Rock Island Armory

[smalls]

FYI, The STI Spartan is the same gun as the RIA's and Citadel's...

No, Armscor makes them to STI specs, using STI internals, then STI QC's them when they arrive stateside. I also believe them to be different materials used for the frame, or slide, but I could be wrong.

I've had the pleasure to shoot a couple Armscor products. A 5" tactical, and a Citadel CS. While no bullseye guns by any stretch of the imagination, they're were fairly accurate, and super reliable. The Tactical hadn't been cleaned in almost 1500 rounds, and the CS hadn't been cleaned in 600 rounds, and neither hiccupped.

 

[tekarra]

I have a RIA Tactical which has run great out of the box, now looking to get another one or two.

 

[1911 guy]

I've got one with well over 10,000 rounds through it. Swap recoil springs every 2,000 rounds and it runs like a swiss watch. It has far exceeded what I expected when I bought it. I'd buy another if I needed an inexpensive 1911 for range or CCW. To be fair, you can't compare the work that goes into a higher end gun with these, but they are, in my opinion, an exceptional value for the money.

To make an absurd comparison, I also have a custom built 1911 that ran me in excess of $2,000. You can tell the difference in the two at a glance. Finish, fit, crispness of internals, proper polishing, etc. Everything about the Springfield is better. But, that "Philipino beer can" has tossed a lot of lead and the accuracy isn't anything to sneeze at.

 

[BSA1]

The Rock Island is what it is and well serve most users fine as long as they use it as a budget priced 1911.

You get what you pay for. Some of the issues are the exterior suface of the frame is uneven (it is cast). It not noticable with dull blue/black finish but shows up if the frame is refinished with silver colored finish. Other problems are slightly out of spec holes such as for the grip bushings which makes grip fitting a problem. Consider that custom gunsmiths use the Springfield Armory as their base gun not the Rock Island.

I consider trying to customize a R.I. like to putting plaid pants on a pig. After you are done all you have is a mad pig only now it is wearing plaid pants! Follow Guru Coopers advice with good trigger, good sights and good feeding of ammo and I think you have a winner.

As I am interested in a 9mm 1911 I have been considering a R.I. based on cost as I am unwilling to pay over $1,000 for one. (But I will not be putting any plaid pants on it).

 

[Nuclear]

Good gun. Is it as tight or finely finished as a higher end gun? No. Do they run reliably? Sure do.