" features as a bit under "GI" prices.
I'm very happy with my Armscor/RIA guns, the oldest has over 13,000 rounds thru it, which means I've spent way more on the ammo its shot than I did for the gun!
With the weak dollar, the next round of guns imported from Brazil, Croatia, Philippines, etc. will all cost more
--wally.
mpmarty
Member
RIA are one of the last manufacturers to offer a series seventy 1911. Their guns seem very nicely made and mine is a gem. I bought the "tactical" model as the changed hammer and other incidentals that upgrade brought along make the small increase in cost a bargain. Mine has several hundred rounds through it and it is a pleasure to shoot and own. Even the magazine furnished with it is a quality Novak eight rounder. I'm impressed and recommend these pistols to anyone who asks.
I have one in .45 and one in .38 Super. The government model is a great, no frills 1911. The people over at 1911forum rave about them, and the company's customer rep hangs out there. When somebody has a problem over there, he takes care of it pronto.
Lucky Strike
Member
I researched them when looking at what affordable ( $400-500 was my target range) .45's to get and came down to two guns the RIA and a EAA Witness. I've chosen the Witness but I read mostly positive things about both guns. Witness just felt better in my hand....would love to get a RIA 1911 down the road though.
dracphelan
Member
1. I love my RIA Government model. I've shot uncounted 1000s of rounds with no problems. Though, about 1000 rounds ago, I switched out the recoil spring for a Wolf spring. I have shot everything from 185 grain hollow points to 250 grain lead round nose bullets. I love it so much, I will be buying a compact model for concealed carry.
2. The parts are completely interchangeable with any standard (GI) 1911 parts. The pistols are built on machines brought over from the USA. Also, to give you an idea of their quality, the STI Spartan is built off of RIA frames. I completely trust my pistol.
2. The parts are completely interchangeable with any standard (GI) 1911 parts. The pistols are built on machines brought over from the USA. Also, to give you an idea of their quality, the STI Spartan is built off of RIA frames. I completely trust my pistol.
schmeky
Member
I bought a new RIA in .38 Super several months back to build a 9mm, 1911. I paid $305.00 for the pistol, $15.00 in shipping and a $20.00 FFL fee.
I disassembled, inspected, lubed, installed a cheapo' 9mm barrel and adjusted the extractor. I was so impressed (considering what I paid for it) I decided to use it as a platform for a semi-custom pistol.
For the money, they are currently the very best bang for the buck for a 1911, and to top it off, customer service is reportedly one of the best in the industry. Add to that they are series 70's which makes aftermarket parts and possibilities almost limitless.
Get one.
This is my RIA with an Essex slide and a custom fitted match 9mm barrel.
I disassembled, inspected, lubed, installed a cheapo' 9mm barrel and adjusted the extractor. I was so impressed (considering what I paid for it) I decided to use it as a platform for a semi-custom pistol.
For the money, they are currently the very best bang for the buck for a 1911, and to top it off, customer service is reportedly one of the best in the industry. Add to that they are series 70's which makes aftermarket parts and possibilities almost limitless.
Get one.
This is my RIA with an Essex slide and a custom fitted match 9mm barrel.
Furncliff
Member
They aren't perfect, and neither is their customer service. Just my experience. My wife bought me a 1911 tactical in .45... In the first 100 rounds there were ~8-10 failure to return to battery, issues with the novak mag. pistol shot 2 inches low out of the box and the slide stop broke. E-mails to customer service - ???? no reply.
New Chip McCormack mag works great, Novak goes in the trash.
Bought another slide stop at Midway (great service there).
Filed the front sight down, she now makes great groups on the bull.
Still having failure to return to battery issues.
Have yet to hear from Armscor CS.
The Armsor area at the 1911 site are a bunch of cheer leaders. When I posted there to get some help, I got a ration of shirt. You'd have thought I was critiquing their wives.
I like the pistol. I shoot it better than my other pistols. I'm glad I bought it instead of the Taurus 1911. Just wanted you to know they aren't perfect.
I'll go back under my rock now.
New Chip McCormack mag works great, Novak goes in the trash.
Bought another slide stop at Midway (great service there).
Filed the front sight down, she now makes great groups on the bull.
Still having failure to return to battery issues.
Have yet to hear from Armscor CS.
The Armsor area at the 1911 site are a bunch of cheer leaders. When I posted there to get some help, I got a ration of shirt. You'd have thought I was critiquing their wives.
I like the pistol. I shoot it better than my other pistols. I'm glad I bought it instead of the Taurus 1911. Just wanted you to know they aren't perfect.
I'll go back under my rock now.
weisse52
Member
The ones I have seen, and the one I shot make be believe they are a good "first time / I want to try" 1911. Not sure how much money I would spend to change parts.
I am looking for one in 38 Super to convert to 9mm as well. Cheap practice.
I am looking for one in 38 Super to convert to 9mm as well. Cheap practice.
gb6491
Member
I read that thread ("Replacing pot metal parts"). My take on it is different from yours, but YMMV.
Did you contact Ray or Ivan as suggested?
I ask because you posted "P.S. If I call RIA I figure they'll just send me more pot metal." and Ray later posted "I often wonder why folks go to the forum for help yet my phone never rings."
Not knowing what Armscor CS you tried to contact I suggest you give Ray or Ivan a shout about your problem.
From the m1911.org site:
Ray Witham Jr. - Email: [email protected]
Ivan J. Walcott - Email: [email protected]
I'm sure they'll get it straightened out.
I own one RIA that I bought used in a pawn shop. My wife said it hurt her hand when she racked the slide. Doing it her way, I had to concur there was some discomfort. The slide serrations on one side were cut very deep creating a steep step where they ended. I contacted Ivan about purchasing another side and he said send it in; that they would see what they could do. They replaced the slide, at no cost, and we had the pistol back in just over a week . That kind of service rates pretty high with me.
Regards,
Greg
BTW, it turned out to be a nice little (Commander) gun. I did need to file the rear sight down a little and drift it some to shoot to POA, but other than that it runs fine.
Furncliff
Member
Greg, Thanks you those email addy's, they are not the ones I have been sending to. That might be the problem. I saw that post from Ray Witham,. but I was confused and thought it was a rep or something and wondered why he didn't pm me or at least say in the post "hey contact me here, I'll get you fixed up". As I said it was confusing for me. I will contact him, at that address. My post mentioning "pot metal parts" got some hackles raised - my mistake. I grew up with pot metal in all kinds of products, MIM isn't pot metal, I should have known better.
In spite of the problems I like the gun, it's accurate (30 ft.) tight, and has a terrific trigger for "out of the box." My post about the gun was only meant to recount my experience.
I've lost my glasses. Will someone point me to my rock please?
Thanks again, Greg.
Tom
In spite of the problems I like the gun, it's accurate (30 ft.) tight, and has a terrific trigger for "out of the box." My post about the gun was only meant to recount my experience.
I've lost my glasses. Will someone point me to my rock please?
Thanks again, Greg.
Tom
WoofersInc
Member
I have bought 2 of them and will buy more. One of those "for the price you can't beat it " things. I expect as word of them gets around more the prices will go up.
NGIB
Member
I really like my RIA Compact and it's amazingly accurate for a stock gun with tiny GI sights. It performs great and the only thing I've done is add a Pearce finger groove under the grips...
Cocked & Locked
Member
Yep, none of those worthless doo-dads above, just plain basic 1911
Beagle-zebub
Member
SIR - I must say you have a swell-lookin' pistol there.
I have the 45 GI, 45 Tactical & a 38 Super RIA's. I am thinking about buying a RIA Compact. I am not sure about that yet. I had a Springfield Ultra Compact thatI just couldn't get comfortable with. I bet I talk myself into the RIA though! I sold my PT1911. There wasn't anything wrong with it, I just like the RIA's more.
Quoheleth
Member
Rock Islands are good 1911s. Had one; sold it when a fellow offered me more than I paid for it. They are not Kimbers, or Les Baer, or even Springfield Operators. They are affordable 1911s built on old Colt series 70 machinery. You are basically getting a Colt made with Philipino sweat. The steel is probably not Colt-level, but it'll last through an average person's shooting life. Go over to the m1911.org website - quite a cult following over there. IMHO, the extra $35 or so for the Tactical model is worth it, just for the beavertail grip alone, not to mention ambi safety (I'm a lefty) and Novak-style sites.
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